We often spend a lot of time standing in class. I really should stop describing it as such and this has been made clear to me twice recently.
The main reason we stand is to help broaden our little idea and make it stronger. It is the key to Wing Chun. If one can maintain the little idea state then every movement will have power.
The second time was when I arrived at class early and it was just Sifu and me. He quickly asked me to do Chi Sau with him. As a beginner I struggle with rolling up in to bong sau. After a while I could feel myself tensing my legs and my lower back.
He said it was because I was forgetting about the basics. Relaxing 'lifting the anus' separating the joints and muscles in the back and chest and rolling down the shoulders. He explained that we don't just do this to open the little idea. We do it because it is our structure and our structure cant change when our arms do. If anything maintaining this state is more important when moving our arms.
Well, that isn't exactly what he said though I think I grasped at what he was meaning. He also gave an example: -
When learning a language you learn the words and the grammar. No matter what you try to say you must keep the grammar consistent or it isn't English anymore. The grammar holds it together and ensures it makes sense.
An example I thought of is the foundations of a building. They never change even when rooms change shape and position above them.
Again, a simple concept that is hard to put into practice. Your structure must stay relaxed and in place and powered by the little idea or anything that interacts with your top half will not be deflected to ground.
I'll go back to standing for a bit...
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