Sash - what is its purpose?

[floydhuynh]

Hi -

Could anyone please tell what the real purpose of the sash is? I was told that chinese pants in the old days do not have strings so they have to use the sash to hold their pants!?? ;^) Or it is used to hold internal organs in one place while training gong fu. Why do taijian or qigong practitioners not use them? They also twist, turn and bend as much as gong fu practitioners do.

I'd also like to know if there is a correct way to wrap the sash around the belly. How tight should it be supposed to feel? I see Dr. Yang and YMAA students from instructional videos having a beautiful way to wrap it. I am curious if they have a custom-made sash in someway.

Thanks,
Floyd

[Pooh_Tao]

My guess is it would be mainly for the kidney's benefit. I read in the Root of Chinese Qigong that you should wear warm clothes around the area to make sure your kidneys are warm, since they are the residence of your jing. So I would have thought qigong practitioners do. I haven't seen any qigong practitioners however, so this is just a guess. Perhaps they only need to keep the area warm in winter, or perhaps it is because very skilled qigong practitioners are able to keep themselves warm without the need for extra clothing.

In taiji, I would guess that it could be to help keep the spine in the correct alignment, and thus it would likely be only the begginers who wore them since experienced practitioners were probably able to keep a good posture without assistance.

On the other hand, since both qigong and taiji emphasize relaxation, perhaps wearing a sash inhibits the relaxation of internal organs or your muscles or something.

[scramasax57]

it's more common for hard stylists to wear a belt, because their jing is more violent. it's basically to keep yourself from getting a hernia; white crane jing especially disturbs the organs. so qigong practitioners don't wear it because they don't generate jing, and taiji practitioners often don't wear it because a)they only add jing once they are advanced and b)their jing is smoother and doesn't disturb the organs as much. most shaolin practitioners still don't wear belts all the time, only when they feel they need it. eventually your control over the stomach muscles is enough to the keep the organs in place and you don't need it anymore.

[floydhuynh]

Thanks both for the explanation!!!

[zipwolf]

I wonder what Temple Kung Fu would say if we asked them...

[kame]

proablly say the samething.... and everyone who is anyone is wearing it...

back in the day...

[Flip]

i guess there are several reasons to wear a sash. My sifu told me that it had to do with being aware of your breathing. It also has to do with what is mentioned above (ie the muscles not relaxing).

[scramasax57]

it can be used to help people learn reverse abdominal breathing; sometimes it helps people "push out" if they have something to push against. you can also place your hands over the dan tien and give a little resistance with them.

[zipwolf]

There was also a tradition for a contest where people would try and get the sash off other students.

[Inga]

'wolf, do you know anything more about the traditional contest? details?

[zipwolf]

'wolf, do you know anything more about the traditional contest? details?

'fraid i dont know too much about it! I found out about it through Jason Delucia's website. JD rocks.

www.jasondelucia.com

[white dragon]

Just a random fact about sashes....the reason black sash is the highest grade is because in ancient time somone would train wearing thier sash(for the reasons outlined above) and over time it would get darker and darker till it was black, which showed that they had been training for a long time.

[Yue]

it's more common for hard stylists to wear a belt, because their jing is more violent. it's basically to keep yourself from getting a hernia; white crane jing especially disturbs the organs. so qigong practitioners don't wear it because they don't generate jing, and taiji practitioners often don't wear it because a)they only add jing once they are advanced and b)their jing is smoother and doesn't disturb the organs as much. most shaolin practitioners still don't wear belts all the time, only when they feel they need it. eventually your control over the stomach muscles is enough to the keep the organs in place and you don't need it anymore.

I read in Dr. Yang's Long Fist book that you should wear a sash every time you practice to prevent herneas. Does that mean I should wear one while practicing my Long Fist sequences? Or only when using White Crane jin?

[Inga]

Hello Yue,

I am not sure I can explain more clearly than Scramasax57 has already done. I have read your other posts and you seem to be practicing multiple styles. When you are practicing Long Fist or White Crane, you do not need a belt for warming up, for tan tuis and any drill which has reaching or stretching. As described, the belt is for drills which use jin, repetitive twisting or bouncing motions. If you have not done so already, work on building your muscle strength as Scramasax pointed out. In our class we always warm up with at least 50 sit ups or stomach training. For many of us this is a daily regime at home as well. Regards, Inga