Shocking and Immovable Energies of Wing Chun

Shocking energy (Jut Lik) is created throughout Wing Chun in techniques such as pak sao, lop sao, gum sao…etc. This form of energy gets its title “shocking” from the resulting posture disturbance created in the opponent as the techniques are being applied. As the opponent’s structure is shocked (attacked) vital targets are exposed. In this sense the application of shocking energy is often used to create right of way before striking the vital targets located on the centerline. In reality, these techniques are themselves attacks against the opponent’s structure not only creating openings, but also weakening his ability to absorb subsequent impacts.

Interestingly, shocking energy is most easily generated farther away from the body’s center. For this reason most of the well-known techniques applying (Jut Lik) utilize finger energy located the greatest distance away from the body’s center. In contrast to shocking energy there also exist the concept of immovable energy, which is most easily realized closer to the body’s center such as in the shoulders. This form of energy is most often realized as the immovable elbow (butt doan jeong) of Wing Chun. Exploring the complementary relationship between shocking and immovable energies can unlock new areas of Wing Chun skill.

To cultivate these energies a student must learn to relax and sink the shoulders downward connecting them to the waist. This heaviness in the shoulders can then be slowly transferred to the elbows cultivating the immovable elbow energy of Wing Chun. This heaviness in the elbows is then extended into the wrist where the opponent will feel a heavy responsiveness in the hands. This cultivation of heavy relaxed forwardness in the Wing Chun hands will allow the fingers to create devastating shocking energy (Jut Lik) in the opponent without disturbing ones own structure. As more skill is developed the fingers can apply ever-increasing amounts of shocking energy without compromising the six elements of good form (see www.austinwingchun.com).

Eventually, just as the heaviness of the elbows extended to the fingers, the shocking energy of the fingers can be slowly realized in the elbows as (Jeong Lik). With practice, one can begin to cultivate both shocking and immovable energies in the elbow. This unique combination allows one to apply subtle shocking energies during all forms of contact. For example, advanced chi sao will allow for subtle attacks every cycle while the structure, control and precision remain undisturbed.

This combination of both immovable and shocking energy in the elbow is a simple realization of the complementary relationship between the shoulder and finger energies. My teacher would say that shocking and immovable energies are two sides of the same coin resembling that of the well-known wave particle duality in physics. The fingers exhibit shocking energy properties while the shoulders exhibit immovable energy properties as a result of their relationship to the body’s center. The elbows, located between the two, can uniquely realize both properties just as a photon can exhibit both wave and particle properties. Notice that this relationship restricts the amount of either energy present in any one area. More shocking energy in one location means less immovable energy and visa versa.

It is worth emphasizing again the order of energy cultivation outlined above for both immovable and shocking energies. These energies if artificially manufactured (done by most practitioners) create openings and instabilities that can be easily exploited by masters of the art. Proper cultivation of these energies must follow a clear order of skill development. Like all aspects of Wing Chun these energies must be cultivated over time under an experienced teacher through empty hand sets, wooden dummy, chi sao and weapons training.

The Soft Approach to Austin Wing Chun

The soft approach to Wing Chun Kung Fu stresses proper structure, timing and position for both receiving and delivering force. To accomplish this the spine must be straight with the pelvis tucked underneath and the head held up as if suspended by a string. The appendicular skeleton (arms and legs) and axial skeleton (torso) must be made independent to handle violation energies without shocking the structure. Proper elbow position must be cultivated over time allowing energy to sink down into the elbows. The energy must be in the elbows and felt in the wrist. The feet find stability in the ground not on top of it. As in the elbows, energy must sink downward into the knees allowing the feet to grip the ground.

Once the structure is properly built the ability to change while maintaining proper structure must be pursued. When one can change effortlessly without disturbing their structure they will become a peerless boxer. To separate oneself from this path for only a moment may lead many miles astray in the future. I have never seen a limit to this approach and suspect that I never will.

Austin Wing Chun specializes in this approach building it from the the ground up. A student must be shown how to relax while reinforcing the structure. The student must feel what it is like to be uprooted thousands of times to allow proper cultivation of structure and timing. These corrections must be made from the interaction of chi sao. Only through this interaction energy can the student be shown the way.