All the movements of the martial neigong sets and forms have function in attack and defense. There are no extra movements. Therefore, to properly study, research and eventually understand the movements and to gain their maximum benefits, students are required to research application.
There are generally two ways to do this. One is two-person forms and another is application or uki training. Two-person forms mean that there is a set sequence of attack and defense. The sequence can be practiced gently or roughly, slowly or quickly according to circumstances. For those with a focus on martial skills the goal is to develop these to the point of hitting as fast and as hard as possible as in a fight.
Only then will the reflexes developed be realistic in self-defense. The goal is also to develop the ability to stay relaxed, calm and mindful despite the speed and force of the movements. This training develops attack and defense simultaneously and puts the emphasis on not being hit as much as on hitting. This is the crux of training xingyi and bagua for fighting, not the modern concept of sparring, but the careful and meticulous development of reflexes and skills.
Uki training means one person attacks with a preset attack and the other person practices the technique. Uki is a Japanese term that refers to the person throwing the attack who is more or less passive during the exchange. Uki training allows one partner at a time to practice finishing the technique being worked on.
This has many benefits, especially for people not already habituated to hitting people and to being hit, to throwing people and to being thrown. Within the association, kajukenbo training takes this method to its logical conclusion and is, therefore, considered an essential part of the curriculum for young people.
Of these two methods of training application, the xingyi and bagua curriculums, both put the emphasis heavily on two-person forms rather than on uki training.
