Chinese martial arts | ||
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Martial art
Practiced since the dawn of human civilisation,
Chinese martial arts have
influenced martial arts development throughout the whole of Asia.
The
fighting skills have been developed and refined with each generation.
Folk arts
The
Chinese have used martial arts for the last
4500 years.
Their skills have remained relevant and functional throughout the ages.
The
speed and versatility of
Chinese martial arts makes
them ideal for armed combat, unarmed
combat and
self defence.
Wushu
The modern off-shoot of Chinese martial arts is called 'wushu'. It combines
martial arts-style movements, gymnastics, acrobatics and dance choreographed
to look exciting.
Wushu is all about aesthetics, theatrical displays and entertainment.
Traditional Chinese martial arts are not performance art, nor sport.
Internal & external
Most martial arts rely on strength, tensed muscles, speed, force against
force, locked joints, aggression and using the arms independently of the
body. This is thought of as being 'external'.
A handful of martial arts use the body in a very different manner, relying
upon timing, balance, relaxed muscles, whole-body strength, whole-body
movement and whole-body power.
These arts are called 'internal'.
Internal martial arts (neijiaquan)
Neijiaquan cultivates a very different attitude in the student. It
necessitates an unfamiliar approach to body use, combat and living:
Health and combat are equally important
Age is less of an obstacle
Significantly more refined, detailed and sophisticated than mainstream martial arts
Strength is built using unconventional means
Cross-training: massage, leg stretches, qigong, neigong, form, partnered work, martial sets & drills, combat and weapons
Physically and mentally challenging; but in a very different way to mainstream martial arts
Body must be trained to move in a manner that is unfamiliar
Organic, natural, flowing
Hidden, restrained, subtle
Uses 4 ounces of pressure, stickiness, sensitivity
Incapacitation is the aim
Composure is vital
Allowing, leading, misdirecting, listening, sensitivity, adaptation
Close-quarters
Circular
Reliance upon spontaneity and timing
Being in the body and sensation-oriented
Blending rather than blocking
Feeling your vulnerability
Loose, fluid and relaxed musculature
A highly developed technical understanding is cultivated
An understanding of the meaning and application of the martial classics
It is a vehicle for exploring the many insights offered by 'Taoism'
The training is done carefully, gently - in a controlled manner - without exertion or strain
Tai chi?
The most common internal martial art is tai chi.
However, when modern people say 'tai chi' they usually mean tai
chi for health: the peaceful slow motion exercise and
that is not martial.
If all you learn is a lot of
forms, you just become a good dancer.
(James Wing Woo)
Tai chi fighting method
Tai chi chuan (dynamic balancing boxing) training is thought-provoking and
insightful; with lessons about living, as well as about combat.
There is nothing macho, aggressive, confrontational or competitive about
tai chi.
Health, wellbeing, character development and
philosophical study are just as important as
combat
skills.
Stamina & endurance
Tai chi training is renowned for improving stamina and endurance.
Students can concentrate longer and sustain prolonged physical activity without
fatigue.
They gain the ability to withstand hardship and cope with difficulty.
Adapt, change & improvise
Modest and understated, tai chi is the perfect antidote to the pressures
of modern life.
The training encourages people to consider how they live their lives and
open-up to new choices, options and alternatives.
Journey
Tai chi is ultimately a journey of discovery; simultaneously uncovering
the art and ourselves. The subjects and insights revealed in our training
have ramifications beyond class.
We can take new skills, methods and attitudes into all aspects of life.
When to start?
The young are impatient and expect instant results. The old are lazy and
just want to talk. The best age for learning an internal martial art is
after the teenage years and before the onset of decline.
Our classes
Sifu Waller offers chin na, shuai jiao and
tai chi chuan (dynamic balancing boxing).
Page created 25 March 1994
Last updated
16 June 2023
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