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Online Newsletter
Certainly by now you have been practicing CKD for awhile and are reaping the benefits of it (i.e. smaller pants, more energy, greater flexibility). But are you paying attention to how you can increase your power execution in your techniques? The main reason why CKD is so much different from other Martial Arts is the tremendous power that we are able to transfer to our opponents. I challenge all of you to go out to other Martial Art schools, as I have, and try to find something comparable in power across the board, as in every student possessing power. Do you know what you will find? That CKD, and only CKD, can do this. Why? It is called the "X" Factor. It is the separation of the shoulders from the hips, with the motion provided by proper foot position. Think about it this way: begin by standing in a regular Left Front Stance facing due north and take note of where your belt knot is pointing. It should be pointed at a 45 degree angle, or toward the northeast. Now, taking your right arm, rotate your shoulders back (to 90 degrees) and get your right arm in Rear Hand Front Punch Position, without moving your belt knot at all. Again, notice of the differential between your right shoulder position to your belt knot. You should have increased the differential between the two. What you have really done is pre-loaded your rear hand front punch with power. Notice how your core is coiled up like a spring. From here, you want to first move your belt knot to 90 degrees or a straight north position, all the while maintaining your right shoulder and Rear Hand Front Punch position. Didn't your core just get really tight? Even more so than before, I'll bet. From here you force your hips (belt knot) to a 45 degree position to your left, or toward the northwest, until you cannot hold your shoulder position any more. The right arm is then pulled forward by centrifugal force. It is imperative at this point to employ a nice shoulder flip, then follow through with the punch. The greater the differential between the belt knot and the shoulders (the hips and shoulders) the more power is generated! If hitting a focus mitt, the sound differential will be noticeably audible! HINT: Watch Tiger Woods hit a golf ball in slow motion once and you will see another use of the X Factor. If you think that he can hit 400 yard drives because of just his equipment alone, think again!! The other end to this is proper foot position. Take some tape and place an "X" on the floor somewhere. Make the X big enough so that is covers your leg spread. Make sure that you keep your lead foot (left foot) on the center of the X as your pivot point. Practice your "X" Factor while keeping your feet in proper position. Try to feel lightness in your feet, staying on the balls of the feet and pushing off from the insides, while rolling the feet into finish position. Just remember to hit through the target and not at the target. You will see, feel, and hear a tremendous new surge in your power ability. PIL SUNG! Michael C. Mortell, |
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