Following is a continuation from the previous newsletter of Professor Coy's explanation in the design of Shen Chuan and theory behind the "four fists' of Shen Chuan", beginning where we left off; the hard-soft fist:

In the previous newsletter I carried you through the beginning theory behind the four fists' of Shen Chuan, concluding with the hard fist. That brings us to the next level, that being the hard-soft fist.

Hard-Soft Fist

As I stated before Shen Chuan follows the maturation of the person. I see the Hard-Soft Fist as a person moving into their twenties and thirties. They have learned the basics and are ready to apply their knowledge to the world. They also begin to find what kind of person they want to be. Some already have a vision for the future and some are just cruising. The world doesn't seem to be the way they visualized it during their teen years, its hard work. Experience is the most important thing they can gain at this age.

The same is said for Shen Chuan, you have learned the basics, its time for experience and applying what you know to any situation. The Hard is obvious, its what you have learned from White Belt to Black Belt. Soft is the application of these skills in any situation. For example, you are sitting in a chair and someone grabs your shirt and punches you. You have been used to applying your techniques standing up. Now you must be mentally soft and flexible, let your skills flow out from that seated position. The techniques you will apply come from the Hard Fist even though they are being used in awkward situation. The Soft in the Hard-Soft is basically your flow. You will have relaxed enough that you can flow from striking to locking to throwing effortlessly. The main thing to feel is that you are beginning to no longer think of specific techniques, they will be flowing out on their own.

This level is not as easy as it sounds. You will have to learn a great number of techniques from First Degree Black to Third Degree Black. These techniques will assist in your transition from Hard Fist to Hard-Soft if you take the proper attitude in learning. The attitude I'm talking about is to begin to understand that all martial arts techniques come from a handful of concepts and principles. The techniques are merely the physical manifestations of those concepts and principles. When you can truly understand this you will see the infinite possibilities of self defense in any situation. So the Soft of the Hard-Soft fist is your losing the rigidity of the application of specific techniques in specific situations. It is the beginning of a revolution of sorts. That being your losing your "box" and seeing the whole world outside.

The levels in Hard-Soft Fist are not so easily defined. They are set by the individual student. A physical example is the use of your hips. At this level you should begin to truly focus on the motion of the hips. All of your techniques should start from the hips and end with the hips. At the second level of Hard-Soft Fist the integration of the hips becomes second nature and you begin to be more flexible and fluid in their motion. Making sense of where you are in relation to levels within Hard-Soft Fist is a task you needn't take on by yourself. One of the most important things you can do is talk to an instructor. They have been there and are very aware of where you are and where you need to go. Don't just talk to one instructor either, talk to different ones. A Second or Third degree Black Belt will have a different focus than a Master Instructor or the Professor. All of their input will be valuable to you, and at times overwhelming. You must decide what to make your first goal.

Instead of making a distinction of levels with the concepts and principle of the Hard-Soft Fist I will group them together. The reason is simple, the levels are different for the individual as I have stated before. These are not the only concepts and principles for this level, again they are the ones that are important for all. You may find others that fit into this level of your martial arts maturation. Don't forget "who brung ya".

The Hard Fist concepts and principles should always be there no matter what level you are.

Concepts and Principles of Hard-Soft Fist

1. Cross Training with an Open Mind- This is vital to your understanding of martial arts on a deeper level. When you train in another style or system there will be things you like and things you don't. Do not get caught up in comparing the new system you are studying with your base system, in this case Shen Chuan. Instead look for the similarities and let those open new doors to your expression of Shen Chuan. Begin to feel the concepts and principles you know in the other art and that will allow you to "see" that all arts are related.

2. Strive for perfection - This really can apply from the beginning of your training. What I am talking about now is perfection in your application of technique. Don't do something and settle because you did it "wrong" and it worked. Find out what you did and why it worked, maybe it was a fluke or maybe you found a better way to do it. This brings me to the next concept.

3. Experiment- When you are working on techniques and you feel something might work better for you or just better, try it. If it seems to work then keep it and pass it on.

You are at a level now that you can and should experiment. You have a good foundation and it is time to build upon it. We encourage this at all levels but with the lower level student not having a good solid foundation it can be trouble.

4. Self Expression- This can go along with number three. If you like to lock then find ways to add locking. If you like to strike or throw then do the same. Now is the time to figure out and express who you are as a martial artist. This doesn't mean do one thing to the exclusion of all others. Remember as the old saying goes, "its better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it".

5. Work on Things You Don't Like- I didn't like to kick so I took StreetBoxing from Shihan Richard. What I really discovered was that I didn't like to kick because I didn't do it well. This isn't always the case when its something you don't like to do. But to be better than average you should be competent with a variety of things. Also working your weakness makes your stronger. Try it and see what I mean.

6. Be a Jack of all Trades and a Master of as Many as You can- This takes number one and goes a little further. Learn as many things as you can because you never know when you might need it. Weapons, ground work and vital point manipulation are some to consider. There are Master Instructors who know alot more than you know, so if there is something you are interested in ask around.

7. Conceptualize the Art- This is very important if you are to move to a higher level of martial arts. You must see that all techniques are related so you can understand, if not do all things you see other martial artist do. Now some things you see are fake so let your common sense and skeptical mind be a filter. Another expression of this is to read. There are many fine books by great martial artists out there awaiting you. When you understand the concepts and principle of martial arts you will get more out of those books. The same can be said for videos. The more you see the more you know.

8. Talk with Your Instructors- This is very important for you in that they will tell you what your strengths and weaknesses are. They can also give guidance on particular problems you are having at your level. Remember they have been there too and can relate with you. If you don't like to hear the truth or your feelings get hurt when someone gives you constructive criticism, then you better get over it or deal with it if you want to get better. Remember don't give excuses for your problems, that won't fix them, let your instructor help. Another thing is to talk to different instructors they all have a slightly different view on you and your level. For example a Third Degree will look at different things than a Master Instructor or the Professor would, so ask more than one.

9. Teach as Much as You can- This is one the most if not the most important of the concepts of Hard-Soft Fist. By instructing you learn more than the student. What I mean is that by helping someone else to understand you have to be able to visualize and verbalize all that you have learned. This makes the things you have learned more evident to you. Many times you find out you know more than you think. Another bonus is by teaching low ranks you get to perfect your own foundation.

In the next newsletter we will continue with the Four Fists' of Shen Chuan by discussing the Soft-Hard Fist.