Sinew Metamorphosis

[Dan]

An interesting point raised a while back was why exactly is so much internal force generated by the very simple looking exercise flicking fingers from Sinew Metamorphosis, and how can so much internal force be generated by flicking as little as 3 times on some of Sifu’s courses!

I have some thoughts and opinions on this but does anyone else have any idea/comments?

How about those of you who have attended the above mentioned course – how did you find your results during this exercise ?

[PhilH]

It's difficult to explain - I definitely had an explosive sensation immediately after doing the flicking fingers form even after the first time, in Limerick. I almost exploded into the induced chi flow.
Now, 4 months later, my lower arms feel heavier, and potentially more powerful, yet relaxed. My wrists are looser, but when I close my fists they feel harder (though I'm not tensing them, like when making a karate fist).
My elbows feel like weapons, and my "empi" (karate elbow attack) feels potent.
Although I haven't done martial arts for about a year now, I still incorporate the techniques into my chi flows sometimes. Sometimes I'm relaxed, and sometimes I want to rock and roll.

[DarkCosmoz]

Hi,

I apologize for the intrusion, as I did not attend any of Sifu Wong's intensive courses. After "flicking" my fingers 25 times, I go into a swaying chi flow for five minutes. After when I finish, my palms tingle and I can feel excessive heat. I feel my arms vibrating pleasantly, sometimes carrying over to my spine and legs. When I look at my palms, I see a light red circle forming at the center. Again, sorry for any intrusion! (ignore this message if you like)

[PhilH]

Hi,

Do you follow the instructions from the "Art of Chi Kung" ?

I had a very bad experience following the instructions in the book - and as I am simultaneously reading the instructions and writing this I've noticed a serious contradiction.

In paragraph three it says raise your fingers as far as you can. In paragraph five it says there is very little visible movement.

When I did it from the book I moved my fingers back as far as I could - and within a few days had a bad elbow injury, which took several months to clear.

In the intensive course we were told that the movement of the hand was almost imperceptible.

Since following the instructions given on the course I have had good results, and my elbow injury has cleared.

I would appreciate a clarification from the instructors and also a comment on the clenching fists exercise.

Again it says at first that you clench and relax your fists then later that there is little visible movement.

As somebody who advises the public daily I realise how difficult it is to be unambiguous, and some misconceptions are inevitable.

[DarkCosmoz]

Hi,

I'm naturally good in following instructions given to me. If it says relax, I relax. If it says gently visualize, I gently visualize. I learned the Yi Jin Jing exercise (flicking fingers) from a book by Dr. Yang Jwang Ming. He basically says to do all the movements in your mind. That's why the palm and finger movements are imperceptible. I usually "mentally" push my palm down and fingers upward. Of course, I am as relaxed as a ragdoll.

[Andrew]

Phil,

In paragraph three it says raise your fingers as far as you can. In paragraph five it says there is very little visible movement.

There is no contradiction here. It may seem like it, but there is not. The instructions are both correct and very concise (as usual in Sifu's instruction and books).

Andrew

[PhilH]

Thanks for your reply.

I'm happy that I'm doing it correctly now, and I guess that my injury just confirms that it can be dangerous to try and learn from a book.

Phil

[Fleur]

Re: Sinew Metamorphosis

I can certainly relate to Phil’s ‘explosive’ experience. Practising at home once, I felt so powerful after the exercise that I felt like I had a rocket engine strapped to my back, and was about to blast through my living room ceiling! During Sifu’s last course in London, I had a similar experience, but somehow on a higher level – the rocket would have been superfluous. Beyond the feeling of power, there was an instant propulsion into a realm of freedom and spiritual joy.

I had never really thought before about why the exercise generates so much internal force – I was just happy that it did! So, just to speculate: maybe when we assume the starting position, our energy (and intent) is marshalled at the hands, and instead of being projected externally, for combat or healing, flows back into us in a very concentrated way when we flick the fingers. But just as importantly, this exercise epitomises the principle of ‘simple, direct and effective’. Apart from Standing Zen, perhaps the only thing that matches it in this respect is smiling from the heart, which to me is the cornerstone of our practice.

I’m not surprised that Sifu’s students can now achieve just as good results by flicking the fingers 3 times, as they used to by flicking 49 times. I have noticed a marked distillation of his teachings even in the year or so that I have been training with him. For example, he gives fewer instructions for each exercise, so that there is less to worry about, resulting in the instructions and advice that he does give having even more power. Just one remark by Sifu on the Brighton Chi Kung course last December started a process that led to a real breakthrough in my practice. I have no reason to believe that this same distillation hasn’t occurred in his transmission of the skills for Sinew Metamorphosis. In fact, Sifu mentioned in a recent Q&A that, over the years, his methods of teaching have improved beyond even his own expectations.

The word ‘sinew’ used to have a wider meaning, akin to moral fibre and resilience, and these seem to me to be essential characteristics that the exercise cultivates – even more so than powerful arms or a sharp mind! I remember Sifu explaining, during my first course with him in Bath, that practising Chi Kung, and in particular Sinew Metamorphosis, will help us to be courageous, one of the qualities of the Scholar Warrior ideal that many of us aspire to. I was surprised that I began to notice a general increase in courage immediately after the course, and I have had recourse to rely on it a few times since when I have been faced with challenging situations.

Incidentally, I have found Pushing Mountains and Separating Water from the Eighteen Lohan Hands to have similar, but subtly different results. I’ve found that Pushing Mountains helps with confidence and Separating Water, which I’ve been practising for the last few days, gives a quieter, inner strength.

Apologies for the long post – writing at such length has made me realise I don’t practice Sinew Metamorphosis nearly enough. I think that perhaps I’m in a bit of a comfort zone with Lifting the Sky, because I love it so much! So I’m resolved to ‘do, not just talk’ and incorporate it into my training routine on a more regular basis.

Best wishes to all,

Fleur

[DarkCosmoz]

Fleur,

I remember Sifu explaining, during my first course with him in Bath, that practising Chi Kung, and in particular Sinew Metamorphosis, will help us to be courageous, one of the qualities of the Scholar Warrior ideal that many of us aspire to. I was surprised that I began to notice a general increase in courage immediately after the course, and I have had recourse to rely on it a few times since when I have been faced with challenging situations.

You had just answered my question that I've been long waiting for about Yi Jin Jing. Thank you very much!

Stephen

[Fleur]

Hi Stephen

I’m glad if I’ve been any help! But please bear in mind that I was writing about my own experiences, and while I have had some good results from this exercise, I have a far from complete understanding of it. In fact, the more I experience and develop through my Chi Kung practice, the more I feel I am scratching the surface of what there is to discover.

Sinew Metamorphosis is a very powerful exercise, and like Phil I would not recommend learning it from a book. Instead, I would suggest concentrating on one of the dynamic patterns, like Lifting the Sky, and getting as deeply into it as you can. Not only is it much safer, but it can unfold in incredible ways. I am sure that you could get at least as good results from it as you report from your ‘flicking fingers’ sessions.

If you were practising Sinew Metamorphosis to its potential, I’d be amazed if you were able to manage anything like 25 repetitions. Also, I’m sure you are following Dr Yang’s instructions respectfully, but I don’t agree that the movements should be done only with the mind. They may be almost imperceptible, but are part of a synthesis of form, energy and mind. Simple, direct and effective – yes. Easy, no!

Courage is just one of the qualities of the Scholar Warrior; others like compassion, wisdom and righteousness are equally important. And because Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung is a holistic art, you can actually cultivate these qualities over time, through persistent and dedicated practice of any of the exercises.

I’ve read some of your other posts, Stephen, and it’s great that you have high aspirations for your practice. I really think the best way for you to realise these aspirations would be to get some proper instruction and guidance from Anthony – I’m sure you would be amazed at the qualitative difference in your results.

All the best

Fleur

[DarkCosmoz]

Hey Fleur

I’m glad if I’ve been any help! But please bear in mind that I was writing about my own experiences, and while I have had some good results from this exercise, I have a far from complete understanding of it. In fact, the more I experience and develop through my Chi Kung practice, the more I feel I am scratching the surface of what there is to discover.

If you feel as if you are merely scratched the surface of qigong, then I'm still attempting to make a scratch mark

Sinew Metamorphosis is a very powerful exercise, and like Phil I would not recommend learning it from a book. Instead, I would suggest concentrating on one of the dynamic patterns, like Lifting the Sky, and getting as deeply into it as you can. Not only is it much safer, but it can unfold in incredible ways. I am sure that you could get at least as good results from it as you report from your ‘flicking fingers’ sessions.

I agree. I mostly practice Three Circle Stance, Lifting Water, Grasping Sparrow's Tail, and Lifting the Sky. I practice Yi Jin Jing twice a week. Indeed, I did find Yi Jin Jing the strongest exercise of the four. Results were quickly noticable. My taijiquan movements seemed a lot more powerful, although my movements were gentle.

If you were practising Sinew Metamorphosis to its potential, I’d be amazed if you were able to manage anything like 25 repetitions. Also, I’m sure you are following Dr Yang’s instructions respectfully, but I don’t agree that the movements should be done only with the mind. They may be almost imperceptible, but are part of a synthesis of form, energy and mind. Simple, direct and effective – yes. Easy, no!

I'm still attempting to make a scratch mark

I’ve read some of your other posts, Stephen, and it’s great that you have high aspirations for your practice. I really think the best way for you to realise these aspirations would be to get some proper instruction and guidance from Anthony – I’m sure you would be amazed at the qualitative difference in your results.

Definitely agree. However, as I am a senior in high school now, my parents want me to do nothing but focus on finding a good university. Last year, they wanted me to focus on the SAT and other college entrance exams. The years before, I was taking karate lessons and earned a black belt. I quit when my parents told me that the work load was starting to increase. A few months after quitting, I found Sifu Wong's book on Taijiquan (which by the way is an excellent and complete book). I read through the book, surprised that taijiquan was a martial art. Although I was fascinated, I put the book aside for awhile, not really practicing what I read. When the stress load began to increase, I thought it was time to practice taijiquan in secret. After all, my parents wouldn't know.
To make the long story short, it took me two hard years to even begin to feel the chi flow and internal force. The three circle stance made me perspire like a pig and made my legs violently tremble. Lifting water was somewhat better, as it provided a nice flow and seemed to "cool" me down. After the rough stage, I began enjoying to stand in the three circle stance. It was very pleasant and refreshing. Slowly, my standing time improved to approximately 39 minutes or more. I felt more rooted to the ground, and my four-six and bow arrow stances were more stablized. Now when I practice Grasping Sparrow's Tail, I can feel internal force rising from my feet, through my body, and into my hands (the strange thing is that visualization was not necessary for me. The flow just happens now).
I begged my parents many time to go to NYC to train with Anthony, but they refused. In fact, there is a local Wing Chun Kung Fu school only 10 minutes away, and still my parents would not let me go. In the past, Anthony kindly advised me that I should be more independent and make my own decisions. Actually, I am very indepent. However, I realized that as long as I am living under the roof of my parents, I have to listen to them no matter what (although I do rebel a lot, but they end up winning ) In the past, I was mad at them. Now, however, I realize that they do care about me and only want the best for me. Hopefully, sometime in the future when I make my own money, I will be able to train with Sifu Wong (if he accepts me) or with one of the Wahnam instructors such as Anthony.

Best wishes,
Stephen

[DarkCosmoz]

I continue to practice the qigong exercises because it has actually cured my scoliosis (spinal curvature), gave me a boost in energy, enhanced my mental thinking process, rid my acne and other skin problems, and made me happier. What more can I ask for? I can only imagine what training with Sifu Wong would be like...

Best wishes,
Stephen

[Zhang Wuji]

I thought I would resurrect this thread from 2003.

About 2 years ago, I learnt the full 12 Sinew Metamorphosis (which is now increasingly being referred to as "Yijin Jing" by Sifu) from Sifu together with other instructors. But long before that, I had learnt one of the Yijin Jing patterns, Flicking Fingers, at a review course. And I only ever practice that one pattern because it is all I can handle.

I simply cannot imagine doing 25 or even 49 reps of Flicking Fingers. I can barely do two before the explosion happens. At first, I did not understand what Fleur meant but now, having personally experienced it, I know exactly what she meant by a rocket blasting through the roof.

The secret is really to follow the instructions by Sifu. The first few times, I found the exercise nothing special, but after a few tries on my own, I managed to "get" the instructions. I posted this now, because over the weekend, I showed a fellow Wahnam practitioner how to perform the exercise. He honestly thought he was following the instructions from Sifu, but it was obvious that he was missing a couple of crucial details (but which could only be detected by someone who knows what to look out for). Maybe it is just me, but I simply cannot possibly have learnt this art from a book.