[Martial Arts] Practice the Form Before Practicing the Fist

Autor: Jeffi Chao Hui Wu

Fecha: 22-6-2025 Domingo, 2:22 PM

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[Martial Arts] Practice the Basics Before the Techniques
To practice martial arts, one must first practice the basics. This is an unchanging truth throughout the ages. The true path of martial arts has never started with flashy techniques, but rather with the most fundamental stance training. The stance is the foundation of all martial arts. Whether it is Tai Chi, Xing Yi, Bagua, or Shaolin, Hung Gar, Wing Chun, and even the hidden transmission systems of various major schools, almost none do not start with stance training. The ancients said, "The stance is the method of all fists," which is by no means an empty phrase. Without a solid foundation, no matter how many techniques one has, they are merely empty forms; when the stance is stable, every movement has a source of power, and every action has roots.
I still remember the days when I first started practicing stances; it was an experience of extreme loneliness and monotony, yet incredibly pure. On a windless morning or by the seaside at dusk, with my feet firmly planted on the ground, my spine opening segment by segment, my knees relaxed, and my hands naturally rounded. It seemed motionless, yet every cell in my body was subtly adjusting, as if my body were a string being tuned, with my breath naturally sinking into the dantian, and my qi and blood flowing slowly. At that time, I didn’t understand; I only knew that after standing in the stance, I felt completely emptied, fatigue faded away, and I was filled with strength. Years later, looking back, I realized that was the beginning of "gong," the foundation within my body was slowly taking shape.
The accumulation of stance training cannot be achieved in just a few days or months. Many people see others executing their stances smoothly and powerfully, eager to imitate the appearance, but neglect the internal supporting structure. Standing in a stance is like silently building a foundation, connecting the entire body with the ground, center of gravity, breath, and intention into a whole. Once the foundation is established, even a simple technique will naturally carry the strength of a framework; the fist moves freely, the intention arises from the heart, and there is an explosion in relaxation, with linear penetration within the circular movement.
After years of practicing martial arts, the true turning point came when I shifted from "practicing techniques" to "practicing the basics." In the early days, like most people, I was keen on forms, enjoying making my stances look beautiful, but always felt that my power was empty, and the punches I threw were always light and rootless. Later, I calmed down and honestly started with stance training, day after day standing, walking, and moving in stances, immersing my body and mind into this seemingly simple "stillness." That period was lonely and painful, but as time passed, my qi and blood gradually filled, my body structure naturally opened, and when I casually threw a punch, the power was completely different.
This made me understand one thing: the starting point of practicing martial arts is always practicing the basics, not the forms. The forms are merely the external shape, while the foundation is the internal essence. Tai Chi emphasizes "roots in the feet, power from the legs, governed by the waist, expressed through the hands," Xing Yi states "the whole body is a fist," and Bagua emphasizes "walking, turning, and changing, steps following intention." These seemingly different sayings from various schools essentially convey the same message: first practice the basics, let the body become a transparent whole, and then discuss techniques.
Many people mistakenly believe that traditional martial arts are "not practical" because what they see is merely posturing and flashy displays without true foundational skills. However, traditional martial arts originated on the battlefield, forged between life and death, and are the experiences earned by countless predecessors at the cost of their lives. In peaceful times, people's focus has shifted from "combat" to "health preservation," from "striking" to "cultivating the mind," and practicing martial arts has become a way to relieve stress and maintain health. But this does not mean traditional martial arts cannot fight; whether it can be applied in real combat has never depended on the style of martial arts, but on whether the practitioner has truly put in the effort and integrated the skills into their flesh and blood.
I have encountered some young friends who practice combat sports; they sweat profusely every day, hitting punching bags, engaging in sparring, and moving their feet without a moment's pause. Their punching speed, reaction, and power are extremely fierce. In contrast, many who study traditional martial arts only practice their forms twice a day, slowly finishing up, lacking sweat and honing, naturally unable to discuss real combat effectiveness. Real combat is not determined by the style of martial arts, but by the intensity of training, the depth of foundational skills, and combat experience.
Some also say that boxing is more effective than traditional martial arts, which is actually a misconception influenced by modern rules. The ring has its own rules: no strikes to the groin, no eye pokes, no joint locks; this is a competitive model designed to protect both parties. Many lethal techniques in traditional martial arts precisely exist within these "forbidden zones." Once removed from the rules and entering a truly unrestricted environment, the methods of traditional martial arts are not inferior and may even show overwhelming advantages.
Now, when I practice martial arts, I no longer obsess over pursuing flashy techniques or speed, but focus on refining my internal skills. From stance training to movement training, and then integrating the skills into my techniques, the fist, intention, and qi become one. The process of practicing martial arts is no longer merely repeating actions, but a continuous dialogue with the body, breath, and intention. Every breath, every exertion, is a reshaping of the internal structure of the body.
I often say that when martial arts are practiced deeply, they all return to "gong." If the gong is unstable, the fist will be empty. If the gong is solid, even if one only learns a simple technique, it can yield endless variations; even without learning flashy techniques, a casual movement will carry roots and strength.
Practicing martial arts begins with practicing the basics, not as a slogan, but as the experience earned through countless practices by the ancients. Only when you settle down, stand firm, root yourself in the ground, cultivate strength in your framework, and sink your breath into the dantian, will the fist have a soul and truly come to "life."
Decades of practice have made me increasingly believe in an old saying: without skill, everything learned is superficial; with skill, even learning a simple technique can be transformed into one's own use. This is the true inheritance and essence of martial arts.

Source: http://www.australianwinner.com/AuWinner/viewtopic.php?t=696465