Gōng Mǎ Chuí (弓馬捶)

## 'Gong Ma Chui'「弓馬捶」

One of the first variations in the horse stance training involves the development of full-body punching power from a relatively static posture, shifting from a horse to a bow stance. The practitioner starts in the horse stance described above, with only one arm extended forward while the other is placed at the side of the body. The elbow points downward and a relaxed hollow fist is held. At first, movement starts with the feet, which rotate into a bow stance while simultaneously the fist held at the side comes forward and the front hand is pulled back to the side. Then you return to a horse stance with the punching hand extended outward. The same movement is then done with the opposite side of the bow stance. The body from the feet to the waist twists, literally rolling the punching hand from the waist while the extended hand pulls back - the arm movements resemble a system of pulleys (see 2-A through 2-E). These movements are much more complex in effect than they look and are often misinterpreted as simple punching. This *exercise* is designed to help improve and strengthen all your core body mechanics utilized in a strike / punch; Jab, Straight, Cross, Uppercut, Hook, Etc. The leg positioning and posture is designed to teach you how to utilize your legs power when striking.

**A)** Mabu in GongMa Chuei *represents* a *guard* stance, It is to teach you to always have your guard up if not striking. The feet and knees should be pointed forward, towards an *shadowboxing* opponent.

**2B)** Before a strike is generated, there slight adjustments to limit telegraphing, and to begin the tightening of the core, shoulders and leg muscles. We also want to create a habit of having hands up at all times.

**2C)** The energy generated is to 'explode' outwards, At first to be focused and honed in single point. While this exercise is a straight bow & arrow punch, the concepts are utilized in every movement in martial arts. An early focus is to use the legs power in a punch.

**2D,E)** Repeat for both sides for balance, and with slight variations in sets. Include other concepts such as; Chaining, Grabbing, Defense, blocking, rotation, emphasis on other muscles, spiraling, breaking and conditioning.

During the first few years of study, the Gong Ma Chuei was not allowed to apply any strength, instead we had to practiced in an extremely slow pace, almost like TaiChi. Liu Yun Qiao used to say: “Only the path of the fist is well defined, then the Jin can be pure.”, “Gong Ma Chuei is an effective method to develop ‘Zheng’ Jin (whole/integrated strength).

“Zheng Jin” is what sets traditional Chinese martial arts apart from martial arts from around the world. When Jin is executed as a “whole”, it can generate large amount of force beyond domestic muscular power can. Only in traditional Chinese martial arts you can see the unique slow pace training. As most foreign martial arts pursue the “force times speed” theory.

When executing Gong Ma Chuei, strength must initiated from the ground, then transfer upward to the knees, hip, then up to the spine then expands outward.

Master Chen also said that the “Tong” Jin (Battering Strength) is another strength that is unique to BajiQuan and that Gong Ma Chuei can help develop. “Tong” Jin must be delivered in a clean and simple fashion, then the force can penetrate. A punch must be delivered in a straight line from the waist. (The above was extracted from Master Chen Chang-Lin’s Gong Ma Chuei training notes, it is for reference purpose only)