"I wanted to create an art based on fundamental observations of physics, perception, intent, impulse, and energy, an art that gears itself to meet any situation because it is founded on understanding the principles in which interaction takes place. Cheng Hsin Tui Shou is such an art."
Peter Ralston from The Art of Effortless Power
Cheng Hsin Martial Art of Effortless Power
In the Cheng Hsin Martial Art of Effortless Power we train to use no more effort than is required to move our bodies around, and to deal with unknown situations in an effective way by joining with conditions, not fighting against them. To be skillful in martial arts, and probably any physical activity, requires work in a number of areas;
The body - our tool Power development - generating adequate power to achieve results Perception - knowing what is going on with ourselves, others, and the environment Mind - harnessing it to assist us Techniques - specific things to do with our power Interactive skills - ways to “be” in relation to an opponent so that techniques can be achieved with ease. Free-play ability - dealing effectively with unrehearsed situations as they come up
Body-Being
We train the body and mind to be aligned with 5 principles; relaxing - completely releasing physical and mental tension grounding - solid connection to the earth centering - moving and relating from the centre of gravity being whole and unified - whole body/mind integrity being calm - accepting awareness of things as they are
Effortless Power
In Cheng Hsin martial arts power is generated by harnessing the natural elasticity of the body, its intrinsic strength. We treat the body like a ball, (the body is literally a complex collection of water filled balloons) and align ourselves so that power is generated by being compressed into the ground, rather like the bounce of a ball. To create the necessary alignment between opponent and ground certainly requires us to move but the power itself is the result of compression, not muscular effort. Here is a demonstration of effortless power applied to a push.
Perception
We act relative to what we experience. Therefore we can become much more skilful by experiencing ourselves, other people, and our environment more fully and accurately. This is called listening, being sensitive of everything, all around, in the present. Listening leads into outreaching, making a felt connection to what you are listening to. Cheng Hsin practice makes use of a wide variety of exercise for developing listening and outreaching, which should be operating all the time if we are to relate well.
Mind
Whenever we are training the body we are also training the mind. Peter's earliest breakthroughs in martial arts came from working with the mind. When he began to teach Peter realised that a lot of what holds people back is how they think about, or mentally hold, things. Working with the mind is more than an intellectual exercise. We learn to notice handicapping beliefs, and to take a more open point of view. We use visualisation to develop qualities of movement that would otherwise be difficult or cumbersome to achieve .
Techniques
Techniques are specific ways in which to use effortless power. The Cheng Hsin Art of Effortless Power is centered around pinning and throwing and projecting techniques like those found in judo, aikido and tai chi, but the art is designed to encourage habits that are appiicable to striking and there is also a Cheng Hsin boxing art.
Interactive Skills
There are many ways of relating to an opponent, for example whether we even think of them as an opponent or not. Cheng Hsin martial arts are founded on following the actions of another so that we can join with them to create a result that suits us better than it does them. Some of the other relational qualities that we want to develop are leading their actions, borrowing their power and intent, and remaining in an advantageous position. Developing interactive skills requires some sort of unscripted practice which brings us to...
Free-Play or Games
The Cheng Hsin Martial Art of Effortless Power abounds with games. Some are of limited scope, designed to highlight and develop a particular principle or skill. Others are much more open, with players working to pin, throw or project their partner while avoiding the other’s attempts to do the same to them. Without free-play there is no way to develop real interactive skill, it is like learning all the moves and strategies of chess without ever playing a game. Most of all, these games are the most enjoyable and rewarding part of practicing the Art of Effortless Power.
