What is Ving Tsun? Part 2 (Ving Tsun attributes)

In my last post I listed the 5 attributes and 5 principles of Ving Tsun, I will now explain how those attributes and principles work together in using Ving Tsun as a fighting art. First we will look at the five attributes.

The first of the five attributes is relaxation, possibly the most important. In defining relaxation it may be easier to say what it is not than to say what it is. In Ving Tsun relaxation means that you are not mentally preoccupied and that you are 100% present to what is happening right now. Physically there is no unnecessary muscular tension.

With these conditions present we can look at the next attribute which is coordination. The improved quality of mind and body connection developed through and supported by relaxation expresses itself as coordination. The ability to have the body's various parts work together efficiently to accomplish whatever is necessary as directed by our intent.

Thirdly there is balance, which is the ability to maintain your mental and physical equilibrium in any of the following three situations.

1. Stationary - standing balanced and unmoving.
2. Dynamic - balance while moving, shifting, or turning.
3. Interactive - balance while in physical contact with another person.

It is difficult if not impossible to talk about these three attributes without discussing structure. Relaxation, coordination, and balance all depend on proper structure which is optimal anatomical alignment in the context of whatever movement we are attempting to perform or whatever static posture we happen to be in. Proper structure depends on these first three attributes.

The fourth attribute is timing. The awareness that is rooted in proper relaxation is essential for timing which is the ability to act in real time in relationship to a secondary object. Timing is also self referential and is related to coordination, how the various parts of the body move in relationship to each other through time.

The fifth attribute is sensitivity, which might be defined as contextual awareness trained on a conscious level and eventually becoming subconscious. In Ving Tsun we are concerned primarily with tactile sensitivity, being able to sense energy,force,direction on contact and act appropriately within the context of Ving Tsun principles which will be the topic of my next post.