YIN&YANG ENERGY LINES Karate technique is a combination of intentional creation and distribution of the energy - a physical movement that enables human body the use of its full potential at the time. In previous chapter I explained that the technique is a result of energetic process based on simultaneously applied pressure and captured reaction involving both the body and the ground (the ground playing a role of outside energy source). In the process the physical body becomes a channel for creation, increase and transfer (delivery) of the energy to the target. The channeling of the energy follows the same pattern in different physical configurations, with same internal quality maintained during execution of various techniques and stances being used. In that sense, energetically speaking, we can picture human body as a tree with the trunk and different branches (arms, legs) that remains internally unchanged regardless of the difference in its external configuration. Similarly, regardless of which technique is being used (the external shape the movement takes), the energy flows uniformly along different branches of the body (legs, arms, torso) just to join together at technique s kime. This happens in a fashion similar to smaller mountain springs finally joining/forming one big river but in case of karate technique the word intense works better than big for the energy intensifies along the process rather than becomes bigger. The course an energy takes inside and along the body while executing the technique determines the character of the force being produced and this very aspect of movement s internal shape will be the main subject of this chapter. Although yin and young aspect of karate reaches out well beyond purely technical matter, we are going to focus on its strongly practical dimension by watching two contrary forces completing single motion. The discourse will also be narrowed down mostly to the study of the lower part of the body with help of a few simple examples to illustrate the nature of the process. The information on different techniques and their energetic shape can be found in later part of the book. In vertical slingshot chapter I mentioned two types of energy lines that constitute energetic body frame supporting karate technique: - YANG lines providing direct support towards movement/technique (energy line formed at time of active application of force; such line can work outward - for example when punching or inward, for example when the main action is the pulling effort) - YIN lines providing indirect support towards technique through enforcing YANG line. Yin lines are formed past the point of energy transfer in the final stage of technique. It s important to understand that yin and yang energy lines support and complement each other at all times, forming secured energy circuit within the body system. These energy lines are formed by adjacent body segments which (when activated) twist in opposite directions forming unified energy currents along the body (the term body segment is used here and throughout the book in reference to parts of the body connected by joints for example upper and lower leg connected through the knee joint or forearm and upper arm connected through the elbow joint. The trunk itself works as one separate segment). The action of grounding/reaction lets the energy to ascend in form of technique and travel up and down 1
along these lines in spiraling fashion alongside the legs, torso and arms. It is the very direction (inward or outward) of this spiral action that determines the character of force being produced (delivered) by a movement on the physical 2
level. What plays a major role here though is mental intention which dictates the direction of spiraling in the first place. It is very important to understand that within karate technique all body segments need to work both independently and in full cooperation with each other. Each segment has to become fully utilized in terms of its own workings and at the same time take part in the leading sequence (explosive action/technique) thus becoming valid part of whole effort. Understanding the energy working described in this chapter will help in achieving both. Before taking a look at the formation of yin and yang energy lines using practical examples we need to understand that activation of the muscles is accompanied by their expansion which itself serves as a foundation of powerful technique, especially at its kime. The expansive muscle action is the result of interconnection and collective work of adjacent body segments, which twist in opposite directions. The process resembles a wet towel being twisted using both hands moving in opposite direction. During the process of squeezing the towel/getting rid of the water the towel becomes more firm in similar way to muscles contracting around the core. The exercise of slow reverse punch against resisting partner is a good example that illustrates the idea (pic 7.1). Pic 7.1 Using outside resistance to test initiation, continuation and finish of reverse punch. It is important to combine slow movement of the punching arm with increasing grounding along back leg. While punching, try not to rush through and make sure to fully synchronize the breathing (exhale) with physical action of the punch at slower pace. Notice, that engaging back leg (simultaneous twisting action/pressure/reaction) connects it to the rest of the body and increases the ability to counter the resistance making the action of the arm more powerful. The same exercise done with just hip action (rotation) without back leg being engaged produces weak result. Excessive hip action in general is a sign of limited grounding and naturally results in limited reaction (imagine trying this exercise with your body suspended in the air since neither leg could engage via grounding, rotating your hips would not produce much result either). Throughout the technique the muscles of upper and lower back leg (in our example right) twist in opposite direction which results in muscular expansion and formation of unified energy line. Activation of the back leg with use of the breath and pressure applied along the leg towards the ground results in simultaneous reaction and energy increase (which becomes the 3
technique). Forward rotation of the hip while executing reverse punch is more the side effect of engaging the leg (and its optimal interaction with the ground) rather than main source of technique s power. Excessive hip action not only disturbs the natural energy flow throughout the body (decrease in movement s explosive quality) but overstresses the hip joint leading to common (yet avoidable) hip injuries among longtime karate practitioners.* Pic 7.2 Using the wall for observing muscle contraction at the final stage of left reverse punch. Try contracting the muscles in the manner of pulsating push rather than constant one. While the left upper leg twists outward yang and left lower leg twists inward yin, the right upper leg twists inward and right lower leg twist outward. The torso rotates forward in direction of the punch and opposite to upper back leg (adjacent segments). The back upper leg, torso and punching arm each twist in opposite direction in relation to each other forming unified energy line from the ground up to the target. In reverse punch the back upper leg forms yang energy line directly supporting the technique. The back leg forms the channel for both grounding and reaction - energetic foundation of reverse punch. Properly engaged back leg energetically extends towards the ground and along the torso and arm towards the target. The inward twisting front upper leg (yin) adds balancing quality to the technique at its kime and indirectly strengthens yang line of power by surrendering to the active side. This surrender is nothing more but part of energy transfer to another side of the body. You can increase your awareness of the process by observing the yin - yang actions of both legs during kizami and gyaku zuki against some resistance applied from outside, as shown earlier on pic 7.1. Since we already tried reverse punch, let s try left kizami zuki in left zenkutsu dachi and observe the workings of energy lines towards technique s final stage. *Although hips do participate in movement they need to play their part by remaining fully aligned with legs and upper body in order to allow maximum energy flow between them. Excessive hip movement will cause energetic cut off by disengaging the leg and disturbing the energy transfer to the torso and arms (in case of kicking techniques energetic isolation of the kicking leg). Moreover, on advanced level of karate, over amplified hip action will prevent complete breathing control over the technique, limiting the adaptability and instant change 4
within movement sequences when necessary. That may result in major strategic disadvantage against skilled opponent. In beginning stage of kizami zuki back leg is engaged in grounding action (accumulating the energy) and forming yang energy line. Upon reaching its maximum level that energy is then transferred to the punching side and to the target. In final stage of left kizami zuki right upper leg twists inward (yin) while left arm extends forward with simultaneous outward twist (yang) along the left upper leg. The punching arm and front leg work together while back leg yin supports the front yang side from the opposite site of the same circuit. Entire cycle is completed relatively fast and the energy quickly returns to back leg after finishing the punch. At that point back leg is acting yang again making perfect condition for the follow up with reverse punch. In order to observe the workings of the legs it helps to perform the technique slowly against gentle resistance from outside (Pic 7.3). Naturally it is the same pattern when the technique is performed at full speed with the energy transfer from back leg up and forward causing vibration along the hips. Such vibration is the natural part (but not an indication in itself) of any explosive movement/energy transfer along the body. It should be present in all techniques (including kicks) but shouldn t be considered the source of power per se. It is worth mentioning that excessive delay between vibration and technique s kime is a good indication of energetic disconnection within the movement and indicates the absence of proper activation. Pic 7.3 Kizami zuki activation of yang energy line along left side of the body while countering resistance from outside. Be aware of the outward energy twist along the back leg prior to energy transfer to punching side (approximate passing point shown here). At technique s final stage right side of the body forms yin energy line. Testing both kizami and gyaku zuki with resisting partner provides good feedback and helps to deepen the understanding of energetic process taking place during the movement. While trying it is important to avoid isolation of punching arm by keeping the elbow in natural position and proper use of breath to activate the muscles. It is important to understand that in actual application both footwork and energy transfer are tied together with formation of energy lines along the body. In case of kizami zuki, for example, the contact with the target is momentary and it is a foot of front leg that determines the timing of energy transfer to back leg after kime. Front kick can be used as another interesting example of yin/yang energy workings. Try final phase of the right kick by placing the foot of kicking leg against the wall. While maintaining 5
proper posture (avoid upper body collapse) start to apply the pressure to the floor through support leg simultaneously fortifying the push against the wall with kicking leg in a rhythmic manner. The effort should have pulsating rather than rigid quality because the energy is transferred in form of (rapid) pulsation in actual kick as well. Staying in the position start pulling and pushing partner s hand using left arm (pic 7.4a,b). Pic 7.4a. Pulling partner s hand (using left arm) helps to activate support leg which in actual technique fortifies the the action of (right) kicking leg. In case of kicking techniques both legs form unified energy line which evokes previously described pattern of adjacent segments connecting via twisting in opposite directions. Bear in mind that in order to more realistically imitate dynamics of energy transfer taking place in actual technique the pulling side has to quickly release the pull at the time of applying pressure against the wall. Longer pull causes ongoing energy circulation and results in constantly switching polarity between legs. Pic 7.4b. Pushing partner s hand forms yang energy line on left side of the body while at the same time withdrawing energy/intention from the kick. Engaging support leg in such way doesn t support front kick but can work as the foundation of back kick. Although stationary character of our example limits the range of experiencing the role played by spiraling forces while forming the technique it still shows how mental component can energetically reshape the movement. While trying, make sure the hip joint remains slightly open (keeping the hips in fully frontal position will disengage support leg and energetically isolate the kicking one). Notice how pulling with your left arm helps to enforce right kicking leg by forming yang energy line along left upper leg. This freshly accumulated energy is transferred to kicking leg helping both form unified energy line (since the energy transfer happens very quickly it helps to think of both legs being simultaneously activated; excessive focus on a transfer will actually cause energy stagnation). Interestingly, pushing (instead of pulling) with your left arm, which also results in forming yang energy line along left side of the body, simultaneously withdraws the energy from front kick. However, the energy formed in such way can be transferred backwards via ushiro geri. 6
Another kicking technique that we will use as an example is back kick (ushiro geri). In back kick the action of support leg forming yin line is even more evident. Let s have a look at pic 7.5a, b. Start in fighting position and grab partner s hand with your left hand letting the partner apply gentle pull. Combine starting the kick with countering the pull using grounding action along support (front) leg and simultaneously pulling with your front arm (during grounding support leg generates energy by forming yang energy line). Continue the effort until the passing point when the energy is transferred along kicking leg and towards the target. In final stage of the kick both legs form unified energy line with kicking leg forming yang and support leg yin energy lines. Ability to utilize the pulling action while initiating the kick signals optimal level of grounding which maximizes technique s potential. Another way of checking the grounding action in ushiro geri is using partner s help in resisting the initial movement of the kicking foot. The ability to counter the resistance will depend on proper level of grounding along support leg (the 180 degree turn by support leg s foot should be happening simultaneously with progressing grounding without disturbance to its continuity). Of course you can skip entire process by letting the kicking leg take off right from the start - but such effort will result in less powerful technique due to the lack of the authentic energy increase. Techniques lacking proper grounding action fail to produce sufficient amount of power and instead isolate certain parts of the body additionally limiting one s control over produced force. Typical example of such situation would be falling towards the target while kicking - the action equivalent to losing control over one s own center. a b c Pic 7.5a,b,c The counter pulling during initial stage of back kick with simultaneous grounding/reaction and activation of entire left side of the body. Arm, torso and leg take even part in utilizing the outside force. Grounding action along support leg and rotation of left foot start and finish together. Execution of energetically coherent ushiro geri may not be an easy task but it is the only way to utilize full potential of the kick. 7
Finally, there are techniques that combine two energy lines of the same quality for example yama zuki (double punch). In yama zuki two yang energy lines are formed along both sides of the body equally supporting punching arms (Pic 7.6). Pic 7.6 Yama Zuki. Energy spirals outward along both upper legs forming yang energy lines. Both sides of the body simultaneously support punching arms. The stronger the push the stronger the activation of energy lines / reaction from the ground. Generally speaking the techniques simultaneously engaging both sides of the body require formation of yang energy lines along both legs regardless of movement s direction. 8
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