Hip Power is a large part of connecting leverage off the ground through the legs and waist and out the hands to an object or person. Weight lifters throw the hip forward when they lift as do wrestlers move the hip forward (closing)
creating base as they gain structural alignment and move into your hip space hopefully replacing your base structure. Movement is best assisted by allowing the hip to go to the rear(opening) then when you want to exert force you move the hips forward(closing). This is one use of the hips.
Agreed, although IMHO they are employed to move in the opposite diretion too... the contra movement of the hips to the striking arm in the whipping motions of punches or kicks like backfist, inside fingertip strike or the whipping types of inside snap-kicks.
But yeah, agree that harnessing the power at and feeding through the hips is an essential.
Good point, this is a good topic.
Hi all,
think that hip power is incredibly important in internal martial arts - and one that is so readily overlooked. I'm currently focusing a lot on hip exercises (low stance walking etc). But in taijiquan, hip movement is usually associated with the kwa. This includes the upper legs, entire hip joint (femur or tibia/f...cant remember...and the pelvis) the pelvis itself, the lower abdominals, buttocks, anus sphincter, lower back muscles, and all the connective tissues surrounding these areas - its basically the fold in either side of the inside of the hip, but if correct kwa movement is achieved then one can feel the stretching/dynamic pressure in all these places. Indeed as you have mentioned, hip power is extremely useful for (effortlessly) facilitating strikes. I have found that during the last month that my kwa have opened up from slow, consciously focused (on the kaw) movement. I find circle walking very good for kwa conditioning; especially slow, low walking. Lots of stretches and lot taijiquan walking.
Cheers, Pete.
I used to be a hippy !!!
Sorry I'll get me coat, "taxi"