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I’m a little surprised that after all this time the tendons continue to change. From the first step of Bagua to this day, the muscles and tendons have been changing; however, lately, something new and distinct has started to happen: there is suddenly a dramatic softening and elasticity to the tendons. I first noticed it in my feet, then the hands, then the ligaments and tendons along the whole length of the spine, and now up the neck into the skull.
At this point, it is the whole body all at once.
This is the first time I ever recall being able to connect to the plates of the skull. I never open and closed the sutures of the plates using pulsing for example. In Hsing-I the whole body connects via these like cables ( a description that Bruce has often used but I haven’t experience to the degree before).
The best form for manifesting and practicing this is Hsing-I’s Water Fist, Tsuan Chuan – Large Style.
I’ve been working with the tendons for a while now. Yes, we all work with the tendons from day one, but this level includes what Bruce calls the psychic, karmic, and body of individuality which is nothing more than a vague way of referring to deeper mechanisms in the physiology.
One quality that you develop is the much deeper understanding of lengthening in. This is really how Bruce creates tremendous power and closing actions that don’t require bending.
You can also change from open to close with incredible speed. If you have access to EATC opening and closings, watch Month 9 qigong section 13 at 6:12. In less than a second of video, Bruce opens to parry Olaf’s strike, but Bruce misses and watch how quickly he is able to change his opening to a closing to intercept the punch from the opposite side.
Because Olaf is striking primarily with muscular strength, Olaf is easily guided off his balance over and over again as Bruce demonstrates the martial application of opening and closing. The technique is super simple: Bruce is effectively pulling Olaf’s balance point beyond his center of balance in which ever foot Olaf has weighted. Bruce is manipulating Olaf’s relaxed side while Olaf contracts the other half with muscular strength.
What I like is when Bruce is closing but you can’t see the internal close. Instead watch how the movement pulls (without grabbing) Olaf off balance.
Anyway, the point is Bruce uses the lengthening in to generate the closing power and the tendons are always lengthening both in and out. Bruce simply emphasizes one more than another at any given moment.
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