Do You Understand the Body Method - "Shen Fa" of Your Martial Art?
What does the term “body method” mean when it comes to Xingyiquan, Taijiquan and Baguazhang? The Chinese term for body method is “Shen Fa.”
Putting it simply, body method is the way you train your body to move in practicing an art so you achieve the result of moving in this same way when you do self-defense. It involves structure, body mechanics, and concepts for receiving and discharging force.
Each art has distinct ways of training, but I have broken some of the key body mechanics down, and I teach those body mechanics as a way to begin developing the body method for effective internal arts.
The six key body mechanics include:
- Establishing and maintaining the ground path at all times.
- Maintaining peng jin at all times.
- Using whole-body movement.
- Silk-reeling energy connected through the entire body.
- Dan T’ien rotation.
- Opening and closing the kua.
When you develop these six body mechanics as you train the various exercises, forms and fighting concepts of the internal...
Author - Instructor
Ken Gullette
I have practiced martial arts since 1973 and began studying the internal arts in 1987. My goal is to cut years off your development time by coaching you in the real skills for high-quality Tai Chi, Xingyi, Bagua. To see more about my bio, click the "About Ken" link on the menu at the top of this page.
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