On extinguishing candle flames with punches

There are myriads of Qigong exercises to practice for their martial art purposes and health benefits as well. One practice that I have come to learn is the use of candle training to help develop concentration, Jin, Qi and other skills related to martial arts and overall well-being.

Whereas majority of people out there get mesmerized with the idea of putting out a candle flame with a punch, there is absolutely nothing to wonder about here. In fact, with some work, anyone willing to develop this skill will consistently put out candles by stopping their punches an inch or more away from the flame.

The reason why candles are used in Qi exercises is because candles used to be the main source of light in ancient Chinese society. Of course things have changed today, but the place of candle training and the idea itself hasn't changed anyhow.

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The following are examples of candle training (with Qigong exercises among them)

 

1 Concentration training

One aspect that Qigong exercises focus on is building concentration. Building your concentration is something that requires some learning and practice. You have to nourish both your mental and visual focus, and thus the use of candles is essential.

This is done by sitting in a dark room and concentrating on the candle light with a meditating mind -- calm and relaxed.

During this exercise, you should focus on the flame until you can trace how every piece of that flame is behaving. You can do this for at least 30 minutes to be able to build a specific level of concentration -- same thing that happens in Qigong training.

Until you can build this level of concentration, you cannot effectively participate in a fight where your concentration/awareness/sensitivity/accuracy and focus is constantly needed. 

This Qigong exercise will not present itself like a light training at first. But after you've trained consistently for a while, you will be able to reach your goals effortlessly. 

Nevertheless, this is just one face of learning, and the goal is to learn how to watch the candle flame with one focus and mind. Once you have mastered this art, you can move to placing the candle on a swinger specially designed for holding candles.

Now, the difference here is that you will be learning to place your focus on a moving candle instead of a stationary one. This focusing practice will help you develop the key fundamentals of Qigong training.

2 Qi training

In the study of Internal Martial Arts, the candle is used to develop focus of the mind and Qi. When you learn to focus on a higher level, you will develop a stronger Qi. 

Again, this Qigong exercise is very simple. Sit in front of the burning candle and form your hand in the sword secret.

This is done by extending the middle and second finger while touching the ring finger. This kind of formation allows for Qi to flow through your fingers. 

When applied with a candle, you simply put your extended fingers a few inches from the candle flame. This way, you can coordinate your breath and Qi beyond the fingers, and this will somehow make the flame move.

Bio-electricity and Qigong exercises are strongly related (research has showed it). The visible manifestation of Qi are as a result of the effects of bio-electricity in the atmosphere. It is a kind of electricity led through the fingers to create some disturbance in the air, ultimately wind. This wind is responsible for making the flame move.

3 In Jin training

When you want to learn how to develop penetrating and focused power in martial arts, one of the tools you will use is candle light.

You will light up the candle and use it as a target for Jin. For the start, your punches should stop as close to the flame as possible. You have to target that flame with your punches by directing your focus towards it. If there is no focus, you will not put out the flame no matter how hard you struggle.

If you have trained consistently, you can feel free to increase the flame distance. If you can put out the flame within a distance of one foot, then you should know that your punching power is focused and penetrating. In this case, your punching power will penetrate deeper into the internal organs of your attacker.

P.S

I have used the 3 examples above as a point of reference. There's always room to be creative when using candle light in training around those areas.