After so many years of training in CMA, I was struck by a term use by my friend about rooting. :shock:

 

The first few lesson of any wushu forms, we usually started out with stances. Why are stances so important? Those who lag self-determination will usually give up after a few lesson on horse ridding (or "Zhan Zhuan"), too tiring and don't see the connection between standing horse in relation to wushu routines or application.

 

Stances is to root you to the earth to gain for the better in anything you wish to improve in your CMA. By able to root down, you can gain (1) physical strength in your leg muscles, (2) ability to do better kick, (3) able to move much more swifter without falling, (4) ability to stop when you want to.

 

Sound un-real. Take the 42 step complusory taiji for example. There is a move where you do a outer cresent kick standing on a single leg doing it swift and hold it there... Those who did it correctly will be able to, after the snap, continue with the rest of the action; those who can't will felt unstable and urge to fall. Having that same feeling for those taiji practisioner?

 

Even the simplest move in Long Boxing style (Chang Quan) require you to do rooting. Next time when you do a high rising kick (Zhen Ti Tui), try with rooting down before kicking. The amount of power you transmit should be on your standing leg, not on your kicking. The Mission Impossible...

great post.....Kajukenbo we learn the lesson....much PAIN...............Good luck