Please find the prior posts here:

1. https://steemit.com/wingchun/@wingchunqigong/wing-chun-qi-gong-five-principles-part-1-of-6
2. https://steemit.com/wingchun/@wingchunqigong/wing-chun-qi-gong-five-principles-part-2-of-6

Relaxation

Relaxation has many levels and you may have heard of what the Chinese call 'Song'.

Song is definitely a skill in the internal martial arts that is interpreted in English 'to continue to release and relax deeper and deeper'.

It takes time to acquire this skill to the appropriate level, so do not expect to acquire it all at once. Through continual practice, it occurs in stages.

Verification of Song

These stages can be tested and verified by having a training partner. Firstly, you can withstand their force on you, as you learn to develop 'Structure' and can transfer the opponent's force into the earth. Next, you can learn to control the energy, and resend it back into the opponent. You may have seen this in many Taichi films, as the opponent is 'bounced' across the room. There are more advanced stages after this, but as I am introducing the topic, let's stop here for now.

As I mentioned previously, the art of Wing Chun is scientific, and one should 'test' all theories through practice.

Jellyfish Syndrome

I've seen some videos where people look like a jellyfish. This type of relaxation is incorrect and not what I am referring to here. The reason being, they are simply just floppy, but are not using the power of mind to facilitate the flow of Qi. This correct balance of relaxation with intent is difficult to describe in writing, and is best taught one on one with a teacher.

But all is not lost, since I am only introducing the first stage of relaxation, so you shall be fine. I am just clarifying the boundaries of 'correct' vs 'incorrect' to help build an idea in your mind of what is appropriate.

What is Relaxation

Relaxation is the opposite of stress or tension - So it applies both to your mind and body, whereby you have no mental stress or physical tension.

See my "Don't Worry" article to understand how to relax the mind https://steemit.com/wingchun/@wingchunqigong/wing-chun-qi-gong-five-principles-part-2-of-6

For physical tension, this one is easy to remedy with a simple practice that I shall teach now.

Scanning Practice: The Elevator

Some like to start at the top, and others like to start at the bottom - but it really doesn't matter, since we are going to perform it both ways.

1. To begin, stand naturally with feet about a foot's distance apart with arms by the side.
2. Begin at the crown of the head.
3. Use your mind like a horizontal plane - scan front (anterior), middle and back (posterior).
4. Now slowly move down your body scanning front, middle and back.
5. Move through the head, neck, shoulders, torso, arms, hands, waist, legs, feet.
6. Once you reach the feet, like an elevator, repeat the process back up to the crown of the head.

Now, the most import part of the this practice is 'Song'. This means, as your mind scans the body, your objective is to 'release' and 'relax'.

Release

Release means to expand the area.

Relax

Relax means to drop all holding and tension.

Hakuin's Duck Egg So Cream

For those who have been reading my posts from the beginning, I mentioned Zen Master Hakuin. For those who know the story, Master Hakuin developed Zen Sickness from too much sitting practice. He was unable to find a remedy for his sickness until he met a hermit living in the mountains whom taught him the 'Duck Egg So Cream' technique.

The technique is near identical to the scanning method above, but you can add in visualisation. That is, you picture a warm gooey duck egg at the crown of your head that slowly melts down filling up your entire body. As it proceeds downwards, it "fills up" or releases the area, and then drops down, or 'relaxes' before continuing.

In this case, it is your kinaesthetic or feeling sense that is most important. Literally try to feel the warmth of the cream like a healing ointment. And also use your mind to open 'release' and drop 'relax' the area, and testing this is occurring by feeling the result.

Upvoting

If you like this post, or this post has helped you in anyway, please upvote so that more people can learn about Wing Chun Qi Gong.

Sincerely,
Sifu Jordan
(Don't Worry, Relax, Be Happy, Concentrate and Do Your Best)