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| Q: What is meant by "the Ground is Where Forces Originate from"? |
| The phrase "the Ground is Where Forces Originate from" is one of the classical phrases in traditional Chinese martial arts. But where and when did it come from? They are subjects of highly specialized researches in historical developments of Chinese martial arts. Although I do not have the answers, common sense suggests that since the phrase has been around for a considerable time in history, it must have been passed down generation after generation and may even has its root before written records. Take a wider point of view and look at it in the context of all tasks and sports demanding physical work. The following experience is apparent: If one's feet are not firmly on the ground, it is difficult to apply any force; whereas if one is standing firmly on the ground, then with a thrust of the legs, forces can easily be applied. Different jobs and different sports, naturally, have their own required forms of actions. The variation increases with differences in people and their cultures. An identical, objective fact can produce different subjective sensations, further creating unreliable interpretations be they verbal or written. Therefore, I believe that the experience that "the Ground is Where Forces Originate from" is not unique to martial artists. It is in fact a ubiquitous and frequent phenomenon. But its interpretation and significance may have eluded the majority of people. |
| In martial arts, the true, objective meaning of the phrase is often obscured not only by the vast differences in families and styles, but also by differing and sometimes secret training methods, as well as different understandings of what forces physically are. The problem compounds with the objective circumstances mentioned earlier. However, with the help of basic physics, it is not difficult to unravel the problem. That is, to explain how to employ the ground to achieve the desired kind of force so characteristic of Chinese martial arts. We will not touch on internal workings of muscles groups, ligaments, joints and the skeletal structure as to how they transmit or attenuate forces. These are objects of active researches which involve in-depth studies of biochemistry, bio-kinetics and other related biological and psychological fields. I will instead use some well known general knowledge of physics to highlight the answer as follows. |
| Under the influence of gravity, the human body is always pulled towards the centre of the earth by a gravitational force. The surface of the earth is harder and thicker than the human body. When pulled by a gravitational force, the human body makes contact with the earth's surface. This can be called a special contact, because the action and reaction effect creates an upward force (commonly called "R") equal in magnitude to the gravitational force. As a result, the human body stays in the same place when the human body remains static relative to the ground. |
| Now, when one wants to exert a force that is relatively strong and without significant losses to any accompanying friction or reaction, then it requires certain techniques. This can be done by first conditioning the body in a relatively relaxed and angled state, then thrusting the legs using the knee joints, and extending upwards the waist area. (Details of how to coordinate the actions are not covered here.) The ultimate goal of the actions is to generate at the feet's contact with the ground a reaction force larger than the static R, and to deploy the resultant force in the way as it is intended. This resultant force should not be impeded by any friction or reaction. Why do I call it a strong force? It is because the force thus generated by the bodily actions, can indeed be quite large. It is known in the parlor of martial arts as the "main part" of the "Whole Bodily Force". When one is properly taught by a specialist and appropriately trained, such forces are generally stronger than those possible by using only arms. When one is able to generate such a strong force, he or she is experiencing precisely the effect of "the Ground is Where Forces Originate from". |
Author: Cliff Au-Yeung Kim Man
Last Revised: June 3, 2008
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