| Many of us in the western world view the | | | | Baguazhang, Taijiquan, Xingyiquan and Liu He |
| martial arts as either a basic sport or a | | | | Ba Fa. |
| means of self-defense. The depth of our | | | | |
| knowledge is based on what we've seen in | | | | * Internal or Soft Styles: Soft styles of |
| Hollywood films. In reality, the martial | | | | martial arts focus using internal elements |
| arts are varied among eastern countries, with | | | | such as energy flow and spirit to build |
| roots that can be traced back thousands of | | | | power. These styles rely on relaxed |
| years. | | | | leverage, rather than brute force. Theorists |
| | | | believe that differences between internal and |
| The Chinese martial arts are considered to be | | | | the external styles lie in their focus on the |
| the most advanced and the most varied. | | | | philosophy of martial arts. Internal |
| Chinese martial arts draw inspiration and | | | | stylists are viewed as philosopher-fighters, |
| philosophies from animals, birds and | | | | spending more time on developing the soul. |
| reptiles. Every one of the Chinese martial | | | | External schools are those that focus more on |
| arts is unique, with movements that are | | | | the difficult aspect of developing physical |
| absolutely astonishing. | | | | prowess. |
| | | | |
| Through thousands of years of practice, the | | | | While internal schools are based on mind, |
| Chinese martial arts have maintained their | | | | spirit and energy, they do involve physical |
| originality and their vigor. While each one | | | | training. In this style of Chinese martial |
| has its own distinct characteristics, they | | | | arts, movements and postures are slow as |
| can broadly be classified into the following | | | | opposed to fast and explosive. The philosophy |
| categories: | | | | is to stay relaxed while involving the entire |
| | | | body in every motion. A martial artist |
| Wushu | | | | practicing internal school styles will keep |
| | | | his or her breathing deep and controlled, and |
| These ancient and fluid martial arts forms | | | | will coordinate the motions of the body to |
| are based on rapid jumps and kicks. This is | | | | the breathing. All of this should be done |
| a huge category, with literally hundreds of | | | | while maintaining perfect balance. |
| schools and styles. Most, however, can be | | | | Baguazhang, Liuhexinyiquan, Taijiquan, |
| arranged in several groups: | | | | Xingyiquan, Liu He Ba Fa and Yiquan are all |
| | | | internal styles. |
| * Southern Shaolin Temple Styles: Hung Gar, | | | | |
| Nanquan, Wing Chun, and Choy Lay F are all | | | | Buddhist |
| examples of southern styles of Chinese | | | | |
| martial arts. The people of the provinces | | | | Most Buddhist styles were created within |
| south of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) were | | | | temples by Buddhist monks, and later taught |
| shorter, so the martial arts styles developed | | | | to laymen. Buddhist styles of Chinese |
| here focused mostly on upper body strength | | | | martial arts incorporate Buddhist philosophy, |
| and speed. | | | | imagery, principles and numbers. Famous |
| | | | styles of Buddhist martial arts are White |
| * Northern Shaolin Temple Styles: It is | | | | Crane, Shaolinquan, Luohanquan, Hung Gar and |
| believed that these styles originated in | | | | Wing Chun. |
| Henna, and other provinces in northern China. | | | | |
| History holds that the northern population | | | | Daoist |
| of China was taller, and used fluid | | | | |
| movements, kicks and jumps to fully make use | | | | Developed within Daoist temples by Daoist |
| of their longer limbs. The sword and | | | | ascetics, this group of Chinese martial arts |
| broadsword routines called Changquan, used in | | | | utilizes Daoist principles, imagery and |
| contemporary Wushu competitions, originate | | | | philosophy. |
| from these schools. | | | | |
| | | | Muslim |
| * External styles: This is the style most | | | | |
| often perceived to be synonymous with Chinese | | | | Chaquan, Xinyiliuhequan, and Qishiquan are |
| martial arts. External styles focus on | | | | examples of Muslim styles of Chinese martial |
| agility, physical strength, stamina and | | | | arts. These were practiced by the Muslim Hui |
| explosive movements. To train for external | | | | minority in China, and are based on Muslim |
| styles requires concentration on speed, | | | | principles and imagery. |
| muscular power and application. During | | | | |
| advanced training levels, these styles | | | | To say that one is a student of the martial |
| generally integrate their qigong aspects | | | | arts is a gross understatement. It could |
| after the desired levels of physical | | | | take a lifetime of study and training to |
| hardiness have been reached. External styles | | | | fully understand the ancient and varied areas |
| include most types of Wushu, except | | | | of Chinese martial arts. |