Classification of Chinese martial arts

Martial arts is created and developed through human history for self-defense and survival. Chinese martial arts are often referred to as martial arts, martial arts means military, and martial arts means art, so martial arts means the art of fighting. Appropriate martial arts training can improve physical ability, health, willpower and psychological training. The soul of martial arts is to increase one's inner qualities, not to fight. Martial arts has a history of thousands of years. history. In the past two to four thousand years, many different styles have been developed, each with its own technology and ideas.

Due to the different styles, it is difficult to classify Chinese martial arts. Different styles also have a common theme, often classified by martial arts-style "family" or "school". Each style offers a different approach to solving common problems such as self-defense, health and self-cultivation. Traditionally, Chinese martial arts can be classified by the following three main methods:

[1] External and internal classification

[2] Geographic classification

3 religious classification

Internal and external classifications became popular only during the Republican period. It is used to distinguish between two completion groups within the Central Academy. Regardless of the origin of this classification scheme, since all Chinese martial arts styles have external and internal components, the distinction becomes less meaningful. This classification scheme is only a reminder of the initial emphasis on a particular style and should not be considered an absolute division of labor. Roughly speaking, the difference between internal and external martial arts can mean whether the strength comes from the torso and legs [internal] or the strength is from training more specific arms and leg muscles [external]. The internal style focuses on the understanding of the use of such things as spirit, thought, qi and ease of leverage, rather than unrefined muscle tension, what soft designers call "brute force." The exterior style is characterized by fast and explosive movements, with a focus on physical strength and agility. External styles begin with training on muscle strength, speed, and application, and often integrate their qigong aspects into advanced training after their desired "hard" physical level is reached. An example of an external style is Shaolin Boxing.

According to geographical classification, Chinese martial arts can be divided into two styles, the north and the south, which refers to which part of the Chinese style originated, separated by the Yangtze River. The main difference between the northern and southern styles is that the northern style tends to emphasize fast and powerful kicks, high jumps and generally smooth and fast movements, while the southern style pays more attention to powerful arm and hand techniques, as well as stable, immovable conditions. And fast footwork. Northern martial arts groups include Baguazhang, Bajiquan, Ch and many other outstanding styles.

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