Dharma Way Dojo and Self Defence Solutions

Perversi difficile corriguntur et stultorum infinitus est numerus; My thoughts todayafter giving a prospective student a free class today and when asked did she want to start she said, there was too much talking, I just want to do the moves. Now look up this latin phrase and you will see why I am slowly beginning to stop teaching at all, I have actually turned down three prospective students in the last week.

Call now to connect with business.

From all of us at Dharma Way we send love and prayers for Deshi Cecilia and family, as her Mum has fallen and has bad injuries. Please send positive thoughts and healing love her way as she undergos surgery tonight 💗
Steven Allen Cecilia Widjaja Christine Eathorne

We're shooting more video. Anyone have questions or subjects they want discussed in internal martial arts, baguazhang or hsing i chuan, let us know.

Classes are closed from July 20th to July 25th for a holiday at the hot pools, I will see students on Monday July 28th. Time for a holiday. Keep practicing , there will be tests and assessments when we return.
( Hanshi)
Zong Shi (宗師) Allen

Great class today at Dharma Way Dojo with some of my top students who did well with their Eight directional Pi Chuan Hsing I Chuan. I always enjoy seeing them and they are making great progress. Love you all. Hanshi!

The Twelve Stages of Xingyi Piquan: The Secret Key to Practice from Shaking Bones to the Flow of Mind and Will

There is an old saying in Xingyi: "If you are not good at Piquan, all five elements are empty." This seemingly simple vertical circle trajectory is actually the first key to open the hall of Xingyiquan. When I first learned Piquan, I thought I could master it in three months, but I didn't expect it would take three years to see the key. Now I will break through the old habits hidden in the school, integrate the key points passed down by the masters of the past generations into the perspective of modern sports science, and reveal the twelve barriers to Piquan practice for you.

The first step is to focus on the "hanging" technique of the spine

When standing in the Trikonasana, the entire spine should be like an icicle hanging from the eaves - the Baihui point on the top of the head seems to be suspended by silver wire, and the tip of the coccyx is like a lead block. In this state, the natural curvature of the spine will activate the deep erector spinae muscles, just like a fully drawn bowstring that is full of elastic potential energy. It is common for practitioners to stick out their chests and bulge their bellies, or hunch their backs, because they have not understood the true meaning of "Three Folds of the Dragon's Spine". The correct state of the spine should be like a weeping willow in the wind: the root joints are solid, and the tip joints are light and agile.

The second level is the "wave-turning power" of the shoulder blade

At the moment of attack, most people only focus on the trajectory of their arms, but they don't know that the shoulder blade is the pivot of force transmission. When chopping forward, the shoulder blade on the same side must complete the three movements of "sinking, pushing, and turning" - first, the lower part of the trapezius muscle falls like a weight, then the serratus anterior pushes the shoulder blade forward, and finally the rhomboid muscle exerts force to turn the lower corner of the shoulder blade outward. This precise coordination can be compared to the tide flooding over the reef: it looks soft and boneless, but it actually has the power to destroy mountains and split rocks.

The third level is the "hidden circle" at the bottom of the elbow

The movement trajectory of the elbow joint is actually the key point of the chopping fist force. During the forward chopping process, the tip of the elbow should draw a horizontal circle with a diameter of about four fingers wide. The center point of this invisible trajectory is exactly three inches in front of the Tanzhong point. When the elbow reaches the bottom of the circle, the olecranon process of the ulna needs to make a slight spiral. This action can activate the forearm fascia chain and form a whip effect. Old boxers often say "the bottom of the elbow hides a needle", which refers to this hidden twisting force.

The fourth level: the "Thunder Pattern" appears on the palm

When the chopping fist is in place, the palm shape is far from being as simple as it appears on the surface. When the five fingers are separated, the fascia between the metacarpal bones should be pulled out with longitudinal tension, and the second knuckles of the middle finger and the ring finger should be slightly raised like water dripping from the eaves. At this time, if you use a thermal imaging device to observe, you can see that the three points of Laogong, Shaofu and Yuji form an energy triangle. When the force reaches the edge of the palm, these three points will produce 8-12 micro-vibrations per second. This high-frequency vibration can pe*****te a three-inch pine board without leaving surface scars. In addition, a reminder that excessive attention to Laogong acupoints is prone to spontaneous qigong.

The fifth connection is to activate the "mercury falling force" of Dantian

The coordination of breathing and Dantian is the invisible engine of Piquan. When retracting the hand, the diaphragm should sink into the "Qi Hai Point" three inches below Dantian like a diving bell. At this time, the intra-abdominal pressure will increase by more than 30%. At the moment of the punch, Dantian suddenly sits down, triggering the chain contraction of the iliopsoas and pelvic floor muscles - this process is just like a mercury bead falling into a glass cup, with a powerful force but without any turbidity.

Sixth, the 'yin and yang spring' related to the arch of the foot

The secret of lower limb strength lies in the elasticity of the arch of the foot. When splitting forward, the arch of the back foot should be like a compressed steel spring, and the arch of the front foot should be like a fully stretched bamboo bow. When the center of gravity is shifted, the mechanical relationship between the Yongquan point and the ground is extremely subtle: the Yongquan point of the back foot pushes the ground like magnets repelling each other, and the Yongquan point of the front foot attracts the ground like an old vine wrapped around a stake. This energy conversion at the sole of the foot can produce a seven-fold surge effect for the overall strength.

Level 7: The "Silk Power" Hidden in the Fascia

The penetrating power of the chopping fist relies on the coordinated conduction of the fascia system. At the moment of the punch, seven invisible threads should be pulled from the heel to the fingertips: the foot-sun meridian tendons are like taut bowstrings, and the hand-shaoyang meridian tendons are like vibrating strings. Special attention should be paid to the fascia conduction between the shoulder blade and the Dazhui point. If there is a blockage here, the overall strength will be dissipated by more than half. Those who have achieved success in practice can feel that the fascia throughout the body is like a spring silkworm weaving a web, and a single hair can move the whole body.

The eighth level: "Electricity in the Virtual Room"

The use of eyes is the essence of the chopping fist. The direction of vision should not only follow the palm gesture, but also keep in mind the idea of "30% observation of reality, 70% pe*******on of emptiness". When chopping forward, the pupil should be like lightning in the dark night, penetrating the three-foot void behind the target. This kind of visual training can simultaneously activate the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex, increasing the speed of nerve signal conduction by more than 20%. The so-called "witnessing the qi" of the older generation refers to this special neuromuscular coordination mode.

Level 9: The "Que Tongue Strength" Hidden Between Teeth

The state of the oral cavity directly affects the quality of strength. The correct state of the teeth should be that the molars are lightly closed like holding an almond, and the tip of the tongue naturally presses against the folds of the upper palate. This posture can keep the temporalis and masseter muscles in the best tension state, and enhance the recruitment ability of the core muscles through the trigeminal nerve reflex. Do not clench your teeth, otherwise it will block the blood circulation of the "Jade Liquid Huandan", making the strength stagnant and difficult to transform.

Level 10: 'Reverse Breathing' Appears in the Pores

Refining the sense of touch of the skin is the key to the advancement of Piquan. During the movement, you need to feel the subtle changes in the air flowing through the pores: when you close your hands, the pores expand like pine needles, and when you exhale, the pores close like wheat awns. This kind of skin breathing practice can increase the sensitivity of proprioception by more than 300%, laying the foundation for the future "listening to the power and transforming it into power".

Level 11: The "Morning Bell Power" that Vibrates the Periosteum

Advanced splitting punches require bones to conduct vibration waves. At the moment of force pe*******on, a vibration similar to the impact of a bell and a pestle should be generated between the ulna and radius. This vibration wave should be transmitted to the humerus and clavicle through the periosteum, and finally resonate at the sacrum. Those who have deep skills can experience the wonderful state of "all bones resonating together", which is an important sign of developing overall strength. Modern sports science has confirmed that this bone-conducted vibration can activate bone stem cells and promote bone density.

Level 12: The "Heavenly Dragnet" in accordance with God's Will

The ultimate realm of Piquan is to cover all directions with divine will. When performing the action, one must maintain a state of consciousness of "70% inward and 30% outward": imagine the bright moon in the sky in the Niwan Palace, and the extremities of the limbs extend like spider webs. This special configuration of consciousness can enable the motor cortex to form a three-dimensional perception field, breaking through the limitations of three-dimensional space. Neuroimaging studies have shown that long-term practitioners will have thickening of the parietal cortex, which is the physiological basis for the improvement of spatial perception ability.

Many old boxers in the school have wasted half their lives. When they were young, they pursued unparalleled strength. When they reached a certain level, they looked back and found that Piquan was the soul of Xingyi. Piquan training is like carving jade, which needs to be polished through twelve processes. From the initial muscle memory to fascia remodeling, from tangible movement norms to intangible energy guidance, each stage is breaking through the cognitive boundaries. Although modern science can analyze its movement principles, it is difficult to predict the wonderful changes in the divine will. When practicing, remember: the biggest obstacle is not the muscles and bones, but the solidification of thinking. Only by grinding with the heart of "emptiness as a tool" every day can you gradually enter the supreme realm of "Piquan is not a fist".

Important information, take it to heart.

The Twelve Stages of Xingyi Piquan: The Secret Key to Practice from Shaking Bones to the Flow of Mind and Will

There is an old saying in Xingyi: "If you are not good at Piquan, all five elements are empty." This seemingly simple vertical circle trajectory is actually the first key to open the hall of Xingyiquan. When I first learned Piquan, I thought I could master it in three months, but I didn't expect it would take three years to see the key. Now I will break through the old habits hidden in the school, integrate the key points passed down by the masters of the past generations into the perspective of modern sports science, and reveal the twelve barriers to Piquan practice for you.

The first step is to focus on the "hanging" technique of the spine

When standing in the Trikonasana, the entire spine should be like an icicle hanging from the eaves - the Baihui point on the top of the head seems to be suspended by silver wire, and the tip of the coccyx is like a lead block. In this state, the natural curvature of the spine will activate the deep erector spinae muscles, just like a fully drawn bowstring that is full of elastic potential energy. It is common for practitioners to stick out their chests and bulge their bellies, or hunch their backs, because they have not understood the true meaning of "Three Folds of the Dragon's Spine". The correct state of the spine should be like a weeping willow in the wind: the root joints are solid, and the tip joints are light and agile.

The second level is the "wave-turning power" of the shoulder blade

At the moment of attack, most people only focus on the trajectory of their arms, but they don't know that the shoulder blade is the pivot of force transmission. When chopping forward, the shoulder blade on the same side must complete the three movements of "sinking, pushing, and turning" - first, the lower part of the trapezius muscle falls like a weight, then the serratus anterior pushes the shoulder blade forward, and finally the rhomboid muscle exerts force to turn the lower corner of the shoulder blade outward. This precise coordination can be compared to the tide flooding over the reef: it looks soft and boneless, but it actually has the power to destroy mountains and split rocks.

The third level is the "hidden circle" at the bottom of the elbow

The movement trajectory of the elbow joint is actually the key point of the chopping fist force. During the forward chopping process, the tip of the elbow should draw a horizontal circle with a diameter of about four fingers wide. The center point of this invisible trajectory is exactly three inches in front of the Tanzhong point. When the elbow reaches the bottom of the circle, the olecranon process of the ulna needs to make a slight spiral. This action can activate the forearm fascia chain and form a whip effect. Old boxers often say "the bottom of the elbow hides a needle", which refers to this hidden twisting force.

The fourth level: the "Thunder Pattern" appears on the palm

When the chopping fist is in place, the palm shape is far from being as simple as it appears on the surface. When the five fingers are separated, the fascia between the metacarpal bones should be pulled out with longitudinal tension, and the second knuckles of the middle finger and the ring finger should be slightly raised like water dripping from the eaves. At this time, if you use a thermal imaging device to observe, you can see that the three points of Laogong, Shaofu and Yuji form an energy triangle. When the force reaches the edge of the palm, these three points will produce 8-12 micro-vibrations per second. This high-frequency vibration can pe*****te a three-inch pine board without leaving surface scars. In addition, a reminder that excessive attention to Laogong acupoints is prone to spontaneous qigong.

The fifth connection is to activate the "mercury falling force" of Dantian

The coordination of breathing and Dantian is the invisible engine of Piquan. When retracting the hand, the diaphragm should sink into the "Qi Hai Point" three inches below Dantian like a diving bell. At this time, the intra-abdominal pressure will increase by more than 30%. At the moment of the punch, Dantian suddenly sits down, triggering the chain contraction of the iliopsoas and pelvic floor muscles - this process is just like a mercury bead falling into a glass cup, with a powerful force but without any turbidity.

Sixth, the 'yin and yang spring' related to the arch of the foot

The secret of lower limb strength lies in the elasticity of the arch of the foot. When splitting forward, the arch of the back foot should be like a compressed steel spring, and the arch of the front foot should be like a fully stretched bamboo bow. When the center of gravity is shifted, the mechanical relationship between the Yongquan point and the ground is extremely subtle: the Yongquan point of the back foot pushes the ground like magnets repelling each other, and the Yongquan point of the front foot attracts the ground like an old vine wrapped around a stake. This energy conversion at the sole of the foot can produce a seven-fold surge effect for the overall strength.

Level 7: The "Silk Power" Hidden in the Fascia

The penetrating power of the chopping fist relies on the coordinated conduction of the fascia system. At the moment of the punch, seven invisible threads should be pulled from the heel to the fingertips: the foot-sun meridian tendons are like taut bowstrings, and the hand-shaoyang meridian tendons are like vibrating strings. Special attention should be paid to the fascia conduction between the shoulder blade and the Dazhui point. If there is a blockage here, the overall strength will be dissipated by more than half. Those who have achieved success in practice can feel that the fascia throughout the body is like a spring silkworm weaving a web, and a single hair can move the whole body.

The eighth level: "Electricity in the Virtual Room"

The use of eyes is the essence of the chopping fist. The direction of vision should not only follow the palm gesture, but also keep in mind the idea of "30% observation of reality, 70% pe*******on of emptiness". When chopping forward, the pupil should be like lightning in the dark night, penetrating the three-foot void behind the target. This kind of visual training can simultaneously activate the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex, increasing the speed of nerve signal conduction by more than 20%. The so-called "witnessing the qi" of the older generation refers to this special neuromuscular coordination mode.

Level 9: The "Que Tongue Strength" Hidden Between Teeth

The state of the oral cavity directly affects the quality of strength. The correct state of the teeth should be that the molars are lightly closed like holding an almond, and the tip of the tongue naturally presses against the folds of the upper palate. This posture can keep the temporalis and masseter muscles in the best tension state, and enhance the recruitment ability of the core muscles through the trigeminal nerve reflex. Do not clench your teeth, otherwise it will block the blood circulation of the "Jade Liquid Huandan", making the strength stagnant and difficult to transform.

Level 10: 'Reverse Breathing' Appears in the Pores

Refining the sense of touch of the skin is the key to the advancement of Piquan. During the movement, you need to feel the subtle changes in the air flowing through the pores: when you close your hands, the pores expand like pine needles, and when you exhale, the pores close like wheat awns. This kind of skin breathing practice can increase the sensitivity of proprioception by more than 300%, laying the foundation for the future "listening to the power and transforming it into power".

Level 11: The "Morning Bell Power" that Vibrates the Periosteum

Advanced splitting punches require bones to conduct vibration waves. At the moment of force pe*******on, a vibration similar to the impact of a bell and a pestle should be generated between the ulna and radius. This vibration wave should be transmitted to the humerus and clavicle through the periosteum, and finally resonate at the sacrum. Those who have deep skills can experience the wonderful state of "all bones resonating together", which is an important sign of developing overall strength. Modern sports science has confirmed that this bone-conducted vibration can activate bone stem cells and promote bone density.

Level 12: The "Heavenly Dragnet" in accordance with God's Will

The ultimate realm of Piquan is to cover all directions with divine will. When performing the action, one must maintain a state of consciousness of "70% inward and 30% outward": imagine the bright moon in the sky in the Niwan Palace, and the extremities of the limbs extend like spider webs. This special configuration of consciousness can enable the motor cortex to form a three-dimensional perception field, breaking through the limitations of three-dimensional space. Neuroimaging studies have shown that long-term practitioners will have thickening of the parietal cortex, which is the physiological basis for the improvement of spatial perception ability.

Many old boxers in the school have wasted half their lives. When they were young, they pursued unparalleled strength. When they reached a certain level, they looked back and found that Piquan was the soul of Xingyi. Piquan training is like carving jade, which needs to be polished through twelve processes. From the initial muscle memory to fascia remodeling, from tangible movement norms to intangible energy guidance, each stage is breaking through the cognitive boundaries. Although modern science can analyze its movement principles, it is difficult to predict the wonderful changes in the divine will. When practicing, remember: the biggest obstacle is not the muscles and bones, but the solidification of thinking. Only by grinding with the heart of "emptiness as a tool" every day can you gradually enter the supreme realm of "Piquan is not a fist".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUVEEIZrnsA&t=3s&ab_channel=StevenAllen

20250610 110828 Copy 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHNUpeEOYJY&t=9s&ab_channel=StevenAllen

Hsing I transition for Cecilia A hsing I instructional video for a student about transitions