here it is,i got a question for you guys!

what are the internal principles?
and which are the most important to the least important?(they're all important,i know,but if there was an order?or which is most essential?)
is it really possible to keep them in mind in
the middle of real violent encounter?
do all IMA have the same principles?
if yes,then why are they different arts,if only the external movements differs?

ps. this is for you jerry!no hate just love!!!

General Internal Arts Principles (in the order of relative importance): be upright, stable and comfortable.

"upright" means your spine is strong, flexible and that your overall posture is sound. It can also refer to ethical character as in an 'upright' person.

"stable" means that you are well grounded and rooted strongly within your stance without sacrificing your ability to move freely at any speed. It can also refer to ethical/psychological character.

"comfortable" means that you do the above so well and so smoothly that someone watching you forgets how long and how hard you had to train to get to that position of relative effortlessness.

thanks man,MAB!
but you forgot one thing.
can all of that be done while someone is trying to knock you out,stab or shot you?
that kind of situation makes it difficult to be
"comfortable"!

Marc,

When I was in Vietnam and the shooting started there was no time for fear only reaction. Training and experience allowd us to do this. You didn't really think about the possibly of being killed until afterwards, then it was okay to feel the fear. Sometimes you would shake as you finally allowed your nerves to react to what had just happened. I know you have wrestled. If you feel your opponent move into a position where you can go for a pin do you think about it or do you simply react? If your opponent quickly goes for a takedown do you think or do you just react? If you stop to think you're probably going to be too late. The many hours of training and experience that we undertake allow us to react without having to think. Sometimes you will execute a technique without ever having used it before and you think, "Where did that come from?" In other word you reacted without having to think about it. It came from all of that training.

It is no different in the IMA. If you have trained properly there is no question of having to think or keep anything in mind. It is just there as natural as walking or chewing your food. After a period of time it becomes a part of you. I'm sure you know what I mean.

Charlie

no one has ever put it like that !
i like it!
but when you get attacked hard,it might be difficult to keep your roots,stay centered and
relaxed!
but like you said,it depends on how long you been doing it!?
peace t-69!