Before exploring Yue Fei’s martial arts training and background, it is important to begin with the mythology prevalent in Chinese culture that associates people and events with deities, immortals, and famous Chinese figures both real and legendary. I use the word “mythology” because some figures who are associated with certain martial arts styles are transmitted…
Di Laoshi, when did you began learning Shaolin Kung Fu from Master Zhao Zhong (趙忠, 1916-1982) in 1962? I did not graduate from elementary school in 1962, but in 1963. My grades were excellent, and I was admitted to the high school affiliated with Peking University. While studying there, our class’s extracurricular tutor, Wang Jinshi…
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…
Chinese martial arts evolved over millennia from rudimentary forms to highly developed fighting methods that are governed by specific methodology. This methodology has two components: Lian Fa (練法) – Training Methods and Da Fa (打法) – Fighting Methods. Lian Fa can be divided into two categories. The first includes training methods that incorporate auxiliary exercises…
The term Jin Gang (金刚) is often encountered in various styles of Chinese martial arts and occurs most often in Shaolin Gong Fu, as is evident in routines such as Jin Gang Quan. Styles such as Baji Quan and Xing Yi Quan have the Jin Gang Ba Shi. In Baji, Jin Gang Ba Shi refers…
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…
The origins of Xingyi Quan are credited to Li Laoneng, who is said to have learned Xinyi Liuhe Quan (Heart Mind Six Harmony Boxing) from Dai Longbang of Taigu in Shanxi Province. Although this is the generally transmitted tradition, it is more likely that he learned from one of Dai Longbang’s descendants. This assumption is…
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
