A beginner-level physical approach to body strengthening

One of the first and simplest body conditioning exercises for the impacts (read Conditioning check for the impact) is the practice of the slapping; this practice is in fact indicated (with the right caution) also for novices.

Basic benefits:

Mental and physical preparation – It establishes the basis for the psychological (read Acceptance and prevention of pain) and physical resilience of the practitioner

– It establishes the basis for the psychological (read Acceptance and prevention of pain) and physical resilience of the practitioner Deep conditioning – Not only the body surface gets used to be beaten, with the time and the increase of our striking skills, also the internal parts

– Not only the body surface gets used to be beaten, with the time and the increase of our striking skills, also the internal parts Wellness – It improves the general state of the body in various ways (blood circulation, stabilization of the body’s compositional elements, etc.)

– It improves the general state of the body in various ways (blood circulation, stabilization of the body’s compositional elements, etc.) Health – In many cases, like a proper massage, it reduces the accumulation of harmful material (lipids, skin rashes, etc.); the skin becomes more elastic and surface fat is eliminated

– In many cases, like a proper massage, it reduces the accumulation of harmful material (lipids, skin rashes, etc.); the skin becomes more elastic and surface fat is eliminated Proprioception – It increases the perception of our body (where is what, how does it feel to be hit, etc.) and improves the Qi’s flow (read The use of Qi in the 6DKF’s meaning)

– It increases the perception of our body (where is what, how does it feel to be hit, etc.) and improves the Qi’s flow (read The use of Qi in the 6DKF’s meaning) Strengthening – It strengthens effectively and in a (relatively) secure way our muscles, bones, tendons (etc.)

– It strengthens effectively and in a (relatively) secure way our muscles, bones, tendons (etc.) …

Adavanced benefits:

Speed – With the time (and if done correctly) it makes us used to perform fast movements for long periods of time without effort (more about this on Advanced speed and reflexes training video course)

– With the time (and if done correctly) it makes us used to perform fast movements for long periods of time without effort (more about this on Advanced speed and reflexes training video course) Liquid structure – If done in the correct way, it also helps the practitioner to learn to dose / concentrate the power implementing liquid body states

– If done in the correct way, it also helps the practitioner to learn to dose / concentrate the power implementing liquid body states …

How to start with the slapping conditioning exercise

This is a very simple training that, depending on the intensity and type of impact, can be valid for all levels of experience.

Safety tips

It is important to follow these indications:

As usual, we always have to consult a physician before taking any type of training

Let’s start with very gentle / little slaps and after some weeks let’s start to increase the intensity

If we are already able to inflict very powerful blows or to concentrate the powerof our strikes (read for example The metal sphere: how to release the force of a punch or a kick), let’s limit their incisiveness with intelligence (even the most conditioned organism has limits that in a cyclical context should not be exceeded)

Especially at the beginning let’s avoid doing this practice every day (every 3-4 days it’s okay)

We must calibrate the type of impact with gradualness and in relation to the sensitivity of the area we are working on

Let’s avoid big moles and damaged / wounded / painful / ultra sensitive / etc. areas; in particular let’s be careful not to strike the ears with closed fingers or with palm (we risk damaging the eardrum with the air compression)

If we feel any kind of discomfort we must stop immediately and consult our physician

…

The basic execution

Let’s see how to (gradually) do it:

Let’s wear comfortable and thin clothes that do not affect the intensity of the blows (maximum 1 layer)

Let’s slap symmetrically every part of our body (maximum 5-10 reps per part)

The hands that slap must be open and the entire arm relaxed (let’s try to execute whip blows)

Let’s gently start from the head and let’s get to the feet, we have to try to do not exclude anything (except for genitals, breast, eyes, throat and especially the ears)

The entire exercise can be performed for a minimum of 10 minutes to a maximum of 2 hours (but only sometimes and only for experts)

…

A few variants

Sometimes, to alter the execution method described (read Same exercises, different execution):

We can try to imagine our Qi slide along the areas we hit (before, after or during practice, read Subscribe (it's free!) or Login to see this content /// //////

We can apply impact control techniques through breathing (read for example How to breathe when I get punched)

We can perform the exercise in the shower, with completely wet clothes or even under the water (but this primarily to strenghten our muscles)

…

Final notes

A few conclusive thoughts:

The first times (or after a period of inactivity), it is possible that redness or bruising may appear (eg. on fatty accumulations, on delicate skins, etc.), it is quite normal, with a constant practice it should not happen again

When the conditioning begins to be considerable we can inflict more powerful hits (eg. even using Fa Jing) but always being careful to be far from causing self-damage (more abou this in the nex articles)

This is a first approach and not the exercise itself

…

In the next article of this series, we will see the the next steps of the slapping conditioning (read Conditioning to pain: an introductory exercise).

Author: Master Kongling Founder of 6 Dragons Kung Fu. Twitter Facebook

How to master 6 Dragons Kung Fu?

Are you searching for:

Daily training exercises?

Synthetic theory and concepts?

A step by step path from white to black belt?

A path (clear, consequential and gradual) designed to build real martial skills?

A direct contact with Master Kongling?

Go to our Patreon page and choose a training plan: starting from the Practitioner level, you will gain access to all this and much more.

Inside each Premium Lesson, you will receive the same teaching (practices, tips, concepts, small secrets and corrections) reserved to the live students of Master Kongling.

Important - Once a certain number of registrations are reached, no other participants can be accepted. For more information write to: [email protected].