American Kenpo Taiji Association

Dim-Mak - Death point striking is primarily involved with energy disruption as opposed to only brute muscle power. Well balanced, unimpeded flow of Chi (Ki) is essential for life and well being. It stands to reason therefore that disrupting the energy (chi) flow would result in either unconsciousness or paralysis. This energy can be thought of as an electric current which runs through our body enabling our whole body to work, just like any electrical appliance will not work without electricity, without the flow of Chi we die.

The body has 12 main meridians which Chinese medicine considers as rivers of chi. These 12 main meridians are named after the internal organs to which they are connected, namely:

Each meridian is actually a pair of mirror-image channels on either side of the body. One end of each of these 12 meridians is connected with one of the 12 main organs named above, while the other end is connected to a toe or finger. Whilst the meridians are rivers of chi the internal organs themselves may be thought of as reserves of energy.

There are also eight extra meridians which may be thought of as reservoirs used to store excess energy.

Two of the eight extra meridians are particular importance for our purpose. These are the Conceptor meridian situated on the midline of the front of the body, and the Governing Meridian situated on t midline of the back of the body. There are millions of other Chi channels spreading out from the meridians, which distribute Chi to every cell in the body, nourishing the skin, hair eyes nails etc. and also inward to the bone marrow to maintain the production of blood cells. The channels also connect the organs, enabling them to communicate to and co-operate with each other.

We have already said, that, for the body to be healthy, the Chi must flow smoothly and continuously in the channels, if, we therefore disrupt this energy flow we can cause failure of the corresponding organ, paralysis to parts of the body, knock-out, death or even a delayed death, which may occur days, weeks, months or even years after the strike.

Chinese Martial Artists have discovered over 700 cavities also known as Dim Make or pressure points along these meridians which when struck in certain directions, would cause the body to react in the manner mentioned above. These are the same points used by Acupuncturists to adjust flow of Chi by inserting needles. Dim-Mak is probably the highest accomplishment in the Martial Arts. However, the force used to strike these points must be sufficient to affect the relevant meridian, because while some points must be sufficient to affect the relevant meridian, because while some points are very close to the surface, others are deeper within the body. We can therefore conclude that realistic self defence which may be used by anyone irrespective of size or gender must be based on energy disruption. We can further state the self defence based on logical pre-arranged techniques will not work on the street. Fighting is a sub-conscious reaction and must be taken to an internal or mind level if it is to be effective.

The Reptilian Brain is the first brain that anything ever had, it is our survival brain. Reptiles such as crocodiles and snakes still only have this brain. Our soft western life styles have made this brain dormant, but in order to make our self defence realistic and effective on the street we must train in methods which will teach us to access this brain. Humans are not natural fighters and their most likely response to an attack is likely to be a passive one in other worlds instead of fighting back humans are more likely to cower in fear and possibly plead for mercy. This is because our intellectual logical thinking brain (neomaillian) does not like violence. We must train in ways which will access our Reptilian Brain if we are to stand any chance of survival out on the street.