Wu Wei Walking: Momentum and Gravity (Patreon)

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Walking in Liberation Martial Arts (LMA) is controlled falling, where the interaction with gravity becomes a collaborative partner rather than an opposing force. We're expanding on this principle by introducing rotational momentum through amplified arm swings. This addition magnifies energy transfer through the body.

In the video, I am falling forward and swinging my arms, which recycles energy into my legs for each step. The flow of energy is circular, recycling energy back into itself. This is LMA's wu wei in action. We're turning ourselves into a self-sustaining system that seamlessly recycles energy. This is LMA's version of "power walking." Rather than exertion and labor, it's flow and ease.

Collaborating with natural forces

Practitioners with or without disability all have to interact with gravity and momentum because they are constants in our environment. The LMA approach is to collaborate with these forces.

In the above composite picture, different track athletes are using their trunks to collaborate with gravity in nearly the same way. Their upper trunk rotations transfer energy to their roots (connection to the ground), which transfers to the ground, creating fast and efficient movement.

(Kid on a swing using their trunk with gravity to generate momentum.)

LMA's wu wei is universally applicable. From the LMA perspective, movement is the dynamic interplay between our bodies and our environment. Instead of imposing an idealized form, we learn to move in a way that responds to our unique material conditions. Understanding theories and concepts allows us to adapt universal principles to infinite situations. Memorizing movements, however, ties us down to a limited number of precise situations. LMA mainly covers theory because specific examples are too specific. Theories are flexible and broad. Unlearn idealized, individualized, and precise forms, and learn flexible theories that can apply broadly.

– Sam