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…
Traditional Chan Quan – Long Fist, has certain requisites that serve guideposts for developing skills. The Eight Methods refer to the chief technical aspects that must be developed and refined. They play a strong role in guiding martial practice. It is through their practice and understanding that one can blend the external with the internal…
People often assume, mistakenly, that stamina and endurance mean the same thing. Although these ideas do have some overlapping qualities, and both help improve your skills through aerobic and anaerobic exercise, there are subtle and important differences between the two. First, let’s examine the definitions for “aerobic” and “anaerobic.” The definition of aerobic The term…
As Chinese martial arts practitioners we have all heard of dragons and phoenixes. Some Gong Fu styles are even named after these mythical creatures, for example, Long Xing Quan (龙形拳) – Dragon Shape Fist and Feng Yan Quan (鳳眼拳) – Phoenix Eye Fist. There are also many weapon forms that are named after the dragon…
The Miao Dao (苗刀) – literally, Sprout Saber, is also referred to as the Grain Leaf Saber. It is a single-edge type of sword. The name derives from the sprouting leaf of a seedling. Origins The Miao Dao is often associated with ancient types of Daos (刀) such as the Huan Shou Dao (環首刀) –…
There are various theories as to the origins of Baji Quan. We will first deal with the origins of the name and then the origins of the style. The Origins of the Term “Baji Quan” The origins of the name “Baji Quan” (八極拳) – Eight Extremities Fist, is believed to have derived from Huai Nan…
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…
China is a vast country with a rich cultural and martial arts tradition. These traditions vary between north and south. Culturally, the demarcation line is what is called the Qin Ling-Huai He Line (秦岭-淮河线). Qin Ling refers to the Qin Ling mountain range and Huai He refers to the River Huai. From a martial arts…
The adage “Shifu Ling Jin Men, Xiu Xing Kao Ge Ren (師父領進門，修行靠個人) – The Master leads you through the door, the practice is up to you,” is encountered when training in Chinese martial arts. But this adage is used in all arts and crafts to denote the relationship between teacher and student. The origin of…
The Four Stages of Learning are a general psychological model that apply not only in academics but to the learning of any skill, and that includes martial arts. The Four Stages of Learning Unconscious Incompetence: You don’t know that you don’t know. In martial arts, this truth is often hard to overcome due to a…
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
