Protocol to Test Yang Style Subtle Fajin
Abstract:
Background
The drafting of this test for Yang Style Subtle Fajin (YSSF) ability (see Definition of Yang Style Subtle Fajin below) came about through various discussions with Tai Chi Chuan practitioners across social media platforms like Facebook and topic related forums. It has been revealed that there is a complete lack of verifiable scientific evidence to support the reality of such ability, and neither is there any collection of experimental data that accurately outlines the mechanism of how it works.
The claimants of such ability insist that the "how" is beyond the ability of science to measure or prove one way or the other. They also insist that the only way to "prove it" is for you to visit one of these claimants and feel it for yourself.
However, such subjective evidence is unreliable because of the inherent fallibility of human psychology (meaning people who want to believe will react in a way to support their belief). Claimants will also point to the various demonstration video clips on Youtube as some sort of proof. These however are also discounted as verifiable evidence because:
a) They are all done with complicit and compliant subjects (usually their students), and these subjects are usually trained to stand in certain way and touch the demonstrator in a certain way,
b) They are all done in a non-controlled environment.
Since this YSSF ability is said to endow superior combat advantage, the main conventional way to prove such skill is in a bout of full contact combat (albeit with rules and protection equipment to prevent serious injury). However claimants have thus far been either unable or unwilling to acquiesce to this challenge (which in itself is revealing).
An indication of this is that, to date, there is not one video on Youtube to be found that shows YSSF used in any environment where the opponent is genuinely non-compliant and competing to their full extent.
As a secondary avenue of validation, it has been proposed that a scientific protocol can be developed that can effectively measure and validate YSSF without the risks involved in full contact combat.
It is upon this background and considerations that this protocol has been developed.
Purpose In terms of its purpose, firstly it has to be clearly stated that this is not intended to debunk or discredit any person or tradition. Its purpose is to provide a format to create a foundation of scientific inquiry into this mysterious martial arts technique. Very specifically, this first protocol is about discovering a resolution to this specific question:
• Can YSSF be performed in a controlled scientific environment using non-compliant, non-complicit test subjects?
Methods used The test is structured as close to a double-blind as possible. The main test subject, referred to as the Demonstrator, will be attempting to perform YSSF on randomly selected, unknowing and unprepared test subjects within a controlled environment.
Results The results will be presented both in simple percentage terms and in terms of success or failure of the target result. These results, and associated video footage, may be used by all parties involved for educational purposes. These results will also become a collection of base-line data for further study and investigation of fajin and associated subjects.
If the results to this test come back as a "Yes", then the line of future research moves in the direction of "How are they doing it? What body/mind mechanics are they using? What practice techniques did they use to acquire that skill?"
If the results come back as a "No", then the line of research moves in the direction of "In what way is the student being compliant? What mindset have they adopted? How are they holding their body to produce the effect?"
Definition of Yang Style Subtle Fajin
Fajin (meaning "Issue Power") is a martial arts technique contained within the field of "Internal Martial Arts" (IMA) originating in China. IMA include martial arts styles like Tai Chi Chuan, Bagua Chuan, Xin Yi Chuan etc.
Whilst many IMA practice and demonstrate a form of fajin that is merely a superior coordination of bio-mechanics to release a sudden impulse of physical force (search for "Chen Xiang's Bajiquan scientific" on Youtube), within Tai Chi Chuan styles like the Yang family style fajin is regarded as the ability to issue or release a special form of energy (referred to as Jin).
Quite specifically, experts of Yang Style Subtle Fajin (YSSF) claim they can make opponents "bounce" away in an involuntary manner with only the merest of touches by an opponent (i.e. either the opponent only touches the demonstrator's forearms with finger tips or the demonstrator touches the opponent with the lightest of touches). The characteristics and observable signs of YSSF include:
• specifically does not rely upon nor adhere to Newton's Second Law of Force (i.e. Force = Mass x Acceleration),
• with the demonstrator standing with feet parallel with someone at least their own size facing them in a well-rooted stance of their choice (e.g. classical bow stance etc.), the demonstrator can instantly shear the opponent off their feet, both feet clear off the ground in a single moment, and send him backwards 3-4 feet. Both feet lift off the ground at the same time and land and the same time.
• whilst there may be a visible "pulse-wave" passing thru the body-system, if the demonstrator's elbows accelerates forward and follows the trajectory of the opponent as he is thrown backwards, what has just occurred is definitely NOT YSSF,
• to reemphasize, the wrists and elbows of the person issuing YSSF do not follow the opponent, as they would if one were merely "pushing" with the muscles,
• does not use the physical force generated by agonist (prime mover) muscle contraction (that is typical of ordinary forms of movement) beyond some absolute minimum amount that is required to keep the body structure together and upright,
• no discernible tension in one's shoulders, elbows, or wrists that would signify the use of muscular engagement to produce the force,
• the subject (i.e. the person being pushed) shows no sign of initiating their reactive movement, i.e. there is no sign of the subject pushing with their legs that would imply a "jump" backwards, nor pushing back off the Demonstrator's arms with their hands.
Stipulations:
1. The Demonstrator cannot speak aloud or make any vocal/audible sounds.
2. The Demonstrator cannot make any foot-tapping, knocking, or other forms of noise that can be used as communication.
3. The Demonstrator can make no facial expressions in an attempt to produce a reaction in the test subjects.
4. The Demonstrator must wear only neutral clothing and nothing they wear must indicate any proficiency in martial arts or combat nor give any indication of what the test subjects might experience.
5. Subjects must be randomly selected and can not be a student, friend, associate or family member of the Demonstrator.
6. The test will be recorded via cam recorder.
7. The supervisors of the test must be independent and have no prior connection with the Demonstrator nor have any investment in the outcome of the test,
8. The test must be overseen by an independent authority and have no prior connection with the Demonstrator. An appropriate authority would be a University faculty or independent research organization. This authority does not have to have any prior association with martial arts.
If any of the above listed are violated, or if it is determined the Demonstrator has attempted to tilt the results in his favor due to trickery of any kind, the test will be halted immediately and considered a failure.
Test Subjects:
Due to the physical nature of this test the test subjects must be able bodied and of an appropriate level of fitness. Test subjects will be required to complete a participation form where they declare that they are in such health as able to participate in a contact sport environment, and if in doubt, must produce a doctor's clearance for them to be able to participate in the test.
When introducing test subjects to the test protocol they will be presented with a simple written explanation:
<<< Martial Arts Version >>>
"You will be participating in a scientific experiment to test a specific aspect of the Martial Arts. Your responsibility is simple: you will be required to stand in whatever position you feel comfortable, stable, and relaxed. From the stable standing position, you will stand with your arms outstretched toward the Demonstrator.
Then, the Demonstrator will make contact with your outstretched arms, and exhibit a specific - non-violent / safe - skill found in a variety of MA. We will record the result on you, as well as on a variety of other MAists to test different reactions & outcomes.
There is no "right" or "wrong" outcome. You should respond in whatever way feels natural, and relax knowing there is no preconceived outcome required of you. Also, the experiment is designed to be 100% safe, secure, and risk-free to you as a test subject, so remember to feel totally relaxed and at-ease throughout the process."
<<< Random Non-Martial Arts Version >>>
"You will be participating in a scientific experiment to test the physical responses of one human being interacting via contact with another in a specific way. The goal of this experiment is to record your reactions to this contact, and to test whether different individuals respond in different ways.
Your responsibility is simple: you will be required to stand in whatever position you feel comfortable, stable, and relaxed. From the stable standing position, you will stand with your arms outstretched toward the Demonstrator.
Then, the Demonstrator will make contact with your outstretched arms, and we will record the result. The experiment may cause some reaction in you, but there is no "right" or "wrong" outcome. You should respond in whatever way feels natural, and relax knowing there is no preconceived outcome required of you. Also, the experiment is designed to be 100% safe, secure, and risk-free to you as a test subject, so remember to feel totally relaxed and at-ease throughout the process."
Materials required:
- 1 Fajin Demonstrator who has read this protocol and agreed in writing that it is a fair and accurate test for YSSF,
- 30 randomly selected test subjects that meet Stipulation 5 (see "Stipulations")
- 2 x adjoining rooms separated by a closable door that complete blocks visibility and limits audio from one room into the next
- Ground mats jigsaw puzzle style (for health and safety precautions)
- Cam recorder
- 1 box to hold index cards
- 2 sets of 30 index cards number 1 to 30
- 1 coin
- 6 supervisors that meet Stipulation 5 (see "Stipulations")
Optional Additional Materials:
For the purpose of measuring whether the Demonstrator or the test subject transfers force down into the floor (i.e. either the Demonstrator the subject pushes with their legs) then having electronic pressure sensor mats positioned on the floor would be a desirable option.
Set-up:
Test Room (where the test will be conducted):
- the floor will be covered completely with the ground mats.
- cam recorder will be set up facing center, side-on to the Demonstrator
- three supervisors will be present
Prep room (where the test subjects will wait until tested):
- table with prepared index cards
- three supervisors will be present
Successful Test of YSSF:
If the Demonstrator can make the test subject physically move in a non-compliant way (i.e. meaning that the test subject will involuntarily move their feet and whole body away from the Demonstrator) using ONLY YSSF (see "Definition of Yang Style Subtle Fajin" above) then the result will be considered a ‘hit’. If there are six (6) hits out of ten (10) attempts, the Demonstrator will have achieved the target result and the test deemed a success. Anything less than six (6) and the test is a failure.
Pre-Test Demonstration:
As a point of comparison and evaluation, the Demonstrator can present a demonstration of YSSF with their own students (or other subjects of their choosing). This demonstration will be recorded with a digital camera and can then be used as benchmark for the "blind" tests.
Protocol:
A group of 30 potential test subjects, who have passed Stipulation #5, will be gathered in the Prep room with 3 Supervisors whilst the Demonstrator will wait with the other 3 Supervisors in Test room.
One set of the index cards numbered 1 to 30 will be shuffled and one card given to each test subject by a Supervisor, the other set will be shuffled by another Supervisor and dropped in the box in a loose fashion and shuffled. One at a time an index card will be withdrawn from the box and the test subject whose number matches this card will be escorted into the Test Room by a Supervisor and handed to the care of one of the Test Room Supervisors.
However, for the purpose of further randomizing the results and as a safe-guard, BEFORE the subject is brought in, a Test Room Supervisor will flip a coin and if the result is 'tails' the Demonstrator will do a "false test".
A "false test" means that the Demonstrator will NOT attempt to push the subject. But will merely touch the subjects arms with no push attempted.
A coin toss of 'heads' will mean the test proceeds as normal. The test subject is not to know whether the test is a normal or false test.
One of the Test Room Supervisors will give the test subject brief instruction on what to do (i.e. they will read out the explanation that appears in the "Test Subjects" section).
For example:
"Your responsibility is simple: you will be required to stand in whatever position you feel comfortable, stable, and relaxed. From the stable standing position, you will stand with your arms outstretched toward the Demonstrator.
Then, the Demonstrator will make contact with your outstretched arms, and we will record the result. The experiment may cause some reaction in you, but there is no "right" or "wrong" outcome. You should respond in whatever way feels natural, and relax knowing there is no preconceived outcome required of you. Also, the experiment is designed to be 100% safe, secure, and risk-free to you as a test subject, so remember to feel totally relaxed and at-ease throughout the process."
The Demonstrator will have 15secs to attempt to physically move the test subject using ONLY YSSF (see "Definition of Yang Style Subtle Fajin" above).
After either a normal or false test is executed, the subject will be escorted from the room (via another door – i.e. the test subject will not be permitted to have any interaction with other possible test subjects) by a Supervisor.
The test will be repeated with a different test subject until a total of 10 actual (i.e. the coin toss was heads and the Demonstrator does attempt to physically move the test subject) attempts have been conducted.
Time required:
No more than 1 hour.
