Exercise 5 -spirit.
Well, not much I can say about this particular spiel. Lots of oriental terminology to describe things that actually can be described by science. These concepts are not foreign to the western arts, they are just not mystical.
Martially speaking, working all techniques from the core is not an esoteric practice. It does not impart any sort of magical power beyond balance and force. All strength comes from proper application of the core. When your core is lower than your opponents, you gain leverage. All fighting originates in the core, so it is no wonder those that use it had “magical” fighting powers the others did not.
Controlling ones breathing is also another means of harnessing the most from the body. When you exhale when you strike, you are using your body more efficiently. The exhale of air contracts the abdominal muscles. This causes your shoulders to drop, accelerating your strike. This also works for the yell, same idea.
Kata, not important in the western arts. Infact, there are no “kata forms”. Predetermined routines are seen as counter productive and take away from ones spontaneity. Instead we flourish free form, by shadow boxing, putting together what ever movements feel right for the moment.
The concept of no mind is abhorrent to a western mind. As i have said in other essays, there is a level of spontaneous action that must come from diligent practice. This is the no mind that i think the east states they use so often.It seems to me a state of pure reaction. Problem with this is that it does not lend itself to proactive action, just the practiced counterstrike that the east likes so much. This leads to martial arts in which the first strike is half hearted to provoke an action. In the west, the actions are spontaneous, but the mind is always active. Considering where your opponent is, where their strike is likely to come from and how to get there first. The practiced actions subject to the mind.
