"It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell"
~ Buddha
13th February 2026
Structure, Engagement and Internal Energy
This video, titled "Online Lesson: Structure, Engagement and Internal Energy," focuses on the concept of maintaining and transferring internal energy and engagement through different movements and stances, particularly within in the Shuang Yang and Sum Chien (San Zhan) routines.
Video Recording
Key Points on Energy and Engagement:
- Retention: The speaker emphasizes the need to retain, hold, and not release the energy. If the engagement is lost (e.g., during a step), everything can "come undone inside".
- Expansion and Condensing (Yin to Yang): The energy is held in the core and is intended to expand out—down towards the feet, up through the spine and crown, and out through the arms to the fingertips.
In the Shuang Yang routine, energy generally expands on the out-breath and condenses on the in-breath. This is a constant cycle of yin to yang, where energy condenses and expands but never disappears.
- Changing Shape: The energy is constantly changing shape as the structure and the location holding the most energy move, such as when shifting from a horse riding stance to a crane stance. In the Shuang Yang routine, which has 66 steps, the energy changes shape many times.
- The Fajin (Fa Jin): When the energy is released (the fa), it is called fajin (fa jin). The internal stored energy in the core is called Neijing (Nei Jin). Even after the release, it is important to retain the stretch so the energy can vibrate through.
Stances and Movements Demonstrated
- Shifting weight from a horse riding stance to a crane stance.
- "Walking meditation," which involves shifting weight and maintaining engagement.
- Salute to the Sun.
Discussion and Q&A:
- Structure vs. Meridians: A question was asked about overcomplicating things by visualizing energy moving up the inside of the legs and down the outside. The speaker explained that when generating force for application in a routine, the focus should be on efficient transmission of force through the structure—primarily the skeleton. Thinking about Qi (Chi) moving through meridians is different and is done when the objective is to guide Qi and open the meridians.
- Letting Go: In terms of mental hesitancy, the speaker noted that letting go of "excess baggage in the mind" is a constant practice. A good progression for letting go is to start with the breath—easy, natural, relaxed breaths—which helps to let go of the body and then the mind.
Are you interested in training with Master Iain?
Prisca first came to the Retreat in 2021 looking to further connect the body and mind, and find something that would help her constantly evolve. She enjoyed it so much due to our location, the full time training, and all of the opportunities that we offer that she returned and became an instructor in 2024. Now based in France, she continues to support the retreat by handling online bookings.
