by Fran O'Leary

Created on: March 22, 2009

The Martial arts has a vast number of training methods. Many of the Chinese arts have two categories. The soft style training and hard style training. The soft style training consists of exercises that focus on the internal. There are breathing exercises and slow relaxed movement exercises build you up internally. Then there's the hard style training that consists of rigorous exercises and repetitive routines to condition and develop the body.

The definition of kungfu is " Hard Work." If you want to improve your striking power there are many ways in accomplishing this. One method is to practice relaxed punching. Try to get a heavy bag, if you don't have that get a padded hitting device, or a pillow if you have to. When you punch you must remain relaxed until contact. Keep your shoulder, elbow and stance relaxed. According to Bruce lee training method and my Sifu. Once you come into contact then you flex. This adds much more power to your strike, because by being relaxed you add speed; which in turn adds power. Practice that many times a day and using any strike you desire. Then work your way to using more harder surfaces like sand or beans in a bucket. You start by striking the material lightly and each week gradually adding force. You start lightly to prevent long term injuries. To be more on the safe side I recommend buying Dit da jow, or icy hot to prevent any potential injuries.

Which strike do you think is more powerful a punch or a palm strike? Well if you guess a palm strike you've been studying. I palm strike delivers far more force than a regular punch. the surface area applies to this. When you perform a regular punch its surface area can only cover so much, but using palm strike covers a greater area of space. Many of the Chinese martial arts incorporate this strike. Also the Marines and special forces use this strike for a number of applications. To perform this strike, have your hand open like your about to shake someone's hand. Bring thumb close to palm and perform the strike in a thrusting motion and hacking motion for striking with the side of palm. Continue doing those striking exercises and wash your hands in hot water for 30 seconds and in cold water for thirty seconds. This is an example of one of the hard style training methods be sure to be supervised with someone qualified and be very careful. Remember this is only for self defense applications. There are many different ways to improve punching power, with dedication you will have favorable results.

Learn more about this author, Fran O'Leary.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.