In the annals of Chinese martial arts there are many stories of heroes and heroines wielding their swords, and also tales of magical swords. Some of these stories are clouded in myth and legend, but they have been transmitted from generation to generation, and many have survived in modern times. During the Spring and Autumn…
While the literal translation of Duan Da is Close Fighting, a more precise definition is Face-to-Face Fighting. This term is not applied to Free-Style Fighting, which is referred to as San Shou and Sanda; rather, it refers to close-in training with a partner. In a Traditional Wushu Guan (a martial arts school), all aspects of…
Qi Gong is a uniquely Chinese practice that dates back hundreds of years and incorporates countless methods. Regardless of the method used, there are three fundamental components to Qi Gong practice. These are Diao Shen – Regulating the Body, Diao Xi – Regulating the Breathing, and Diao Xin – Regulating the Mind. Each component will…
The Lion Dance, known as Wu Shi (舞獅), is an important part of Chinese culture. Its origins date back to the Wei Dynasty (386–535 AD). During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) the Lion Dance was performed only at the Royal Court as part of entertainment for the elite. Over the centuries the Lion Dance penetrated…
Principle #4 This series of essays deals briefly with Chinese Martial Arts Principles and Sayings. These sayings have been developed over time and are meant to direct your daily practice. Adhering to them will help you develop a proper mindset reflective of a true martial artist. They also reveal distinctive fighting concepts, strategies, and training…
Stories abound of challenges that took place between famous masters in the Chinese martial arts world. These stories have been transmitted orally, by the written word, and by portrayals in movies. There are colorful depictions of undefeated martial arts heroes in countless matches. Consider that many of these experts were contemporaries who lived during the…
Martial arts in China are steeped in ancient history and are an important part of traditional Chinese culture. Their development was inseparable from Chinese philosophical thinking, moral values, and general outlook on life. These characteristics went hand in hand with the combative nature of various styles. The names of most Chinese martial arts styles, with…
Mizong Luohan, because of its characteristics, falls into the Chuantong Chang Quan or the Traditional Long Fist School. This is an important distinction because the Chang Quan featured in modern Wushu is far removed from its original roots. Traditional Chang Quan is characterized by kicks and strikes that are executed fully extended; by rapid footwork…
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…
You were one of the first Chinese martial arts practitioners to enter tournaments in the 1970s. In those days, Chinese stylists were rare. Please share with us some of your experiences. At that time, Chinese styles were not well recognized, especially in the southern part of the United States. What they called “Chinese” martial arts…
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
