Today many different methods of combat instruction are practiced all over the globe, many far beyond the borders of the communities in which it originated. These generally either lean towards approaches that are internally based and soft, or the external and hard forms. Following below are some major differences between internal and external martial arts techniques and fighting styles.
To fighters of internal schools developing skills involving balance, awareness of gravity, calmness, and getting the mind, body and spirit in sync are important. Muscular strength and practicing with rapid speed are less of a concern. On the other hand, adherents belonging to the external camp focus on preparing the body to become tough and deliver strikes with precision and lightning speed.
The three main forms of internally-based training are tai chi, Bagua and Shing Yi. These train students to be skilled fighters while also offering practice in meditation and improving overall health. When practicing the slow and graceful movements in tai chi one is exercising all three facets at the same time.
Although karate also emphasize breathing and control of energy and balance, it's main concern lies in imparting open hand maneuvers through rapid and hard movements. And so is taekwondo, also internationally popular. This form is especially known for its powerful kicking patterns and developing the legs as potent weapons. Another brutal and hard fighting form is Muay Thai, which demands a lot from its practitioners.
One could say that one advantage tai chi students have lies in the ability to cultivate and use sensitivity. This allows someone to anticipate with great accuracy what attacking moves an opponent is planning to launch. With such insight it becomes easier to prepare an appropriate counter-attack.
All schools base instruction on set patterns of moves and use these to defend against opponents which also attack with recognizable structures of movements. Yet soft styles teaches flexibility and sensitivity that allows a student to adapt a defensive pattern based on what an opponent does. And this is irrespective of whether one recognizes a particular pattern of attack or not.
Many kung fu schools try to blend both inner and outer facets, but not very successfully. The former teaches students to relax while going through the moves. This generates a better and clearer focus and calmness. The above pointers hopefully shed light on some of the major differences between internal and external martial arts techniques and fighting styles.
To fighters of internal schools developing skills involving balance, awareness of gravity, calmness, and getting the mind, body and spirit in sync are important. Muscular strength and practicing with rapid speed are less of a concern. On the other hand, adherents belonging to the external camp focus on preparing the body to become tough and deliver strikes with precision and lightning speed.
The three main forms of internally-based training are tai chi, Bagua and Shing Yi. These train students to be skilled fighters while also offering practice in meditation and improving overall health. When practicing the slow and graceful movements in tai chi one is exercising all three facets at the same time.
Although karate also emphasize breathing and control of energy and balance, it's main concern lies in imparting open hand maneuvers through rapid and hard movements. And so is taekwondo, also internationally popular. This form is especially known for its powerful kicking patterns and developing the legs as potent weapons. Another brutal and hard fighting form is Muay Thai, which demands a lot from its practitioners.
One could say that one advantage tai chi students have lies in the ability to cultivate and use sensitivity. This allows someone to anticipate with great accuracy what attacking moves an opponent is planning to launch. With such insight it becomes easier to prepare an appropriate counter-attack.
All schools base instruction on set patterns of moves and use these to defend against opponents which also attack with recognizable structures of movements. Yet soft styles teaches flexibility and sensitivity that allows a student to adapt a defensive pattern based on what an opponent does. And this is irrespective of whether one recognizes a particular pattern of attack or not.
Many kung fu schools try to blend both inner and outer facets, but not very successfully. The former teaches students to relax while going through the moves. This generates a better and clearer focus and calmness. The above pointers hopefully shed light on some of the major differences between internal and external martial arts techniques and fighting styles.
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