About the Internal Martial Arts
The category of Internal Martial Arts is a recent creation dating to around the late 1800s when renowned martial artists in China began to use the label for the arts they practiced. There is some discussion over which arts to include in the internal martial arts category and some claim there are hybrid internal/external martial arts. However, the main three that are always included in the grouping are xingyiquan, taijiquan, and baguazhang.
Sun Lu Tang (1861-1932)
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Sun Lu Tang (1861-1932) was among the first to begin grouping xingyiquan, taijiquan, and baguazhang together as a family of Daoist-inspired martial arts. He recognized that each of the three arts utilize Daoist philosophy, meditation, body mechanics, and principles of traditional chinese medicine as the foundation for their martial art and to maximize the efficacy of a fighter.
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What makes an art an “internal martial art” has almost everything to do with the method--the how--the martial artist used to perform the technique and not the actual technique itself. The method unifying taijiquan, xingyiquan, and baguazhang into a family of martial arts is the method of a mentally focused whole body power. This is done by a person whose whole body and mind is unified and trained to a sufficient level of sensitivity/awareness to execute bio-mechanically superior expressions of his or her concentrated intent.
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 Josh Eaves with bagua dao |
About the Internal Martial Arts Certificate (IMAC)
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The core of the IMAC is derived from taijiquan. However, important elements from xingyiquan and baguazhang are also incorporated. The goal of the Internal Martial Arts Certificate is to generate the easiest, quickest, and most effective means a person can gain true martial skill. Skill that he or she will not just maintain but improve on well into old age.
How the IMAC achieves its goal begins with the eight energies of taijiquan. Each of the eight energies of taijiquan (Ward-Off, Roll-Back, Press, Push, Split, Pluck, |
Yang Cheng Fu
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Elbow, and Shoulder) are divided into discrete levels whereby the student learns a key bio-mechanical expression, a few qigong, a footwork method (most inspired from baugauzhang), and sensitivity exercises which reinforce the bio-mechanical energy being practiced. Each level builds on the previous level and deepens and internalizes the mechanics being taught.
For instance, when learning Ward-off one also learns qigong for loosening the shoulders and upper torso, the Forward Four stepping pattern, and a few Yielding sensitivity drills. Then, if one learned Roll-Back next, one would learn the Backward Four stepping pattern, qigong for opening the hips and strengthening the legs, and Advanced Yielding sensitivity drills. Eventually, when the program is completed, the student will present a capstone thesis and a personally made form comprised of the principles and movements learned from the material.
For instance, when learning Ward-off one also learns qigong for loosening the shoulders and upper torso, the Forward Four stepping pattern, and a few Yielding sensitivity drills. Then, if one learned Roll-Back next, one would learn the Backward Four stepping pattern, qigong for opening the hips and strengthening the legs, and Advanced Yielding sensitivity drills. Eventually, when the program is completed, the student will present a capstone thesis and a personally made form comprised of the principles and movements learned from the material.
