The Secret to Standing Staff: Surprisingly Simple!
is one of the main methods in pugao (boxing). The different methods of connecting with the boxing styles are also different. However, inner strength is indispensable for good practice of.
The basic requirements of No-Limit Staff method
Adjusting the body: The formula is very simple, consisting of fourteen characters: ‘Two gatherings, one point, one drooping line, the whole body weight to the throat. ‘ ‘Two gatherings’ refers to the acupoints ‘Baihui’ and ‘Zhiyin’, ‘one point’ refers to the midpoint of the line connecting the two feet’s ‘Zhiyin’ acupoints. Operationally, these three points should be located on a vertical imaginary line, and after a long time, the whole body will naturally be connected. ‘The whole body weight to the throat’ is basically a hypothetical concept, or a feeling. Because of the human body's geometric shape, the center of gravity will never be at the bottom of the body. However, with this kind of guiding consciousness for a long time, one can quickly enter a feeling of light on the feet and deep in the legs, and then, one yang will arise, eliminating the possibility of ‘false movements’.
During the operation, the posture is similar to the preparatory action of Taiji Quan, so in old boxing manuals, the preparatory action is also called the No-Limit Staff action. The two feet are spread flat, a little narrower than the shoulders, and the joints of the whole body relax from top to bottom, without making any one part rigid, and it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that the joints between the bones must be in a state of tension and relaxation, and it should not be too slumped. It is very difficult for beginners to recognize, so this stage must be corrected by a master, otherwise it is difficult to find the shape. The midpoint of the line connecting the two feet's ‘Zhiyin’ acupoints should be on a straight line, naturally drooping and falling to the ground. The feeling is that the whole body’s weight drops into the two feet’s ‘Zhiyin’ acupoints. There should be no tension in any part of the body. If the posture is correct, the body will unconsciously produce a non-directional swaying, which is a normal phenomenon, and it is not necessary to force oneself to remain still. It is important to remember the principle of ‘natural law’.
Adjusting the heart: This segment is very important, with the formula consisting of eight characters: ‘No thought, no desire, no illusion, no assistance.’ This is quite unthinkable for many people, how can one not think of anything? In fact, everyone has such an experience, that is, at a certain time, there will be a moment of blankness in the mind. Perhaps when standing for fifteen minutes, there will be only one second of blankness, or maybe there is no second at all, but with the accumulation of more and more times like this, the times become connected, and the quality of standing is improved. Some people say ‘one thought represents ten thousand thoughts’, but my teacher once taught me that this thought must ultimately be eliminated. Once accustomed to thinking of one thought as ten thousand thoughts, it is even more difficult to eliminate this thought. This is something to pay attention to. ‘Illusion’ and ‘assistance’ are even more difficult to dispel. It is important not to inquire about the feeling in the next stage when learning No-Limit Staff from a teacher.
Adjusting breath: The breath should be completely free and natural. That is, you don't need to pay attention to the breath. Some people say ‘forgetting the breath’, which is the same meaning. Let the Taiji inner strength shape you, instead of forcing a certain pattern. After a long time, the breathing will naturally change, and pursuing breathing artificially will often have the opposite effect.
Standing Staff work, very easy: natural standing, feet parallel
Foot spacing, with the shoulders, the knee joints, slightly bent
Small abdomen relaxed, back straight, chest slightly contracted, eyes level
Eyes half-closed, can also, two hands up, armpits half-empty
Hands high, just above the shoulders, hands low, just above the navel
Hands away from the chest, one inch apart, hands between the two hands, one inch apart
Fingers, like smoke, mouth slightly closed, nasal breathing.
First fix the mind, then set the intention, dissipate heat and swelling, hand-based
Hold it, don’t be anxious, feel it, then use intention.
Follow the limbs, walk through the body, the whole body has, no surprise.
Master the techniques of standing staff work, learn to change yourself. Adjust your breathing. Sitting like this will definitely strengthen the muscles and bones, and be full of vitality.
Lin Hai Rong
