It seems I must make a post to clarify, simplify, and explain what internal training consists of.
The components involved include:
1) Concentration of the Mind
2) Relaxation
3) Forward Intention or Forward Pressure; Triangulation
4) Internal Circuit
5) Refinement
In order to do any or all of these things, Concentration of the Mind is needed. You may have heard of trataka or the practice of staring at a candle. This is to concentrate or build one-mindedness in the mind – to build ekagrata. However, there are differences of degrees between peoples’ ability to control, concentrate or manifest their mind. This is what I refer to by concentration of the mind. Your concentration of the mind is not the same as mine. In that same manner, my concentration is not the same as my Sifu’s. Everyone varies to degrees.
The goal is to build it up such that you can
1) relax at will,
2) use a constant, consistent level of forward pressure without burning out or using excessive energy,
3) use and stick with an internal circuit, and
4) constantly refine and enhance your qualities.
Relaxation is understanding one’s body weight. Arms are dead. The body is dead. There is no inherent movement or action – simply dead weight. Think of a sleeping or a drunk person. They are heavy because they have released their weight. There is no sense, no focus, no intention involved in holding their body in a particular direction. Just let go.
This is a physical endeavor that has to be shown by someone. It can be explained in theory and through verbal communication, but the missing component is the constancy. The relaxation must be constantly endeavored for and refined. There is no end to relaxation, but it does give way to the internal circuit.
Forward Intention or Forward Pressure is the act of intending on an action at all times. The goal is to do so without breaking one’s relaxation. Too little forward pressure and there is no activity – one cannot defend. Too much and relaxation gives way to muscular tension. There has to be a correct amount. It is something akin to a dial as opposed to a switch.
It has to be understood from the “zero position” (completely dead) and then moved into the “one position” (using only the necessary amount of intention) place. That is easier than keeping the arms out and open (position two) and then relaxing. This latter method takes too long.
Forward pressure has to be honed to such a level that it becomes a natural state of the body. It is applied only as much as needed and energy is conserved.
Triangulation is the act of establishing intention that is converging into the center line. You will naturally form a triangle from the arms, hip area and feet. You want to apply this as much as you can. The goal in Wing Chun is to use the centerline so focus on that! Always bring the triangulation from SNT into lok sau, chi sau or even your punching and drill practices.
Another way of looking at things is that relaxation means inaction and forward pressure or intention is action. But there has to be action within inaction. The condition is relaxed and the intent is alive.
Once parts 2 and 3 are firmly established, the Internal Circuit begins. This is when you actually start training. Everything else was just a requisite. While maintaining relaxation and forward pressure, do an internal technique.
Possible techniques: Focus on the chest, use the weight of the body, use the skeletal structure, try to be soft as cotton, try to be like rain, try to be like fire, pump up the arms, connect the body through the center of mass, transmit energy through the fingertips – do whatever you want to do. But pick one and pursue that method adamantly. Don’t take a break even when you are not “training.”
If you do not incorporate it, you will plateau fairly quickly.
In Internal Circuit training, we are expending energy and are utilizing the first concept: Concentration of the Mind. This is why I advocate doing the meditation I give you as it will give you energy. The level of your concentration determines your skill level.
The last stage is refinement. And this is something I cannot give you. It is a personal endeavor. You must have the fire within, the conviction, the motivation to pursue relaxation as the goal even amidst force. This cannot be taught. It can be instructed and reminded but it is something from within.
Remember. The goal is not to “do” but to “try to do.” There is no absolutism involved here but neither is there self-deception. You must be aware and clear of what needs to be done as opposed to what you are doing.