Gripping with the Feet

[Xiaobian]

[Itinerant_Phenomenologist]

[JE]

We do this in our family.

It can be done with shoes on - I actually can't think of a Chinese style off the top of my head that practices without shoes. Can anyone? Although I would say there is a strong argument for shoes without heels due to how it changes the mechanics. Even running shoes change our mechanics.

Within our family it represents a dynamic concept and not static tension in the feet. The movement gives a pumping action at the jung cyun jyut 湧泉穴 Gushing Spring Point (Ki 1) to help with root, power, and internal energetics. Jung cyun is important on many levels...

There are different historical definitions as to the location of Jung cyun but the current standard can be easily found online.

JE

[Asmo]

Especially on static horse training I feel a big difference when gripping the floor. When gripping the floor the legs have to adjust far less then without, and thus don't get tired that fast. It gives me more stability. Also on one leg stances it helps gives me more stability.

For me personally it is part of proper rooting.

edit: Maybe I should add that I dont grip really hard or anything, I just tense the toes a bit. This way the toes help more with rooting then when I dont tense them. Then they merely just touch the floor without helping that much.

This is one of those things you will feel the benefits of soon enough if you experiment with it. Experience is the best teacher

Just my 0.1 cents.... Looking forward to see other replies!

[PM]

ng ji ja dei, "five toes grip the floor", one of the core principles of our system

[I am]

[YoungTiger]

I had a lot of problems recently with my plantar fascia, namely from shoes not allowing for the proper development of the foot's muscles and ligaments, and then practising KF barefoot.

I don't know if it can be considered rooting (or the opposite of!) but someone with a yoga background showed be how to extend your toes whenever you are in a standing position, which flexes and strengthens the arches of the foot and the fascia. Your toes are basically flexed and held pointing straight out and not making contact with the floor at all. Balance is maintained by 4 points of the foot, towards the outer parts of the heal and of forefoot.

It has helped strengthen my fascia a lot and has also really helped me to go deeper into stances and find greater overall balance in whatever I am doing.

Is this something similar to 'rooting'?

[Asmo]

I have a little trouble imagining what you try to describe, would you be able to make a video on Youtube or some photos?

Its a martial art, if you found that it is increasing your root, then it is rooting. Rooting is not just one thing, its many things working together (strength, balance, structure, ...). Your finding sounds like you discovered soemthing that improved your rooting. You're the judge of your own progression so if you feel like it improved your rooting, then its part of it

In my experience (which does not necessarily have to be right) rooting feels like I'm solidly planted into the ground. Techniques performed feel like they come out of the ground through the heels and up to the extremities. All stances divert the power received (pushes, etc) into the ground as well, without loosing balance. When you feel it, you know you got it right. If you're wondering, then you might be close...

Maybe this helps also: imagine seeing a tree. Its roots are solid into the ground. The first part of the trunk is also solid and anchored. But then upwards the whole tree moves & reacts in and with the wind. My feet are the anchors and the rest of the body the branches interacting with your opponent and performing techniques.

Hope this helped in some way...

[Frank Bolte]

[JE]

interesting... for me it would seem to be an influence from Japan as they almost always train barefoot due to cultural traditions. Though in SE Asia where people often only wear slippers (flip flops, sandals, etc.) I suppose it would make more sense to train barefoot as that would be what you would likely be wearing if you ever had to fight. Thanks Frank.

[Funkave]

In my experience (Qwan Ki Do, Taijiquan, Chow Gar Tong Long and finally Hung Gar) I found out that gripping with the toes is not really so important. It helps to alignand streghten the ankle and it makes the feet concaves though, and can be a very useful principle for people with "flat feet" for instance.

The eye-opener for me has been learning to grip the floor with the whole stance, which I've learned in Chow Gar, basically trying to drag the feet togheter, and AT THE same time sinking a bit in the stance. Naturally, one tends to raise the stance, but it's wrong. Done properly, it generates a kind of rooting superior to any other.

The only problem is that it is possible to execute with high stances, and middle ones if one's particulary flexible hips.

[Xiaobian]

[I am]

[xtaaxt]

I am considering going to Shaolin Temple this summer.

[Daifong]

Just think about climbing up on a pitched roof and walking around a bit to key in to a poised, relaxed feeling of gripping any surface with the toes...

Curling the toes tightens up the shoes about the arches during stepping and kicks, lending more sure-footedness and neater action...

If the floor is not too dirty, training barefoot is healthier than training with shoes...

Shoes are for safety, hygiene, utility and style!



Best,

Michael