"'Relax the Shoulders' is to make both shoulders tilt downwards and kept down; during practice one should not let them escape up. 'Sink the Elbows' is to maintain the elbow explicitly down as weighing down; during practice it must always bend in a half-moon shape. The abdomen is the best place to store Qi; 'Strengthen the Abdomen' emphasizes that during practice on must breathe deeply through the abdomen, causing it to expand and vibrate like a drum. This is the meaning of 'When the Qi sinks in the Dantian; the inside vibrates.' If the chest sticks out, it will influence the sinking of the Qi in the Dantian. If the chest is pulled back inwards it will cause the heart to be compressed, obstructing the flow of blood. This is the reason to emphasize the requirement of relaxing and open the chest. One should neither straighten the chest nor depress it. "
From the book Bāguàzhăng Practice Method (八卦掌練習法), by Jiāng Róngqiáo (薑容樵), based on the translation by Joseph Crandall
Friday, August 28, 2015
Friday, August 21, 2015
Relax the Shoulders; Sink the Elbows. Strengthen the Abdomen; Free the Chest. (鬆肩沉肘，實腹暢胸) from The Real Theory of Baguazhang (八卦掌真理篇) by Jiāng Róngqiáo (薑容樵)
鬆肩沉肘，實腹暢胸
鬆肩是使兩肩向下鬆沉，在鍛煉時不要向上聳肩。沉肘是使肘部經常保持著向下沉墜，在鍛煉時必須屈如半月形。腹是蓄氣的良好部位，實腹就是指在鍛煉時必須將呼吸深入到腹部，使腹部充實鼓蕩，即所謂「氣沉丹田，內宜鼓蕩」的意思。胸部的向外挺凸，固然會影響氣沉丹田，而胸部的向裡收縮，也足以影響到心臟的壓縮，阻礙了血液的流暢，因之，暢胸就是指胸部要寬鬆開展，既不要挺胸也不必縮胸。
薑容樵
鬆肩是使兩肩向下鬆沉，在鍛煉時不要向上聳肩。沉肘是使肘部經常保持著向下沉墜，在鍛煉時必須屈如半月形。腹是蓄氣的良好部位，實腹就是指在鍛煉時必須將呼吸深入到腹部，使腹部充實鼓蕩，即所謂「氣沉丹田，內宜鼓蕩」的意思。胸部的向外挺凸，固然會影響氣沉丹田，而胸部的向裡收縮，也足以影響到心臟的壓縮，阻礙了血液的流暢，因之，暢胸就是指胸部要寬鬆開展，既不要挺胸也不必縮胸。
薑容樵
Friday, August 14, 2015
Calm (安) from Foundation (基礎)Calma (安) de Fundamentos (基礎)
安
安者，安然之意。切忌牽強。由自然之中，得其安適，乃無氣滯之弊，而能氣遍身軀矣。此由於姿勢安穩、動作均勻、呼吸平和、神氣鎮靜所致。
安者，安然之意。切忌牽強。由自然之中，得其安適，乃無氣滯之弊，而能氣遍身軀矣。此由於姿勢安穩、動作均勻、呼吸平和、神氣鎮靜所致。
"Calm means the mind is in peace. One should avoid by all means to be coercive and forceful in the movements. If one follows one’s inner nature, the movements will be quiet and comfortable. The problem of stagnant Qi will not exist and the Qi can reach the entire body. This is due to the postures being peaceful and steady, the movements being uniform, the breathing being gentle and the spirit and the Qi are calm and quiet."
By Wú Gōngzǎo (吳公藻), based on the translation by by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Wu Style (太極拳吳氏先哲秘要).
By Wú Gōngzǎo (吳公藻), based on the translation by by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Wu Style (太極拳吳氏先哲秘要).
""
De Wú Gōngzǎo (吳公藻), baseado na tradução de Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) apresentada no livro Tai Chi Secrets of the Wu Style (太極拳吳氏先哲秘要).
De Wú Gōngzǎo (吳公藻), baseado na tradução de Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) apresentada no livro Tai Chi Secrets of the Wu Style (太極拳吳氏先哲秘要).
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Excerpt from the Great Learning (大學) in the Analects (論語)Trecho do Grande Aprendizado (大學) dos Analetos (論語)
「茍日新，日日新，又日新。」
孔子
孔子
"'If you can one day renovate yourself, do so from day to day. Yea, let there be daily renovation.'"
Unless noted otherwise, all quotations of classical texts and accompanying translations come from the Chinese Text Project
Unless noted otherwise, all quotations of classical texts and accompanying translations come from the Chinese Text Project
"'Se alguém pode se renovar, ele de fazê-lo um dia apos o outro. Que haja renovação todo dia.'"
Traduzido à partir da tradução para o inglês do Chinese Text Project
Traduzido à partir da tradução para o inglês do Chinese Text Project
Friday, August 7, 2015
Unification (一) from The Essentials of Yue Fei's Boxing Art (附岳武穆形意拳術要論)
第一章 一、要論
從來散之必有其統也，分之必有其合也，以故天壤間四面八方，紛紛者各有所屬，千頭萬緒，攘攘者自有其源，蓋一本散為萬殊，而萬殊成歸于一本，事有必然者，且武事之論，亦甚繁矣，而要之千變萬化，無往非勢，即無往非氣，勢雖不類，而氣歸于一，夫所謂一者，從上至足底，內而有臟腑筋骨，外而有肌肉皮膚五官之百骸，相連而一貫也，破之而不開，撞之而不散，上欲動而下自隨之，下欲動而上自領之，上下動而中節攻之，中節動而上下和之，內外相連，前后相需，所謂一貫者，其斯之謂歟，而要非勉強以致之，襲為之也，當時而靜，寂然湛然，居其所而穩如山岳，當時而動，如雷如塌，出乎爾而疾如閃電，且靜無不靜，表里上下，全無參差牽挂之意，動無不動左右前后，并無抽扯游移之形，洵乎若水之就下，沛然而莫之能御，若火之內攻，發之而不及掩耳，不假思索，不煩疑義，誠不期然而然，莫之致而至，是豈無所自而雲然乎，蓋氣以日積而有益，功以久練而始成，觀聖門一貫之傳，必俟多聞強識之后，豁然之境，不廢格物致知之功，是知事無難易，功惟自盡，不可躥等，不可急遽，按步就步，循次而進，夫而后官骸肢節，自有通貫，上下表里，不難聯絡，庶乎散者統之，分者合之，四體百骸，終歸于一氣而已矣。
岳飛
從來散之必有其統也，分之必有其合也，以故天壤間四面八方，紛紛者各有所屬，千頭萬緒，攘攘者自有其源，蓋一本散為萬殊，而萬殊成歸于一本，事有必然者，且武事之論，亦甚繁矣，而要之千變萬化，無往非勢，即無往非氣，勢雖不類，而氣歸于一，夫所謂一者，從上至足底，內而有臟腑筋骨，外而有肌肉皮膚五官之百骸，相連而一貫也，破之而不開，撞之而不散，上欲動而下自隨之，下欲動而上自領之，上下動而中節攻之，中節動而上下和之，內外相連，前后相需，所謂一貫者，其斯之謂歟，而要非勉強以致之，襲為之也，當時而靜，寂然湛然，居其所而穩如山岳，當時而動，如雷如塌，出乎爾而疾如閃電，且靜無不靜，表里上下，全無參差牽挂之意，動無不動左右前后，并無抽扯游移之形，洵乎若水之就下，沛然而莫之能御，若火之內攻，發之而不及掩耳，不假思索，不煩疑義，誠不期然而然，莫之致而至，是豈無所自而雲然乎，蓋氣以日積而有益，功以久練而始成，觀聖門一貫之傳，必俟多聞強識之后，豁然之境，不廢格物致知之功，是知事無難易，功惟自盡，不可躥等，不可急遽，按步就步，循次而進，夫而后官骸肢節，自有通貫，上下表里，不難聯絡，庶乎散者統之，分者合之，四體百骸，終歸于一氣而已矣。
岳飛
"It is always the case that what disperses will have its way of reintegrating, what separates will have its way of rejoining.
So it is in the world. There are four compass directions, then eight, then too many to keep track of, but each has its place [meaning every specific angle of direction can be more conveniently generalized into the area it belongs within the basic compass points]. Things are numerous, then innumerable, then a haze of meaningless detail, but all things have their basic sources [by which they can be more understandably grouped and classified under].
Everything is distributed from a single source to which everything ultimately and inevitably returns. The content of martial arts is very complex, but really the endless variations consolidate into matters of merely posture and energy, and even though there is a variety of postures, there is only one energy.
This single energy goes from head to foot, inwardly filling your organs and tissues, outwardly covering your muscles and skin, and from your five senses to your many bones, all are joined together to link into one [“a single thread”]. If smashed against, it does not leave a gap. If crashed into, it does not break apart.
When your upper body is about to move, your lower body naturally goes along with the movement. When your lower body is about to move, your upper body naturally takes charge of the movement. Once your upper body and lower body are in motion, your middle section attacks. When your middle moves, your upper body and lower work in harmony.
Inside and out are linked together. Front and back are relying on each other. When we talk of linking into one, this is what is meant. But it is crucial that you do not force it to happen or try to sneak up on it, for that will not make it work.
When the moment comes for stillness, be silent and calm, staying put as stable as a mountain. When the moment comes for movement, be like thunder or an avalanche, expressing as fast as lightning. When still, all parts are still, inside and out, above and below, and without any part feeling out of place. When moving, all parts are moving, left or right, forward or back, and without any part pulling the posture off course. Truly it is like water as it fills in downward, too much to be resisted, or like a cannon going off, too fast for you to cover your ears.
There is no contrivance of pondering, nor any worrying over doubts, for truly it will happen in its own time, achieved without your attaining. Yet how could such an effect happen without a cause? To get any benefit means the energy has to be built up day after day, and that means working at it for a long time for that to begin to happen. As for the wise teaching of the “single thread” [Lun Yu, 4.15 & 15.3], you must be patient and hear it many times until it is deeply ingrained, and then you will finally realize. Do not abandon the work of “broadening your knowledge to gain understanding” [Da Xue], and therefore be aware it is not a matter of difficulty or ease, just a process of doing your best.
You must not skip steps or rush through it, but go step by step and in the right order. That being the case, your senses, bones, limbs, and sections will link up naturally, above and below, inside and out, smoothly connecting. Thereby the dispersed are reintegrated, the separated rejoined, and all your limbs and bones returned to being a single energy."
Excerpt from the translation by Paul Brennan of "The Art of Xingyi Boxing" (形意拳術) by Lǐ Jiànqiū(李劍秋), to be found in the Brennan Translation blog.
So it is in the world. There are four compass directions, then eight, then too many to keep track of, but each has its place [meaning every specific angle of direction can be more conveniently generalized into the area it belongs within the basic compass points]. Things are numerous, then innumerable, then a haze of meaningless detail, but all things have their basic sources [by which they can be more understandably grouped and classified under].
Everything is distributed from a single source to which everything ultimately and inevitably returns. The content of martial arts is very complex, but really the endless variations consolidate into matters of merely posture and energy, and even though there is a variety of postures, there is only one energy.
This single energy goes from head to foot, inwardly filling your organs and tissues, outwardly covering your muscles and skin, and from your five senses to your many bones, all are joined together to link into one [“a single thread”]. If smashed against, it does not leave a gap. If crashed into, it does not break apart.
When your upper body is about to move, your lower body naturally goes along with the movement. When your lower body is about to move, your upper body naturally takes charge of the movement. Once your upper body and lower body are in motion, your middle section attacks. When your middle moves, your upper body and lower work in harmony.
Inside and out are linked together. Front and back are relying on each other. When we talk of linking into one, this is what is meant. But it is crucial that you do not force it to happen or try to sneak up on it, for that will not make it work.
When the moment comes for stillness, be silent and calm, staying put as stable as a mountain. When the moment comes for movement, be like thunder or an avalanche, expressing as fast as lightning. When still, all parts are still, inside and out, above and below, and without any part feeling out of place. When moving, all parts are moving, left or right, forward or back, and without any part pulling the posture off course. Truly it is like water as it fills in downward, too much to be resisted, or like a cannon going off, too fast for you to cover your ears.
There is no contrivance of pondering, nor any worrying over doubts, for truly it will happen in its own time, achieved without your attaining. Yet how could such an effect happen without a cause? To get any benefit means the energy has to be built up day after day, and that means working at it for a long time for that to begin to happen. As for the wise teaching of the “single thread” [Lun Yu, 4.15 & 15.3], you must be patient and hear it many times until it is deeply ingrained, and then you will finally realize. Do not abandon the work of “broadening your knowledge to gain understanding” [Da Xue], and therefore be aware it is not a matter of difficulty or ease, just a process of doing your best.
You must not skip steps or rush through it, but go step by step and in the right order. That being the case, your senses, bones, limbs, and sections will link up naturally, above and below, inside and out, smoothly connecting. Thereby the dispersed are reintegrated, the separated rejoined, and all your limbs and bones returned to being a single energy."
Excerpt from the translation by Paul Brennan of "The Art of Xingyi Boxing" (形意拳術) by Lǐ Jiànqiū(李劍秋), to be found in the Brennan Translation blog.
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