Theory of internal
1) This is primarily what I focus on. Binary. There is only tension and relaxation. Tension refers to using muscular force. Relaxation refers to “dead” weight of the arms.
Then the mind comes into play, directing attention to various points of the body to:
a) fill that particular area with energy,
b) use that particular area as an energy source and lastly
c) connecting the entire body with energy.
In this theory, relaxation is physical. It is dropping the arm – or body or both – to achieve joint relaxation. There is no mind – the arm goes up when picked up and down when dropped. The mind enters the foray only to coalesce energy. It is all about energy.
The way to use the mind is by:
a) focusing on various points of the body: fists, arms, chest, spine, knees, legs, feet, etc; (force increases)
b) by connecting everything through intention (force; weight increases) and
c) going into more subtle energy by “relaxing more” (weight decreases; lightness abounds). There is confusion about this. It may be “subtle” energy (going to another level) or it could be the dissipation of energy throughout the muscles as a means to relax it. The reasoning is because when relaxing, there is no longer a concentration of energy as (a) – in a particular area – and the relaxation is enhanced by the energy itself.
Subtle energy may mean another level. This is uncertain at this time.
Note that the mind is limited by its reservoir of energy. This is why meditating is required. One needs to have something to expend. Also, this should not be overdone. It should be practiced according to one’s limits. If overdone, the result will be tiredness and a general “burn-out.”
2) This is what I have noticed is taught in Hong Kong. Mindfulness. There is tension and mental or mindful relaxation. Tension refers to using muscular force. Relaxation refers to releasing this force and coming back to the skeletal system – the use of joints. Here there is a wide range of relaxation. It is said that relaxation is never-ending.
The way to relax is:
a) mindfully letting go or
b) using a technique such as visualization or
c) using an internal technique such as running energy up the spine
In this theory, there is no use of the word energy. It is only the mind. This is a big problem because the entire theory is not understood correctly. The mind is but a tool in the spiritual sense but because of a lack of understanding here, the mind becomes the directing force. The mind only directs the energy. It may be comparable to a fan. The fan does not create wind. It merely directs it. If you say where you direct the fan, the wind blows, that is not wrong. But neither is it explaining the force behind the fan.
The main thing to know here is that energy follows intention and when the intention is to relax, energy will penetrate and “align” itself with the muscles. To put this another way: one does not simply relax. One relaxes using energy. This can be done consciously or unconsciously. Consciously is feeling and directing energy via the mind. Unconscious is directing and using the mind. The difference is slight but very important because it either omits and indulges in the concept and nature of energy.
Other visualizations or internal techniques include:
a) imagining all joints (chakras) are spinning and connecting them as one;
b) arms are heavy;
c) making and maintaining a huge ball;
d) being like water (softness);
e) being “dead” and throwing your mass around.
3) Other concepts include the use of the dan tian which is an energy center below the navel. There are 3 dan tians in that region, not a single one.
Another concept is that of the center of mass. It is close to the dan tian.
Yet another concept is the center of movement located at the chest level. This theory states that it is used in tandem with the dan tian.
4) What can be done with the energy is binary as well: it can be used to self-power or to transmit, throw energy. The latter (the second one) is primarily seen in taiji or tai chi. The first one is how Master Chu Shong Tin had used it in wing chun.