I'd like to share my early observations of
the training methodologies behind the centerline pak sau. As always, my
understanding continues to evolve and grow. I encourage everyone to
share their thoughts, ideas and feelings about the HFY system they study.
The nature of centerline “jong sing” pak sau.
There are three levels
of progression/awareness in the HFY centerline pak sau curriculum and an
understanding of Gong Sau vs. Gau Sau is necessary and will be discussed below.
At the first stage of learning a person comes
from nothing and has nothing. The focus is on Gong Sau or communicating
hand and teaches us how to start to feel comfortable receiving an incoming
punch and the proper Dui Ying body positioning. In most Wing Chun schools they
consider Gong Sau when you attack your opponent. In HFY we make a distinction
between Gong Sau and Gau Sau. The essence of Gong Sau/Gau Sau is represented in
the Yin/Yang symbol. On one side it can be considered too hard and the other
too soft. At the line of intersection is a place of harmony where neither side
has an advantage and where all things are considered neutral. In the second
and third progressions of Jong Sing Pak Sau we start to see the essence that we are
looking for, the HFY identity.
Progressions
#1: Fau Kui or Wandering
- Teach
a person to start to touch an opponents hand.
-
Remember that there may be students who have
never taken martial arts or have even gotten into a fight.
- You
must caution the students before the exercise to not punch to hard at first and
also to not pak too hard for the above reason.
- There
must be a sense of cooperation between opponents.
-
A student must experience many
different partners to understand the different energies.
- Focus
on the Jong Sing pak sau tool – striking point, slightly cupped hand
- Focus
on the point of contact – Just above the persons wrist.
-
Focus
on the structure of the Pak Hand which is not bent which can cause injury.
Progression #2: Understanding the true
nature of the centerline Pak Sau through - Be true to the centerline.
- One
object can occupy one space at one time. If my hand is occupying the centerline
then your punch is not going to hit me.
- Hands travel on the centerline and not from
the side.
-
Focus
on the Sup Man Dim body positions in order for it’s nature to be a true Pak
Saus:
o
Stiking point on center
o
Striking point on a triangle
reference between the upper reference point (upper lip) and middle reference
point (solar plexis)
o
Elbow is on the Yin line and is
one fist away from the body
o
In this position, if the person
attempts to throw a punch with their other hand it has no place to go.
o One stone kills two birds which
is the HFY way and shows true awareness.
Some
Wing Chun branches will bring the hand to the centerline but down to the waist
level and will call this centerline pak sau. HFY would consider this a
distortion since it leaves the whole upper gate open and each person has an
opportunity within that time and space to hit the other person. Neither person
has an advantage but the focus is on hitting right away. Not the HFY way and
shows a sense of Wandering or Fau Ki level of understanding. One hand against
one.
-
This position is considered Gong Sau.
Progression
#3: Come into focus which is true to the HFY six gate positioning
-
In this progression one person will punch to
the middle reference point.
- Since
my hands are traveling on the centerline and from above, once my hands occupy
the proper space.
-
Focus on the Sup Man Dim body position:
o
Striking point on center
o
Striking point on a triangle
reference between the upper reference point (upper lip) and middle reference
point (solar plexis)
o
Elbow is on the Yin line and is
one fist away from the body.
o
Wau Sau hand is on the
centerline next to the elbow.
o
Both hands are on the center and
the same side of the punch.
-
Focus which is true to the six gate position
and also considered Gong Sau.
-
At this stage, we are in total control and in
a position to transition into Gau Sau where things are in our advantage.
-
Depending on the incoming energy or lack
thereof we can either:
o
Move forward using the HFY
footwork to attack the throat.
o
Receive the incoming punch with
the opponents opposite hand with an inside pak sau leaving the opponents head
wide open.
o Receive the
incoming punch which
crosses the centerline with a Tan Sau and then a Tuk Sau pushing the opponent
off their center.
This was a brief synopsis of a complex
training process which should be practiced with a qualified instructor.
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