A Little Talk On Footflows by Ma

A Little Talk On Footflows

by Mark Kirkby

Foot flows are a unique part of our Lee Family self defense Kung Fu system, they consist of 139 footflow patterns and combinations of fluid movements.

Initially these look like kicks and are but as with all aspects of the arts there is much depth to be found in them. As we become familiar with them even the minutest muscle changes can be felt and can make all the difference to our stability and ability to move with ease.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Footflow patterns can greatly improve your balance quickly due to the quick changes in balance, this can increase confidence and sure footedness.

Flexibility and suppleness are improved in the hips as you learn to relax and open them, and ankles and knees are strengthened .

Stamina is increased as you move softly at your own pace and build up teaching yourself to relax into the flow, after only a short time you will be amazed how long you can keep moving without being out of breath.

SELF DEFENSE

Footflow patterns consist of kicks to the front, side, back, snap, sweeping, half, full and double spins.

The quickness of the balance changes give you the ability to be confident in situations where you may find yourself under pressure or off kilter and you will find you can react naturally, quickly, and with fluidity.

Your arsenal and repertoire of self defence techniques is increased as the footflow can be a deadly weapon when used correctly and with right timing but should only be used after correct dedicated training and practice.

When done with a partner we learn to respond to another’s movements through training the eye rather than react out of habit, so full awareness and focus is required as to what is going on in your own body when under pressure and how it responds. Is it a true relaxed movement of our own decision or a movement forced by the reaction to another?

Imagine if you will somebody tries to force an opinion on you in an overly aggressive manner do you leap in with out thinking and say something back in an equally aggressive manner matching fire with fire, thus possibly escalating the situation so it and you get out of control whereas if you were to respond with confidence in a balanced way in which you have control of yourself and thus the situation and its outcome, footflows help with the balanced body mind link and thus reduce the fear and need for an off balanced reaction.

Enough talk, why not have a go at No.1 Footflow?

Start in Right Snake.

Step forward with the left foot as the foot touches the floor turn the toes to the left so the big toe edge is facing forwards.

Place the your weight onto the left leg.

Keeping the right leg straight let the leg swing forward and upward,

To start with it’s important to keep the leg straight so just kick to waist height but with practice you can swing the leg up to chest and head height

Let the leg swing down and cross in front of the left leg bend the left knee and place the right toes on the floor, so you are now into crossed legs stance.

Step back one pace with left leg and let the right foot slide back naturally so you end up once again in Right Snake .

Well done, your first step into the realm of Kung Fu.

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