WHAT IS INTERNAL BOXING?

 

Some pugilists have found out the truth behind Chinese Internal Boxing, others are still in the state of ignorant bliss, relying upon sheer upper body power to overwhelm their opponents in a fanciful rampage. We have to admit this does work, but many of us don’t wish to try and out muscle an incredible hulk like figure when squaring off with a fit combatant. Enter the world of Internal Martial Arts, where the small and puny can still leave a lasting impression on gym rats and lift-oholics.

 

 

 

 

Tales of speed and Herculean power get passed around most dojo’s & boxing gyms like a pack of wrigley’s chewing gum. Every one's ego-bubble eventually gets popped, you would know this, if you’ve been around the block a few times and hung out with vicious sparring circles long enough. Most fighters can hit hard, or they wouldn’t take up the profession; what many find out is that footwork, timing, and coordination are of major importance, if you want to play in the big leagues. The majority of us don’t make claims to be of such caliber, but steady hard work can raise any one's talent bar vertically if we endure with steadfast patience and fortitude. Some feel that Chinese boxing only offers fantasies; I can understand their reasoning, seeing the sub-par strata of most karate clubs and dojo’s. People like to practice for hobby & sport; and are okay with their lackluster ability when stepping toe to toe with their mediocre sparring partners.

Old experts also thought Jujitsu was unimportant, until the Gracie’s swept the through MMA’s circuits snatching up every prize purse to be had. Now Jujitsu is a prerequisite if anyone wishes to compete with the big boys.

 

 

 

 

The question has been begged to be answered, ‘’What does Internal Martial Arts offer?’’ No one can argue that ring fighting has become as predictable as the opening moves in a chess match. I would answer the question put forth by saying, ‘’Internal Martial Arts offers Balance, Focus, and Adaptability.’’ Beyond this there exist many other factors we could discuss. For instance, gloves in MMA competitions protect the participants hands from injury. Adept Martial Arts masters from China realized that it was unwise to punch bone to bone (fist to skull.) The palm, wrist, elbow, and forearms became the primary tools of choice for inflicting injury, and at the same time avoiding self injury. Natural movements and techniques were sought out to complement the understanding of the mental component in fighting, better known as YI or Intention.

 

 

 

 

The Chinese recognized early the spiritual component in creating functional speed and blistering power. Only when a person is relaxed and in the zone, or what the Chinese call Wu, can a player create zero to full throttle speed in a fraction of a second. This is termed Fali in the Chinese terminology bank. Fajing on the other hand is considered to be when a person reaches the height of skill, balance, sensitivity, and projection; which can only be employed correctly with an open striking hand—mainly the palm and wrist region. Whether one believes in it or not, you only need to take a few of these strikes to the body to be fully converted and turned into a devout practitioner of the Chinese methods.

 

 

 

 

Historically, combative strategists have been known to focus on training their soldiers for long range striking proficiency. The bow & arrow, staff, spear, and long sword are a few of the favorite weapons which were used during wartime feuds in ancient times. These techniques transferred over to hand to hand techniques and are seen in martial arts like Xingyiquan (Form Intention Fist,) and Bajiquan, (Eight Extremes Fist.) The linear striking ability of thrusting or spearing is the bear rudimentary basis for effective fighting. Combatants became more clever with experience and found ways to avoid linear strikes using special footwork and erratic stepping patterns while moving in against a skilled weapon handler.

 

 

 

 

Soon, more circular and techniques were developed in arts like Taijiquan and Baguazhang; to punctuate the already honed linear abilities sharpened through years of weapons practice. Power was developed through form, (xiang) balance, (ping heng) and relaxation (song.) Thus the three internal schools of: Tai Chi Chuan, Xingyiquan, and Baguazhang became the complimentary arts for compounding: footwork, striking power, flexibility, and technique.

 

 

 

 

The turning point in the art of combat came when Yang Luchan created Yang style Tai Chi Chuan. Yang prudently incorporated all three schools into a single form. The result of this, after the sharpening of the form by Yang Chengfu, was a Longform set of one hundred and eight postures which inter weaved the best footwork and techniques into a solid structure. This was not done with out much deep thought and pondering. The Yang form is superior to the Chen form in many ways, and that is in no way discrediting the legitimacy of the Chen form on its own merits. The Yang school of practice offers up more than just the techniques and body positioning for calculated advancement; it also serves up a strategy linked to the forms set. The long form opens up and lays out the eight gates (techniques) from the very start. These techniques are the vanguard, or the bullet proof vest to stop an opponent dead in their tracks, before entering into your, vulnerable, intimate space. The ingeniousness of the regimen is that the principles are based on natural body movements, which make it practical for even the most nonathletic to actualize. The name of the game is using strategy and skill to outwit the wildest of brutes. Alongside the five steps, eight gates, low kicks, stiff arms, and reverse punches, there exist two postures which are almost unstoppable if deployed using Fali. Very people seem to be aware of this or have shown to be privy to the nature of these techniques when used from close range; during the inevitable clinch situation, which usually occurs quite swiftly after an abrupt altercation ensues. Yang style offers many technical advantages over most robust grapplers and wrestlers looking to shoot in and get the easy take down. The tangibility and uniqueness of the Yang form has drawn me to the ardent study of it with undying passion and meticulousness during the last few years. I hope you will join me in my online video series entitled, TAI CHI CHUAN BOXING STRATEGIES, for a more up close and personal demonstration of the fine art of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. The projected release date of the series will be sometime around April 1, 2012. Happy training!

 

 

Thanks for listening!

William Beattie