Wuji, Taiji and the Fundamentals of Taoist Inner Alchemy

The symbol commonly known as a "yin-yang" is more accurately named "taijitu" and it is a symbol of far greater depth and profundity than western minds tend to grasp. Ask the average American what the symbol to the left means and you will often get an answer like "it is about opposites and how, like, there is a little bit of good in bad and a little bit of bad in good" which is not only oversimplification, but actually well off the mark.

Firstly, there is the circle. In Taoist philosophy, a simple open circle, usually painted in such a way that the brush stroke does not fully connect or close it, represents "wuji" or the primordial state. "Wu" roughly translates to "nothing" or "emptiness" or simply "without" something. "Ji" is sometimes mistakenly translated as "energy" (perhaps confusing it with "jing" which will be discussed later) when it actually represents the polaric field, or presence of physical laws/limitations.

Ergo, "wuji" is "without limit" and "taiji" is "the extremity of limits" and here is where we run into further confusion. Most westerners have heard of "Tai Chi" and may be proud of themselves for knowing "well ACTUALLY it is 'tai chi CHUAN' and it is a fighting style, not just moving meditation" yet, again, oversimplification to the point of mistaken identity. More appropriately spelled "taijiquan" is, in fact, a martial art, can, in fact, be used quite adequately for real-world self defense, even against modern weapons -and it is ALSO moving meditation- I know, confusing for westerners... How can meditation be about fighting? How can practicing inner peace and mindfulness have anything to do with violence? Doesn't "tijiquan" mean "supreme ultimate fist" and represent the most powerful of all martial arts?

....Don't believe everything you read on the internet... Even this... Always question, always seek, always strive to delve deeper. Any system of philosophy, spirituality, or even martial arts should allow you to explore endlessly and never find the bottom. Remember that.

What I can tell you is only what I have come to know in the way I have come to know it. My explanation is not the ultimate explanation, but it is another way of looking at something that, in my opinion, is glossed over, particularly in Western culture, likely due in no small part to the fact that this culture is taught to value brute force and assertive strength over gentleness and passive strength -an imbalance which we shall address shortly- but first; What does "taiji" mean?

Okay, try and follow this... wu-ji is not just void or emptiness, but rather total potential for everything, only without any direction or form. Think of the universe before the "big bang" -that's wuji. Seriously and literally, that is what it is. There are philosophical implications, and martial ones too, such as the state of "no-mind" cultivated in some styles. In essence, wuji is ultimate potential, but it is also a state of rest. It is like standing at the crossroads of all time and space, only with no established directions, no laws of gravity or physics, no action by which to determine causality... all of that comes with tai-ji. 

Think of the simple experiment you probably saw in science class as a kid; you place a magnet under a clear plastic sheet or table, then you sprinkle iron shavings on the surface and drum on it lightly until they start to form a pattern. That pattern marks out the magnetic field and shows the two distinct poles. Wuji would be the formlessness before establishing where the poles are, or, more accurately, it would be what you saw if the energy was there, but the poles were not... but since this is physical reality, and the state of taiji has already been established, there is no way for us to actually see that within the limits of this physical world.

So taiji is translated to "supreme ultimate" due, essentially, to laziness with expressing esoteric concepts. "Ji" is the essence of polarity, limit, law, or anything really which establishes, organizes, or classifies things in any way. "Wuji" is the absence of those things, accepting the presence and existence of all those things as yet to be organized, classified and established into their limiting categories. "Taiji" the the expression of the extremities of reach and ultimate scope of the same. 

Yin and Yang are expressions of Ji, they are the essences of respective polarity in all things. Good and bad, light and dark, male and female, are extremely rudimentary expressions of yin and yang. In my opinion, the best words to describe yang are expansion, assertion and hardness. For yin- concentration, receptiveness, and softness. They apply, of course, to all things, but the point is they are less fixed and more flowing than is commonly understood or expressed. Think of them more as modes of transition rather than fixed states, in other words.

To try and illustrate this, let's go with something I hope everyone can understand. Taxonomically, humans are considered sexually dimorphic; meaning there are 2 biologically defined sexes as expressed by distinct sets of physical features. In this case, male is considered yang and female yin. However, it is now well established in psychology and neurology that human beings do not always typify their biological gender. Ergo, a male can have a lot more "yin" traits and females are fully capable of expressing "yang" energy, even above and beyond that of a "biological male". We are all made up of both, and express each in different ways and to greater and lesser degrees. There are even biological things that can manifest in a human being a combination of sexes to greater and lesser degrees, so the whole notion of trying to categorize everyone and everything into strictly binary categories is demonstrably absurd.

A better way to look at yin and yang, or the "taijitu" is in terms of cyclical flow. When you are awake, for instance, you are generally in yang mode. When you are sleeping, you are in a yin state. However, R.E.M sleep is the yang phase of the sleep cycle whereas N.R.E.M is the yin phase of this particular "yin" state. Likewise, when we are awake and doing physical labor or working out, for example, that is a yang state within our regular yang phase, but when we are spacing out in front of a TV or computer screen, that is a yin state in our yang phase. To take it even further, when you get "in the zone" of your workout, you have gone into a yin phase within your yang state within your yang phase of your daily cycle, and when you are crunching the numbers for an assignment which is coming up on its deadline, you are in a yang phase of a yin state in your yang phase of your daily cycle!

To call yang "good" and yin "bad" would be the same as saying we would all be healthier if we only inhaled and never exhaled because inhaling is yang and exhaling is yin. It is like saying the world would be a better place if the sun never set, because day is yang and night is yin. We need both. We are both. There is no existence without both, and neither is "good" or "evil" in itself. The only danger is excess or imbalance which manifests from giving too much energy to one or the other.

The point is yin and yang are never stagnant and THAT is the reason for the swirling design and presence of the dots within the black and white fields. They are not "a little bit of this in that" but more like a fractal of the empty wuji circle being reflected in endless repetition through the constant interplay of yin and yang which themselves never capture or reflect the true reality of wuji because, like a mirror, they can only ever show one side due to the limiting nature of physical reality. 

In short, we are all constantly chasing our original nature. Not just humans, but all things. Just like rivers running to the sea or water evaporating and falling as rain, all of creation is constantly shifting between yin and yang- seeking expression of itself in different forms, always chasing that limitlessness that is a distant memory of wuji, though it is forever bound by taiji to be no more than half of what it could be, and infinitely less than what it was.

With the understanding of "wuji" we may also come to understand "wu wei" another commonly misinterpreted term in the western world...

As explained above, "wu" is the state of limitless potential in a formlessness state.

To understand "wei" let us begin by stating that martial arts and qigong practices are divided into "weidan" and "neidan" with neidan being those which are more internal and sedentary, like meditation, and weidan being those that are more active, such as physical exercise or the moving qigong most are more familiar with.

Westerners tend to translate "wu wei" as "doing nothing" or "non action" when in reality it is action by definition- being "wei"

Again, "wu" is not "nothing" but rather everything, just without definition. "Wei" is action or movement. Therefore "wu wei" is perhaps more clearly expressed as "action without attachment to outcome"

For me, wu wei is like surfing. You can't control when the wave will come, or where it will take you, you just wait until you feel the pull of the ocean and prepare to ride. You still have to kick your legs to climb the crest, but you have to let the wave lift you and drive you. It is a state of simultaneous surrender and gentle action. That's wu wei.

Martial arts like taijiquan and aikido are partially physical expressions of wu wei, so training in these arts can lead to a deeper understanding of the principle.

Now, on to inner alchemy. Here we will analyze both the Taoist and yogic models together and how they relate to one another.

It is no mistake that qigong is alternatively known as "taoist yoga." The fundamental principles that birthed the practice came over from India along with those of Buddhism, and even martial arts. India is home of one of the oldest civilizations on earth. Theories of medical qigong, acupuncture, and Chinese herbalism all originated there as well. This is not to say that all Chinese, and, later, Japanese arts (martial, healing, philosophical, etc) are not distinct creations of their own cultures, but rather than they all share a common root, or, put more poetically (and perhaps more correctly) they are like branches of a river, all flowing from a common source.

Inner alchemy is the study of the vital energies and the fields they generate (auras, for instance) along with the practice of cultivating those energies and altering those fields. It is the true goal of qigong. Even those who practice qigong for strictly physical purposes are still affecting the physical body through inner alchemy of the energetic body, though they may not be aware of this fact. Some (particularly in the west) willfully ignore it even, for fear moral conflict (some christians worry that such practices are demonic in nature) or reluctance to accept the existence of energies which science has yet to explain (though there are currently entire fields of sciences dedicated to just such endeavors- dark energy for example). One can, in fact (without looking too hard) find scientific papers and clinical studies which have proven legitimate and measurable results derived from practices like qigong, meditation, and yoga.

Some Taoists make inner alchemy an obsession. There are various methods of using breath, physical exercise, meditation, and even sex to build vital energies for the practice of inner alchemy. It all starts with jing, which is basic physical energy. Sexual energy is one of the more potent forms of jing and arousal without release is one of many methods used to build personal jing. There are also practices which involve establishing an energetic connection with a partner and cycling the energy between you both. This is what many westerners think of when they think about "tantra" though, in India, the true practice of tantra has many other facets and goes far deeper than just "sex magic" as it has been reduced to.

"Qi" and "chi" are one in the same, and the yogis would call it "prana" -all of them mean "breath" but it is more than the simple act of breathing, it is the essence of life which is absorbed and expressed through breathing. This is why inhaling and exhaling at the correct points is so vital to internal martial arts such as taiji and qigong. The entire practice of pranayama is dedicated to the breath, and may accurately be called "breath yoga."

Shen is probably the least discussed, and likely because it is the most difficult to describe. Shen is not simply "spiritual energy" it is the essence of Spirit itself. Shen is what makes everything come into being, but that which exists in physical form is only the vessel of jing. Shen is that which is before anything is-es... Shen is the state from whence all came, and to which all returns. We only touch shen like the clouds touch the sky before falling again as rain...

Kundalini is a totally separate energy, but one which can give us a stronger connection to Shen while simultaneously increasing our Jing (because of the microcosmic cycle, increasing any one of the "three treasures" ultimately increases the others). Skeptics balk at the notion of any such energies, particularly that of kundalini, yet anyone who goes to the process of awakening it can attest that it is undeniable.There is no stronger energy to be found within the human form than that of kundalini. It is palpable and its effects are profoundly felt in the physical body as well as the emotional, spiritual, mental, and social arenas. I have personally gone down this path, and, no, drugs are most certainly not necessary, but the effects it has on the consciousness may sometimes seem like it. As others before me have said, do not go lightly into this. Pushing too hard and awakening too fast can have serious side effects. Even done gently, and under the guidance of an experienced guru, kundalini awakening is going to cause considerable discomfort and force you to deal with things you would rather ignore. Nonetheless, it is probably the best way to access higher levels of inner alchemy.

Closing

So, when it comes to martial arts, qigong is the cultivation of vital energy, primarily through breath, but also through movement and meditation. NeiDan and WeiDan are the yin and yang aspects of qigong respectively, yet the whole essence and aim of the practice is to bring the two into harmony.

Tai Chi Chuan is not "supreme ultimate fist" but taijiquan- the fighting technique (quan) of extreme limits (taiji) or transitioning polarities. If you will look again at taijiquan as it is applied in combat this should become apparent- it blends with the opponent and reverses directions or pulls/pushes to extremes, shifting seamlessly between hardness and softness. The meditative and physical benefits come along with the practice, but it is, at its core, a fighting style first, and "exercise" second. Yoga, and qigong, on the other hand, are primarily spiritual exercises with physical results following in typical Eastern holistic fashion.

Through the study of inner alchemy, we come to a deeper understanding of the energies we have to work with, and through the practice of inner alchemy, we learn to apply and utilize these energies in various ways. It begins with refinement of self, then leads to unity with nature- wherein the illusion of "self" begins to fade, ultimately giving way to merging with others. It is through this ability to "blend" with another that the seemingly "supernatural" abilities of the practitioners emerge. Whether you use this for healing or fighting, the process is the same, which is why "inner peace" and gentleness are such a big part of the practices, regardless of their intent. 

The value of these things in martial arts is beyond measure. The "three treasures" of jing, chi, and shen, are aptly named, for they can be used to help protect us from harm, heal injuries more effectively, and deliver much greater power in our execution of technique, not to mention increasing our overall vitality, focus, and general stability.

The young are prone to thinking only the fast, hard, and overtly violent has any value in the fighting arts. No matter how many fights you win, however, time and age are indomitable and will defeat all eventually. The "internal arts" are cherished by the mature martial artist who is more concerned with self preservation than with showing off. These practices are of value to everyone, and can enhance any practice, martial or otherwise, for young and old alike... but none can be convinced of this truth before they are ready to accept it. So I shall now leave you with verses from the immortal Lao Tzu-

"Out of The Tao came The One.

From The One, Two.

Out of Two, Three.

And out of The Three come the ten thousand things.

The ten thousand things carry yin on their backs and clutch yang to their breast.

Harmony is achieved by combining these forces in the two breaths.

People loath to be 'lonely,' 'needy,' or 'worthless,'

Yet this is how kings and lords describe themselves.

For one gains by losing

And loses by gaining.

The maxims that others use in their teaching I too will use in mine. Show me a man of violence that came to a good end, and I will take him for my teacher."

(Wuji is "The One" yin and yang are "Two" and the taijitu is the constant interplay of these principles or "Three" and "the ten-thousand things" is the expression Lao Tzu used to describe worldly creation. All things contain yin and yang, and we harmonize these forces "in the two breaths" or qigong and inner alchemy. To be humble is to be exalted, and spiritual power is accumulated not by taking, but by giving. To live for violence is self-destructive, but the traveler on the path of peace is no stranger to violence, they simply do not seek it. Martial arts should always be holistic systems which teach peace and war, physical development and spiritual development, healing and hurting when each is called for. Seek BALANCE, my friends... balance in all things...)

Addendum; Regarding modern, Western, science and the legitimacy of the three modes of energy-

Jing is the Chinese esoteric name for what science now measures in things like calories and newtons. In Chinese esoteric philosophy, jing become chi which becomes shen. "Chi" is sometimes translated as "breath" and it is the "breath" that is used as the primary vehicle for transporting "chi" throughout the body in exercises like qigong. It is also "breath control" that is used in many martial arts as a means of maximizing force of a technique. THAT is textbook chi when you actually understand what it literally means in the context that the masters who put it into their martial arts meant it. "Shen" is the one we are only beginning to understand scientifically, but it is related to the bio-electric, bio-magnetic, and bio-chemical signals sent and received by our bodies as a sort of radiant field or "aura" if you will. These too are very real and measurable phenomena. "Chi masters" or advanced practitioners of qigong have been recorded under controlled laboratory conditions generating extreme low frequency sound waves by "channeling chi" as they would when treating a patient. These are the same kinds of frequencies with which elephant communicate because they are capable of traveling great distances and even penetrating solid objects without losing too much of their integrity- just the kind of vehicle you would need to, say, penetrate deep into body tissues...

Kysho and Dim-Mak for 1 Hit Knockouts, Control and Submissions

It has been said before, and will be said again, just because a technique CAN result in the fabled "one-punch knockout" does not meant it necessarily WILL. However, by the same token, just because it WON'T necessarily result in knockout, brain injury, or death, doesn't mean we SHOULDN'T treat it as such. We don't want any accidental deaths in sparring practice, but we also don't want overconfidence in a street fight or defensive situation. Therefore, practice with caution, fight for your life with ferocity and mercilessness, and be ready to continue the fight until it is done, but ONLY until it is done. Trust me, there is such a thing as "excessive force" and the police WILL charge you if you make a significant enough mess of the person, even if they were mugging you at the time.

In short, 

please utilize the following information judiciously!

Knockout points of the head, face, and neck

GB20, lower portion of the occipital bone. Strike in and up to stress the lambdoid suture, as if driving the force through the opposite corner of the skull. For example, if striking on the right-lower side of the skull, you want to drive it at an angle just above and to the left of the left eye, about the area where the forehead starts to curve toward the temple. Somewhat ironically this is also one of the points we utilize in revival from knockout techniques.

The asterion (I believe this is about the area of GB11 or 19) is the convergence of three cranial bones and is also quite vulnerable. Strike this with a hammerfist or iron palm at an angle driving more or less through the center of the skull. Striking this point with a yawara could easily cause brain damage, or even kill.

GV16 is another one, better known as the brain stem. An ax kick or a sharp stomp with the blade of the foot will kill if targeted at this point. A solid blow with a weapon, or a strong enough strike with the hand could at least cause paralysis. Again, NOTE that this is a KILL point! This was a favored "ender" in the old L.I.N.E system used in the American military.

GV22, also known as the anterior fontanel or "soft spot" on babies which hardens into the coronal suture as we mature. A solid palm thrust, driving down through the spine can kill, result in coma, brain damage, or unconsciousness. Striking this target with a fist is not recommended.

There is a cluster of points above each eye. The first is about the center, just at the peak of the brow bone, then there are two more arranged like corners of a triangle going up from that point toward the hairline. Strike these with inward and downward force using a palm heel or an elbow. In either case, your fingers would be pointing toward the GROUND not the sky, please note that. These points are known as GB13-14&15 in acupuncture/acupressure.

SI17 and ST9 can both be struck with a knife hand or ridge hand to the neck. I talked about using the "iron bone hand" from the bubishi to do just this (while also attacking the trachea) in my video. Anatomically speaking, this area is called the carotid sinus.

GB4 is located right about the convergence of the frontal and parietal bones with the sphenoid. The temporal branch of the temporo-malar nerve is located here as well. Attack this more or less straight on with an ever-so-slightly downward angle, almost as if driving through a point between the cheekbone and jaw joint on the other side of the head. Probe this area with ipponken and toy with the angle for a minute and you will get it. As this is a bony area, palm strikes are generally recommended, but a well conditioned fist can still give slightly better results with this target, accepting the risk of self-injury.

GB1 is located over the sphenoid, just behind the eye or, anatomically speaking, the zygomatic bone. The lacrimal nerve is located here as well and simply pressing into it with ipponken at an angle going toward the zygomatic bone, and slightly down will cause significant pain. Applied in this way it is a good "get off me" point justlike the mental nerve in the chin. Knockout, is best achieved using a hammerfist strike to the same point at the same angle, but is much more effective when executed with a yawara. It is also possible to produce unconsciousness, or even brain damage, with ipponken. This point DOES have the potential to kill!

The pit behind the ear -TW17- is located over the styloid process, just between the mastoid and condyloid processes. You will feel these as the "bumps" to either side of the point, the skull and tip of the jaw bone respectively. Both of these are vulnerable as well, but the styloid is the smallest and most vulnerable, which is why it is protected by the other two thicker bones. As such, you need a particularly small tool to effectively attack it. Ipponken are your best option, failing a yawara or koppo tapered to about the diameter of the blunt end of an ink pen. The angle of attack should drive toward the forehead, more or less between the eyes. Just poking this on yourself with your own knuckle will help you quickly find the correct angle.

GB2 is located right on top of the condyloid process and attacking at an angle going in and down as if through the bottom of the chin where it meets the neck may produce unconsciousness, and is quite likely to break or dislocate the jaw. The auriculo-temporal nerve runs through here and is best attacked with a hook punch, hammer punch, back fist, or downward palm. Elbows are good too.

My personal favorite is not an acupuncture point at all. Call it "CV23.5" located under the chin, toward the front, in the horseshoe shaped hollow formed by the jaw bone. I know this one works, and have done considerable research as to why. It is essentially a control point that gives you optimal leverage over the body. I use this one in classes all the time to illustrate how you really can get maximal effect with minimal effort if you know the proper application and technique. In demonstrations I will have the smallest participant (often a child) push two fingers into this point as if trying to drive them through the top and back of the head. The body is easily pushed back, off balance, or, if the person is not overly committed to a rooted stance, they can be walked backward and even moved around the space. I teach people to use sweeping arms to this point, coupled with limb control over the assailant's arm, to throw them, and even destroy the arm under the assailant's own body weight as they fall. It is my theory that its effectiveness as a knockout point is due to this phenomenal leverage it grants us over the body. A sharp, heavy blow drives the head up and back so quickly it causes a sort of "whiplash" effect shocking the occipital lobe and/or cerebellum. A branch of the trigeminal nerve lies in this area as well, so it is likely that broader weapons, such as a fist or wrist, will shock this nerve whilst rocking the skull. Drive this blow up and forward, in a "come hither" (circling toward yourself) fashion. One of my signature moves is a rising wrist (kakuto) to the point followed by a crane beak (washide) to the trachea at CV23. This is a tried and tested fight ender. NOTE; a hard enough strike to the trachea will cause DEATH by asphyxiation!

Body shot knock-outs

There are many points on the trunk of the body, as well as in the arms and legs. These are somewhat less effective in my experience at producing a full knockout. The body tends to be more well conditioned to take blows, and the musculature is denser, providing a sort of armor for the vital points, especially in an adrenalized state. However, when all you have available is a body target, it is still best to strike the most vulnerable ones. The following can cause a knockout, or even kill, but, at the very least, are some of the most likely to give you a window of opportunity at better targets.

CV15, the xiphoid process, is a good place to wind someone, and can cause severe injury or knockout when struck at an angle driving through the body up toward the space between the shoulder blades.

CV17 is located on the sternum more or less between the nipples. The intercostal nerves branch out all around the chest. Just to either side and down are the K23 points. On the left side, this is right over the left ventricle. This area is known as the praecordium of the heart. It is well known that a direct blow to this area can result in "commotio cordis" and that this most commonly happens in physical sports. It is also exceedingly rare, considering that the only way to stop the heart in this way is for the blow to occur during the tiny window between heartbeats when the heart muscle is repolarizing. Because a blow aimed at these points also attacks the nerves of the chest and shocks the aorta, commotio cordis becomes a bit more likely. The method of attack is dead-on through the center. A series of quick, hard blows increases the chances even further as timing is the most critical factor. Finally, increased heart rate and hypoxia due to exhaustion and lack of breath also contribute to the likelihood of commotio cordis. NOTE; This is not a simple knockout. THIS IS A KILLING TECHNIQUE. Period.

LI14 and GB24 on the right side are located just under the liver, at the tips of the ribs in the connecting cartilege. An uppercut or knee to this area can severely impact the liver, causing a cascade of problems in the body which can result in knockout, or at least loss of will to fight.

The floating ribs, being the lower most two on each side, are an ideal target for knees and shin kicks. Driving them in and up can potentially puncture the lungs and organs. They are also easily broken. In either case it can put someone out of a fight and make it difficult to breathe.

In the meat of each rib is a vein, an artery, and a nerve. These nerves are known as the "intercostal nerves" and the can cause the muscles around the lungs to contract if they are shocked. This is the indirect method of applying "bi qi" or "stopping the breath" in qin-na as with hooking a claw into these nerves. With proper timing, either grabbing or striking these points can result in knockout from lack of oxygen. Leopard fists, knees and elbows are the ideal striking weapons for these targets located both on the front and back of the rib cage.

CV1 is located at the perineum and marks the point of the pelvic triangle which continues up from that point to either side of the groin, in the creases of the legs, up to and across the pubic bone. There are a plethora of nerve and blood vessel points in this area. Knees are the best way to attack these points, or the leopard paw if you are striking from a low position. While the testicles are, obviously, an extremely vulnerable target and potential fight ender (though not as often as you might think) the targets within the pelvic triangle are universal and work on men and women alike. The "poke kick" is another common way to attack these points, though I personally feel that this kick puts you in a vulnerable position and prefer not to use it.

GV2, better known as the tailbone or coccyx is ideally attacked with an upward thrusting knee, angled ever so slightly inward, as if at an angle to drive through the breast bone. The coccyx is easily broken, and sufficient trauma can actually damage the spinal cord and result in paralysis, either temporary or permanent.

Points to drop, stun, and deter attackers

The following few points are not necessarily knockouts but they do help to control an attacker and make them move in somewhat more predictable ways in order to set up counter-attacks on more effective targets.

Arm- The median, radial, and ulnar nerves run down from the neck, into the armpit and shoulder, then down the upper arm, branching into three main branches at the elbow, down the forearm, and then branching again into the hand and down into the fingers. There are vulnerable heart and lung meridian points running mostly along the outside edges of the forearm, small intestine and large intestine points  are found on the upper arm, and pericardium and triple warmer points located centrally on the inside (underside) and outside (top) of the arm respectively. Most of these are related to the aforementioned nerves or significant blood vessels- the brachial artery and basilic vein in the upper arm, or the ulnar and radial arteries in the forearm. Of these, the most vulnerable are those on either end of the bicep and tricep, and the joint of the elbow. LU3&5, HT1,2&3, TW10,11&13, PC2&3 as well as SI8 all respond well to various fists. TW11 and SI8 also respond well to being pressed in and forward (or toward ground and toward the wrist if you have them bent over) using the bones of the forearm while extending the assailant's arm as with a wrist lock. This technique is good for controlling and submission. SI9 is located in the hollow formed at the meeting of the triceps and teres minor under the deltoid. It is a point where the brachial plexus is most vulnerable. Strike up and in at a 45 degree angle, as if driving through the head, with ipponken or panther fist. This will sometimes briefly paralyze the arm, which may cause an assailant to drop their weapon should they be holding one on the adjoining hand.The forearm tends to be much tougher in most people and striking points typically gives little to no response. The most vulnerable points are those located about the wrist- PC5,6&7, HT4,5,6&7, LU7,8&9, SI5&6, TW4&7- all work alright for control points when grappling, as with eagle claw techniques, or may respond to strikes with the forearm at an angle driving toward the wrist bones. Note that angle is in and forward, except in the case of TW4 which is on the other side of the wrist bone and is therefore driven back toward the body rather than toward the hand. Because this point is located in a hollow, ipponken is better for striking it rather than using forearm push.

Leg- SP11 and GB31 are on the inside and outside of the thigh respectively, about midway down, roughly where the fingertips reach when the arms are at the sides, relaxed. They are located over the obturator nerve and lateral femoral cutaneous nerves respectively. SP11 is located between the satorius and abductor longus muscles. The saphneous nerve also runs down from here. GB31 is in the crease between the rectus femoris and the tensor fasciae latae at the upper end of the vastus lateralis muscle. SP10 and ST34 are on either side of the upper knee. SP10 is located on top of the saphenous nerve, at a point where it lies very close to the surface, and is therefore much easier to hit than above at SP11. A direct blow to any of these will cause the leg to buckle. Strike SP11 on a line driving down and through the other side of the knee so as to impact the nerve against the end of the femur. Strike SP11 and GB31 more or less dead-on. ST34, on the outside of the knee, is an ideal target for breaking the knee or dislocating the joint. A stomping kick on a line driving toward the ground directly under the assailant's body is the proper angle of attack. The back of the knee, right above the calf, in the bend, is BL40 which is located atop the popliteal artery and vein as well as the tibial nerve. Even a glancing blow will hit the fibial nerve instead. It is also a weak point in the joint of the knee. Driving through and down at about a 45 degree angle will take the leg out and may dislocate the knee.

Upper body- on the face, the mental nerve, infraorbital nerve, and buccal nerve are all viable targets even at extreme close range, as when pinned to the floor or against a wall. Targets corresponding to these nerves include ST2&3, LI19&20, GV26, 27&28 and CV24 on the chin. All of these respond to pressing with the knuckles in and downward, in a small circle, somewhat like the motion of knocking on a door. CV22 at the suprasternal notch and ST12 behind the clavicle, just next to the tip of sternocleidomastoid, about straight up from the nipple. Both can be activated by hooking behind the bone and pressing down and forward, pulling toward yourself. These attack major arteries and nerves, which sets off alarms in the body. Though some would call these "knockout" points, I consider them more control points or "get off me points" as I sometimes call them. However, stab wounds to these clavicle points can result in a significant arterial bleed. HT1 is located in the armpit, atop the axillary nerve, artery, and vein, in front of the teres major where it is overlain by the latissimus dorsi. It may be punched, but responds best (in my experience) to being pinched and rolled as with a "crab claw" type of technique. This point could be grabbed and shaken, as with an eagle or tiger claw, but the vital anatomy tends to get missed or lost under the musculature. Furthermore, this is not a good control point because it grants no significant leverage over the limb so as to facilitate locks or submission holds. What it IS good for is use as a "get-off-me" point. The crab claw leaves the fingers open so that it does not stop the assailant when they reflexively try to get away. As they jerk backward, it may open up targets in the neck, torso, or groin. At the front of the armpit, more into the chest, is PC1 just above and to the outside of the nipple in men, or at the convergence of the armpit and breast in women. Note that this point is BEHIND the pectoralis major muscle on the long thoracic nerve. The upper and lower subscapular nerves run near here as well as branches of the subscapular artery. This point gives us access to the deeper tissues which protect this vital viscera. Because it is behind a large sheet of muscle, it would take a very hard and deeply penetrating blow to go through it. While this can be done with a well conditioned ipponken, I personally recommend the "crab claw" once again, this time going in from the side (by the armpit) then pressing into the chest cavity, driving toward the spine, with the fingertips. As with HT1 this is not a good control point, but causes significant enough shock to potentially result in "neural override" causing the body to react to protect itself in spite of the assailant's intentions. Both of these points can help you when pinned down and your arms are trapped at your sides, below theirs. 

Feet and hands- There are many, many points in the hands, feet, fingers and toes, with entire schools of massage and acupressure devoted to complete treatment of the entire body using these points. However, for self-defense purposes, my experience has shown me there are really only a few worth mention. It will help to remember that the foot and hand mirror each other similarly to how the leg and arm do. Simply put, they are practically the same structure with all of the vital points in relatively the same locations. The big toe and the thumb are twins, the pinkie finger and pinkie toe, and everything in between. (or, for the arm and leg- elbow=knee, wrist=ankle, hand=foot, forearm=shin, upper arm=thigh, armpit=groin). TW3 and GB41, LI4 and LV3 are situated similarly between the 4th&5th, 1st&2nd digits respectively. Feel for the "V" in the bones, press straight down, then angle in toward the center of the "V" and you should experience significant pain. There are major nerves and blood vessels in both locations. In fact, serious enough trauma could cause a significant internal bleeding, thought it is rare. There is another point, though it has no significance in acupressure or acupuncture which I am aware of, but it sits between the 3rd and 4th digits, about the middle of the back of the hand or top of the foot, but slightly up from dead-center, more toward the digits. Again, feel for the "V" in the bones, just above the harder, raised portion that transitions into the joint where it connects with the limb. Same method of application, press in, then toward the crux of the "V." Now, it should go without saying, but trying to grab and "claw" the foot points is useless when the assailant is wearing shoes. Nonetheless, they still work as leverage points for applying joint locks. When applying locks it helps to think in "small circles" and "point-counterpoint," that is to say apply pressure in a circular manner while applying counter-pressure into the next point that imaginary circle come into contact with, pressing that point in turn toward the other. The points are TW3-L8, LI4-H6. GB41-K6, LV3-BL62 and the "extra" points connect to PC6 and BL60 in the hand and foot respectively.

Hand Techniques (With Pictures!)

The Ji Hands;

These are the hands of the Karate classic "wu bei zhi" or bubishi. It is believed to be related to white crane style (He-Quan) gongfu. The ji hands are a subject of much study and debate. I truly don't think anyone knows for certain which interpretation is correct. Following are my own theories.

Iron Bone Hand

Haito,Kote Uchi, and Boshi Ken

The iron bone hand is formed by extending the fingers, sliding the thumb down the palm to about the third finger, tightening the muscles of the hand, then angling the hand down so that the bones under the first finger line up with the radius bone in supination. That is to say, the arm should be rotated so that the bones are parallel, not twisted. The primary striking weapon is below the knuckle where the first finger joins the hand. The forearm is a secondary weapon and the thumb bone may also be used as a hard striking surface with the hand swung in a "slap" as a tertiary weapon. This technique delivers penetrating blows into body tissues and is good for soft and moderately hard surfaces.

Iron Sand Palm
Teisho

My theory is that this is a palm strike using the upper portion of the palm, with the heel as a secondary weapon. It is good for softer targets like the nose and diaphragm. By flexing the fingers backward the insides of the knuckle bones push forward, creating a series of hard "pressure point" weapons. This is also dangerous for the fingers, however, as it puts them in a hyperextended position, thus making them more prone to breakage if struck. However, it also stiffens them, making a tertiary "claw" type weapon for poking and gouging. According to the text, conditioning with hand by striking at hot sand is the traditional method, and vibrating force is also used in conjunction with this strike.

Blood Pool Hand
Kakuto, Washide

My theory is that this is essentially an open crane beak. The description given in the text leads me to believe that striking with this hand is meant to cause internal hemorrhage. In tui na, we use a cupping percussion to draw blood to the surface, and thus it is my theory that the text is referring to what basically amounts to a malicious version of the same technique. To perform this strike, the body is first struck with an open hand and, at the last instant, the hand is cupped and snapped back. There should be a loud "pop" is performed correctly. When striking at blood vessels close to the surface of the skin, this has a chance of rupturing them. In addition, the knuckles of this hand can be whipped back or rotated forward, or the fingers driven in behind bones with rotational force, with the thumb reinforcing the grip. As such, the blood pool hand is more or less the predecessor for two following techniques, the crane beak and crab claw.

Claw Hand

This is an open handed slap in which the fingers are used for hooking and ripping at the body. The initial impact is made with the palm, and the motion of the arm continues in circular fashion, allowing the fingers to catch and pull at areas such as the jaw. This also works for striking and swiping limbs out of the way in defense. Performed correctly, moving the hand down the body center and out to the side, using explosive jing transmitted from the core, this sort of "offensive-defense" can pull the assailant off balance and leave them exposed. I taught my 8 year old to do this to me, and he is half my height and one quarter my weight, so one does not have to be particularly strong to achieve this effect.

Sword Hand
Shuto, Seiryuto

It is my belief that this is nothing more than a standard ridge or knife hand strike. Striking with the thumb side (ridge hand) creates three vital point striking areas- the side of the knuckle below the first finger, and the two lower joints of the thumb. The opposite side of the hand creates a narrower blade and one vital point striking surface- the side of the knuckle below the little finger. This technique has good penetrating force and can be used to effectively attack the bones at the joint as well as nerves and blood vessels which may  be concealed more deeply inside body tissues.

One Blade of Grass Hand
Ippon Nukite

The first finger is extended and the other fingers are bent at the second knuckle. The thumb presses into the side of the first finger, while the rest exert counter pressure to reinforce the structure. This would be used in the same manner as "sword secret" to follow which I find to be a superior structure to the above.

Striking Hands;

These are techniques from various schools which I personally favor and the manner in which I use them.

Crane Beak

Washide

All four fingers are drawn together at the thumb. The second and third fingers press down into the thumb tip and the thumb into them. The first and fourth fingers push more toward the middle, from the sides, thus reinforcing the structure. Care should be taken to hold the thumb straighter than it is in the pictures. Sorry about that, angling was awkward and I got distracted. This is a versatile technique which, in my opinion, is highly underrated. The wrist, knuckles and fingertips are all valid striking weapons. The knuckles may be whipped back (toward the arm) or rolled forward (toward the wrist) to strike penetrating blows to vulnerable points (kyusho/dianxue targets) or the fingers thrust forward for the same. In all of these cases, the practitioner needs to use Fa Jin "explosive/short power" generated at lower dan tien and directed into the target through the attacking limb. When properly executed, this allows for effective strikes to be landed with little to no "wind-up" distance, thus also affording greater speed. The wrist strike can be used even against hard surfaces to expose more vulnerable targets.

Diamond Fist

Nakadaka ippon ken

The middle knuckle is extended while the first and third fingers squeeze either side of the second. The thumb then comes across to further reinforce by pressing the fingers tightly together and giving the first knuckle of the middle finger something to press against at the same time. This is used for penetrating blows, particularly into the muscles and tendons. 

Ridge Hand

Haito

The thumb and hand press against one another and the muscles are tightened for strength. The lower knuckle of the thumb and of the forefinger both form striking weapons. This is used for attacking multiple points at once with an inside swing.

 Knife Hand
Shuto

This is formed on the opposite side of the ridge hand. Tucking the little finger in and overlapping with the ring finger, both pressing against one another, reinforces this hand position and creates a hard surface just under the lower knuckle of the little finger. The blade of the hand is also a valid striking surface, but the greatest penetration comes from the aforementioned area. This is used, like the ridge hand, for striking vulnerable points under softer portions of the anatomy, such as in the neck, only the knife hand is used for OUTSIDE strikes.

 Palm
Teisho

There are many ways to land a palm strike, however, I happen to be partial to this one. It is essentially a leopard fist, with the thumb pressing against the side of the hand so as not to be injured when striking with the palm. By pressing the thumb into the hand, it also creates a harder surface by flexing the muscle. This technique can be swung from a distance for concussive blows to targets such as the joints of the skull, or explosively from a short distance to jar and bruise organs. As an example of this later format, I have personally used this to strike the diaphragm of an attacker to knock the breath from them.

 Phoenix Eye Fist
Ippon Ken

This fist is used like the diamond fist, either explosively, from short distance, or at longer range. The thumb is held straight and the forefinger wrapped over the tip to create the striking weapon, which is the middle knuckle of said finger.

Standard Fist

Seiken

Just in case anyone reading did not know how to make a proper fist, the thumb should NEVER be tucked inside the fingers (striking in this way could very easily break the thumb) nor should it be placed to the side of the fingers. The later is sometimes used to create another sort of "ippon ken" like the diamond and phoenix eye fists, however, a glancing blow could result in the flattened lower knuckle of the thumb striking the target rather than the pointed upper knuckle. Such a blow would, again, very easily break the thumb. The standard fist may be used in a variety of ways; striking with the knuckles, as in a standard punch, striking with the side of the hand OPPOSITE the thumb, as in a hammerfist, or striking with tops of the knuckles (NOT the back of the hand) as in a backfist. Various techniques of movement are also used; small circle, large circle, thrusting, hooking, etc.

Leopard Fist
Hiraken

Same basic formation as in a palm strike, only with the thumb tucked into the palm, not extending beyond the second finger. The forward knuckles are the primary striking surface, used to penetrate into narrow targets which the standard fist would not adequately reach. The side of the hand opposite the thumb and the knuckles at the back of the hand may also still be used, just like with a standard fist. When striking with this weapon, the back of the hand should ALWAYS be lined up with the arm. Any bending of the wrist at the moment of impact could result in self injury, and, at the very least, will significantly decrease the power of the blow.

Sword Secret
Nihon Nukite

The third and fourth fingers are bent at the second knuckle and the thumb is pressed against the other side of the fingers below the second knuckle. All of the fingers should be exerting inward pressure toward the space between the first and second fingers. The tips of the fingers are used for thrusting at vulnerable targets in the softest portions of the anatomy, such as the eyes, suprasternal notch, throat, below the chin, and the cavity behind the ear. This is primarily used for pressing into targets to exert control, though some schools teach thrusting with this weapon I personally find that other, more sturdy weapons are better suited to this. That being said, this hand shape may also be used when holding an actual physical weapon such as a knife or stick to thrust more accurately into targets. In this case, the thumb and fingers would be gripping the weapon while the fingers point into the target. This also affords greater penetration because it lines the weapon up with the arm while allowing the wrist to straighten, thus creating a more efficient anatomical structure.

Claw Hands;

These are the various types of "claw" techniques I use in applying qin na or grappling. Some also have secondary use for striking. Striking with a claw first can shock limbs and weaken bones, thus making them more vulnerable to follow-up. Smashing the jaw with the palm and then immediately hooking and ripping it is much more likely to break or dislocate the jaw as it has already been displaced by the strike. It is also easier to seize and manipulate a limb in the split second of weakness following a strike, especially if that strike was to a nerve center. 

Crab Claw 1

Crab Claw 1- direction of movement

Crab Claw 2

The thumb is the primary weapon in this technique, with the side of the hand being secondary and the tips of the fingers, tertiary. When gripping in an overhand position, the thumb drives over the tops of the fingers while the fingers and hands rotate inward. The thumb also pulls inward to extend the nerve or blood vessels which causes significant distress, thus greatly increasing the efficacy of technique. This is particularly useful for points in the arms. When applied to broader targets, like the trapezius for instance, the fingers are held straight and the nerve is pinched and rolled into the hand. Finally, this hand position can also be used for driving the fingertips into targets behind bones, such as the clavicle or ribs, using rotational force. In this case, it is more or less transitioning into a "blood pool hand" described elsewhere.

Eagle Claw

This is a standard gripping position good for general use on most common targets. The fingers drive toward the center of the hand and are held tightly bent. This technique can also be used with shaking and ripping motions to increase effectiveness. It is good for techniques which attack the muscles and the nerves/blood vessels behind them.

Hooking Claw 1

Hooking Claw 2

Used for small targets, as well as ripping/gouging techniques. In the first formation, catching and pulling the inside of the cheek while twisting the head in the opposite direction is a dirty, but highly effective street fighting tactic. This formation is also good for driving into targets behind bones with rotational force. In the second formation, the thumb is also used for attacking vulnerable points and they all drive in toward one another to increase pressure on the target while simultaneously pulling and stretching the nerves. As with eagle and tiger claws, shaking and ripping can also be used with the secondary form.

Tiger Claw

As with the eagle claw, this technique is good for general use in grappling common targets. The palm may also be used for striking and the fingertips thrust into vulnerable targets such as the eyes. Both tiger and eagle claws can be used to strike the offending limbs before seizing them to apply grappling techniques.