{"id":4636,"date":"2016-07-19T23:19:25","date_gmt":"2016-07-20T03:19:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/?p=4636"},"modified":"2023-07-24T14:58:33","modified_gmt":"2023-07-24T18:58:33","slug":"sam-chien-3-battles-mother-form","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/sam-chien-3-battles-mother-form\/","title":{"rendered":"Sam Chien: The 3 Battles “Mother Form” [video]"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Dr. Mark Wiley<\/span><\/p>\n

For martial artists, one of the most important themes for\u00a0developing better quality of life is maintaining a wide perspective on health and fitness, one that is based on connecting mind, body, and spirit with the physical actions of the martial arts.\u00a0A\u00a0glance at the local school or gym tells a different story. <\/span><\/p>\n

People trying to become fit while not even engaging in what they are doing! The treadmill and stationary bike are perfect examples. Here we see people doing an activity that separates their lower body from their upper body (the legs are moving, but the waist and arms are not). We also find the mind not focused in the moment or even on the exercise (the person is watching TV, listening to music, reading a magazine). In many martial practices the classes are short at 45 minutes, and stances are assumed while hands are moved, but little emphasis is placed on connecting them with breath and intention. Is it any wonder that people are not achieving their desired fitness levels and martial skills, when not only is their mind and body split, but even their upper and lower bodies are not working in unison?<\/span><\/p>\n

To remedy this I’d\u00a0like to introduce those of you who may not be familiar, with a mind\/body training form\u00a0drawn from southern Kung-fu\u00a0that includes a view to a wellness lifestyle that includes integration, synergism, holism, mind, body, and spirit. The movements of this form are as vital as\u00a0its underlying principles, steeped in connecting mind, body and spirit, and its method of practice has the power to transform your fitness routine\u2026 and your life.<\/span><\/p>\n

This form so impressive for health and strength building for the same reason it is applicable\u00a0to martial art application. It integrates mind (intention), body (strength, tension, relaxation), spirit (psychology, mind-set), and breath (qi energy). Even though it derives from an esoteric Chinese martial art, it is a valid and impressive health system in its own right. It is called \u201csam chien\u201d or the \u201cthree battles form.\u201d There are many sam chien forms, from Five Ancestor Fist, Crane, Tiger boxing and more, and of course the cousin (or offspring form) San Chin found in many of the Okinawan karate styles. The information we present today is based in the tradition of Ngo Cho Kun or Five Ancestor Boxing, also spelled Wu Chu Chuan and Wuzuquan.<\/span><\/p>\n

Underlying the martial techniques and concepts of this form are a set of principles. These principles not only inform the root techniques and their application, they also strengthen mind, body and spirit. Here I describe a few of the principles and how they benefit health and wellness. Let’s take a look at the essence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"IMG_20150225_0006\"<\/a><\/p>\n

4\u00a0Essential Movement Concepts<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sam Chien is known as the “Mother Form” because it contains the main movement concepts that inform how every movement in the art is done. The practitoner is always aware of his “center line” and aims to move his waist from side to side along its axis as well as move his hands and arms within the following four concepts: pu<\/em> (float), tim<\/em> (sink), tun<\/em> (swallow), and toh<\/em> (spit out).<\/span><\/p>\n

Pu (Float).<\/strong>\u00a0Float\u00a0is a metaphor for all motions and techniques that rise or cause your opponent to be lifted (\u201cfloated\u201d) off his balance. When the opponent\u2019s balance is destroyed, he will be in an awkward position, becoming \u201clight as a feather blown by the wind,\u201d thus making him easier to defeat. By taking advantage of your opponent\u2019s attacking momentum, you can move with his force, borrow his strength, and combine with it your blocks and holds. You can then effectively uproot or \u201cfloat\u201d your opponent to throw him, or to simply knock him down.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tim (Sink).<\/strong>\u00a0Sink is a metaphor for all motions and techniques that pull down or cause your opponent to be lowered (\u201csunk\u201d) off his balance. Such motions include the pressing hand, heavy hand, locks, throws and downward strikes. When you sink your hand into an opponent\u2019s attacking hand or arm, your opponent will find himself unable either to lift his hand or to pull it back, thus finding it difficult to counter. Thus, by sinking, you can easily immobilize or trap your opponent\u2019s arms. This sinking strategy is the hardest of the art\u2019s four concepts to actualize. Only through proper training of qi kun and sam chien can proper sinking energy be developed. It is this sinking energy which makes ngo cho kun famous for its \u201cheavy hand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tun (Swallow).<\/strong>\u00a0Swallow is a metaphor for all motions and techniques that pull forward or cause your opponent or his techniques to be guided forward (\u201cswallowed\u201d) and taken off his balance. To swallow simply means to retract the hand or to contract your extremities. By using such techniques as kim<\/em> (grab), kou<\/em> (hook), and combining them with hip rotation, you can swallow or neutralize an opponent\u2019s attack. This will cause him not only to miss his target, but to lose his balance, after which you can counter attack swiftly with a toh (spit out) striking or pushing technique.<\/span><\/p>\n

Toh (Spit Out).<\/strong> Spit Out\u00a0is a metaphor for all motions and techniques that thrust forward or cause your opponent to be thrust away (\u201cspit out\u201d) after being taken off balance. To \u201cspit out\u201d is to strike out or extend your hand or foot to strike your opponent. After using a feint to confuse your opponent, you lash out with your intended strike amidst his confusion. By using the tactic of combining feints with strikes you can successfully overcome an opponent. In spitting, your hand is likened to \u201can arrow ready to shoot from a bow: swift and poised.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The four movement concepts are used conjointly, like combining \u201cswallow\u201d with \u201csinking\u201d in your block and grab in an effort to \u201cfloat\u201d an opponent. Or you can combine \u201cspit out\u201d with \u201csinking\u201d to attack your opponent, immobilizing his hand or depressing your attack hand with \u201csinking\u201d energy, thus making your opponent unable to thwart your technique. The physical understanding and applications of the four movement concepts are trained in the qi kun <\/em>(commencement fist), which is the set that opens every fist form.<\/span><\/p>\n

This set is trained and developed through a series of \u201cstructure tests,\u201d wherein practitioners train their root and ability to internalize and apply the four essential concepts of pu, tim, tun, toh. These structure tests now involve two people working together as partner, not adversaries, wherein the mind, body and spirit of both must connect and move as one.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Alex<\/a><\/p>\n

Points for Proper Practice<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Maintain Steady Vision.\u00a0<\/strong>While performing any physical activity, look sharply and focus your eyesight so that you can see clearly either up close or far away. Look with eyes like an eagle, that take in everything yet focus only on what they need. For fitness training, and in all aspects of life where concentration and focus is essential, maintaining a steady vision, a strong gaze full of intention maximizes effort and insight\u2026 and results!<\/span><\/p>\n

Maintain a Calm Spirit.\u00a0<\/strong>Remaining relaxed and focused while training will prevent you from feeling nervous, loosing confidence, and giving up. Combining breath, posture and intention in movement allows you to remain calm and not panic or feel at a loss, when the training is difficult and you need that extra push to go the extra mile or lift another set.\u00a0Remaining calm or spiritually \u201ccentered\u201d is the hallmark of even the most basic of spiritual practices. But rather than sitting in meditation, if you coordinate breath and thought and movement, your fitness routine becomes a moving meditation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alternate Strength with Relaxation.\u00a0<\/strong>Use strength to move the weight. Use suppleness to release it. Strength training alternates between \u201chard\u201d and \u201csoft\u201d motions, or tension followed by relaxation. This allows time to strengthen the tendons (which relate to the liver), the muscles (which relate to the spleen), the blood (which relates to the heart), and the breath (which relates to the lungs).<\/span><\/p>\n

Prepare by Being Well-trained.\u00a0<\/strong>Finding the right personal trainer, and doing the correct exercises in the correct manner, will make you well-trained. You must commit to the training as part of your new lifestyle. And with proper training comes proper body development and good health. This prepares you for life\u2019s challenges and increases immunity when health is compromised.<\/span><\/p>\n

The mind-body part of being well-trained is essential. In a basic sense, this is the idea of being \u201cin the moment.\u201d That is, neither being ahead of yourself nor beneath the wheel of life. Proper training of health maintenance practices will prepare you for even the worst of conditions. Where merely lifting weight makes you strong, a mind-body approach prepares you spiritually, mentally, physically and energetically through its holistic integration within each effort.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Neglect Your Training.\u00a0<\/strong>The idea here is to make a conscious decision to take charge of your health and wellness. And the best way to do that is to create a ritual, a daily routine that includes diet, exercise and mental and spiritual practices. The daily training of this form is such a ritual that is at once healthful for the spirit, the energy, the muscles, the tendons, the breath and the mind. You must carry out your healthy lifestyle rituals everyday, regardless. If not, you may \u201cfall off the wagon\u201d and find it harder to get back on track again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Demonstrations of Sam Chien<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Below are two videos of the Sam Chien mother form. The first is\u00a0performed by the late Grandmaster Alexander Lim Co of the Beng Kiam line of Ngo Cho Kun. The second is performed by\u00a0sifu Daniel Kun of Kong Han Line Ngo Cho Kun. They are very similar\u00a0and\u00a0different at the same time. Yet both apply the four concepts of Sink, Float, Swallow, Spit and align the movements with breath inhalation and exhalation timing, along with tension and relaxation and focus of mind and intention. Have a look, see how it may compare to a method of Sam Chien or San Chin you practice now… or see how adopting such a form might improve your martial training and mind\/body\/spirit wellness goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n