How to Increase Martial Arts Chi Energy by Degrees of Relaxation

By Al Case

That you can increase your martial arts chi energy by relaxing is zenlike, but can be frustrating. Oddly, it doesn't have to be frustrating, you just have to know the tricks. Key to understanding this is knowing what degree of relaxation is necessary for each art to make chi power.

Before we go into this art by art, one thing needs to be understood. Relaxation is the key to power. It would not be grossly wrong to say that the body is a machine, and the mind is a radio transmitter. This means that the machine, and the transmitter, need to be distraction free, cleared of all static, if they are to operate at maximum efficiency.

I prefer teaching the art of Karate first, as this is a simple art that can generate massive amounts of chi. It deals with pure explosion from the tan tien, though, the sad truth, most people treat it like a calisthenic. One needs to stop doing exercises without thought and invest their awareness if they are going to create the intrinsic power of the martial arts.

Breath gently and learn to relax the body, and tighten only the fist. The body might be taut in the beginning, as one learns how to align it correctly and connect it to the ground, but this tautness should give way to a relaxation that can withstand the introduction of force to the frame. The fist does not have to be excessively tight, just tight enough to emphasize the space surrounding the moment of focus.

The real key to advanced martial arts is to cycle energy through the body while the body is in motion. This can be done in Shaolin style arts easily; the more the circular movement, and the more attention to proper alignment, the easier it is. Again, breath and relax even while handling the introduction of great weight to your frame.

The highest martial arts are such as Pa Kua Chang and Tai Chi Chuan. The reason for this is that the slower you go the more you look, the more you look the more you know. This is the concept of investing awareness brought to its peak.

Myself, I have managed to walk the circle and do the Tai Chi form to the point of one move a minute. Stopping is called pile stancing, and it is very effective. I usually stop motion only to take the time to assess the form and make sure everything is in the right order.

In conclusion, no art is better than any other art, they are just different pieces of the same puzzle; there are no superior combat disciplines, merely superior martial arts students. Learn to relax, even while exhausted, and you will find that there is no fatigue, only a pathway to more energy.

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