TAI CHI, BA GUA, HSING-I: THE OTHER INTERNAL ARTS Internal Martial Arts: Hsing-I ~ Tai Chi ~ Ba Gua ~ Moro ~ Eskrima

B) Internal Martial Arts "If you think of a car, Tai Chi is the body. The engine and gasoline to move it are Taoist Chi Gung and Nei Gung" Bernard Langan Internal Arts Instructor Though conceived as fighting techniques, Internal Martial Arts of Hsing-I, Tai Chi and Ba Gua can be practiced at any age for health purposes. Besides they are extremely helpful to any athlete who wishes to enhance physical capabilities and concentration. Some Internal Martial Arts - Tai Chi and Ba Gua - are particularly effective for health and easy to learn: Tai Chi Wu Style Short Form and Ba Gua Single Palm Change are very good for obtaining flexibility, coordination and resistance. They enhance the Chi flow in the body and are extremely useful also for stress management purposes. Once at ease with the movement sequence, they can also be used as forms of moving meditation. They have a strong synergy effect with any exercise of the Water Method Chi Gung, because they contain the same Nei Gung components. 1- Hsing-I Chuan It is the oldest internal martial art, simple and efficient. Its training utilizes the dynamics of the five elements (metal, water, wood, fire, earth) and the fighting strategies of the twelve animal styles. Hsing-I is an easy to learn very effective self-defense technique and an excellent starting point for martial artists with foundations in external systems (Karate, Judo) who want to begin an internal practice. 2- Tai Chi Chuan Tai Chi can be practiced as a martial art, as well as for meditation and healing. The three classic styles are Yang, Chen and Wu. Tai Chi Wu Style Short Form Among the three classic Tai Chi styles, Wu Style Tai Chi is famous for its many health benefits and is especially useful for healing injuries and back problems. It emphasizes the cultivation of soft internal energy and relaxing subtle joint movements. The Short Form has been developed by Mr. Frantzis, with the encouragement of Liu Hung Chieh, one of the foremost students of Wu Jien Chuan, the founder of the style. It can be practiced in just four minutes, but encompasses the essential Chi development principles of the long form. 3- Ba Gua Zhang It is an exceptionally beautiful martial art emphasizing the use of spiral movements and a sophisticated use of footwork and fighting angles. It makes the body extremely flexible and able to move with tremendous grace, speed and power. Ba Gua practice is vigorous and aerobic. Many consider Ba Gua to be the most advanced of the Chinese Martial Arts. The foundation of the system is a meditative circle walking practice and the Single Palm Change. This esoteric system at its highest levels becomes a method of manifesting the energetic patterns of change described in the I-Ching or Classic Book of Changes. The Ba Gua internal energy work was one of the foundations from which Aikido was created. Ba Gua Single Palm Change It was developed in Taoist monasteries over 4000 years ago, as a moving, meditation and self healing practice. The Single Palm Change, like the other Ba Gua forms, allows one to produce a stillness of mind in the midst of intense physical activity. It energetically corresponds to the first trigram of the I-Ching (Heaven, yang). 4- South East Asian Martial Arts: Moro and Eskrima They are weapons based techniques from the central and southern islands of the Philippines. The system is a complete martial art which emphasizes weapon manipulation, usage and control. The system has a unique and graceful character utilizing three distinct fighting ranges and high, middle, and low postures expressed spontaneously in response to varying combative circumstances. Many of the flowing movements resemble Philippine and Balinese dances, yet remain a devastatingly effective fighting system. The system includes a complete arsenal of multiple strikes, kicks, joint locks, throws, grappling, and nerve point attacks. Traditionally this art was only taught to students who were carefully screened regarding their level of maturity, persistence, and humility.

Internal Arts (not martial)

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