Hard Power, Soft Power, Flowing Power

Hard Power

 Also known as Obvious Power, and in Chinese it is known as Gong Jin or Ming Jin.  Hard Power is part of the physical training of the body with push ups, leg strengthening and lots of Hard Qi Gong.  External martial arts start their training in Hard Power. They next start training the Soft Power.  For example, many Karate black belts must learn Tai Ji Quan to continue their training.

Soft Power

Also known in English as Hidden Power. In Chinese is known as Ruo Jin or An Jin.  It is the training of the internal muscles, tendons and ligaments with qi flow for martial arts.  In Tai Ji Quan, Silk Reeling Training is a major begining step. Soft Power is the main practice of Tai Ji Quan.  Many believe, as we do at the Wei Tuo Academy, learning the Soft Power inlayed with Qi Gong is important to learn first to avoid damaging the body with Hard Qi Gong practices.  It is said that you should practice 30 minutes of Qi Gong before you do 10 minutes of Hard Qi Gong.

Flowing Power

Also know as Mysterious Power or Neutralizing Power.  In Chinese it is Hua Jin. As Flowing Power or Neutralizing Power, one's power of skill is so advanced that one doesn't even bother to block a punch, he or she just flows with it, and completely avoids the punch.  It can also be used to channel the qi to the exact spot where the punch will land and using that spot to break the opponent's hand.  Neutralizing Power is the realization that all movements are energy flow and when energy (a punch or kick) comes in, he or she can channel the contact into the ground without harm.  As Mysterious Power relies on the power of the mind training to use mind over matter, spirit over matter for fighting.  These different aspects of Flowing Power are all parts of years of diligent training. 

Power is power, but one must train day in, day out to achieve even the most basic of these powers.  The Flowing Power is the highest form of power, but one must go through the Hard and Soft Power training first.  Even higher forms of Soft Power relies on the eventual study of Hard Power.  Most people believe that Tai Ji Quan is all about being soft with yin.  Too much softness is not balanced, one must also study the hard with yang.  Though it is not completely necessary to train in the Hard Power, it does, of one is aware and trains with it, enhances the Soft Power.  It goes the same with Hard Power, one must also learn Soft Power to enhance the Hard Power's effectiveness.