Iron Palm vs Granite in Rockies
If you have not seen the Magical Wu -shia special C.G. effects of Shang Chi -The Legend of the Ten Rings, movie in theaters, you may not believe Iron Palm exists for “Real”, but witnesses would correct you, just as I still shake my head in disbelief when recounting my story from first hand experience in the Rocky mountains at the foot of America’s mountain, Pikes Peak, located in Colorado Springs, CO. It was a typical Summer day with two friends descending Bar Trail, after ascent of The Incline. Descending at quick pace, when suddenly a “Tommy Knocker”, ( Coloradan for Toe smashing stub of front of toes /foot on solid rock tripping one) took my balance and sent me crashing forward. That’s when my Iron Palm training in Wing Chun Kung Fu saved the Day! Not just your average hard as rock Granite of New York or Connecticut. but the super dense granite of the Pikes Peak region. Well I found out “First hand”, (get the pun? )how hard it was when I came crashing down on a boulder with both palms in a violent impact. As I stumbled forward and downward to the earth I felt energy, “ some call it Chi”, rush to my hands. As a veteran professional massage therapist since 1989, I’m not unfamiliar with sending intent “YI” to my hands but this was different and much more spontaneous an occurrence. As I struck the rock, I felt no pain and bounced with “Peng” energy to upright position, standing in shock at what had just occurred. Staring at my hands in disbelief I watched the blood return to my numb hands and noticed little swelling or other signs of injury! Apparently the Iron Palm hand conditioning for, traditional Wing Chun kung fu, I had completed in my youth and teach to my advanced students had saved my bones and soft tissues from the damage of the fall ! Geologists will tell you that Rocky Mountain granite is very hard , sharp, granular and dangerous to fall on due to these attributes. I didn’t even receive scratch on either palm! Granted my toe hurt but I was able to continue hiking down Bar Trail to Manitou Springs and complete my training routine without any problem. Considering the number one reason people check into hospitals is from falls and complications arising from falls, I’m so excited to share this self care arts success experience as it gave me such a boost of confidence in fact that if I ever need hands for defense of falling injury or violent physical attack, my self Defense tools will be right there by my sides, literally! Benefits do indeed accrue to those who train in Traditional (time tested ) kung fu!
Sifu ,
Shan Long Kelly