Intent Yi (意)

windwalker099

Master Black Belt
Have looked at the older threads on "intent"

Thought it might be interesting to discuss common reactions people have,
if any when used.


In the video, the teacher uses his finger to help channel intent through his body, the other person’s body reacts to the intent.

When working with his student, you can see the teacher’s whole body respond — even though the student might not fully understand what’s happening.
The teacher talks him through it, creating a reaction.

When the teacher demonstrates directly on the student, the student’s responses are smaller, localized more contained.
This causes the teacher to extend physical further so the student can sense what’s going on.

Why might one person’s reaction be full-bodied, while another’s is more localized?
 
Our shihan also teaches that intent is the most important thing. It is ideal harmony between mind body and spirit; as opposed to mechanistically doing a technique without intent, which is gets weak.

So when then judge your techhiqnue, the heart is seeing that you have intent, that you mean to accomplish sometihg with your technique - be it to break or finish your opponent. If intent is in place, they will overlook technical flaws in execution.
 
Our shihan also teaches that intent is the most important thing. It is ideal harmony between mind body and spirit; as opposed to mechanistically doing a technique without intent, which is gets weak.

So when then judge your techhiqnue, the heart is seeing that you have intent, that you mean to accomplish sometihg with your technique - be it to break or finish your opponent. If intent is in place, they will overlook technical flaws in execution.

Some thoughts,

Having genuine resolve — is essential in any martial art. 👍

In Chinese internal arts, 意 (Yì) is a little more nuanced then the English translation of "intent"

On one level, it works on the other person’s center — moving it directly or leading it to shift — often without them realizing it. That’s why balance can be lost, or the ground can seem to disappear underfoot, before any visible movement occurs.

In the video, the teacher uses pointing as a physical reference — as a way to channel intent through it without being caught up in the physicality of the point being focused through.

Even if the student can’t feel what it’s acting on, the teacher can still create a reaction by guiding and correcting the student’s movement and focus — acting as their feedback loop allowing the student to use it on him..

When the teacher demos on the student. He may not understand he is already off balance, the student requires the teacher to extend the physical action further to him realize that he is.
 
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