Sword Polisher's Record. Adam Hsu

of kung-fu as a whole. This is why many hold the opinion that kung-fu is not effective as a fighting art. These forms exhibit good conditioning and balance perhaps, but certainly not superior kung-fu technique as many have come to believe.

      A certain amount if dynamic tension and a great deal if leg strength are needed to fully generate the power from the lower body.

      Perhaps the following analogy can place the role and importance of stretching and flexibility into a clearer perspective. A singer usually begins training by singing the basic scale of notes. At this early stage, of course, the full range of these notes will not be at the novice’s command, just as in stretching we have a natural range of flexibility with which we begin. But, through diligent practice, the singer’s range will eventually expand to include the entire range of notes, a feat that previously had been quite impossible. Similarly, students who stretch correctly and persistently will also achieve a wider range of flexibility and movement.

      Yet, when an accomplished singer sings a song, the vocal range required is less than what was encompassed in the training. But this basic training was indeed necessary and valuable, because it covered all the possibilities and provided the singer with a stronger and wider base from which to sing a broader variety of songs.

      Also, as any singer will tell you, just because one can sing the basic notes does not automatically guarantee that one can sing a song both correctly and artistically. Elements such as emotion, rhythm, and tempo must also be included to make the song truly complete and convincing. Similarly, many other skills must be combined with flexibility training in order to achieve real proficiency in kung-fu.

      Remaining at this “flexibility is kung-fu” level, and confusing it with real kung-fu expertise, is like perpetually singing just the basic range of notes and promoting that as an outstanding piece of music. Ultimately, kung-fu requires a great deal more than the capability to perform movements loosely and gracefully.

      Part 3

      Myth and Reality

       of Kung-fu Styles

      The Real Difference Between Internal and External Kung-fu