THE PRINCIPLE OF UNITY

THE PRINCIPLE OF UNITY



These series of post are mainly my own LIMITED thoughts and experience from practicing Yiquan and should be taken with a HUGE DOSE OF SALT. 

Understanding how an engine works to move the wheels of a car is very instructive to the practice of Yiquan. What I wish to discuss here is the importance of the principle of UNITY.

In a car, all the components are static. Meaning, each of the parts will not move on its' own unless it is moved by the power transmitted through the engine to the gears and the transmission shaft to the wheels. Therefore, in this very basic system, all the power in the engine will move through the system to the wheels with minimal loss of energy except for friction.

 We strive to do the same in the practice of Yiquan. If we use the same analogy as the car above, the main problem is that each of the components: the engine, gears, transmission shaft and wheels are dynamic and each can move on its' own accord. The human body consists of living cells and each component can do its' own thing, to put it simply. 

In the human body, it is entirely possibly for the wheel to start spinning on its' own. Meanwhile, the engine starts producing energy to the gears and transmission shaft later. This mismatch in timing and co-ordination may result in the speed generated by the wheels to be slower than what the body is capable of. In a worst case scenario, the components may work in opposition to each other resulting in the energy pulling in different directions causing damage to the components. A simple example would be when you try to lift an object using the muscles in the hands and wrists alone. You'll find it difficult. If you engage your whole upper body, it becomes much easier. If you use your entire body in unison, the difference will be vast!

At the most basic stage of Yiquan, we want power to be transmitted through the engine and flow through the body to the hands. At more advanced stages, we want the body to work in SYMPHONY. As power is generated from the body, as it moves through the shoulder, elbow, forearms, wrists, hands and fingers - we want each part of the body to add to the power conduit, so that the resulting power directed outwards is manifest manifold than what is normally possible.