Ancient military strategists taught that in order to completely destroy the enemy one must aim at destroying its centre.

Chinese martial arts training teaches the same philosophy and includes the entire Centreline of the body.

In this article I will address the vulnerability of the Centreline and the reasons why it must be protected, irrespective of style of martial art you practice.

The Centreline Theory is the basis on which many attack and defence techniques are formed.

It is one of the most comprehensive defence systems found in many styles of martial arts.

Whether one practices a Chinese, Japanese, Korean or any other martial art, techniques to defend the Centreline must be taught.

Students should also be aware of their Centreline at all times during self-defence or sparring.

The Centreline forms the backbone of many Chinese martial arts, especially southern Chinese styles of kung fu.

Whether one practices Hung Kuen, Nan Quan, Tai Chi or Wing Chun, the Chinese not only consider the Centreline as a jewel worthy of absolute protection, but also a specific target for attack.

When used as a target, the Centreline becomes a focus and direction for techniques, no longer simply a punch or kick to the chest, abdomen or front of the body.

Instead, the techniques are directed at the Centreline and its specific Dim Mak pressure points.

The Dim Mak points sharpen our focus and make us become more effective in the delivery of our techniques. Hence, we get more power with less force.

Certain kung fu schools place a greater emphasis on attacking the Centreline than others.

Those schools who place less emphasis also rely on other principles of defence.

It does not mean however, that they place less importance on the Centreline theory.

Tai Chi, Chi Kung and other healing arts also depend on the Centreline Theory.

Let's examine Tai Chi as a good example.

Tai Chi does not solely rely on the Centreline Theory in self-defence.

Tai Chi considers the Centreline Theory to be just as important as its Pivoting Technique.

The weight shifting and hip turning mechanisms of Tai Chi, such as when one shifts weight from the front leg to the rear leg before advancing forward one step, allow Tai Chi practitioners to use the Centreline Theory in conjunction with the Pivoting Technique.

Anatomy of the Centreline

The Centreline encompasses body parts such as the face, throat, chest, abdomen and the lower abdomen.

Major organs such as the heart, lungs, stomach, intestines, bladder and reproductive organs are vulnerable to damage.

The most important structure on the Centreline is the Conception Vessel.

This is an important meridian that runs on the midline of the body from the perineum upwards to the chin.

The Conception Vessel contributes to the overall development and health of the mind and body. It is responsible for functions such as:

• Distributing, controlling and regulating Yin Chi of the body
• Balancing the body at the centre
• Nourishing the uterus (in women)
• Distributing Protective (Wei) Chi over the front of the body
• Distributing and moving body fluids, especially in the abdomen
• Controlling and regulating the 7 and 8 year cycle of development in women and men respectively.

Called Ren Mai in mandarin Chinese, the Conception Vessel has 24 points.

Not all of which are used in martial arts, only a very select number of these very powerful points are used in Dim Mak.

The flow of Chi (Ki) in the Conception Vessel moves upwards, from the pelvis to the head. The first point on the Conception Vessel is Hui Yin, considered to be the most Yin point of the body.

It is located between the anus and the genitals.

Classical martial arts consider Hui Yin as a "Death Point" on the basis that, not only is it the most Yin point of the body, but it has major internal links.

These connections extend to other main organs and meridians such as the Governor Vessel, the Penetrating Vessel and the Kidney organ and meridian, as shown in the above diagram.

As the Conception Vessel rises up the front of the body it passes through several important "centres" such as the Dan Tian.

The Dan Tian, an area about the size of the palm, is located on the midline of the body below the navel.

It is consciously called upon by most Chinese martial and healing arts to build and store Chi and deliver power when needed.

Defending the Centreline

The first technique of a Centreline Attack is a strike aimed directly on the pathway of the Conception Vessel.

In other words, anywhere from the lower abdomen to the chin as long as it is on the Conception Vessel.

This will cause sufficient injury, which will be reflected in the following areas.

This is because the Conception Vessel exerts a direct influence over these areas of the body.

• Pubic area
• Abdomen
• Chest
• Throat
• Lips
• Eyes

Depending on the exact area struck, injury along the Conception Vessel may also appear in other Yin meridians, but more often in Liver and Kidney meridians.

Hence when the Centreline of the body is penetrated and a severe blow is made directly to the Centreline, injury to the Conception Vessel becomes evident.

If the casualty's injury is not attended to, one can expect the following symptoms to manifest.

I emphasize that the following symptoms are a reflection of Conception Vessel injury, not of the other Yin meridians.

If other Yin meridians such as Liver or Kidney are affected then there will be present additional symptoms reflecting their own individual organs.

• Genital problems
• Acute diarrhoea, leading to chronic diarrhoea
• Skin of abdomen itches, painful
• Lower Heater and lower abdomen distress with sharp pain around the navel, the pubic bone or in the genitals
• Males contract hernia
• Females contract gynaecological diseases
• Chi ascends to attack the heart
• Haemorrhages
• Difficulty in swallowing, swollen throat, difficulty speaking
• Pain and loss of function along the course of the meridian.

The second and superior technique of defence using the Centreline Theory is to aim strikes directly on one of the main Dim Mak points on the Conception Vessel, such as Conception Vessel 17 Shan Zhong.

This point is one of the most important targets along the Conception Vessel.

Not only is it one of the most effective targets in Dim Mak, it also destroys the "Centre".

Shan Zhong is the name of this point.

It means the Middle of Chest. This point also means the Central Altar, that is, the place of worship and where Spirit resides (in the Heart).

Ancient Shaolin tradition refers to this point as Tan Ning. This point is also known as Shang Qi Hai (Upper Sea of Chi) and Dan Zhong (another name for Pericardium). Location Conception Vessel 17 is located on the chest, over the sternum, heart and lungs at the midline.

This point lies directly on the midline of the body at the level of the 4th intercostal space. On men it is found at the level of the nipples.

Consequences when hit

Extreme caution is recommended with this point, because it can be lethal.

I recommend urgent medical attention when a person is hit on this point because a severe blow to this point can cause instant death or death within 12 hours.

Energetically, this point is a special point that influences Chi, respiratory system, and breathing.

It regulates Lung organ and the Upper Heater.

When this point is struck, immediate symptoms are shortness of breath, chest pain, intercostal neuralgia, laboured breathing, facial pallor and diaphragmatic spasms.

Palpitations, hypochondriac constriction with pain, anxiety and inability to speak are also experienced because this point is the Master Alarm point of Pericardium, the protector of the heart.

Hitting this point severely binds the chest and sends Chi upwards to rebel against the mind and body.

This is because Shan Zhong is where Chi gathers in the chest like a "sea".

When a person is in good health, Conception Vessel 17 expands and relaxes the chest, diffuses Lung Chi, regulates and tonifies Chi, transforms Phlegm and warms Yang due to its connection with Kidney, Pericardium, Small Intestine and Three Heater organs and meridians.

I remind you again that this point is situated directly over the Heart organ.

The physical manifestations when this point is struck will cause fracture of the sternum with damage to the heart and lung organs.

This will possibly lead to impairment of lung and heart function, including cardiac tamponade and pneumothorax.

Finally, you would have noticed that there are two sets of symptoms that occur when the Centreline is attacked.

The symptoms depend on whether the Conception Vessel as a meridian is struck or whether a Dim Mak point on the meridian is struck.

In both cases, the impact on the mind and body will be serious if the imbalance of Chi vital energy caused by the attack is not corrected.