Dynamic Stability
Characteristic of Bak Hsing

cn5One of the most characteristic features of Bak Hsing Choy Lee Fut is sometimes described as “dynamic stability”. This means that stability in movement is not just a feature of good stance or posture, but rather is derived from the continual turning momentum of the body, with power being delivered to one side of the body from the opposite side. This works in exactly the same way as a gyroscope - its stability is a feature of the turning momentum, not the means by which it is supported.

Among the five animals of Choy Lee Fut, (Tiger, Crane, Dragon, Leopard and Snake), dynamic stability is most easily seen in the turning and twisting motions of the Dragon, but it is actually a fundamental feature of all of Bak Sing Choy Lee Fut, even in seemingly linear movements. Dynamic stability takes some getting used to, but once the special flavour of it is internalised through practice it can be switched on at will, and isn’t easily forgotten (a bit like riding a bicycle).

Among other things, dynamic stability enables the practitioner to keep up high rates of movement, direction change and attack - particularly useful when defending against multiple opponents. To facilitate this, two-against-one and many-against-one sparring is a common feature of Bak Sing Choy Lee Fut practice.