Internal Power
by Joe Bellone
There are many teachers of martial arts that
like to talk about internal power and chi as something fantastic
and mysterious (especially in the west) this is usually the
result of misunderstanding (on the part of the teacher) or
outright deceit (because it’s good for business). The term
"internal," as in internal martial arts, is often
misunderstood. The term "internal" refers to working
with our inherent and inborn strengths under the direction of the
mind. Any higher level martial art, regardless of style, that
works with natural strengths and uses mental (internal) energy
most efficiently to produce the most effective movement can be
considered internal.
Human beings are physical beings and are
subject to laws of physics: mass, energy, gravity. Our bodies are
constructed a certain way, our minds produce energy, and we are
under the influence of gravity all the time. Teachers of internal
arts talk about using chi instead of muscle force, that no
strength is necessary for one’s power, that power comes from
amassed chi. This sounds wonderful and mystical, and the vast
majority of people enjoy believing this type of thing, but
without the use of muscular force we would not be able to get out
of bed in the morning. The externally observable result of
movement (force) is always a result of muscle movement in the
body and the key to internal power is "how" the body is
moved.
Many mistaken ideas about internal power came
about because of the misunderstanding of the mind/body
connection. Looking back in history, it can be seen that the
large majority of famous martial artists came from similar
backgrounds. The typical pattern was for individuals to be from a
rural farming community, starting martial arts in a Shaolin based
or "village" style art, then moving on to an
"internal" art. Typically, practitioners in the United
States today grow up in the cities where they have relatively
little physically activity, get a job where they sit at a desk
all day, and practice martial arts twice a week at a local
school. They then wonder why they have a difficult time
developing "internal power." It must be because they
haven’t amassed enough Chi.
"Internal power" comes from a
refinement of trained strength which has been built upon by
adhering to principles of natural body structure over a period of
time. One of the problems today is that practitioners are trying
to jump straight into the performance of forms which are
specifically to refine martial arts skills and polish
"trained strength" without having any strength or skill
to begin with. This is why it is imperative for a
Uechi/Shohei-ryu practitioner to practice Sanchin Kata all the
time. This pattern is necessary for obtaining basic strengths and
skills as the foundation for the study of forms and exercises,
which work to refine those basic skills.
Martial techniques are based on conditioned
patterns of movement and the trained sensitivity (both through
sight and feel) which allow applying the right technique at the
right time. Conditioned patterns of movement are practiced
through repeated practice (Kata or Kumite). There is no way to
internalize specific patterns without physical practice. The
axiom, "practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice
makes perfect" holds true for any martial skill. The
question becomes how does one practice "perfectly," or
at least maximize the time spent in practice?" The answer,
in part, is through the awareness of a unified mind and body,
where the mind controls the physical action. This is referred to
in the martial classics as "using the intent and not
force."
Using the appropriate muscles without
excessive tension is the key to efficient movement, regardless of
any task. Where does one start to develop efficient movement
using the correct muscles and without excessive tension? It
starts with adhering to the principles in correct postural
alignment. By beginning with "awareness"(mind) of
postural alignment we can maintain a state of balance and
relaxation providing feedback to our mind and body in a
kinesthetic sense. During motion, the only way to move and
consistently monitor and maintain balance and relaxation is to
lead the movements of the body with the intent (which is another
way of describing the awareness of a unified mind and body). You
"will" it done and it is done. This is the source of
internal power and movement without effort.
Internal power is the result of the
body’s natural, intrinsic strengths that can be brought
fully into play (things as mechanical advantage, alignment, the
natural elasticity of tissue, body mass, stretch reflex, etc).
The whole process is under mental direction. The mind
doesn’t "control" as much as "inhibit"
incorrect alignment or tension. At higher levels of training,
reservoirs of the subconscious may be brought under conscious
control. This is the same mental and physical state that produces
internal power that is also conducive to good health. It is
through the release of stress and relaxing the body and mind that
allows the body to function optimally.
Copyright 1997 Joe Bellone
All Rights Reserved
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