Louis, thanks for the quote. This captures what I was trying to say much more succinctly.The different classes of palm have different focal points of energy (jindian). Clearly distinguishing the location of these focal points of energy can be beneficial in the process described as “where the intent reaches, the qi reaches; where the qi reaches, the jin reaches” (yi zhi qi zhi jin zhi). So for a seated-wrist standing palm, the focal point of energy is in the entire palm. In a lateral palm, it is on the small-finger side. For an inclined palm, it is at the center of the palm. In a face-down palm, it is in the tiger’s mouth, or on the small finger side, and so forth. Whether in solo form practice or in push hands, gaining command of the focal points of energy of the palms is very important.
Wonderful link. I find so much I have been taught before, but also some surprising differences in details. Most I consider not very consequential, but a few did prompt my curiosity.I haven't checked it for accuracy, but here's a link to a page with an extended passage from Yang Zhenji's book, including his remarks on jin points 勁點:
http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_91e7cb7b0102w2vw.html
There's some very useful material in that book!
What posture is 肘麻捶式? Is that perhaps a typo?B、不坐腕的立掌:不坐腕,有前立掌,手掌向前微俯。如倒撵猴式的前掌;有手心向左右的立掌;如肘麻捶式的上掌等。
Am I to understand that Yang Zhenji used three different types of forward thrusting palms in Brush Knee, Repulse Monkey, and Embrace Tiger? It's been many, many years since I have seen video of him doing form, but I do not recall the differences described here. I especially do not understand about the "inclined palm."A、坐腕立掌:坐腕,手心向前。这种掌法运用较多,一般前推均用此掌,如按式的双掌;搂膝的推掌等。B、不坐腕的立掌:不坐腕,有前立掌,手掌向前微俯。如倒撵猴式的前掌;有手心向左右的立掌;如肘麻捶式的上掌等。C、坡掌:手背成坡形,手心斜向前下。如抱虎归山式左推掌。坡掌在拳式中运用是很多的。
[quote比如坐腕立掌的劲点在全掌,横掌在小指一侧,坡掌在掌心,俯掌在虎口或小指一侧等等。[/quote]
Do you happen to know why there is a difference given between the jin points in the entire palm and in the center of the palm?So for a seated-wrist standing palm, the focal point of energy is in the entire palm. In a lateral palm, it is on the small-finger side. For an inclined palm, it is at the center of the palm. In a face-down palm, it is in the tiger’s mouth, or on the small finger side, and so forth.
Take care,
Audi