19/10/2022
Wise words from a very highly skilled practitioner and instructor
In recent years it has become common to see WC practitioners practicing forms, punches, and chi sau drills with overly relaxed floppy wrists. I'm not sure where the overly loose hand phenomenon in WC came from. I don't remember seeing it 20+ years ago, but we didn't have YouTube back then (and sometimes that is a good thing ;) ) Seems to me it's more of a recent occurrence. I can only hypothesize that a teacher or teachers had students who were overly tight and/or ridged in their movements, so they told the students to relax, hopefully with the intent of creating the correct amount of tension/firmness over time, rather than remaining too relaxed or too stiff. The result though seems to be an over-exaggeration of relaxation in the wrists and hands that has stuck and been passed on.
It's human nature to take things to extremes instead of searching for yinyang balance. Too tight is too extreme and too relaxed is also too extreme. Balance is the key. It is important to be relaxed, but somewhere along the line the words “totally” and “completely” were added as a prefix. We like to use the term “alert energy” as an idea of how the entire body should feel (including the wrists and hands). It is an abstract term, but when you are alert, you are ready for something... to move, to react, to listen, etc. and you need a certain amount of tension/firmness to be alert, but not too much... and not too little.
If you are totally or completely relaxed you are not in a “ready” state. A coiled rattlesnake that is ready to strike is an example of efficient alert energy and correct tension. A snake that is prepared to strike is not totally relaxed nor is it tight and ridged (By the way, Sifu Jim took the cool foto above). Sifu Fong uses the term “balloon function” which simply means if the tension/firmness in your body structures is correct, the structures of your body function like a properly inflated balloon (or car tire is another good example). Not to loose (too relaxed) which would be under-inflated, and not too tight, which would be over-inflated. Both extremes are inefficient and cause incorrect body mechanics.
When practicing the WC punch in the air there will be some natural vibration when stopping suddenly when you express power but the fist and wrist should be firm... Not too tight and not too loose. Balance is the key. Think of your fist like an arrowhead connected to the shaft of an arrow. When an arrow strikes a target, if the arrowhead is loosely connected to the shaft of the arrow it will break on impact. The same goes for your wrist if it is too loose and not firmly connecting the fist to the forearm. Too tight is no good but too loose is no good either.
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This alert and ready state is not static. It is the “energy” or tension you have in your body at all times during training that is created by correct positioning, proper alignment of the bones and joints, elasticity of the tendons and ligaments, stretching and rotation of your body structures, and mental intent. As they say, the devil is in the details. All of these important details in body control develop the ability for your muscles to remain relaxed, flexible, and ready, but not limp.
“Alert energy” should never come and go, it should be developed to be consistent and adjustable... during forms, solo drills, and all partner drills. This is precisely what the WC forms and all other drills and exercises teach you how to do. Development of the perfect balance between too tight and too relaxed is just one of the many goals of WC training.
~ Carina Cirrincione - Southern Arizona Wing Chun Gung Fu © 11-24-17
