Which style should I take?
All the styles have their good
points and none is better than the other. Merely one may suit your
personality more than another. If you're looking for Taiji then Yang style
is mostly likely what you think of when you think of Taiji. Yang style
Taiji is smooth and relaxing to watch as well as to practice. Yang Taiji
is like a gentle flowing river. Chen Taiji differs from Yang in that it
has quick and forceful movements and jumps combined with the slow smooth
movements. Chen style requires more of a commitment to daily practice
since the choreography is more athletic and difficult than Yang Taiji.
Bagua Zhang is between the two Taiji. It doesn't have the long
choreographed movements Taiji is known for but is based upon the same principles of
relaxation and focusing on body coordination. Bagua emphasizes walking a circle
while performing intricate foot patterns. Also Bagua is usually performed
at normal to fast speed unlike the slow practice patterns of basic Taiji.
The
Internal Arts
NEI
JIA / NEI GUNG
(nay ge-ah / nay gung)
Nei
Jia (internal style/art), Nei Gung (internal work). Nei Gung refers to any
method of self-cultivation, such as meditation, qi gong or the arts of Taiji,
Bagua and Xing-I. Nei Jia refers to the actual group of 'internal styles':
Taiji Quan, Bagua Zhang, Xing-I Quan, Liou He Ba Fa, and Fu Family arts.
Internal means that these arts don't emphasize physical strength. Instead, their
central theme is to cultivate deep relaxation, greater body coordination,
and centering to increase one's internal energy flow and body power. That contrasts with
the
'external styles', whose emphasis is also to build up physical strength, speed,
and power. The
Chinese external styles are usually referred to as Shaolin Arts, Kung Fu or
Wushu. The internal arts are based upon Taoist principles of
understanding nature and
flowing with the movements of nature. Keep in mind there are some instructors
who teach the internal styles as hard styles, and Kung Fu instructors who teach
hard styles more to the principles of the internal arts.
INSTRUCTORS
AIKIDO
(eye key doe)
AIKI
(harmonizing energy) is the principle of harmonizing with movement and energy.
DO (the way) It is a modern Japanese term from the early
1900's indicating the art's emphasis is on self-discipline and inner
growth. Aikido, founded in the 1920's by Morihei Ueshiba, is not
primarily a system of combat, but rather a means of polishing our spirit.
According to Ueshiba, the goal of Aikido is not the defeat
of others but to defeat our negative characteristics. The emphasis of
Aikido isn't on subduing an opponent but on learning to center, stay alert, and move
efficiently and safely with the energy and force from an attack. Aikido
classes use the traditional belt-ranking system from Japan; white, yellow, blue,
brown and black. This provides the students and instructors with a measure
of advancement and accomplishment in the progression of studying the art.
The emphasis of this club is in both KI (energy) and technique. Aikido
is very active with much tumbling, using wrist twists and joint manipulations to
deal with an attack. In Aikido practice there is no enemy or opponent,
practitioners are partners in helping each other understand the principles that
the techniques represent. Practice is a joint cooperation.
MORE INFORMATION
AIKIJUJITSU
(eye key jew jit sue)
Aikijujitsu
is one of the parents of Aikido. Primarily concerned with the functional
aspects of subduing attackers, many of Aikijujitsu's techniques are considered
brutal by Aikido standards due to its function as a military art instead of a
method of self-cultivation and health. Whereas Aikido techniques strive
not to permanently injure the attacker, Aikijujitsu focuses on doing
injury.
BAGUA
ZHANG
(bah gwah jang)
Considered
the 'sister' art of Taiji because they share the same principles and philosophy,
Bagua is outwardly simpler yet relies more on one's focus and
concentration. Bagua initially is very Zen-like in its approach to calming
and focusing the mind. The basics are a series of movements done while
walking in a circle. The goal is for the individual to understand body
alignment and relaxation. Once this practice is consistent the movements become faster and
more intricate-turning and twisting, moving the body in all possible angles and
directions for fitness , centering and agility. Bagua uses quick footwork
and turns as its self-defense strategy.
KUNG
FU / GONG FU
(kong foo / gong foo)
Though
it's synonymous with Martial Arts outside of China, Kung Fu truly means skill or
expertise. Someone who has refined his or her art to a level of exceptional
quality. A master chef has Kung Fu or can be thought of as a Kung Fu
master.
LAOSHR
(lou shir)
Different
than a Sifu / Shrfu, a Laoshr is a coach or a
teacher. Someone who teaches the techniques of the art but not
necessarily trains apprentices or students in the philosophy and
tradition of the art.
Qi
/ Ki
(chee / key)
Qi (Chinese) or Ki (Japanese)
means energy. When referring to
the internal martial arts or healing arts, it primarily means the energy and
vitality flowing inside our bodies keeping us alive and in health. However,
everything is a form of energy-from solid matter to sound, light and thought
waves. The world is composed of elements at various frequencies of energy.
QI
GONG
(chee gong)
Qi
Gong translates as 'Energy Work'. Qi Gong is the cultivation of one's
energy for health, vitality, healing, martial or spiritual pursuits. There
are many different Qi Gong methods ranging from seated meditation to quick
movements. The internal arts (Taiji, Bagua, Xing-I) cannot be practiced
correctly unless they adhere to basic Qi Gong principles. Unlike the
internal arts, Qi Gong movements don't necessarily have a martial function. The purpose of Qi Gong is to improve one's health, release
sickness, and increase one's internal vitality and energy.
MASTERS
Master
is a respectful term used at times to refer to a highly skilled practitioner, a
teacher, or someone who has spent the greater part of his or her life studying and
refining an art. Sometimes confused with the Chinese term 'Sifu/Shrfu',
master is an indication of someone's exceptional skill, not a title
like Sifu or Shrfu.
SENSEI
(sen say)
Sensei
is the Japanese term similar to Laoshr. Sensei is a skilled teacher of an
art. Literally it means one who has gone before.
SIFU
/ SHRFU / SIMU
(see foo / shir foo)
Translated
and confused with the term Master, Sifu (Cantonese) Shrfu (Mandarin) is the
title of one who trains apprentices, instructors, or oversees the in-depth
training of an art. A Sifu isn't just a teacher, but a guide who is passing
on the tradition and philosophy of the art, not just the technique. Simu
is the respectful title of Sifu's wife.
STYLES
There
are millions of martial art styles! Traditionally there are three Chinese
Internal Martial Arts, but actually there are hundreds. It usually takes at least
10 years for people who are studying and practicing a martial art to integrate the basics into their
bodies. After that, students will adapt the art as
an expression of their nature. Their practice and their art will be unique to them.
TAIJI
QUAN
(tie gee chew on)
Taiji a Chinese martial art dating back in written history to the
1600s.
By the 1800's it was know in China as the martial art of the Chen Village in
Hunan province. This village had the reputation of being safe from
bandits and outlaws due to the martial skills of the villagers.
Written history says that in the 1600s Chen Wang Ting sought to combine his
martial skills with Qi Gong (energy cultivation), meditation, and the basic
health and long-life principles of Taoism. A visitor to the village,
seeing the martial arts at the time, stayed and helped Chen Wang
Ting refine his Mein Quan (cotton fist), which later became Taiji Quan.
Legend says this visitor was a disciple of the Taoist saint Chang San Feng.
The
Chen village martial art, Taiji Quan, was kept a family secret until the
mid-1800's, when due to various circumstances they permitted outsiders to study
their art. Eventually, many of their students modified what was taught and different styles of Taiji have emerged from this. The most
popular current styles are: Yang, Chen and Wu. Others are: Woo, Sun, Hao,
Li, Fu, and Liou He Ba Fa. In addition, there are many versions of
each.
WUJI
- TAIJI
(woo jee)
Simply
wuji is a state of nothingness, emptiness, the beginning of beginnings. We
can think of wuji as a zero. In Chinese symbolism first there was WUJI -
nothingness, emptiness from which evolved Taiji - completeness, fullness,
balance. Taiji would be the number 1. Taiji is the symbol known as
Yin/Yang but in the Taiji symbol they are in complete balance when yin
(negative) and yang (positive) separate they are known as Yin & Yang. Yin
& Yang are represented by the number two. This symbolism is the basis
of all the internal martial arts. Check out the
TAIJI TREE.
XING-I
QUAN
(shing yee chew an)
Xing-I
is the third of the traditional Nei Jia and is thought to be the oldest.
Very simple and direct, Xing-I's primary emphasis is for students to learn to direct and
channel the body's power and energy into five primary striking methods and then
expand them into the various movements mimicking animals. Outwardly more martial appearing,
Xing-I actually is the study of one's coordination and execution of body
movement, energy and power.
WHICH
STYLE IS BEST?
This
depends upon the practitioner, not the art. It's like asking which car is the
best. In fighting or applications the person best skilled and in shape is the
best. But in life, the best styles is one that suits your personality, temperament
and goals. The one that you enjoy and that nurtures your life.
HOW
LONG DOES IT TAKE TO LEARN?
A
lifetime! To learn and be consistent in the physical movements may take
3-5 years, but this is only the physical movements of the arts. To advance
and attain true skill in the internal arts requires that the movements be internalized, so the mind (and practice) can
focus on the intent application and energy flow during the practice instead of the
choreography or techniques.
HOW
DO I PICK A CLUB OR AN INSTRUCTOR?
A
good teacher or famous master isn't necessarily good for everyone. One
size doesn't fit all. First examine and decide your interests and reasons
for studying. Health? Exercise? Spiritual? Martial? Research?
Apprenticing? If your interest is in health or exercise then perhaps any
club will do. Unfortunately there aren't many practitioners teaching who have a comprehensive knowledge of the systems they teach,
if you're looking to
apprentice or learn the entire art. The entire art consists of: Qi
Gong, Solo Forms, Applications and Push Hands, Weaponry and Meditation.
To pick a teacher or a school visit as many clubs as you can. Look at the class
and the attitude of the teacher and students. Does it look like you'd enjoy
being a part of the session? That is the most important question. If there is
a hard sell or you are told it is the only 'true' or 'official' art or
school, keep looking. Trust your instincts. You should feel comfortable and at ease in the school and when
talking with the teacher.
XIN
QI SHEN
(shin chee shen)
XIN
translates as body or heart. It's the physical aspect of our practice and
training. Symbolized by the triangle the body must be strong, healthy and
stable. QI is energy. Our vitality and the focus of our
thoughts. On a broader view it includes the 'I'(yee) our mind and intent.
Positive thoughts and attitude create a positive result. Qi is symbolized
by the circle meaning to constantly flow. SHEN means spirit, always
present. Shen is our own uniqueness and strength of character.
Symbolized by the square, it represents consistency and always being in balance.
AGE TO STUDY
The internal arts tend to need
self-motivation and dedication. Whereas the hard styles are flashy and
capture children's interest the internal arts tend to be too slow and require
much more individual study.
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