The Solo Drill is a dynamic qigong exercise incorporating the concept
of Fa Jing with the applications from the individual movements of Tai Chi
Chuan's Solo Form's. It is an extension of Zhan Zhuang training. The objective
is to discharge power accumulated from Zhan Zhuang training by executing
physical movements. The relationship between Zhan Zhuang training and the
Solo Drill training is that Zhan Zhuang training is a method of accumulating
power so that all the physiological organs are strong and energetic, and Solo
Drill training is the method used to discharge power through some of these
physiological organs. Therefore, skillful practitioners often focus on the
combination of internal and external training. If one emphasizes only Zhan
Zhuang training, he or she will not be able to discharge power outside the body
efficiently. On the other hand, if one emphasizes only the Solo Drill training,
there will not be enough power to discharge. From my years of teaching, I have
seen this happen to many people whom possess power but do not know what to do
with it. Therefore, Zhan Zhuang training and Solo Drill training are important
components of Tai Chi Chuan as a martial arts system. The power accumulated
from Zhan Zhuang training and discharged in the Solo Drill training is the same
as the process of moving from a physically static to a dynamic state, or in
other words "from wu chi to tai chi". Therefore, this transition is very
significent and also difficult for all practitioners to accomplish. It requires
a very special kind of person. From my experience, those that are successful
are people who have discipline, confidence, intelligence, patience and are
consistent. In addition to accomulating power, Zhan Zhuang training also
improves the practitioner's physical condition. However, this fact is often
ignored by many practitioners until one is engaging in the physically demanding
Solo Drill training. In Zhan Zhuang training, when one feels that the body is
comfortable and energetic in a particular positon after few minutes, this is a
sign that one is ready to engage in Solo Drill training.
In Solo Drill training, one should follow the concepts of 'slow is
better than fast', and 'fluid is better than hurried' to reduced the risk of
physical injury. First, one works with large and slow movements. Later, one
works with small movements with speed and power. When one is follows these
instructions, one will be able to understand all the powers changed inside the
body and performed by the body accordingly.
The training in Solo Drill is similiar to Zhan Zhuang in a few
important ways. 1) It is highly demanding of physical endurance and mental
concentration. Therefore, one should expect to experience all sorts of
discomfort and boredom at the beginning. 2) All the movements are guided by the
intent, not physical force. When one is applying physical force, the muscles
tense up and this inhibits flexibility and all circulation. Therefore, as long
as one is applying the intent to guide the chi circulation, which is
expressing outwardly in physical movement, the discomfort will be gone and the
training is achievable.
In the beginning, practicing the Solo Drill's movements are but a
series of simple exercises for the hands and feet. With experience, one will
understand the power behind each exercise is not coming only from the hands and
feet but from the whole body. This is what we call 'when the top portion moves,
the lower portion follows. When the lower portion moves, the top portion
leads.'
When one is practicing the Solo Drill, one should pay closer attention
to the mechanics of each movement. The intent and movement should be
coordinated to result in a powerful strike. The movement should be natural,
comfortable, and muscles, joints, and tendons should stay relaxed. Each
movment's motion should be large at the beginning to fine tune all the
different components, later, the same movement should have smaller motion so
that it is fast and powerful. The slower the motion, the better the control,
and focus. This is the reason why Yang Cheng Fu said that first one seeks large
movement and later seeks smaller movement.