Wen Hsiu Quan

I remember waiting my turn with the punching bag at a gym when this boxer was bouncing it around with a series of punches. Sure- the bag was rocking with each blow and swung around, but none of the blows seemed to be anything as damaging as what I have come to encounter in my exploration of the martial arts. When my turn came the bag did not shake as much, but a loud "BOOM!" emanated with each punch and a nice dent started forming. Oh! And no-one was holding the bag... The difference between the two ways of punching lay not so much in the movement- or the external aspect- but in the internal aspects. Now- most of us know what Bruce Lee said about the difference between a karate punch and a kungfu punch, right? Sure- we have all heard it, but here it is again to refresh our memories: https://youtu.be/SqPPftwiopM What Bruce Lee was referring to here was the internal aspect of the punch. In short- the external aspect is about how the technique is performed...

Have fun training!

I have combined the PT247 with ankle weights and wrist weights to give me a great workout. Following the example of Goku and Rock Lee, I can testify that this workout works wonders!

Having researched knockout techniques I have found that apart from the holds and grabs that constrict major arteries to the brain, the type of blow most likely to cause a knockout is a sharp, explosive blow of which the force is channeled into the opponent's body, causing sudden trauma to the brain or heart. To develop such a blow takes the right kind of practice. It already takes a lot of concentration to execute such a technique from a grounded position, like one would do during form practice. So- it will take even more practice and clarity of mind to execute such a technique in a real fight. To give you an idea of the blow you are looking for, take a bucket of water. Then punch into the water with the intent to have as much of that water splash out with one blow. Keep punching until the bucket is almost empty. :)

While I do recommend a good weight training program it is very obvious that martial arts provide an excellent cardiovascular workout. It is also an excellent way to release tension. A common denominator to most styles is kickboxing. The techniques of karate, taekwondo and kung fu can all be adapted into a sparring form that employs fists and feet. While I do recommend sparring with more advanced techniques at a later stage kick boxing is usually the safest way to start free sparring.

Form practice usually involve multi-directional attacks. It is a very bad idea to be surrounded in a real fight and the fighter has to keep all his opponents in front of him as much as possible. It is, however, necessary to practice attacks in all directions as well as defences against attacks from all directions. Keen senses and a good use of peripheral vision are skills that forms cannot develop. With a clear mind and keen senses multi-directional attacks make the fighter a one man fighting force capable of disposing of multiple opponents. 

I really enjoyed my punching bag- while it lasted. A good measure of technique and power is a solid target to hit. :) And the bag makes for a great workout too. :) 

Most of our intent is channelled into the material world via our hands. Practicioners of any method of massaging or Qigong will also tell you that energy, positive or negative, are easiest detected with and channeled through the hands. It is therefore no surprise that humans, when they wish to attack each other, would inevitably use their hands to do so. It is unfortunate that with the development and modernising of martial arts a lot of emphasis has been placed on the fist. One of the reasons for this is that most martial artist deem the fist the safest weapon to use in a contest. The result of this view is that a wide array of striking, thrusting and grabbing techniques get lost. Personally I do not think it's any use if you practice a martial art only to find out that you are not equipped to dispose of adversaries above your weight class, or adversaries that are stronger than you. A simple punch may cause a lot of harm to an opponent of the same build as you, but will it ...