18 Double Pushing Palm

18 Double Pushing Palm is that portion of YAU KUNG MUN Kungfu, which is famous for its efficacy in engendering good health. Movements during exercise are relaxing, while no exertion of force is necessary. The forms of the body changes with the mind, which is in peaceful calm, the breath is regular and rhythmic and the posture is convenient and comfortable. The movements of this 18 Double Pushing Palm are combinations of rigidity and flexibility as well as Yin and Yang, arranged in a smooth flowing form. Constant practice for those who are weak may have the effect of improving their blood circulation and strengthening their muscles. Because of the regular expansion and contraction of the diaphragm the respiratory system and even the nervous system are strengthened. The whole body thus benefits a great deal from it and the practitioner acquires a great sense of well being, feeling very fit. Good health and longevity may be achieved if this boxing form is practiced regularly. The hand techniques, postures and footwork of this boxing form are in strict accordance with the theories of Chinese kungfu and therefore are most effective for self-defense. However, some special rules must be followed when practicing this form: the tip of the tongue must curl up a bit and touch the palate, the shoulders must droop and the elbows slump, the chest must not stick out and the abdomen must be withdrawn, the back must be straight and the posterior must not protrude. Carry out abdominal breathing instead of thoracic respiration, inhaling and exhaling must correspond with each and every movement otherwise the practitioner cannot reap the full benefits.

18 Double Pushing Palm is divided into three portions. The first portion is mainly for the purpose of giving the body a good muscular tone. The second portion is mainly for the purpose of self-defense, and the third portion concerns the acquisition of internal work.

When practicing the first portion, the movements must be relaxed and no exertion of force is required. Because the movements are relaxed, the nerves and muscles of the whole body are not strained by tension and therefore are more supple and responsive. So the more you practice, the more agile and quick in response you will become. As the mind controls the will and the will generates power, which improves and regulates the blood circulation, reflexive response will be more acute. Both the circulation and respiratory systems will be greatly strengthened. No other exercise is more effective and thorough than this.

The second portion deals with hand techniques, postures and footwork. Its training concentrates on 3 "Figures". The 3 "Figures" are ‘Round’, ‘Flat’ and ‘Thin’. The figure ‘Round’ is for the training of hand-techniques which seldom or never have the arms fully stretched. The force or strength employed is subtle. When attacking, the force of strike travels in a straight line, whereas in defending the force employed travels in an arc or circular movement. This is in strict accordance with the theories of pugilism and because the movements are swift and circular like the movements of a dragon, we call this the figure ‘Round’.

The figure ‘Flat’ refers to the training of postures and body forms. This requires the practitioner to keep his head leveled, shoulders drooped, chest and abdomen withdrawn, even as the back must be straight and the posterior must not protrude. To give these forms more vivid descriptions, they are named the leopard’s head, the monkey’s chest, the tiger’s back and the dragon’s waist. The "Leopard’s Head" requires that the practitioner keeps his head leveled and look straight at his opponent to watch his every move. The "Monkey’s Chest" requires that the practitioner withdraws his chest so that the opponent will have to stretch his arm further out if he wants to attack you, thus putting himself in a disadvantageous situation vulnerable to your attack. "Tiger’s Back" and "Dragon’s Waist" signify the agility and mobility of the body during attack and defense. Because the body forms adopted in this ‘Figure’ are shorter than usual, we use the word "Flat" to describe them.

The figure ‘Thin’ is the basic principle of footwork. This signifies the swiftness and mobilityof footwork equally in advance or retreat, or stepping sideways. This is important because footwork is the means of evading and also approaching the opponent. A comprehensive study and practice of the 3 ‘Figures’ gives one the expert knowledge of self-defense.

In practicing the third portion one must practice the ‘Lion Rolling Ball’ form thoroughly. This form is the most effective method of training and strengthening the wrists, the back, the waist, the abdomen and even the legs. In practicing this form, the practitioner must curl his tongue so that the tip touches the palate. His chest must not stick out and the abdomen must be withdrawn. His back must be kept straight and the posterior must not protrude nor use the pubic region instead of the chest for breathing. Standing posture assumed is in Yee Chi Kim Yeung Ma (Internal-Rotated Adduction Stance) arms stretched forward to the height of the shoulders with open hands holding an iron ball weighing 10 lbs. or above. To exercise, the practitioner rolls the iron ball in his hands up and down left and right in all directions. This exercise is very tiring but is also very effective. After a certain time when the practitioner feels that he is fairly strong and proficient, he may change to use a larger and heavier ball, weighing 20 lbs. or even more. Then when he feels that his stamina has greatly improved, he should change to use a wooden ball instead. Finally he should change to exercise with bare hands. The idea is to allow the practitioner to practice rigid strength first which is easier to perceive and supple force afterwards, which is even more difficult to master. The idea of curling the tongue so that its tip touches the palate and using the abdomen instead of the lungs to breath is to enable the air breathed in to travel through the whole body from top to bottom and then upwards through the back before it is being exhaled. This is a feat not acquired easily. Constant endeavor and strenuous practice under proper supervision and guidance are necessary if success is desired. Those who succeed are said to have the two vertical arteries YUM and TUK communicating at the back of the body thus enabling the air breathed in to travel a full circle through the body like the earth orbiting the sun in a vertical manner though. He who can achieve this will have his stamina increased to an incredible extent. Shoulders drooping with elbows slumping, the back must be kept straight and the posterior must not protrude - all these have the effect of further strengthening the back and the waist. Standing with the posture of Yee Chi Kim Young Ma (Internal Rotated Adduction Stance) with the chest and abdomen withdrawn and the waist bending forward and backward will strengthen the chest, the abdomen, the waist and even the legs. Hands, holding and rolling the iron ball will strengthen the wrists thus making this form a perfect and all round exercise.

On The Philosophy Of Attacking And Defending

According to the methods of practice, the second portion is for the purpose of improving the techniques and the third portion is for the acquisition of internal work. Such arrangements are most becoming for the practice of the philosophy of defense and attack.

The philosophy of pugilism is that the practitioner must first have a thorough understanding of the theories of defense and attack. To attack is to take the initiative with an aim to subdue the opponent before he could organize an effective defense. To achieve this, one must be swift, vigorous and accurate in his attacks. To be swift is to strike when the opponent is least prepared. To be vigorous is to strike at the opponent’s vulnerable points so that the opponent will not be able to retaliate after being struck by your blow. To be accurate is to hit the target intended. If you do not hit the target intended, you will waste your own ammunition (strength) and give the opponent a chance to retaliate, which might lead to your losing the fight. So the three elements mentioned above are most vital. As regards the problems of prowess and proficiency, it is a question of diligence in practice and training.