| Using methods developed through Matrix Karate, it is | | | | weighted feet, throwing the hips out when kicking, and |
| possible to build Internal energy literally within days. The | | | | that sort of thing. The cautions I have given you here, |
| actual physics of the matter, the exact science, is very | | | | however, and the previous sentence, should enlighten |
| easy to describe. Of course, there are a couple of | | | | you as to how to avoid such problems. Thus, let's |
| items that the budding student should note. | | | | move into internal energy. |
| I'm going to start with the warnings for the simple | | | | Take a plastic pipe about 18 inches in length, put a golf |
| reason that I don't wish to cause damage to anybody. I | | | | ball in it, and cap the ends. Tape the pipe to your arm, |
| found that it was very easy for over exuberant | | | | and perform punches in such a way that the golf ball |
| students to hurt the shoulder when developing power | | | | hits the end of the pipe at the same moment you end |
| in their punches. This destruction of the rotator cuff | | | | your strike. I know it sounds goofy, but soon you will |
| and associated elements by looking to classical martial | | | | learn how to thrust the golf ball smoothly through the |
| arts. | | | | pipe. |
| When somebody throws a punch and lets the arm | | | | This is what internal energy feels like, and you can |
| bang against the confines of proper shoulder | | | | take this concept and apply it to blocks and kicks, and |
| construction the tendons and ligaments finally give | | | | the entire motion of your whole body. Now get rid of |
| way. If you practice holding the shoulder back, | | | | the pipe and ball and practice getting the feeling of |
| however, as in classical karate, the structure remains | | | | moving weight through your arm so that you feel |
| intact and is not damaged. I recommend that you | | | | energy whooshing through the arm and collecting, |
| search for classical movements which do not hurt the | | | | suddenly and with focus, in your fist. Heck, now that |
| body, but which utilize the whole body (turning the | | | | you know the 'energetic' physics of what is going on, |
| whole body into the motion). | | | | you don't even need that silly pipe and ball tool. |
| Also, I discovered that as the power builds it is possible | | | | Pipe and ball or not, you are going to learn subtle |
| to give oneself whiplash. This is the result of throwing | | | | motions that will help you use your energy, and, if you |
| energy through the body and the neck not being able | | | | are smart, you will look to the benefit of classical |
| to support the sudden increased magnitude and flow | | | | studies. The classics of karate, Shaolin, or other arts, |
| of that energy. I advocate that people learn to minimize | | | | have been developed to give this type of power. With |
| their effort, and this through the study of energy and | | | | the degradation of art in the last score of years, |
| relaxation as practiced by some internal styles such as | | | | however, it is only through a study of Matrix Martial |
| Tai Chi Chuan. | | | | Arts that the physics are starting to come to light |
| There are other cautions I could give you, specifically | | | | again. |
| to be careful not to grind the knees by pivoting on | | | | |