Straight Spine???

waapwoop · 28-04-2006, 10:07AM

Everyone has heard the term "straight spine"

Do you think it should really be straight.

I am of the opinion that it should not. It should be stretched, but not straightened. There should still be the natural curve of the spine in your stance. I think i think it should be "straight" in the sense that it should be vertical.

**hbw** · 28-04-2006, 01:46PM

I think you are right - it is impossible to straighten the spine. I don't think this should be thought of literally.
May be instead of "straight" we should say "long".

waapwoop · 28-04-2006, 01:56PM

some people lean forward, to make it look straight.

some people try to make it straight unnaturally in other ways.

Tony S · 29-04-2006, 01:56PM

I think its impossale to have a straight spine. There will always be a curve in it.

When I think of straight spine I think of Tai Gung and an analogy that was given to be by Instructor Tony in Adelaide. He says imagine that there is pole coming from the centre of your body (from your head down to the floor). This helps me.

But Im only in Grade 3 what would I know!!!

PS Does anyone have any tips on improving Sou Bong (?) and double Gaun Sau? Really having trouble with it. Would appreciate any tips. Cheers.

taz · 29-04-2006, 02:04PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony S

I think its impossale to have a straight spine. There will always be a curve in it.

When I think of straight spine I think of Tai Gung and an analogy that was given to be by Instructor Tony in Adelaide. He says imagine that there is pole coming from the centre of your body (from your head down to the floor). This helps me.

But Im only in Grade 3 what would I know!!!

PS Does anyone have any tips on improving Sou Bong (?) and double Gaun Sau? Really having trouble with it. Would appreciate any tips. Cheers.

yes the spine is strong because of the curve.

sorry, tell me again, why is there a pole from head to ground? this would be very limiting. (and painful) I some times (when sparring ) try to imagine shoveing a pole up them 'from head to floor'.

don't put yourself down for being "only level 3" you are a great level 3 , the best on the mat! we value you. you are a valable person with a great deal to offer.

PS I mainly train in inglish so i dunno the other terms? would love to help

clifford-dragon · 29-04-2006, 03:26PM

Whoopedy doo.

How about we change the name of straight punches too, since sometimes they go up and down, and the arm is never really straightened either...

Sounds to me like a game of one-upmanship played out on the jargon field.

I mean, I could get technical and say why do you want to 'stretch' your spine? Because spine movement is governed by muscle. So any form of stretching is actually holding in place with muscle. Why not just let it sit in its most natural, strongest position, so that it can act as a base for the rest of your body?

**Dong_Sau** · 29-04-2006, 05:52PM

Because natural isn't always best.

Simple example: workplace injury from lifting heavy things incorrectly. You can't argue that they aren't moving naturally, they just bend over and pick it up! It isn't until we impose rules on them saying "no no, resist the temptation to bend overs, instead keep your back straight and squat".

No, nature isn't always the best way. Nature has given us an advantage by giving us minds to think and work out better ways.

(sorry if you were playing devils advocate, but just in case, I had to pipe up)

**hbw** · 30-04-2006, 12:43AM

Who says standing tall is unnatural?
By the way CD - standing tall IS the spines most natural strongest position.

Pat Attack · 30-04-2006, 06:03AM

I think there is a 'straightening' of the lumbar curve in the wing chun stance.

I agree on stretching the spine.

Usually people have muscles on either the front, back, or one of the sides on (firing). But because it is unbalanced, it results in some sort of posture problem (kyphosis, bending forwards, lordosis, backwards, or scoliosis sideways).

The spine is pretty amazing, apparently the lumbar discs can sustain up to 300 pounds of pressure simply when you sit down. If you are bearing weight or in poor posture, this is magnified again. Its not as simple as 'your torso weighs 50 kilos, the spine supports 50 kilos'. Standing has fairly low pressure throughout the spine, and lying has the least. I think the idea is to have the spine in its most mechanically powerful position to transfer weight, and then you have to learn how to turn a variety of forces applied to your body to the spine.

When you stretch you return the spine to a more natural position.

Muscles are used. What people want to dispute is 1) the nature of contractions and 2) how much muscle is involved (as little as possible etc).

I don't think you ever get very far with trying to answer (1), although it is very interesting. I think information that helps with (2) is much better, because it is often more practical instruction.

Precious Roy · 30-04-2006, 06:06AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clifford-dragon

Whoopedy doo.

How about we change the name of straight punches too, since sometimes they go up and down, and the arm is never really straightened either...

Sounds to me like a game of one-upmanship played out on the jargon field.

I mean, I could get technical and say why do you want to 'stretch' your spine? Because spine movement is governed by muscle. So any form of stretching is actually holding in place with muscle. Why not just let it sit in its most natural, strongest position, so that it can act as a base for the rest of your body?

Hey...aren't breathing and a beating heart (as well as some other stuff) falling under that "no muscle" idea? Natural motion, intelligent design/control. shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy