MAG AJL ONLINE NOVEMBRE 2016

GLASS BREAKING
Where does your power come from to execute those
incredible breaks?
have seen very strong men in my life – some twice
I my size – who cannot do what I can do. Inner power,
some call it chiia, yaa or chi, exists in martial artists
and is important to their practice of martial arts. That
is why focus and meditation are important parts of
one’s training – they generate power. In order to
break or fight in a successful manner, one’s energy
has to be in full force. It is from inner power that
we successfully proceed in overcoming hurdles and
the rough times in fighting, or the dangers posed by
glass and other targets when breaking. Inner power
comes from the soul and the heart.
As an instructor, at what age do you suggest children
begin breaking or fighting?
young child shouldn’t break because the bone
A structure is not fully developed. Age sixteen is
appropriate for these activities. I see a lot of children
breaking but I think that the boards have been doctored.
Fighting is the opposite. I suggest children
start fighting at a very young age, four or five-yearsold,
because it enhances their minds’ ability to think
quickly and builds their reflexes. Both activities are
good preparation for school and for life.
You have a signature punch that has come to be
known as “the ultimate one” or the “bomb…”
key technique in Tae Kwon Do and Karate is
A the reverse punch. This is a good technique
for power breaks. When I break five or six boards,
I use all my secret techniques to build power in my
body and mind to complete my right-hand punch.
The first two knuckles line up along the grain of the
boards and then I break them! The execution must
be so precise and perfectly combine speed with the
boards, you are taking the chance of breaking your
arms, writs and knuckles. Speed and chi play a very
big part in this break.
Focus also is needed in this technique in order to
punch with one’s ultimate power. One must pull
the hand back as soon as possible after the break
so that one does not push the nerves to the point
where they just blow out and the hand is no longer
in control. This is a very risky break and I have done
it only three or four times in a major world championship.
Size does not make one more capable of
executing this break; it is the power. If this power
was used against an opponent’s chest, stomach or
ribs, it would definitely paralyze him.
“Breaking is a demonstration of power, focus, speed,
energy, skills, talent and outstanding fists!” says
Maurice Elmalem
43