Rooting: Building the Foundation from the Ground Up.

In all forms of martial art there is a single principle that unites them: rooting. No matter what martial art you train in, the very first lesson a student learns is the art of rooting. It comes in the form of a basic stance. The body is sunk low, with legs spread to create a wide base, and the feet are heavy on the floor. The stance is trained to help a student develop his or her raw power from the ground up. Thus, rooting is the foundation from which all forms of martial art training flows.

Yee Jee Keem Yeung Ma: The Root of Wing Chun

In Wing Chun, the stance that provides us with the root of power is known as Yee Jee Keem Yeung Ma. This stance is referred to as our mother stance, for all things Wing Chun are born from this structure.  It provides us with the foundation necessary for simultaneous attack and defense, and gives us a base from which to build our Chi, or power.

That is why Yee Jee Keem Yeung Ma is described as the basic, or rooting, stance of the art. It creates the most stable position from which to perform all techniques, including the more advanced footwork of the martial art.

Rooting from the Heels

Unlike many other forms of martial art, CRCA Wing Chun develops its rooting power from the heel of the foot. This may be foreign to many students, especially those trained in other arts, as many sink to the ground through the ball of the foot. However, CRCA Wing Chun anchors the body to the floor through the heel, creating an effective framework for proper development of the body’s bone joint alignment.

How Rooting Creates Unity

When the student first learns Yee Jee Keem Yeung Ma, body unity is very much in its infancy. The student will shift in position, and will not be able to remain stable in any of Wing Chun’s dynamic footwork. However, constant training in this position – sinking the body downward with the pelvis tilted forward over the knees and the spine straight – will center one’s gravity, driving the heels into the ground and establishing a root that stabilizes the body in its entirety.

Thus, Yee Jee Keem Yeung Ma forms a unified structure from which a student’s strength, speed, and timing are enhanced while never forsaking safety.

Training the Root

Training one’s root will take time and patience. For a student to become skilled in Wing Chun, it is not enough that he or she jump from one technique to the next without proper structure.  Doing so will only create slop; everything has to be perfect, and perfection begins with one’s root. Taking the necessary time to develop the root by constant, intentional practice will lead to a stable foundation and the potential for maximum mastery of the art.

Establishing a Root Through CRCA Wing Chun

All in all, rooting is an essential part of all martial art. Without it, the body remains disconnected and unable to generate the forces necessary to develop its maximum potential. CRCA Wing Chun creates unity through Yee Jee Keem Yeung Ma – a stance that develops a student’s strength, speed, and timing, while promoting the safety of a stable structure.

If you are interested in learning more about CRCA Wing Chun, please contact one of our instructors in your local area. We have instructors available throughout the globe who are willing to help you build a solid foundation for martial art training, no matter if you are a beginner, a novice, or a skilled expert.

 

Author: 

Barry Adamson II

Creative Writer/Editor