tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201222618566180765.post2871854373223540165..comments2024-03-08T02:28:22.720-08:00Comments on Dojo Rat: Internal Arts as Fighting ArtsDojo Rathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12057645566330892415noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201222618566180765.post-11372237252670834362007-03-30T07:54:00.000-07:002007-03-30T07:54:00.000-07:00Training in an internal system, such as Taiji, Xin...Training in an internal system, such as Taiji, Xingyi or Baqua is definitely beneficial for older martial artists.<BR/><BR/>I'm 42, and I've done Yang Taijiquan since I was 20. I really appreciate that art, and I've supplemented that training with some Chen Taiji, Xingyi and Baqua.<BR/><BR/>But I think it's a mistake to assume that there's no risk of injury with an internal art. I think any internal instructor needs to make it clear that there is still a risk, especially if you practice your internal system as a martial art, not as a set of pretty movements done for exercise.<BR/><BR/>There's a lot of good chin na in the internal arts. A misapplied hold or lock with dislocate or sprain joints whether its done by a Gracie Jujitsuka or a Taiji sifu.<BR/><BR/>There's a lot of good throwing and takedowns in the internal arts. If you don't know how to fall, it'll hurt.<BR/><BR/>I remember Dan Inosanto once said that the first time he tried to learn Baqua, his sifu had mattresses mounted on all four walls of the room. He thought it was strange until they got into the applications of the form. He found out that if those mattresses weren't there, he and his classmates would have been squashed like bugs on a bumper against the walls.<BR/><BR/>Done properly, I've found that I can generate a lot of power with less effort using principles I learned in Taiji and Xingyi. Care must be used when practicing those techniques in sanshou or against a heavy bag.<BR/><BR/>Lastly, never ever practice on concrete. Practice on grass, wood floors or padded floors. You'll wear out your knees a lot quicker on concrete, even practicing a soft art like Taiji.Sean C. Ledighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02047613071520466178noreply@blogger.com