How to Apply the Concept of Yin and Yang in Martial Arts
Considered the origin of life in Chinese philosophy, the concept of yin-yang comprises the conflicting but harmonious nature of a changing universe. The martial artist must be able to combine the soft and the hard (yin and yang) to achieve mastery of the art.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Martial Arts Encyclopedias
- Music For Zen Meditation
- Exercise Equipments
- Exercise Mats
- Exercise Towels
- Martial Arts Supplies
- Martial Arts Uniforms
- Martial Arts Videos
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Begin with meditation to become aware of your own chi, your own internal energy. Becoming aware of chi enables the practitioner to balance energy between yin and yang.
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Meditate every day. After several weeks or months you will begin to sense the rhythm of internal energy without the assistance of deep breathing.
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Seek balance in your martial arts training. Doing too much of a hard technique, such as kicking, without also emphasizing mental or spiritual aspects will lead to an imbalance of energy.
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Look for ways to increase your efficiency in technique and movement. An incorrect application of a technique or any unnecessary movement is also considered too much or too little ' an imbalance of energies.
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Integrate your life through the practice of your art. Integrate your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual selves to work together rather than against one another.
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Strive for balance and understanding in your life. Learn when to yield and when to act (yin-yang) in everyday situations.
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Tips & Warnings
According to Taoist belief, yin is symbolic of the negative and the destructive in life. It is also the soft and passive. Yang, conversely, represents the positive and the creative. It is hard and active. Because one does not exist without the other, the goal of tai chi is to balance yin-yang through cultivation of chi, internal life energy.
If you have any condition that would impair or limit your ability to engage in physical activity, please consult a physician before attempting this activity. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.
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Comments
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ying yang is the mixture of good or strong power.
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Nov 22, 2005
Yin and Yang are relative to the point of focus. Your internal energy center (Tan tien) or center of gravity is a good place to start. This is just below your navel. To create power, you need to create a strong Yin or Yang force that is relative to your center and opposite of your target. To generate either Yin or Yang, you must overcome inertia. The ground is our base and we can apply force against it to jump, walk, etc. When you jump, you don't push up, you push down. To go forward, we push back. The application is Yang, and the effect is Yin. If I strike someone with a punch, then my Yang meets the Yin of my target and then it is balanced. The target will absorb Yang as I will absorb Yin. (Hence the jolt in the arm or broken knuckles.) This is why a firm base is necessary. You should minimize the rate of absorption in some techniques or maximize it in others. Here's a technique to try. Hold your arm in front of you, about 10 cm from your training partner's chest. Your elbow and wrist should be just slightly bent. Your fist should be vertical. Bend your knees and stand with your feet one and half to two walking paces apart lengthwise and shoulder width across. Face your navel to your opponent. Toes should point forward. It is also important to sink your weight down, lowering your center of gravity. In one movement, do all of the following. This may be difficult at first, but that is why we train. -Lift your front foot off the ground -Straighten your elbow -Throw your lower knuckles in a rising motion (Straighten your wrist) -Straighten your back leg as fast as you can. At the moment of contact, stamp your front foot flat on the ground. When you drive forward, be conscious of your center. Don't lean. You can yell loudly or squeeze your breath to tighten your body so it doesn't bend on impact. The initial angle of each joint should be around thirty or so degrees from straight. This range in our muscles is where we are the strongest. Incorporating our quadriceps into the punch adds extraordinary power. When I lift my front foot, I create an imbalance. I have greatly reduced the yin in my center. The straightening of the back leg gives my center extra Yang. The tension in my body and my yell allow the Yang in my center to be carried to my fist. The straightening of my wrist and elbow add extra Yang to my fist. Upon striking the target, the considerable amount of Yang generated is transfered into the target. The Yin energy that will oppose will depend on the base of the target or how good their footing is. The Yin energy is still absorbed but is transferred through the body down the straight back leg and into the ground. Then it responds with a Yang reaction. The result is POWER. This punch is designed only to drive shallow into a target (from 1 to 10cm). This gives a ripple or wave effect in the target. If you would like to see an example, watch a documentary on Bruce Lee. Pay close attention to his "one inch punch." This is slightly different but it follows many of the same principles. This is one of the many ways in which Yang Yin can be applied to Martial Arts. Do not get lost in mystical mumbo jumbo. It's physics.
