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| Heng and Ha The Guardians |
In Japanese martial arts, the kiai is a well known part of the martial arts repertoire. E.S. Harrison, in his 1913 book The Fighting Spirit of Japan, described kiai as “the art of perfectly concentrating all of one’s energy, physical and mental, upon a given object, with unremitting determination, so that one achieves one’s goal.”.
In Chinese martial arts, vocalization is represented in the forms of Heng (Un) and Ha (Ah). Originally the guardians of the Buddha, Heng and Ha were subsequently adopted into Taoism and Chinese Boxing. The merging of Yin and Yang represents the middle path of the Buddha and the abandonment of fear and desire. As with Yin and Yang, there is a merging of the sounds of Heng and Ha.
In defense, Heng is used to bolster and reinforce the warrior spirit and is produced with the mouth closed. In offense, Ha creates uncertainty, confusing the opponent and facilitating the attack and is made with an open mouth.
In defense, Heng is used to bolster and reinforce the warrior spirit and is produced with the mouth closed. In offense, Ha creates uncertainty, confusing the opponent and facilitating the attack and is made with an open mouth.
Heng and Ha makes it possible to maximize the effectiveness of the Mantis boxing by coordinating and concentrating physical and mental strength through the proper exhalation of air from the lower abdomen. A unity of the spiritual, physical and mental manifesting as warrior spirit.
