The Solo Drill is a dynamic qigong
exercise incorporating the concept of Fa Jing with the applications from the
individual movements of Tai Chi Chuan's Solo Form's. It is an extension of Zhan Zhuang
training. The objective is to discharge power accumulated from Zhan Zhuang
training by executing physical movements. The relationship between Zhan Zhuang
training and the Solo Drill training is that Zhan Zhuang training is a method of
accumulating power so that all the physiological organs are strong and
energetic, and Solo Drill training is the method used to discharge power through
some of these physiological organs. Therefore, skillful practitioners often
focus on the combination of internal and external training. If one emphasizes
only Zhan Zhuang training, he or she will not be able to discharge power outside
the body efficiently. On the other hand, if one emphasizes only the Solo Drill
training, there will not be enough power to discharge. From my years of
teaching, I have seen this happen to many people whom possess power but do not
know what to do with it. Therefore, Zhan Zhuang training and Solo Drill training
are important components of Tai Chi Chuan as a martial arts system. The power
accumulated from Zhan Zhuang training and discharged in the Solo Drill training
is the same as the process of moving from a physically static to a dynamic
state, or in other words "from wu chi to tai chi". Therefore, this transition is
very significant and also difficult for all practitioners to accomplish. It
requires a very special kind of person. From my experience, those that are
successful are people who have discipline, confidence, intelligence, patience
and are consistent. In addition to accumulating power, Zhan Zhuang training also
improves the practitioner's physical condition. However, this fact is often
ignored by many practitioners until one is engaging in the physically demanding
Solo Drill training. In Zhan Zhuang training, when one feels that the body is
comfortable and energetic in a particular position after few minutes, this is a
sign that one is ready to engage in Solo Drill training.
In Solo Drill training, one should follow the concepts of
'slow is better than fast', and 'fluid is better than hurried' to reduced the
risk of physical injury. First, one works with large and slow movements. Later,
one works with small movements with speed and power. When one follows these
instructions, one will be able to understand all the powers changed inside the
body and performed by the body accordingly.
The training in Solo Drill is similar to Zhan Zhuang in a
few important ways. 1) It is highly demanding of physical endurance and mental
concentration. Therefore, one should expect to experience all sorts of
discomfort and boredom at the beginning. 2) All the movements are guided by the
intent, not physical force. When one is applying physical force, the muscles
tense up and this inhibits flexibility and all circulation. Therefore, as long
as one is applying the intent to guide the chi circulation, which is expressing
outwardly in physical movement, the discomfort will be gone and the training is
achievable.
In the beginning, practicing the Solo Drill's movements are
but a series of simple exercises for the hands and feet. With experience, one
will understand the power behind each exercise is not coming only from the hands
and feet but from the whole body. This is what we call 'when the top portion
moves, the lower portion follows. When the lower portion moves, the top portion
leads.'
When one is practicing the Solo Drill, one should pay
closer attention to the mechanics of each movement. The intent and movement
should be coordinated to result in a powerful strike. The movement should be
natural, comfortable, and muscles, joints, and tendons should stay relaxed. Each
movement's motion should be large at the beginning to fine tune all the different
components, later, the same movement should have smaller motion so that it is
fast and powerful. The slower the motion, the better the control, and focus.
This is the reason why Yang Cheng Fu said that first one seeks large movement
and later seeks smaller movement.
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