Comparison of Martial Applications of Neijia Kungfu:
Baguazhang (Pa Kua Chang), Xingyiquan (Hsing I Ch'uan) and Taijiquan (T'ai Chi Ch'uan)
(These are the three major styles of Chinese "Internal" or Neijia kung fu).
Animated Images: Comparison of Xingyiquan and Baguazhang Applications in the Jiang Rong Qiao kung fu system.
Left - DRAGON Application from Hsing I Chuan (Xingyi Quan) 12 Animals or Hebei style.
Right - Golden Pheasant Spreads Wings Application / Pa Kua Chang (Baguazhang)
These two applications capture a certain flavor of the approach of the styles. Xingyiquan is perhaps more compact, more direct and uses a smaller angle moving in on the opponent. Baguazhang is perhaps more extended, more evasive and uses a larger angle moving in on the opponent. Both styles engage the opponent's aggression, maintain contact and exploit the weaknesses in the opponent's situation.
by Gerald A. Sharp
A number of examples of martial applications of Nei Jia kung fu appear as links below, with an emphasis on Jiang Rong Qiao's Xingyiquan and Baguazhang as well as Wu Chian Chuan's Taijiquan. The Jiang Rong Qiao Nei Jia kung fu system includes Pakua Chang (Bagua Zhang), Hsing I Chuan (Xing Yi Quan) and a version of Tai Chi Chuan (Taiji Quan). The Jiang Rong Qiao style of Ba Gua Zhang comes down from Dong Hai Quan (Tung Hai Ch'uan) through his student Zhang Zhao Dong (Chang Chao-tung; A.K.A. Zhang Zhankwei). The Wu style T'ai Chi Ch'uan comes down through Wu Chian Chuan's son-in-law Ma Yueh Liang and daughter Wu Ying Hua.
Nei Jia (Internal Shape) Kung Fu is a term that has become associated with the grouping of Internal Chinese Martial Arts known more generally as: Baguazhang ("Pa Kua Chang" or Eight Diagrams Palm), Xingyiquan ("Hsing I Ch'uan" or Form and Will Boxing), and Taijiquan ("Tai Chi Ch'uan" or Supreme Ultimate Fist). All three of these arts are known for their health maintenance properties and their sophisticated approach to self-defense that is generally characterized by seeking softness, patience and flexibility over hardness, speed and brute force. This approach is different from Wai (External) Jia Martial Arts, which are characterized by maximizing speed and force. A well-known example of Wai Jia kung fu is Shaolin (and the multitude of styles and variations that it includes). In this context, a person can practice Taijiquan, for example, and refer to them self as a practitioner of Nei Jia Kung Fu. Each of these arts is a complete martial arts system.
Many people in the West are more familiar with the "striking art" applications of Chinese kung fu that most resemble karate or even Western boxing. These sorts of applications also exist for Nei Jia kung fu. However, the Chinese Internal or Nei Jia kung fu styles generally have a different set of applications that resemble traditional Chinese Suai Jiao (a grappling martial art similar to Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, or Wrestling). A much closer analogy in the Japanese styles is Aikido. The advanced practice of the Chinese internal martial arts is something else. The high level applications look like nothing at all, and these sorts of Nei Jia kung fu applications might be associated with advanced Taijiquan taijiquan. (Like Taijiquan and Baguazhang, Xingyiquan advanced applications sometimes appear to be fake and contact is needed to determine if the practice is real.) The following intermediate level applications appear here to give a taste of Nei Jia kung fu and perhaps remove some misconceptions about the Chinese Internal martial arts.
Single Whip (version often associated with Chen style, but common to many styles)
Nei Jia kung fu Applications
The above set of example applications samples a taste of Nei Jia kung fu.
The above group includes the Baguazhang and Xingyiquan of Jiang Rong Qiao's system (as taught by his adopted daughter Zou Shuxian and forms champion Cheng Jie Feng) and Wu style Taijiquan (as taught by Ma Yueh Liang). Ma Yueh Liang was the son-in-law of Wu style founder Wu Chian Chuan and regarded as one of the very top martial artists in China. Jiang Rong Qiao was a proponent, author, teacher whose style of Baguazhang and Xingyiquan is probably the most widely practiced in both China and the world. A common thread has emerged in the teachings of Zou Shuxian and Cheng Jie Feng with the Wu style teachings of Ma Yueh Liang.
Image on Right: A Martial Application of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan Flying Obliquely.
Even though they are intended to be internal styles, the nature of Pa Kua and Hsing I are such that it is possible to perform them as external martial arts. That is, it is possible to place less of an emphasis on the characteristics of internal martial arts and still be at least somewhat effective with Pa Kua and Hsing I. This approach simply will not be effective with T'ai C'hi Ch'uan.
The Jiang Rong Qiao system provides a path to develop the internal martial arts of Hsing I and Pa Kua without violating the same internal principles that are central to T'ai Chi. It is possible to adhere to teacher Ma Yueh Liang's principles and characteristics of Taijiquan in the practice of Jiang Rong Qiao's Nei Jia kung fu system.
Nei Jia Kung Fu are different than other martial arts in that they train the body to react with lightness and precision. The lightness is often the outer shell of a steel like hardness within.
Two Man Practice: Forms, Tui Shou ( Push Hands) and Rou Shou
All the Internal styles of Chinese kungfu employ some variation of Push Hands training. In Baguazhang and Xingyiquan there are also two person forms. In Taijiquan these two person practice methods are almost all included in the Push Hands practice. This approach makes Push Hands practice a key to the practice of Taijiquan as a martial art..
The practice of standing meditation also has significant rewards in understanding balance, jin(force, strength, energy, power, spirit), and chi (from a feeling, experience or practical standpoint)
