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| Great Grand Master Gu Ru Zhang |
Tie Zhan Gong
Tie Zhang Gong, or Iron Palm Training, is a fist and hand conditioning method designed to increase bone density as well as strengthen and toughen the skin, muscle and connective tissue of the hands. Iron palm is an intermediate level skill that requires dedicated practice and correct instruction. The purpose of iron palm training is to lessen the risk of injury to the hands when striking and blocking.
The method, like most kung fu methods, is progressive and consistent. External iron palm is trained by striking a surface repeatedly with either hand for several hundred strikes, for one hundred days, before switching from a softer surface to a harder one.
Practitioners start with a bag filled with beans (mung beans are traditional). When the beans have turned to powder, the bag is switched to smooth creek pebbles, then finally to steel shot. Iron palm training works by causing micro-fractures in the hands' bone structure without injuring or disfiguring the bones or joints. Other archaic methods of toughening the hands, such as full-force striking on hard, wooden or stone surfaces, or thrusting the hands into hot sand or gravel, without progressively working through softer materials, have caused many practitioners irreversible damage to the skin, bones, joints, and nerves.
Proper iron palm conditioning does not cause injury or nerve damage, nor does it decrease sensitivity or manual dexterity. Any bruising incurred during training is remedied by the application of a traditional herbal liniment such as dit da jow. Use of such liniment is suggested after each practice session. Children may practice the movement, but not the striking portion of iron palm training, as children under 18 have not developed full bone density.
Demian Gover - 2012
Fundamental Iron Skills (Preview) PDF
Peaceful Mountain Way Kung Fu
The method, like most kung fu methods, is progressive and consistent. External iron palm is trained by striking a surface repeatedly with either hand for several hundred strikes, for one hundred days, before switching from a softer surface to a harder one.
Practitioners start with a bag filled with beans (mung beans are traditional). When the beans have turned to powder, the bag is switched to smooth creek pebbles, then finally to steel shot. Iron palm training works by causing micro-fractures in the hands' bone structure without injuring or disfiguring the bones or joints. Other archaic methods of toughening the hands, such as full-force striking on hard, wooden or stone surfaces, or thrusting the hands into hot sand or gravel, without progressively working through softer materials, have caused many practitioners irreversible damage to the skin, bones, joints, and nerves.
Proper iron palm conditioning does not cause injury or nerve damage, nor does it decrease sensitivity or manual dexterity. Any bruising incurred during training is remedied by the application of a traditional herbal liniment such as dit da jow. Use of such liniment is suggested after each practice session. Children may practice the movement, but not the striking portion of iron palm training, as children under 18 have not developed full bone density.
Demian Gover - 2012
Fundamental Iron Skills (Preview) PDF
Peaceful Mountain Way Kung Fu
