OVERVIEW

PRINCIPLES OF CLASSICAL CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS

Classical Chinese Martial Arts are primarily founded on scientific principles. These scientific principles integrated with Buddhist and Daoist thought processes, philosophy, spiritual truths, and values. The result of this integration comprises the complete body of philosophical and scientific principles of Classical Chinese Martial Arts as we know them today.

AXIOMS

Typically, the wisdom of these principles has been transmitted from generation to generation in the form of axioms. At first, many of these axioms seem simple to comprehend and their meanings seem quite obvious. However, these axioms are incredibly profound. They function on many different levels of understanding. Consequently, they apply to many other domains of knowledge and human endeavors.

VALUES

At this point and for the purpose this discourse, our primary interest should focus on values expressed by certain axioms. Specifically, the values of:

• economy of movement.
• efficiency of movement.
• effectiveness of movement.

MINIMAL INPUT YIELDING MAXIMUM OUTPUT

On a journey toward genuine mastery of skill in relation to these values, our intent and training should always focus on achieving maximum effect utilizing minimum effort. We should always strive to expend as little energy, effort, pressure, force, and strength as necessary to successfully accomplish any task. Simply stated, we desire minimal input yielding maximum output.

ULTIMATE GOAL

The ultimate goal being implementation of nearly effortless movement to generate pressure and transfer a massive amount of force at will.

To accomplish such a goal demands a profound understanding of certain fundamental principles concerning structure, movement, pressure, force, mass, acceleration, balance, stability, flexibility, leverage, technique, and form.

SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS

Even a cursory scientific analysis requires a fundamental understanding of multiple disciplines or domains of knowledge. It is imperative to possess a certain level of competency concerning the subjects of anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology, geometry, physics, architectural design, structural engineering, and structural integrity. Additionally, it is necessary for each individual to personally experiment with all methods presented in this treatise in order to truly comprehend and test the validity of each method.

"Let what works be the judge for what's right."

MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF KEY CONCEPTS

Words and language are nothing more than tools for communication. Words function to communicate information. Typically, information is embodied by some intellectual construct. These constructs may be principles, concepts, ideas, thoughts, physical sensations, or emotions. 

Regardless of the type or form information takes, any meaningful communication requires a mutual understanding concerning the precise meaning of important key terms. Without mutual definitions of certain words crucial information is lost and miscommunication occurs. In order to avoid miscommunication, it is essential that we possess a mutual understanding of a some key concepts. 

• Principle is an intellectual construct or concept. A principle may be classified as philosophical, scientific, or both in nature. Principles are intended to be used in combat. Once a practitioner gains a profound understanding of the principle, it must be applied to structure and movement. It must never be discarded.

• Principles embody the knowledge and wisdom of precisely what we are doing and precisely why we are doing it.

• Technique is the implementation or application of principle to the execution of structure and movement. Technique is intended to be used in combat. Once a practitioner gains a profound understanding of technique, it must be implemented and must never be discarded.

• Technique is the principle in action. It is the expression of the principle through structure and movement. It is the practical application of principle in actual use.

• Technique embodies the knowledge and wisdom of precisely how to use principles in regard to structure and movement.

• Method is a specific step-by-step process of executing technique. The purpose of any method is to communicate a fundamental understanding of technique. Any method is only one of many possible applications of a principle to the execution of structure or movement. 

• It is intended only as an example to familiarize a practitioner with a specific principle and how to implement or apply that principle. The goal being to understand the principle (what we are doing and why we are doing it). Every method is only an example used as an instructional tool for teaching and learning. 

• The method itself is not intended for use in combat. However, the underlying principle and technique are intended to be used in combat. Once a practitioner gains a profound understanding of implementation or application of the principle, the method has served its purpose and must be discarded.

• Form is an idealized representation of structure frozen in one moment of time. It is little more than a pose. It is only an ideal example used as an instructional tool for communicating principle underlying ideal structure. 

• It is static not dynamic. It is idealistic not realistic. It is not intended for use in combat. Once a practitioner gains a profound understanding of the principle underlying the structure of the form, the form has served its purpose and must be discarded.

• Routines are instructional tools for communicating principles of movement and structure. They're intended only as a starting point to familiarize a practitioner with specific methods of transitioning from one pose to the next in a continuous series. 

• The routines, forms, and methods themselves are not intended for use in combat. However, the underlying principle and technique are intended to be used in combat. Once a practitioner gains a profound understanding of the principles underlying movement, the routine has served its purpose and must be discarded.

Many practitioners use these terms interchangeably. This is not only incorrect, it's unacceptable. Each term possesses a precise and distinct meaning. These terms must be utilized concisely. Failure to do so results in a lack of proper communication and understanding.

• Routines are not a collection of prearranged technique. Routines are a collection of prearranged methods and forms. Routines are a tool for teaching and learning about movement.

• Form is not technique. Form addresses an idealized principle of structure. Form is not structure. Form is a tool for teaching and learning about structure.

• Method is not technique. Method is one specific application of technique. Methods are tools for teaching and learning about technique.

• Method, form, and routine are tools, nothing more. They are of little use or value, except as demonstrational teaching tools. They have no practical application beyond a function as educational tools. They have nothing to do with actual combat.

• Technique is not "techniques"! Technique is not a specific way of performing movement. Those are methods. Technique is not a technically perfect structure. That is form. Technique is not a series of movements.Those are routines. All these things are tools. Technique is not a tool. 

• Technique is the manifestation of principle. Technique is the expression of principle through structure and movement. Technique is the actual application of principle. Technique is the execution of principle. Technique is executed in structure and movement.

PRINCIPLE AND TECHNIQUE

There is only principle and technique, concept and execution, intent and action, structure and movement, pressure and force, cause and effect, why and how. Nothing else is of much practical relevance or use in actual combat. All else is nonsense.

So long as we successfully implement principle in the execution of structure and movement, nothing else matters. That is mastery of technique. The precise shape and form our body adopts in the process is irrelevant, if we adhere to the principles. The precise method we employ in the process is irrelevant, if we adhere to the principles. The secret lies in knowing which principle to apply in any given circumstance or moment.

Many practitioners fail to achieve this level of profound understanding. Most confuse technique with technically perfect form. Others confuse technique with technically perfect method. Some confuse technique with technically perfect form executed with technically perfect method.

Consequently, such practitioners focus entirely on mastery of the "how" (technique) and neglect the "why" (principle). True mastery of the "how" can only be attained after mastery of the "why". To make matters worse, they fail understand that method, form, and routine are not technique.

Subsequently, they're not even focusing on the correct "how". At best, this results in mastery of technically perfect dancing. At worst, this results in mastery of technically perfect physical activity.

GENUINE MASTERY OF THE ART

A genuine Master of the Art possesses mastery of both the "why" (principle) and the "how" (technique). Profound understanding of the "why" without the "how" produces a philosopher. Profound understanding of the "how" without the "why" produces a dancer. Only when we possess a profound understanding of the complete science (prinicple and technique / why and how) are we able to use that knowledge in a creative manner to become an authentic Master of the Art.