Number if repetitions - One Finger Shooting Zen

[cnholmes]

I am currently doing One Finger Shooting Zen each morning and thoroughly enjoying it.

I only do one repepition at the moment, and I was wondering when would be appropriate to start doing three repetitions.

I have tried three times through on a couple of occasions, and although I'm fine for the first two-and-a-half, I get tired and tense by the end.

However, I am making excellent headway with stance training (which has long been my... erm... Major Blockage), so I think that soon I'll be ready.

Should I start doing three repetitions now?

Should I ditch the idea of doing three repetitions and be satisfied with one?

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards,
Chris.

[Antonius]

Howdy Chris.

Are you training with an instructor these days? If so, then anything I say will obviously be trumped by what he/she says.

By "repetition," I'm not exactly sure what you mean. I assume you mean a complete cycle. However, there are several sections to One Finger Zen. Those who have not yet learned the later sections may not even be aware that there are more. How many separate sections do you know?

Personally, I don't teach One Finger Zen until my students can do a 5-minute horse stance. Counting repetitions is one way of doing things, but you can also just forget about the reps, and instead, allocate 5 minutes (or more) to the practice.

Also, if you're doing 1 rep now, then why skip to 3? That would be forgetting the priciple of gradual progress, which is important.

Best,

[chris3212]

Why not do two for a while? After all you struggle after 2 and a half.

I am not a Shaolin Wahnam student though, so please, wait for a Sifu

Well done in your training friend.

Best wishes,

Chris

[Simon]

Hi Chris,

hope you're well. I'd agree with Antony in saying that unless you can do five minutes in horse stance then don't worry about one finger zen. As you have found from experience once your focus moves from your finger to your legs then the exercise ends. Be in a situation where you know you won't have to worry about your legs.

One finger zen is such a good exercise. As Taisigung(?) Ho Fatt Nam recommended to Sigung Wong Kiew Kit; practice this everyday even once you have become a master.

Cheers

Simon

[Jamie Robson]

'Easier Stance'

Hello Chris

'Seniors please correct me if my suggestion is wrong'

If you find One Finger Shooting Zen difficult in Horse Stance, come up into Goat Stance and practice. So you would do Zhang Zhuan then come up into Goat to practice One Finger Shooting Zen.

Respectfully

[Andrew]

Jamie,

I would say "If you find One Finger Shooting Zen difficult in Horse Stance, practice your Horse Stance"

Andrew

[Simon]

hey Jamie,

I've heard you even do precious ducks in goat stance.

[cnholmes]

Thanks loads for all the responses.

I'm not training regularly with an instructor at this time, so I guess the best bet is to exercise caution and progress gradually. I'll stick to one repetition until I can stand at Horse Stance comfortably for 5 minutes. Then I'll seek advice from an instructor when at a course.

By repetition I mean one cycle through the 4 basic sections taught in the normal Intensive Course. I have heard that there are other sections which can be included, but I haven't been taught any.

Does anyone have a reference to the names of the 4 basic sections?

I've heard you even do precious ducks in goat stance.

I really shouldn't post at dinner time - Duck in Hoisin Sauce... mmmm!

Thanks,
Chris

[Antonius]

One Finger Shooting Zen

Section One:
One Finger Shooting Zen
Single Tiger Claw

Section Two:
Double Dragons Emerge from Sea
Golden Scissors
Double Tiger Claws

Section Three
White Snake Shoots Venom
Beauty Looks at Mirror
Single Tiger Claw

Section Four:
Big Boss Offers Wine
Rolling Thunder Overturns the Sky


There goes another secret.

[Luo Lang]

I would say "If you find One Finger Shooting Zen difficult in Horse Stance, practice your Horse Stance"

I like this statement. And I haven't seen Sifu teaching One Finger Shooting Zen in a goat.
But yes, I have seen Sigung Ho on a picture doing it in a goat like stance.....
Actually I have tried it in goat just for a try. Allthough very enjoyable the Horse is much more intensive....and much more enjoyable..but that's just my opinion....

Greetings,

Roland

[Babnik]

Curiosity...

Hello to all

I know what the curiosity has done to the cat but I was wondering about the 3 last sections of One Finger Shooting Zen...
Even for now that I have as force training only the Horse Stance and I want to improve it I was wondering how these three sections are performed

I believe that the answer will be the immediate experience but because this will be take some time maybe there is another way?

[Andrew]

I was wondering how these three sections are performed

... in a relaxed and focused manner

Andrew

[Babnik]

Dear Andrew,

hehe