Kung fu
Internal martial arts are held to be the most subtle, complex and sophisticated in the Chinese martial arts world.
(Bruce Frantzis)
Modern depiction of kung fu
Martial arts movies invariably involve special effects, wire-work and
stunts. This has little to do with actual combat.
Wushu, Beijing opera and Shaolin circus monks are fabulous to watch. The
performers are amazing athletes, gymnasts and acrobats.
But it is not functional kung fu.
Performance art is intended to entertain, to excite, to evoke a reaction. A
martial art is about self defence.
The two are not the same.
Wudang & Shaolin
Kung fu is sometimes split into
internal & external,
soft &
hard, Wudang or Shaolin.
Internal, soft, Wudang refer to a few systems that focus on internal
movement and the cultivation of
qi.
External, hard, Shaolin represent the thousands of systems that rely on muscular
strength and speed to produce power.
The internal martial arts (neijia) are usually more difficult to learn
but can be trained for a lifetime.
What are we teaching?
Our school teaches the internal arts (neijia):
The internal arts offer a very challenging learning curve.
From the onset you are introduced to material that is more advanced than
what is normally practiced in the external arts.
Not fighting
The word 'fighting' has the connotation of reciprocity: two
people trading blows. Taking turns.
Many martial arts schools are training 'fighters' for competitions.
We are not doing this.
The internal martial arts are about cultivating a healthy body, a sharp,
clear mind, settled emotions and self defence skills.
Students work towards inner peace, strength and relaxation.
The self defence training is extensive, sophisticated and will require a lot
of hard work.
Combat is an integral
part of the syllabus.
Our students learn how to use their bodies intelligently and skilfully,
employing optimal body mechanics to ensure the best 'effort
to reward' ratio.
Empty your cup
A lot of new starters come to class with various ideas about
kung fu that have come from popular culture, or their own experiences with
martial arts.
These ideas, notions,
opinions and
expectations
will not help them to learn the art.
It is necessary to come with a fresh mind. An empty mind.
Open,
receptive, attentive.
Understanding
and insight require
context and
experience.
If you are new to this style of training, then you lack context and you lack
experience.
Speculation
will not aid you in your endeavour to learn kung fu. Only hard work will do
this.
Page created 8 October 1998