Sinew, Tendon Changing
Iron Shirt 2 activates the tendons, ligaments, and joints - through simple, yet very unusual, movements that increase circulation in those areas. The movements are easily learned, easy to do (no straining, no packing, no impact), take only minutes - and are very effective.
In addition to releasing tension and increasing circulation, IS2 helps to further integrate earth energy (or any beneficial energy that you are saving / storing, for that matter) into a deep, rarely accessed, layer of the body (the tendons, ligaments, joints).
Additionally, if you ever intend to take up Iron Shirt 3 (Bone Marrow Nei Kung), you must release the majority of tension from the tendons, ligaments, & joints - to clear the pathway for safely getting energy into the bones. One of the dangers of full-on Iron Shirt 3 training is that it creates a lot of heat, and there are ways to deal with that. However, if you have stuck energy in your tendons, ligaments, & joints, then that heat can get stuck more easily - and be that much more dangerous. It’s wise to spend ample time with Iron Shirt 2 before attempting Iron Shirt 3.
The Iron Shirt 2 tendon-changing technique is supple, undulating, and holistic - not easily described by the staccato of written word. Currently, there’s no book on it. Don’t let that stop you from learning Iron Shirt 2; it’s a real gem. The Healing Tao's Iron Shirt 2 video is worth while; I recommend buying it.
Essays
Describes some of the essentials of the Iron Shirt 2 movement, plus gives some applications and variations that are not in the video.
As with tendon-changing, activating the joints is greatly enhanced through exercising distal ends simultaneously.
...There is a great deal more to say about the whole area of the fascia and tendons, joints, ligaments, bones. Some of the deep emotional patterns get stored in the fascia layer, the body warps around these, and they're generally difficult to access and slow to resolve. If you want really profound integration, you'll need to address this layer of the body with some deep and comprehensive work... and, while some of what the HT offers is helpful, there is really vastly more to it. Some types of bodywork will get to it in various ways, stretching to some degree, and some of the Taoist internal martial arts.
Scott Sonnon's system is remarkably effective at addressing the connective tissue, through a detailed regime of joint exercises. His work has become a staple of the cyber-Taoist community. Highly accessible, highly recommended.