Fingering in the Martial Arts

Hands and fingers are really important in the martial arts.

Our arms are tentacles, our hands are feelers on our tentacles and our fingers are our feelers on our feelers that are on our tentacles.

Our palms are the ‘arches’ of our hands, our wrists the ‘ankles’ of our arms, elbows are the ‘knees’ and shoulders the ‘hips’, connecting through the body to our legs and feet and working in harmony with them.

The nervous system and meridians of chi end and ‘bundle’ in the hands and fingers enabling us to have enormous sensitivity in being able to control and manipulate an opponent from our feet.

The hands of Tensho kata in Karate are the same as the hands in Tai Chi Chuan and it’s no coincidence that martial arts are referred to as ‘te’ (as in ‘Karate’) in Japan and ‘chuan’ (as in ‘Tai Chi Chuan’) in China both translate as ‘hand’.

Sensitivity, softness, fluidity and connected articulation of the many joints are considered to be essential skills. Previous names for Tai Chi Chuan are ‘deceptive’ and ‘soft cotton’ boxing because of this. The ability to be able to greet, stick, follow, redirect and negate an opponent’s force are also considered high level skills.

Today we are looking at the practical function of each finger that you can feel and directly experience their use right from the start and then increase their skill level as you train.

The thumb and webbing of the hand are used primarily in grappling for trapping and passing around the opponent’s arm.

The index finger ‘points’ your intention, controlling the wedge defence and attack and centreline action.

The middle finger is the ‘sensitivity’ finger used in any touch to the opponent.

The ring finger is the ‘closing’ finger on any trapping, holding or grabbing action.

The little finger is the ‘securing’ finger on any retaining grip.

The use of all these fingers is exactly the same in holding, manipulation and controlling any weapon.