THE CONCEPT AND TECHNIQUE OF YIELDING

Marcus Santer
Sifu Marcus Santer

The following discussion is reproduced from the thread A Discussion on Yielding started in the Shaolin Wahnam Discussion Forum on 14th February 2006. The name of a main contributor to this thread is removed as requested by him, and is replaced by “Challenger” or a term appropriate to the occasion. As the discussion is long, it is presented here in parts.

Marcus Santer Sifu Marcus Santer
Instructor, Shaolin Wahnam England
14th February 2006

A discussion on yielding

Hello everyone,

I have been compelled to start this thread as a result of an interesting development in another. My aim is to enable all readers to have a deeper understanding on the concept of "Yielding". This is a very important concept of Kung Fu, especially the internal arts.

Speaking on the concept of yielding in a thread in this forum, a master said,

'Yielding' is no longer a matter of trying to avoid the fight, but now entails acceding to their wishes by giving them what they insist on having...i.e. a good fight.'

I find his understanding of the yielding concept as revealed here shallow and will explain why further on.

He also said,

"If they choose to charge forward...let them do so, and pull them face first into the wall or some other unmoving, solid object. If they choose to pull you...let them do so, and push them backward to stumble over some obstacle on the ground or into something solid."

I find his techniques as revealed here low-level and will explain why shortly.

Finally he most recently wrote:

"A skilled, trained defender with good automatic reaction and spontaneous response skills already in place will at least have a chance to lean, turn, twist, bend, duck, step, jump, or otherwise get out of harm's way in that micro-second window of opportunity to do so. It is not at all unusual when this happens, that the attacker has set in motion more speed, power, and momentum than they can control if it doesn't make contact with the intended target. And so they fall into or onto something sufficiently solid and immovable to hurt themselves...perhaps seriously."

This seems to advocate: just get out of the way of the attacker and hope that they fall, stumble or otherwise manage to knock themselves out.

Here are my reasons why I think his concept of yielding is shallow and why his techniques are low level:

"Yielding' is no longer a matter of trying to avoid the fight, but now entails acceding to their wishes by giving them what they insist on having...i.e. a good fight."

This statement shows he is unaware that yielding is part of a countering process, and not a complete process by itself. In other words a competent martial artist does not merely yield and stop there. Doing so would be committing the mistake of having yin without yang. This will result in the yielding practitioner in an awkward position.

If I remember correctly, in an earlier post connected with the Bow-Arrow Stance (but I cannot remember which post) he did mention about the occurrence of this awkward position following yielding. This further confirms his shallow understanding of the yielding concept.

Yielding is to lead the opponent to futility, then his attacking momentum is turned against the opponent himself, thus completing the yang part of the yin-yang harmony. This continuous process is expressed in Chinese as "xian hua hou ji", which means 'first neutralize then attack' . In Shaolin Kung Fu it is expressed as ”dun du”, or ”swallow-shoot”.

"If they choose to charge forward...let them do so, and pull them face first into the wall or some other unmoving, solid object. If they choose to pull you...let them do so, and push them backward to stumble over some obstacle on the ground or into something solid."

The techniques used here are low-level for the following reasons:

  1. They do not take advantage of the 'xian hua hou ji' principle, which is actually the main principle underlying the yielding tactic. In other words, they defeat the purpose of yielding.

  2. The master advocating these techniques presumes that there is a wall or some unmoving solid object, and there is some obstacle on the ground or something solid. If these presumed objects are not present, these techniques would be futile.

  3. On the other hand, if these presumed objects are present, they may be disadvantageous to advocator. Following his pulling momentum, the opponent may push him onto the wall. Following his pushing momentum, the opponent may pull him to fall onto the obstacle.

  4. There are many more effective techniques to use in place of those suggested by the advocator. For example, when an opponent pushes, the exponent may respond with “Black Bear Sinks Hips” to cause the opponent to fall onto his front knee. When the opponent pulls, the exponent may use “Shoulder Strike” to ram into the opponent's chest.

  5. Notwithstanding this, as we are on the topic of yielding, we should use its underlying principle of "first neutralize then attack". One example each is as follows. As the opponent pushes, first neutralize (or yield) to his push, then redirecting his momentum throw him onto the ground with “Carry Tiger Back to Mountain” (called “Felling Tree with Roots” in Shaolin Kungfu.) As the opponent pulls, follow his momentum and responds with “Cross Hands Thrust Kick” to his chest (called “White Horse Presents Hoof'” in Shaolin Kungfu.)

I shall leave it here for now as I'm going to source some suitable pictures to illustrate the points I have made. Until then I look forward to how this thread develops.

Kind regards

Marcus

Namo Amitabha Buddha Namo Amitabha Buddha Namo Amitabha Buddha

Michael Chow Yun Xiang (Sifu Michael Chow)
Instructor, Shaolin Wahnam Canada
15th February 2006

One Step of the Process

Greeting, Everyone.

I would like to share my own analysis and perspective on "yielding". It is my hope that you may join in the discussion as I am interested to hear your experiences and perspectives.

From my understanding, merely yielding or avoiding an incoming strike does not necessarily result in being in an advantageous position. If the exponent is skilful enough, he may continue to press with attacks and lead his opponent to defeat.

In order to use yielding effectively, one must follow the yielding by safely neutralizing the opponent and applying an appropriate counter or control. Hence, not only will one be safe when correctly applying this process, one will gain the advantage.

I have attached an image to this post to help illustrate my points on yielding. Please find it at the end of this post.

  1. Tai Chee Yong, the exponent in white, has initiated a hook punch (or "Hang a Golden Star at the Corner" in Shaolin Kungfu) at Sifu Wong's head who is the exponent in black.

  2. Sifu Wong "yields" to the incoming strike. In this case, he sinks in his stance to avoid Tai Chee Yong's strike. Please note the use and the importance of stances in this situation.

  3. Once the strike is spent or nearly spent, Sifu Wong neutralizes Tai Chee Yong striking arm with his right hand while immediately striking his right hand. Please note the importance of Sifu Wong's placement of his right hand on Tai Chee Yong's arm. Also, it is good to point out the process of neutralizing and countering can almost simultaneously.

This is merely one example of the "yielding process" of yielding, neutralizing, and countering. It is interesting to also note that yielding and other concepts of Taijiquan can be found in Shaolin Kungfu. So, I'm certain that the Shaolin Kungfu exponent have something to share.

I hope that the discussion on yielding may continue. I look forward to hearing your comments, opinions, and other examples of yielding in physical situations and your daily life.

Looking forward to some fun discussion,
Mike


Yielding in Taijiquan combat application
Yielding in Taijiquan combat application

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