OFFICAL WEB SITE OF WU-WEI GUNG FUThe centerline is defined by an imaginary line that divides the body vertically into two halves. This line passes through many vital organs and other parts of the body such as the eyes, nose, chin, throat, solar plexus, abdomen, and groin.
The theory has both defensive and offensive sides. Defensively, the theory is to protect the vital points along the centerline. Having your hands in the centerline makes it more difficult for an aggressor to strike a vital part of your body directly (see Four Gates). Your lead knee located in the centerline helps protect the groin from kicks coming straight up from the ground.
Offensively, the centerline offers the most power for the attacker when delivering a strike, while applying a joint lock, or when throwing an opponent. (See the Four Gates and the Theory of Facing)
IMMOVABLE ELBOW
There are two theories regarding Immovable Elbow described in Wu-Wei Gung Fu. One theory is taproot as taught by Bruce Lee and is related to Wing Chun. In this Immovable Elbow theory the forearm can defensively cover the upper gate and the lower gate without having to move the elbow. In this theory, the arm can rotate in a circular fashion along the elbow joint. For instance, the arm can go from a Tahn-Sau (palm-up) parry to a Gong-Sau (palm-down) parry by simply circling the forearm from a high position to a low position, thus covering the upper and lower gates without moving the elbow.
Another theory regarding Immovable Elbow comes from Aikido where the practitioner can deflect and incoming attack by making his arm rigid. He can do this by imagining water shooting down his arm, through his forearm and out the fingertips. This concentrated effort helps prevent the elbow from collapsing.
THEORY OF FORWARD MOVEMENT
This theory involves the constant bombardment of offensive firepower upon the opponent. This unrelinquished forward movement while striking causes the opponent to be defensive and makes it more difficult for the opponent to return an attack. In Wu-Wei Gung Fu this is usually demonstrated by using Chain Punching or "Straight Blast" as it is referred to in Jeet Kune Do.
THEORY OF FACING
The attacker must have his own centerline face the center of the opponent's body to protect his centerline or his centerline must face the point of contact between he and the opponent. This allows him to apply maximum force into an attack or apply better control while parrying, applying a joint lock, or throwing.
FOUR GATES
When you maintain the centerline (having your hands in the centerline) you provide a barrier the opponent must go through in order to hit you. The opponent may find this difficult to do since your hands are able to pick up any attack thrown in the centerline. This forces your opponent to go around your hands to one of the four gates by using a hooking type punch or kick.
The Four Gates are defined as the upper right gate, the upper left gate, the lower right gate and the lower left gate. The arc the opponents strike must now travel is a much longer path which also takes a longer time for the strike to hit its target. All the practitioner has to do is defend the particular gate the opponent is attacking. A more efficient method of defense would be to strike straight ahead from the centerline at the same time you parry the incoming attack. This is a much faster and direct route. (See Lin-Sil-Dai-Dar)
LIN-SIL-DAI-DAR
Lin-Sil-Dai-Dar means simultaneous attack and defense. This is the most efficient means of self-defense. That is, if somebody is attacking you, rather than blocking the attack and then strike back, you counter the attack at the same time. You could simultaneously counter using one arm to deflect and attack with the other. You could simultaneously deflect and attack with the same arm. You could deflect with one arm and simultaneously kick. Your defense may involve footwork where you simply manuever out of the way of the incoming attack, but at the same time you attack with a strike or a kick. Kali and Muay Thai are very good examples of this type of defense.
ECONOMY OF MOTION
This theory is what makes the art of Wu-Wei so efficient and simple. Movements should be direct whether it's a strike or a defensive movement. Strikes should start from wherever your striking tool (hand, foot, elbow, etc.) originates and travel in a straight path to the target. This is the most economic movement. For instance, the attacker should not telegraph his movements by first pulling his fist back and then striking towards the target. A person should be able to strike with devastating force even from a 1 inch distance from the target.
THE WAY OF MOVEMENTS
The Way of Movements is the blending or flowing of your movements with those of your opponent. The Way of Movements must be void of all ego. This means that you should not fight force with force. For instance, if you are attempting to apply an arm-bar but your opponent is resisting, your should not try to force the arm-bar. Your opponent may simply be stronger than you. In this case you should seek a way to flow with the opponents energy and use this against him.
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Centerline Immovable elbow Theory of Forward Movement Theory of Facing Four Gates Lin-Sil-Dai-Dar Economy of Motion The Way of Movements |
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