American Fitness Professionals & Associates

 By: Marcus DeValentino, M.A.

The inherent TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) of the martial arts is a science because like all scientific developments, it is based on theory and application, trial and error. First of all we must consider that there are two schools of thought in teaching kyusho/tuite, shaolin chi-na or, pressure points theory and application which in itself is only a small branch of the Dim Mak (Poison Hand) science.

Kyusho, vital points striking, and tuite, joint, muscle and nerve manipulation all go hand in hand. We attack a joint to get to a nerve and or, we attack a nerve to get to a joint. Sort of a cause and effect. The body automatically reflexes or reacts to certain stimuli or strikes which in turn exposes and weakens other areas.

For instance. A poke to the navel can cause one to bend over forward and an opposite poke to the lower spine causes one to bend backwards. Twist a persons wrist clockwise and he bends over, twist counter clockwise and he bends backwards. As the person bends or reacts to the pain he is actually exposing vulnerable targets. We will simply hereafter refer to the science as “tuite or, the science”.

SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT

The science is gradually being accepted into western medicine from a holistic perspective and all aspects of it have been verified except the main aspect which is ki or chi force and intrinsic energy.

Western medicine and even some noted professors of martial arts explain the science from a neurological perspective meaning that it is all based on cause and effect within the nervous system. The limitation here however does not validate nor support the nature of chi.

TCM TCM is the other school of thought which relies heavily on the understanding of internal energy or yin and yang chi force as the cause for the effect. Energy is generated from about 2 inches below our naval deep within the tan den point and travels through our bodies along meridians or channels of energy. There are natural elements that apply to each meridian such as FIRE, WOOD, METAL, EARTH, and WATER.

All organs in the body receive this life force through proper breathing, health, and posture. If the heart meridian is affected then, the lung meridian is also affected as the are yin and yang opposite energies and the internal organs rely on one another for a harmonious existence. A damaged lung meridian can cause heart palpitations as well a dry mouth, loss of weight, dizziness, a numbness in the arm and, a myriad of other symptoms that are connected with the function of the heart.

The chi force has been captured on kirlian photography but is not seen with the naked eye and is therefore somewhat misunderstood within the western approach. Internal energy or chi should not be confused with our limited external physical strength. The science of TCM introduces us to the “Players of the Game” and how to develop and properly apply our chi similar to the way that tai chi and acupuncture study helps us to develop it over years of devotion.

HOW IS VITAL POINT HEALING TAUGHT?

If you lie down for a massage and the therapist applies the correct amount of firm and gentle pressure to the body, you begin to feel either stimulated or relaxed in that particular area as well as other areas of the body. This is due to increased circulation or energy flow through the bodies meridians.

Once the internal organs get a gentle flow of blood and oxygen we begin to rid ourselves of poisonous toxins and thus heal ourselves. On many occasions at tournaments I have revived down students who were knocked out and on the floor by sitting them up, crossing the legs, supporting the back, and then vigorously rubbing the back in sharp upward strokes and by stimulating the GB 20 point along the sides of the neck near the base of the skull. These are to relative examples of the healing aspect of TCM which we refer to as KAPPO or, energy restoration.

The points for healing are the same in most instances as the points that could destroy the diurnal (daily flow of energy) cycle and adversely affect us however the difference is the way in which we direct the flow of energy and the angle and direction of applied pressure or stimuli. The healing points are called GOLJ.

Let us go back to the massage table now. In accupressure the therapist will place her thumb tips on the nerve endings along your spine starting from just below your neck and working her way all the way down your spinal nerve endings on the left and right side to your tail bone. She will rub deeply with her thumb tips at a 45 degree angle and in a outward circular direction.

Now, if she were to rub in an inward direction and apply pressure straight down into your nerve cavities it would cause you severe pain and possibly disrupt your bowel function as well.

This is to point out that the same points can have a positive or negative affect. For healing with the science, accupressure and accupuncture are basically the same where as accupressure is performed externally and accupuncture is performed invasive with needles to open or unblock damaged meridians which might otherwise be resistant or too far damaged for accupresure treatment. This can also increase blood flow and promote healing of infection and disease.

Both are widespread and common in Asia as well as the U.S. HOW IS IT TAUGHT? In the orient there are schools in the orient which require years of study before certifying DOCTORS and or MASTERS in this area.

These schools place heavy emphasis on medical (natural) diet, terminology, anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, herbology, lab pharmaceutical, and martial arts. Outside of these schools, tai chi chuan and chi kung are accessible to the general public. It is true that through self experimentation one can get an idea of the basic tenets of the science work however a most effective approach would be through the practice of traditional kata or the ancient forms of the martial arts.

KATA

Kata are the formal patterns that are the back bone of martial arts training. It develops form, style, balance, speed, control, and power. What does this have to do with the science?

This is the “Blue Print” formula and basis for developing skill in tuite from a life protection and healing perspective but only under the guidance of a qualified teacher. What initially appears to be “wax on wax off” takes on the form of a block which is also a nerve cavity strike, joint lock, submission or throwing technique.

The precision required to master traditional kata teaches the practitioner proper focus and body alignment for working tuite techniques. Kata is often misunderstood as simple and impractical movements that may not be practical in life threatening situations however, this is actually it’s disguise since it was once a secret. The application of these kata moves or techniques are known as BUNKAI. T

here are actually four levels of bunkai. Basic Shoden, intermediate Chuden, and upper level Okuden or advanced. Beyond this we have the rare Kaiden or Oyo level which is highly advanced and is kept alive today by Grand Masters like Rick Moneymaker and Al Muncy of the Dragon Society International.

IS THERE A PROGRESSION FOR SAFELY LEARNING VITAL STRIKES?

Rate of progression always depends on your level of devotion.
You must absorb what you have learned before you can learn what you have absorbed. Learning the science is an evolutionary process.

It evolves through diligent study and at some point, reveals itself to you. The proverbial light bulb will definitely go off. This is because you reach a certain point of training and your body becomes what you have taught it. This is called SHUGYO. It is like MASTERY.

You do it without thinking about it. Kind of like the stare of a combat veteran. You can see in his eyes that he has been there. He can talk the talk and walk the walk. If you are interested in “The Next Level” then I highly recommend you contact Grand Master Rick Moneymaker. His credentials are world renown and he also has a complete video curriculum series as well as a support system and technical data such as manuals and charts to help you.

Just click on my website at http://home.hawaii.rr.com/dssi next browse to my recommended links and click on Dragon Society International