Three Rules for Self Defense: Rule Eleven

“No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:4-5

We are currently sharing with you several “Rules of Three” that are part of training in Grace Martial Arts.

You can look at previous Rules here:

Structure and Foundation

We often speak of structure and foundation when training in martial arts. Think about building a house (structure). Builders begin with a good plan (blueprint), then move to lay the foundation, followed by building the walls and roof that will support and protect both the house and those living in it.

Structure and foundation in martial arts is similar. We begin with a plan, then move to lay the foundation followed by the walls and roof that will support and protect the martial arts student. We use a proven blueprint (the martial arts curriculum) for our plan. The foundation is the physical and mental structure in both stance and moving from position to position. The walls and roof are the strength and ability to protect oneself in all directions.

Structure and foundation begin and ends with rooting. Verse 13 of The Chinese Five Word Song reads – “When in motion one is still rooted.”

Grand Master John Chung Li used to tell his students:

“It is the same with tall buildings; the foundation must be good. Build on rock, not sand.”

Jesus Christ referred to that principle in His Sermon on the Mount:

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. ‘But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Matthew 7:24-27

Verse 33 of The Chinese Five Word Song reads – “Conceal one’s force like the bow: round and ready to spring” – which leads us the next Three Rules.

Three Brackets

“Make your body round outside and round your force inside. In Hsing-I we train the three brackets (round spaces).” GM John Chung Li

Shoulders

The two shoulders should be round. Relax your chest. Force will travel to your elbows and then to your fingers.

Hands and Feet

Round the backs of your hands. Your feet should root firmly and grip the ground. There is roundness in your palms and the bottoms of your feet.

Teeth

Your upper and lower teeth should join together slightly. The force travels to your bones and blood vessels, tendons and nerves.

Next Time

We will look at another set of Rules of Three for Grace Martial Arts when our special series continues.

[Join our Grace Martial Arts Facebook Community!]

Three Rules for Self Defense: Rule Eleven