We begin our learning by loosening the arms, training them to be like a willow branch. As the training moves along, we can convert the property of softness to be like steel cables. This is a story for another day.

A loosened arm facilitates the transmission of force. From physics we know that acceleration is one of the key components of the formula for force. A loosened arm can be used like a whip, picking up speed as the arm moves like a sine wave, then accelerates to snap the power out into the target.

This would be Part 1 of the learning.

Part 2 of the learning takes off in a practice we stand in the basic stance and learn to do the basic vertical fist punch without any force. Just focus on the movement. Learn how the wrist, elbow and shoulder align.

If you get this part, you can extend the alignment lesson by practicing the Pin Sun Chui. This practice helps you to understand the mass component of the force formula.

The next practice would be to learn how to do the basic punch by using the core. In Chinese martial arts we normally say that this is using the Dan Tian.

You can call it whatever you like, just remember that in a basic stance to do a punch means to consolidate the involved parts of the body to move as a mass, mobilize them by using the Dan Tian to move like a whip, then slam the fist into the target.

Using the Dan Tian to punch is not something that comes easily. It takes a bit of practice. Nah, cancel that. It takes a lot of practice, tons of it.

So much for Part 2 of the redefined learning.