A Story

放 = let go, release
(攵tap + 方 square)
鬆 = loose, slack, loosen, relax
(髟 long hair + 木 wood + 公 public/common)

放鬆 = let go, loosen, easing, relaxing

This is a word that my dad would use a lot actually in English, "relax". He believes anything you do, you should relax, stay calm, take it easy, it's okay. It's about embracing this mentality that when doing something, we don't need to make it harder or stressful for ourselves – that would only make it harder or more stressful haha. It's an approach and philosophy that it's much easier to do things when one is relaxed.

放 fong as a character and word on its own, means to let go or release something. This could mean letting go of an object physically or letting go of a sentiment or feeling emotionally.

鬆 song as a character and word on its own, means loose. It's the same word one would use for a rope or string or tension that is loose or has slack. 輕鬆 hing song, or 輕輕鬆鬆 hing hing song song means light and loose. This is something my dad would say all the time in Cantonese while moving his shoulders up and down and his eyebrows up and down in an amusing way to talk about loosening up and relaxing. It's a concept and approach to enjoying going about, enjoying food, playing a sport, appreciating life, shaking things off..."chillin out, maxin, relaxin all cool, shootin bball outside of the school..."

放鬆 fong song is a foundational Kung Fu concept.

One must start relaxed. It's the first thing to do when opening your practice of kung fu, or opening your Siu Nim Tau form – which is to loosen up, let go of any distracting thoughts or feelings you're holding on to if any, find a point of focus on the wall or a point in front of you and relax. To achieve speed, you must know relaxation. You cannot achieve speed without being calm or relaxed or with parts of your body experiencing tension. Over time, you'll develop your own awareness of the points in your body that experience tension. If that point of tension is the shoulder, if it's the neck, not loosening up or relaxing those points will slow you down and prevent you from moving naturally. Training is not about going against the natural anatomical or physical tendencies of your body, but training your body to naturally react and move the way your mind envisions and intends it to. And this must start with relaxation.

Date Added: 1/31/2023
Last Updated: 6/23/2023