Cynikal Mantis
05-05-2006, 05:30 AM
This is a very important aspect of southern praying mantis, I have not reached this level yet but am touching upon it, I can feel slight progress, and would like to enlighten you on this aspect of system.
Dip gwut gung meaning rib bone power, is one of the Southern Praying Mantis kung fu training skills that is used throughout its forms, This action is performed by the opening and closing of the rib cage, thus strengthening the rib bones and the ligaments that join them to the sternum and spine. The bones of entire body are very much alive and just like the muscles they can be strengthened with certain exercises like `dip gwut gung` i.e. speciality `gung lik` training skills. The ribs are the protectors of our internal organs, such as the lungs, heart, liver etc, and a blow to the ribs or mid-section could prove fatal. The ribcage bones are flexible and move with body with the likes of bending from side to side. Today and previous Chow Gar Praying Mantis masters developed themselves with these specialised training methods, such as the `saam hay gen` the three air power drills and `dip gwut gung` working on this movement through rigorous drills that build up the muscle tissue, ligaments etc around the ribs so that our mid-section and rib cage can withstand punches. It would be reasonable to assume that we may not stop every punch or kick to our body, so what better way to enhance resistance with the prescribed method, this also includes developing the solar plexus area by acting on the surrounding muscles. Consider the verse that unequivocally states. `Dip gwut gung, gen tung gen`, meaning that the development of the shock like power `gen` also is due from the practise of the `dip gwut gung`, these two forces are combined to produce awesome striking power. For example in the Praying Mantis system, as you punch forward the ribs will close, its gives protection and added power. As such
`dip gwut gung` is to be performed with the use of `chum` or to sink, and correct breathing is paramount during the exercise, the buttocks must be pulled up in order to contain the breath, with the stomach wall tightened so that the belly does not expand. One should also practise lightly first to avoid too much stress that is placed on the ribs which can cause an injury, (by injuring an internal organ). The results of these exercises are the stomach and the lumbar region and rib cage becomes like a tough rubber. Thus it acting like rubber and that your fist would bounce off as the force is applied. Such exercise cannot be rushed as internal injury can arise, such injuries have arisen with many practitioners who try quickening the results by over exertion, unfortunately there have been cases of internal injury to the kidneys, heart and poor blood circulation, I have also been told that some practitioners have died because of such wrongful hard practices that lead to poor health. So if during practise the spinal column is not properly aligned and the navel area is not pulled up and tightened, then there will be no energy within. Proper instruction is a must here.
Dip gwut gung meaning rib bone power, is one of the Southern Praying Mantis kung fu training skills that is used throughout its forms, This action is performed by the opening and closing of the rib cage, thus strengthening the rib bones and the ligaments that join them to the sternum and spine. The bones of entire body are very much alive and just like the muscles they can be strengthened with certain exercises like `dip gwut gung` i.e. speciality `gung lik` training skills. The ribs are the protectors of our internal organs, such as the lungs, heart, liver etc, and a blow to the ribs or mid-section could prove fatal. The ribcage bones are flexible and move with body with the likes of bending from side to side. Today and previous Chow Gar Praying Mantis masters developed themselves with these specialised training methods, such as the `saam hay gen` the three air power drills and `dip gwut gung` working on this movement through rigorous drills that build up the muscle tissue, ligaments etc around the ribs so that our mid-section and rib cage can withstand punches. It would be reasonable to assume that we may not stop every punch or kick to our body, so what better way to enhance resistance with the prescribed method, this also includes developing the solar plexus area by acting on the surrounding muscles. Consider the verse that unequivocally states. `Dip gwut gung, gen tung gen`, meaning that the development of the shock like power `gen` also is due from the practise of the `dip gwut gung`, these two forces are combined to produce awesome striking power. For example in the Praying Mantis system, as you punch forward the ribs will close, its gives protection and added power. As such
`dip gwut gung` is to be performed with the use of `chum` or to sink, and correct breathing is paramount during the exercise, the buttocks must be pulled up in order to contain the breath, with the stomach wall tightened so that the belly does not expand. One should also practise lightly first to avoid too much stress that is placed on the ribs which can cause an injury, (by injuring an internal organ). The results of these exercises are the stomach and the lumbar region and rib cage becomes like a tough rubber. Thus it acting like rubber and that your fist would bounce off as the force is applied. Such exercise cannot be rushed as internal injury can arise, such injuries have arisen with many practitioners who try quickening the results by over exertion, unfortunately there have been cases of internal injury to the kidneys, heart and poor blood circulation, I have also been told that some practitioners have died because of such wrongful hard practices that lead to poor health. So if during practise the spinal column is not properly aligned and the navel area is not pulled up and tightened, then there will be no energy within. Proper instruction is a must here.