Secrets of the Pelvis for Martial Arts: Anybody read it?

[cheya]

Secrets of the Pelvis for Martial Arts: A Practical Guide for Improving Your Wujifa, Taiji, Xingyi, Bagua and Everyday Life, by Michael Buhr.

 

This book looks really interesting, pretty good reviews on Amazon. Anybody read it and/or know the author?

 

 

Buhr also has a blog at http://internalgongfu.blogspot.com/

I REALLY liked his most recent post. Gonna have to delve further.

[GreytoWhite]

I thought I recognized that. The Wujifa guys focus quite a bit on fascial connection and I believe the founder of the art has an extensive taijiquan background from Chen and Yang lineages.

[Trevcaru]

Yeah, good book.

[joeblast]

These guys know why I focus on the psoas so much

[Gerard]

Here are a couple of basic foundation exercises to open/soften the entire crotch-kua-dang area:

 

Kua practice with a tree (hold the position at the bottom and stay there as long as you can comfortably, deeply relaxed, no tension, breathing in and out, just imagine your entire body melting down like ice in the heat. Make sure to also relax and think of a melt down in the sacrum area (bottom of the spine).

 

Feel fun, like children play to soften your legs and lower back

Dang/dawn stretch (as kua practice with a tree)

 

Dang and kua walking

 

Watch the rest of Mr He Jinghan's advice.

 

That area accumulates a lot of emotional garbage and tension from poor postural alignment due to modern lifestyle.

[gendao]

2. Pathways of tendons and pathways of qi (meridians)

 

After acupuncture became popular, everyone knows human body has twelve pathways of qi [meridians], but except these, there is also a system of twelve pathways of tendons. In qi-pathways there is qi circulating and they belong to yin, in tendons-pathways there is strength circulating and they belong to yang. If we say qi-pathways are copper wires transferring electric current inside electric cables, then tendons-pathways are just outer thickest rubber and steel wire of the wrapping bearing and pulling force during pulling electric cables.

 

The content of twelve pathways of tendons (also called twelve tendons-channels) is very broad and extensive, interested readers can consult “Twelve tendons-channels charts” [available] in the bookstores. Here I want sum up human body’s paths of tendons into six ones for practice but before this, it is necessary first to establish central axis channel of the body, this is around spine and forming channel. In Mabu Article described energy created by dang rises up through this channel. These six tendons paths [are] vertically around this central axis, there are small tendons pathways connections among them, and they are shaped in an area in the form of bucket. This area in the form of bucket is central [core] area of the energy of the body.

 

Simply said, these six tendons paths on the body are linked from hip joints to shoulder joints, and [they] again by shoulder joint connect arm, by hip joint connect both legs, this way it is possible to use four limbs and body combined into one.

 

3. Pulling apart bones [and, for] stretching tendons

 

For practicing tendons, it is essential first to relax the muscles, to lengthen muscles so they are not short, this is completely different from the present time ideas of muscle training of Western type. If muscles are relaxed, only then joints have space for stretching and pulling apart, joints can be open by pulling apart, only then tendons paths inside every joint have possibility to be connected, this is “relaxation” of the first stage of martial arts practice, with the aim of qi and strength sinking and entering into tendons and bones. At that time [This way] muscle groups mutually connect, they firmly wrap skeleton so that muscles, tendons and bones closely unite, only then can be accomplished beginning stage of “outwardly practice tendons, bones, skin”. Therefore tendons can not be pulled too much so that they become too relaxed, if they are too relaxed they will lose springiness, lose springiness cannot produce strength, this is necessary to notice.

 

4. Use strength to follow tendons

 

When important tendon paths of the whole body are structurally connected into single springy net, then various [different] connections of tendon paths will produce various [different] types of strength. Every joint is knot [nodal point] of the net, it is also a pivot [hub] of the controlling tendon paths. Different styles of wushu use different types of concepts and types of handling these knots [nodal points], some are simple, some complicated, some use straight lines, some use arcs and circles, some use spiraling, however, [the rule] “strength is created by tendons” is the same.

 

5. Through tendons enter qi

 

I feel that at the “strength” and “qi” levels, practicing wushu is elementary kungfu [skill] of cultivating the Dao. Wushu student seeks strength and practices tendons as the principal thing, at this stage energy of the body pours into tendon paths more and into qi paths less, while [at the stage of] practicing qi and cultivating Dao then it is necessary that energy of the body pours into qi paths more and into tendons paths less, therefore martial artist who achieved accomplishment will finally abandon strength of tendons, letting energy enter qi paths and going the road [way] of practicing qi and cultivating Dao, this is “relaxation” of the second stage of martial arts practice. However, if person who practices qi does not have elementary kungfu [skill] of practice tendons, then qi paths often are not unobstructed [they are not clear, not open], it is like tangled [twisted] and intertwined electric wires and cables, not only electric current and signal will not be clear, but becomes place of blockage because electric resistance increases and will produce heat with the result of fire, therefore if practicing tendons paths will not turn into entering qi paths, in the advanced age the problems and pain of the dissolution of strength will happen, [and] if before practicing qi paths are not practiced tendons paths first, then most [practitioners of this type] enter fancy dreams and delusion, there is no way to success.

 

6. Points for attention

 

To practice strength of tendons is basic kungfu [skill] of martial arts practice, some old masters learned it from childhood not knowing how, [or] knowing how but not knowing why, [or] knowing how to practice it but not knowing how to teach it, but even if they understand it, they regard it a secret, do not transmit it easily, I think this has [because of] two basic reasons:

 

(1) If martial arts practice is based only on [muscular] strength and does not train strength of tendons, this practice is quick, hard, targeted [???], firm and vigorous [???], sufficient for usual people to defend oneself, although it can harm [other] people, but these injuries are mostly external, not very serious. On other hand, if using strength of tendons to harm people, it is easy to harm internal organs and blood paths, this is very difficult to cure therefore they do not transmit it to common students.

 

(2) During practice tendon paths, there happens a time when one feels the whole body is swelled by strength and sexual desire also becomes vigorous [exuberant], wanting to be completely released. If student’s ability of self-control is not sufficient or unwilling to submit teacher’s restrain and control, it is easy to become bellicose and fond of women, get into trouble, harm own body, abandon oneself to depraved life, therefore the teachers who understand will not transmit it easily.

 

This article briefly introduces the importance and ways of practicing tendon paths, hoping reader does not want to act with undue haste and be too eager for success because inappropriate tendons training can easily lead to injury. Previous generations used to say: “Shang jin dong gu yi bai tian = Injured sinews and broken bones [require] one hundred days [of healing]”, therefore please be very careful. If someone gains an inspiration from this writing for practicing tendons a achieving success, please be sure to exercise strict self-discipline, give up fighting and guard oneself against [too much] sex, otherwise [you will] injure both others and self, and author’s guilt will not be shallow.

Interesting...

 

So, what is the Chinese character (襠?) for this "dang" arch that allows one to

? And what are the 12 tendon channels? Where is the chart for this and how exactly do you train tendons?

Edited March 5, 2014 by vortex

[joeblast]

Any movement trains ligaments and tendons...as you require more force the muscles get more involved, built upon the foundation of ligament-tendon-fascia. Its why you relax when doing horse stance, taiji, etc...to focus on only the bare essential of movement/stillness...that is training the tendons

 

I've never heard of the term deng before, but from watching the vid it implies the ability to issue force when needed, very much based upon the correct fundamentals of stance and movement. If you do not have center, you do not have deng. Lose center, lose deng. Keep center, keep balance, keep the ability for movement in any direction needed. Lose your center and you are much less able to do so. Push-pull of opposing forces....a sine wave goes above as well as below the "0" line.

 

12 tendon channels, if you have deadman's manual, look up the sinew portions of the meridians

[Dainin]

It's an interesting read, and was quite inexpensive as a Kindle e-book. Reading it made me more aware of the habitual tension that I hold in this area. A lot of the book is excerpts from other writings (both English and Chinese) that the author uses to illustrate his points. One of his suggestions is to put these dilator things up your ass. I think that I will pass on that one!

[Gerard]

The dang is the inner arch of the thighs, crotch. It is discussed here:

 

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=pl&u=http://www.neijia.net/neijia/yang_40.html&prev=/search?q%3DGong%2BBaotian%2BBaguazhang:%2Bdang%26start%3D10%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1366%26bih%3D660

 

 

[Trunk]

Here are a couple of basic foundation exercises to open/soften the entire crotch-kua-dang area:

...

Watch the rest of Mr He Jinghan's advice.

 

*wow* thanks for those kwa links!

[thelerner]

Haven't read the book, but on a similar vein, I've found doing kettlebell swings strengthen the area, core and coordinated power.

[BaguaKicksAss]

:wub: He Jinghan's training! :wub:

[GrandmasterP]

:wub: He Jinghan's training! :wub:

GM Yin Fu's lineage.

In Bagua it don't get any better than that.

Superb links many thanks for posting.

Edited May 19, 2014 by GrandmasterP

[GreytoWhite]

Aye, He Jinghan represents a very interesting lineage through Gong Bao Tian. At one time they had the qing gong or "light" skills in full. I don't think the acrobatics are taught any longer though.

[Green Tiger]

Thanks for the great resources! The muscles around the pelvis are big and stubborn! I know a lot of people hold their tension there, myself included. Always great to see some new techniques for opening it up.

 

I spend a lot of time in squat when warming up to get the kwa open. Also, I really like the leg swings this guy does around the 10:00 mark.

 

 

Looking forward to incorporating some new stuff.

[Trunk]

I made a separate thread for Master He Jing-han.

Feel free of course to continue posting his pertinent info here, but I know nothing about him and think he also deserves his own thread. If any of you who have experience/know of him, and want to share...

[PLB]

I am about half way through the book. The author is on a campaign to take the kwa out of the region of taboo and that is a good thing.

The different documents and videos he links to on the web are helpful and look into a broad spectrum of different practices. It is a kind of book that should only be purchased if you can read it with a web connection. What he has to say is always built on talking after one listens to someone else.

I think the book is worthwhile but it is not the work of an original voice.

[Gerard]

Thanks for the great resources! The muscles around the pelvis are big and stubborn! I know a lot of people hold their tension there, myself included.

Yes we all do: karma, unwholesome mental factors, poor posture, social conditioning, emotions...that area is also close to lower chakras (sexual desire, attachment, ego) and a meeting point of numerous meridians. Imagine how stubborn it can be. It requires dedicated and separate practice from forms.

 

When practice circle walk make sure you rub inner thighs well and walk soft, slow, low, mindfully and ensuring stepping is perfect, no room for error. I recommend drawing a circle using chalk and walk on a hard surface like concrete making sure the stepping is 100% perfect:

 

 

 

Stepping is the key element of the whole practice. It's too easy to walk in a circle and widen the area which would allow for a sloppy form and dropping the mindfulness component which is the underlying force that allows progress and growth.

Edited May 25, 2014 by Gerard

[Friend]

So many pages to tell that various martial arts styles

tell to soften up the pelvis and the only thing that I found

valuable is to sit on a tennis ball and able to sit comfortable

on it.

[MooNiNite]

He mentions beginners using Large horse stance to stretch the pelvis. Does he use his pelvis to hold himself up like the other stance?

Edited May 24, 2014 by MooNiNite

[gendao]

"Opening your kua" (and other joints) is another one of those deceptively-simple, ancient Chinese proverbial secrets...

 

While on the surface, many of us would assume that simply means stretching your crotch open and increasing its flexibility - some Chinese teachers assert that it actually has a far less obvious, more "esoteric" meaning.  And that you could actually be extremely flexible - yet still have a closed kua (and vice-versa) - drawing some "hidden" distinction between "ordinary" flexibility and "extraordinary" flexibility?

“Some of the moves of the form–fall and split, for example–require more than ordinary flexibility,” I said.

“Yes,” Master Chen allowed, “but it is not ordinary flexibility.” He smiled to himself, apparently pleased with turning my words around to support his position.

He went on. “When I asked Hong about what it means to have an open kua, he said an open kua is a kua that opens. You could have an eight year old girl who can put her foot above her head, and her kua is not open. You can have an eighty year old man who can hardly move and his kua is open.”

He paused, then emphasized this point. “Taiji is not about flexibility. It is not about flexibility, or strength, or speed.”

Yet, while they may often engage in a lot of "neti neti," they also fail to precisely describe and define what it actually IS... 

 

So, WTH exactly is a mystical "open kua" and how do you achieve it?