[Martial Arts] Lingzi Step Three Hours

Wu Chao Hui (JEFFI CHAO HUI WU)

Article Date: Friday, July 18, 2025, 3:04 PM

My daily walking style has become completely different from most people. Now, whether it's a morning walk, daily commuting, walking the dog, grocery shopping, or even hiking in the mountains, I hardly use the traditional heel-to-toe or toe-powered walking methods. Instead, I adopt a style where the forefoot lightly touches the ground, my steps are slow and steady, and my body is naturally guided forward by my skeleton. I call this internally developed gait "Lingzi Step."

Many people, upon first hearing the name "Lingzi Step," often assume it is some kind of special martial arts routine or a technique developed through systematic training. In fact, it is not. It is neither a new term I have artificially created nor a skill learned from any martial arts manuals, ancient texts, or lineage. Rather, it is a natural movement that my body has "walked" out on its own after years of practicing standing post, Tai Chi, Tai Chi sword, and achieving structural independence. It is not a product of deliberate training, but rather a result of the body spontaneously evolving in a dynamic state after the structure has been thoroughly practiced.

At this point, people often curiously ask, "What exactly does your way of walking train?" I can answer this question very clearly: what the Lingzi step trains is not the superficial muscles or physical endurance, but the overall structural function from the three arches of the foot, the fascial chains, to the spinal trunk, and even the entire system of qi and blood circulation. It is the self-coordination and regulation of a complete "internal body network" during its operational process.

First, it directly activates and strengthens the three arch structures of the foot—the medial longitudinal arch, the lateral longitudinal arch, and the transverse arch of the forefoot. Each step carries a slight elastic rebound, continuously exercising and repairing the elastic support capacity of the sole. Subsequently, the ankle joint, knee, and hip naturally return to a neutral position, without relying on muscular strain or generating impact load, forming a stable foundation that is vertically aligned and symmetrically balanced. More importantly, as the pelvis moves slightly and the spine gently rotates, the breathing pattern gradually adjusts, allowing the flow of qi and blood to rise naturally, gradually creating an organic pathway for internal circulation throughout the body. Finally, the fascial tension network automatically adjusts its distribution with each step, achieving a micro-balance of the overall structural tension, traction, and counterforce, resulting in a deep, low-consumption, and highly efficient system coordination.

In other words, the essence of this gait is not "a certain way of walking" or "a technique of light force application," but rather a "dynamic structural self-sustaining state," a "natural stance while walking," and the result of "constantly optimizing structural pathways in daily movements." It relies neither on force exertion nor on pursuing speed of steps, but is the body's instinctive choice for the most energy-efficient, least strenuous, and most stable way of moving forward.

Currently, I almost have two complete "three-hour Lingzi walking" sessions every week. I wake up at five in the morning to practice, doing a set of Tai Chi, Tai Chi sword, horse stance, and golden rooster stands on one leg. After that, I usually arrange for a longer walk in the morning or afternoon—either running errands or casually strolling. Each outing lasts three hours, with a consistent gait throughout, a natural and light rhythm. There is no deliberate adjustment during the process, nor any special reminders needed; my body maintains its structural flow on its own.

Completed in three hours, there is a slight soreness in the soles of my feet, but there is no discomfort or fatigue in key areas such as the knee joints, spine, or shoulders and neck; after a normal rest that night, I woke up at four o'clock the next morning as usual and continued practicing by the sea, not only without any delay but feeling even more clear-headed and focused. This effect of "recovering while walking" is something I have never experienced in any traditional endurance training or restorative exercise over the years.

What is even more surprising is that even on rugged mountain paths, soft grasslands, or gravel slopes, my body naturally enters the "Lingzi Step" state, without the need to consciously think about the route and landing points, nor to temporarily change my walking method. Each step still involves the forefoot gently touching the ground, the skeleton guiding the center of gravity, and a stable transition of structure. At that moment, I truly understood that the real "walking technique" has never been about how the legs move or how the feet walk, but rather how the entire body's structure coordinates movements to achieve a systematic embodiment of center of gravity transfer and energy minimization in path scheduling.

What is more real is that this state is not a temporary technique on the training ground, but a natural norm in my daily life. Even when I am just walking the dog for 40 minutes after dinner, I do not remind myself to "enter the walking method"; instead, my body naturally operates along this rhythm. Some friends of mine, who have not practiced martial arts for many years, can also observe the clues. They say, "You walk without making a sound, yet it feels particularly steady and grounded," and I know that this is the silent efficiency driven by structure.

I never practice so-called "long-distance endurance walking," yet I can walk for three hours straight without feeling fatigued; it's not about sheer willpower, but rather my body instinctively regards this method as the most effortless and natural choice. More importantly, the entire process requires no recovery, no massage, and no warm-up; I can return to normal life and continue my training immediately after walking, without any delay.

So I often say that the Lingzi step is not the result of "walking out," but rather the "structure developed through practice" that allows the body to automatically decide how to walk. It is not a "skill," but a "rhythm"; not controlled by human intention, but chosen by the body. Once a person's structure is well-practiced, the body will initiate this optimized operating scheme on its own, without intention or motivation; as long as it starts moving, it will naturally activate.

I believe that if one day you also enter this state, you will suddenly realize: it is not you who is walking with your feet, but your entire body structure that is in motion; it is not you who wants to practice, but the practice has already integrated into your life, unconsciously accompanying every breath and every step.

This is my "Lingzi Step Three Hours" — not fast, yet extremely transparent; seemingly easy and natural, but in fact a deep-level exercise; it is unassuming and does not show off its effects, yet it is one of the true manifestations of my years of internalized practice.