Many people think that martial arts are a way to improve physical fitness and develop the ability to defend oneself. These are merely physical aspects with tangible boundaries, whereas mental cultivation has no boundaries. In Chinese martial arts, the concept of Yi (意) – Intent – is often expounded upon. Xing Yi Quan (形意拳) and…
Bagua Zhang is one the three major internal martial arts of China. It features coiling, spiraling, and turning maneuvers while walking in a circle. Liu Dekuan’s 64 Palms have the distinguishing characteristic of being practiced in a linear pattern. A Brief Biography of Liu Dekuan (劉德寬, 1826-1911) Liu Dekuan was from Gang Zhou (滄洲) in…
In the human body, Qi (氣) is the fundamental energy sustaining life. Qi can be interpreted as: Life Force, Vital Energy, Breath, Gas, and Vapor. The Chinese martial arts of Taiji Quan (太極拳), Xingyi Quan (形意拳), Liuhe Bafa (六合八法), as well as other styles, incorporate Qi Gong (氣功) in their training regimen. These exercises are…
Brief Biographies of the Masters In the later part of Qing Dynasty, Liu Shijun (刘仕俊, 1840-1910), a prominent Chinese martial arts master from Xiong County in what is now Hebei Province, was proficient in Yue Shi San Shou (岳氏散手) – Yue Style Free Hands, which he learned from two monks. He was renowned for his…
During an interview with Master Di Guoyong, he mentioned four Major Masters of the late Qing Dynasty. I tried to pursue this subject with Master Di but did not get much information beyond confirming the names of these Four Masters. They are listed here based on the year of birth: Dong Haichuan (董海川, 1797-1882), Yang…
Wang Wu (王五,1844-1900), whose given name was Wang Zhengyi (王正誼), was born in Cangzhou, the famous martial arts town in what was at the time Zhili (直隸), and what is present-day Hebei (河北) province. Note: Zhili means“ directly ruled.” This was the administrative region ruled by the imperial court during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing…
All adherents of Yang Style Taiji Quan should be familiar with Yang Chengfu’s Shi Yao, or Ten Essentials. The Ten Essentials serve as guideposts for building posture awareness and implementing Taiji Quan principles into your practice, which will aid in elevating your skill in the art. One of these ten essentials is Chen Jian Zhui…
In Chinese martial arts, especially the Internal Arts of Taiji Quan, Xingyi Quan, Bagua Zhang, and Liuhe Bafa, the Bai Hui Xue (百会穴) plays an instrumental role in correcting the posture and raising the Yang Qi (陽氣). Bai Hui translates as100 Meeting or100 Convergences; I prefer the latter since this is the point where the…
A Chinese Martial Arts proverb states, “Nei Wai He Yi, Xing Shen Jian Bei,” which means that the “Internal and External Harmonize, in both Form and Spirit.” This proverb is often associated with the Nei Jia, the Internal Chinese martial arts of Taiji Quan, Xing Yi Quan, Bagua Zhang, and Liuhe Bafa. It is also…
When practicing Chinese martial arts, especially the Neijia (Internal Styles)and Qi Gong, you become acquainted with the Dantian. You will hear instructions such as “Concentrate on your Dantian” and “Sink Your Qi to the Dantian” For a practitioner of the Neijia, as well as other Chinese martial arts, it is imperative to know what the…
The posts on this Blog reflect the knowledge I have received from my teachers, and the volumes of information I have accumulated while doing research and conducting interviews with many masters, during the years of publishing the Wu Gong Journal and the Journal of Chinese Martial Arts. All the material published on this Blog is copyrighted. — Nick Scrima
