Neijia
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With the term internal martial arts (Chinese 內家拳術 / 内家拳术, pinyin Nèijiā quánshù, short 內家拳 / 内家拳, Nèijiāquán, resp. 內家 / 内家, Nèijiā) are used to describe some styles of Chinese martial arts that, according to legend, originated in the Wudang Mountains and are said to trace back to a common style of origin. The term is used to distinguish these styles from the outer styles (外家拳, Wàijiāquán, in short 外家, Wàijiā), which are said to be descended from Shaolin Kung Fu.
According to legend, the original style of Neijiaquan was developed by the Daoist immortal Zhang Sanfeng in the Wudang Mountains (Wudang Shan) when he observed a fight between a snake and a crane. The snake evaded the crane again and again until the crane had to give up exhausted.
Historically, the term Neijiaquan and its connection to Zhang Sanfeng are first traceable in the 1669 eulogy to Wang Zhengnan by Huang Zongxi (1610-95). There, "the Daoist immortal Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang Shan Mountain, founder of the Inner School of Combat" is mentioned.
A group of martial artists around Huo Yuanjia and Sun Lutang in Beijing then dealt with the history of Chinese martial arts as Chinese cultural heritage at the beginning of the 20th century. They identified the martial arts Taijiquan, Baguazhang as well as Xingyiquan as descendants of the original style of Zhang Sanfeng, and designated them with the term Neijia Quanfǎ (內家拳法 / 内家拳法 - "Martial Arts of the Inner School") or Neijia Quanshù. In contrast, they used the term Wàijiā Quánfǎ (外家拳法 - "martial arts of the Outer School") or Wàijiā Quánshù (外家拳術 / 外家拳术) to refer to styles said to be derived from Shaolin Kung Fu. During the 20th century, this division into "Internal" and "External" martial arts became very popular.
Questions and Answers
Q: What is Nèi jiā in Chinese martial arts?
A: Nèi jiā is a term in Chinese martial arts, grouping those styles that practice nèi jìng, usually translated as internal martial arts and occupied with spiritual, mental or qi-related aspects.
Q: What is the difference between internal and external approach in Chinese martial arts?
A: The internal approach focuses on spiritual, mental, or qi-related aspects, while the external approach focuses on physiological aspects.
Q: Who developed nèijīng?
A: Nèijīng is developed by using nèigōng, or "internal exercises," as opposed to wài gōng, "external exercises."
Q: Who is Sun Lutang?
A: Sun Lutang is a Chinese martial art master and the author of publications that modernized the use of "internal" and "external" approaches in martial arts, dating to the period of 1915 to 1928.
Q: What are the Wǔdāngquán styles?
A: The Wǔdāngquán styles are specific styles of Chinese martial arts named for their association with the Taoist monasteries of Wudangshan range, Hubei Province in Chinese popular legend. These styles are enumerated by Sun Lutang as Tàijíquán, Xíngyìquán, and Bāguàzhǎng, but must also include Bājíquán and the legendary Wudang Sword.
Q: What are some Chinese martial arts that classify themselves as "internal" but not in the Wudangquan group?
A: Some Chinese martial arts that classify themselves as "internal" but not in the Wudangquan group, such as Liuhebafa, Bak Mei Pai, Bok Foo Pai, and Yiquan.
Q: Is Nèijiā a synonym for Wǔdāngquán styles?
A: No, Nèijiā is a broad term used mistakenly in the West as a synonym for the more specific Wǔdāngquán styles.
