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Dragon Motion: a step forward

Continuing the Dragon Motion’s exploration started in Dragon Motion: the swirling movements, we want to deepen some of the peculiar aspects of this technique and give some of the basics to start its development.

Note – This article has been originally asked by one of our Core Course practitioners on Patreon (see how to attend our home study classes here Learn Kung Fu online: a beginner-to-expert course).

The proper characteristics of Dragon Motion

Let’s see a few details that could intuitively start to clarify the idea behind the Dragon Motion in 6 Dragons Kung Fu.

Flow tips:

Let’s work tridimensionally – Even if the first examples we have talked about were related to an “e” cursive lowercase letter, the movement should not be thought as two-dimensional (as on a piece of paper), it must be seen in three dimensions; this means that, for example, the path of our “e” could have a development in depth (Z-axis) instead than only vertically (Y-axis) and horizontally (X-axis)
The entire body is part of the flow – While we perform this type of movements it is vital to prevent the rest of the body to slow down / block / divert us; there is no Dragon Motion if we do not displace our body elements accordingly to its direction (remaining in balance, bending the knees, twisting the torso, stepping in the right direction, etc.); this means that, for example, a limb that is accelerating should never (involuntarily) stop, reverse, vibrate (etc.) due to a false step or an imbalance (read also How to improve balance: tricks and exercises)
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Specific applications tips:

When used to perform a feint, the movement must have a real intention – The feints made with the Dragon Motion take effect only if our eyes point to a real target, if we have space to truly execute the entire sequence, if there is an acceptable logic behind it and if we hurl the false blow with real intensity (potentially, it should have enough power to hurt the opponent if it would reach the simulated target)
When used for trapping purpose, our state must be liquid (not solid nor elastic) – When we talk about controlling / trapping (read Trapping) the opponent’s moves with the Dragon Motion, we must never directly contrast their force but divert, wrap-around, dampen (etc.) its inertia (read also The 6DKF’s Liquid and Fluid Contacts)
When used for striking, its curves must be (as much as possible) hidden – At a good level, the Dragon Motion can hide its circular harmony inducing the adversary to think we are executing rigid, irrational but unexpectedly powerful changes of direction; this means that the opponent has (at least temporarily) to give up its ability to predict our targets; this way his defensive capability can count only on his reflexes (which means losing almost 50% of chances of not being hit)
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A note by Master Kongling – A small gem for the advanced-level practitioners of the Core Course: the Dragon Motion becomes incredibly effective if our coordination allows us to execute simultaneous rotations with more body elements (even with different directions and / or including weapons); for example, wrapping a knee and a forearm at the same time (one to the left, one to the right).

4 Exercise to develop the Dragon Motion

Here are 4 simple exercises (for upper and lower limbs) to start developing the Dragon Motion:

Exercise 1 – Draw series of “e” cursive lowercase letters consequentially in the air; the first has to be small, the second slightly bigger and so on; they must increase and decrease their size geometrically and be harmoniously connected (we have to try to augment and not to disperse the strength that we accumulate)
Exercise 2 – Hit moving targets after any circle spinning of spirals (read Basic tools: the Hanging Speedball), symbols of infinity, “e” letters (etc.); let’s start slowly focusing on precision and let’s try to gradually gain more power and speed (but always maintaining a good balance)
Exercise 3 – Draw in the air the greek alphabet letters (as in the image), performing harmonic and linked movements; let’s remember that, while we perform the exercise with our arms / legs, we have to move our whole body accordingly (favoring the direction of the force)
Exercise 4 – Once acquired a certain dexterity, perform the previous exercises with rigid training weapons (sticks, swords, etc.) and with the flexible ones (ropes, nunchaku, etc.), even simultaneously with other body parts

A note by Master Kongling – Naturally these exercises create a basic attitude in direction of the Dragon Motion but without the 4 technical fundamental practices of our school, they are almost useless (read /// Subscribe (it's free!) or Login to see this content ///).

Final notes

As we already said, this type of techniques are used, in a similar way, by Pro fighters (in Boxing, MMA, etc.) but they must be trained a lot to be at our disposal in a real combat scenario
The more we make our Dragon Motion powerful, small, fast and unpredictable, the more our opponent will lose track of what we are doing
The Dragon Motion is included in the macro-category of the martial abilities that must become 90% instinctive; if we lose time to force its application, it becomes 10 times less useful, if we execute it naturally, unconsciously, it becomes incredibly hard for our adversaries to avoid it
Even if it should be obvious, it must be stressed that the fact that the Dragon Motion is more effective if performed in a harmonious way, does not mean that in no case it can be interrupted, broken, deviated, reversed (etc.), these are tactical choices that go beyond the ideal execution
Let’s repeat also that Dragon Motion is only one of the methods of attack / defense included in our combat system and should not be a forced choice in a fight (the risk that the opponent gets used to it is not so impossible, especially against an expert)
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In the next article of this series we will see a few samples of practical applications of Dragon Motion (read Practical applications of the Dragon Motion).

In-depth video courses

Basic 6 Dragons Kung Fu Exercises – The core technical practices of our school to build real martial skils

In-depth articles

Speed and quickness – The difference in terms of martial arts and combat effectiveness
The muscle memory – What is, why it is important and how to develop it correctly

Questions

Reply in the comments and share your experience:

How your limbs react to this kind of exercise?

Author: Master Kongling

Founder of 6 Dragons Kung Fu.

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