Iron Palm Question

[Chosen-frozen]

I know that there are several different types of hand conditioning methods out there. I`ve been training for a little over a month in the internal method used by GM Gene Chicoine and the folks at Green Dragon Studio in Ohio. I`d appreciate some input from people who are familiar with that particular routine.
In the final meditation step as you run the chi up the back and down to the palm until you feel the pulse in your hand...I sometimes feel the pulse beating in different locations. Ie: At the base of the fingers between the 3rd and 4th finger, or between the 2nd and 3rd, or once on the back of the hand. Is this unusual? Am I doing something wrong?
Thanks.

[PaiLumDreamer]

Why don't you ask your instructor, who will know much about what he is teaching you, instead of a bunch of strangers on the internet?

[Dale Dugas]

Chosen,

Are you training under a teacher or are you doing this on your own?

[Chosen-frozen]

I`m doing it on my own. I moved to northern Japan when I accepted a job here teaching English in the public schools.

[PaiLumDreamer]

You should probably find a teacher

[NJM]

I don't want to discourage practitioners, but I have seen an influx of people wanting to learn potentially damaging qigong or iron ___ techniques on their own recently. Or maybe I'm just noticing it more than usual.

[Dale Dugas]

Originally Posted by Chosen-frozen

I`m doing it on my own. I moved to northern Japan when I accepted a job here teaching English in the public schools.

You are not living in Iwate-Ken are you??

[Chosen-frozen]

Originally Posted by Dale Dugas

You are not living in Iwate-Ken are you??

No, not Iwate-Ken. We live in Hokkaido-Ken, just outside of Sapporo. My wife is from here and we moved back about 2 years ago. It`s beautiful country, but the only MA available around here are Judo, Kyokushin Kai Karate, and Shorinji Kenpo (No, despite the name it`s about as Chinese as a chop suey pizza).

I understand you`ve taught seminars on the Chicoine method, have you got any advice or comments?

[stonewarrior67]

I Have Had The Same Problem. Are You Letting Your Hand Just Fall To The Bag Or Are You Slapping It? do Not Slap At It! Only Tighten The Hand And Wrist Area On Impact. Practice This A Few Times Before Each Different Part Of The Hand To Be Trained. Let Your Hand Fall All The Way Through Beside Your Bag And Support Blocks, Missing It Entirely. This Will Help You Break A Bad Habit If You've Already Started One.
As Far As Final Meditation, Sometimes Focusing Is Hard For Anyone. With My Left Finger(i Am Right Handed) I Touch My Belly Button, Dan Tien, Reach Down And Touch Behind My Sack(i Dont Dig In I Only Touch My Pants Or Shorts To Barely Feel It) I Touch The Base Of My Skull, The Top Of It, Then Run My Finger, As I Exhale, Down From The Top Of My Skull, Down Past My Ear To My Neck, Shoulder, Bicep, Forearm Wrist And Finally The Center Of The Palm. Now With That You Will Have Something To Concentrate On. Plus Do Not Skimp On The Time Of Final Meditation 5-6 Minutes Or Until You Get The Thump.
You Can Also Do An Awake Meditation, Stretch Out Your Arm While Watching Tv, At The Office Or Anywhere And Concentrate On Running It To Your Palm To Get The Thump.
I'll Be Interested To Read What Dale Has To Say. Good Luck And Keep Training Hard!

[bodhitree]

you're worried about iron palm when you could be training judo?

[sanjuro_ronin]

Originally Posted by bodhitree

you're worried about iron palm when you could be training judo?

Don't you know that IP is where the "judo chop" came from ??

[stonewarrior67]

i agree that learning judo in japan would be super cool and once in a lifetime experience but iron palm did not originate from japan it originated from china and a watered down version made it's way to japan. when you look at a person who trained their hand japanese style their hands resemble more of a foot with golf ball sized knuckles from hitting the makawara board. when you look at someone trained in iron palm there is no difference in the appearance except that the hand that is trained is a bit larger but one could not pick it up on first glance. with the japanese style it is all external and the injuries it produces will also be generally external. with original iron palm you can do external and internal damage. Very few people and i mean very few train seriously in either method today and i would not want to get hit by either.

[NJM]

Originally Posted by stonewarrior67

i agree that learning judo in japan would be super cool and once in a lifetime experience but iron palm did not originate from japan it originated from china and a watered down version made it's way to japan. when you look at a person who trained their hand japanese style their hands resemble more of a foot with golf ball sized knuckles from hitting the makawara board. when you look at someone trained in iron palm there is no difference in the appearance except that the hand that is trained is a bit larger but one could not pick it up on first glance. with the japanese style it is all external and the injuries it produces will also be generally external. with original iron palm you can do external and internal damage. Very few people and i mean very few train seriously in either method today and i would not want to get hit by either.

Nicely put.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Having done both ( Judo and IP), they compliment each other very nicely.

[Chosen-frozen]

My wife`s older brother Tastuo is a retired college Judo coach and I`ve gone to 3 different Judo clubs with him. I`m not particullarly impressed. It` great in a strictly limited environment where both guys are only trying to throw or get a take down. And everyone I`ve met has had great physical conditioning.

But the few guys I`ve crossed arms with are suckers for chin na, it shuts them down right now. Then they`ve been easy to throw or sweep. And even though I don`t know any Judo most of them have a very tough time throwing me because they can`t break my balance easily. (Thank you Uncle Burl for making me do stances for hours and hours you sadistic SOB)

I`d be more interested in trying Sumo. And I`d give my eye teeth to find someone here who knew Shuai Jiao. Oddly enough even though the movement and theory are 100% different Sumo and Shuai Jiao are written with the same characters. Weird.