Steel Tiger
Senior Master
These are some developmental concepts from China.
Please note: Waijia = External Neijia = Internal
How well do these concepts gel with your own ideas of external and internal arts?
Please note: Waijia = External Neijia = Internal
To Increase or To Change Natural Ability
The goal of Waijia practice is to increase natural human ability, the most basic elements of which are speed, force, and the natural or normal responses we all have to incoming stimuli. All fighting skills combine these abilities. Waijia practice is designed to increase the speed and force of movement and to enhance natural reactions. In this style, the criteria for improvement in skill level are relatively clear and direct.
In Neijia practice, the more important goal is to change rather than to increase natural abilities. Neijia practioners want to be quick and powerful but they seek to achieve these qualities by modifying their usual patterns of response. Although some Neijia training methods focus on increasing natural abilities, this goal is always secondary in importance and desirability to the goal of changing one's normal reactions. The Neijia criteria for improvement are complex and subtle and often too difficult to understand purely by logical analysis.
Page 9
Combat Techniques of Taiji, Xingyi, and Bagua
From Outside to Inside or from Inside to Outside
It is a mistake to think that Waijia students practice only external skills and Neijia students, only internal. All Waijia and Neijia practitioners must develop both. The only difference between the two groups of practitioners is in the training methods they use. It is said that Waijia is practiced from the outside (wai) to the inside (nei), and the Neijia from the inside to outside.
Page 11
Combat Techniques of Taiji, Xingyi, and Bagua
How well do these concepts gel with your own ideas of external and internal arts?