1.6 Boxing That Bruce Lee Turned Into an Art

Do you like Bruce Lee and his furious fists? You are not alone; he was also the Gods’ favorite. After his early death Bruce Lee became a legend. Many youngsters haven’t even seen his movies but know for sure that all present heroes – Jacky Chang – are somehow his students. Recent film “Crouching Tiger, Hiding Dragon” started another huge wave of interest to Chinese martial arts. By the way, in China this movie was not a big hit at all. Frankly, I was also not impressed although reconstruction of the old Beijing in the movie is excellent. The reason why I am so unanimous with the Chinese is simple: local TV stations. Kungfu movies are very popular here and every night there is a choice of 2-3 films with all necessary attributes as furious fights, flights over roofs, love and hate. Indeed, it is very difficult to surprise the Chinese with a movie of this genre.

People around the world are more and more dragged into amazing wushu world. But martial arts specialist is not only the person making blazing strikes; it is also the person with knowledge of Chinese traditions and culture, as it is the usual context in which martial arts exist. That is why outside of China martial arts in many cases are just adults’ favorite game.

Different martial arts forms suit to different people depending on a type of a person and the person’s targets. For example, if you want to be flexible and quick and to strike beautifully and gracefully probably Long Fist is your martial art form. But if your aim is to practice for many years to come and to stay strong and relaxed your choice should be likely taijiquan. Another important factor to take into account is your body and its abilities, the Chinese are sure that different boxing styles correspond to different physical types. If you are not created for the Long Fist you will never be perfect in this style even if practicing every day. Yes, it sounds a bit fatalistic but this is China: find what suits you best and don’t constrain your nature.

Popularity of the Chinese wushu as well as other martial arts around the world decreased drastically in the epoch of fire-arms. It doesn’t matter what boxing style you fight and how often do you practice – a bullet is faster. People in China know that too and thus martial arts here first of all are body abilities’ training, self-defense, health strengthening and – important aspect – preservation of the traditional culture. After all wushu involves many principles of eastern tradition – philosophy, religion, medicine and of course military practice.

For example taijiquan movements reflect philosophical ideas of yin and yang. It unites theory of five cosmological elements and principles of bagua (eight trigrams) with certain positions and creates continuous flow of motion. Shaolin boxing originated from the famous monastery of the same name in Henan Province. It was strongly influenced by Buddhist philosophy mixed with Indian yoga. It is accepted that the founder of this boxing style was legendary monk Boddhitharma who came to China in the 6^th century in search of nirvana. Did he find it – nobody knows, but for many centuries Boddhitharma legend is an essential part of the Shaolin monastery.

The Chinese say that “every city has its own dialect and every region has its own wushu style”. Very often the difference is minor but the most well-known is that the North styles pay special attention to leg strikes and those developed in the South – to fist technique. If you have long legs then Northern styles cha quan and hua quan are a real boon for you. If you are stocky and lissome then go for the Southern styles mo jia quan and chai li fo. However bear in mind that the Southern styles demand strong knees for low slow and long stances. It is a style for enduring people.

The aim of almost all wushu styles is a strong body. If training aims at development of strong muscles and physical endurance then the “eternal system”, wai jia quan is used. “Inner system”, nei jia quan, accentuates on breathing technique, slow circular movements and development of qi energy. For centuries specialists argued which one of these schools was the most effective. In fact, “eternal system” on a certain stage borrows exercises of the “inner system” and vice versa. It depends on aims of the practitioner. The “eternal” styles give the best fit for those attracted by fighting, speed and strikes. The “inner” ones are for people concentrating on spiritual side of exercises. It can come as a surprise but specialists affirm that “eternal” styles are easier to perfect especially if you are physically strong. Practicing of “inner” styles demands patience, endurance and discipline. Classical “inner” system very popular around China is taijiquan as well as xingyi quan and bagua zhang.

Legendary times when every kungfu master chose his disciples are long gone. Now in most cases there are students who choose their tutor depending on his reputation, aims and – last but not least – on their financial abilities.

Dreamed about Shaolin for all these years? No problems – enroll and study. The monastery was built in 498 and was well-known China’s wushu centre during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–534). But it is Hon Kong movies of 1970s that made its martial arts Mecca reputation. Since then life in Shaolin has changed forever. Just 16 years ago there was no a single hotel in vicinity but nowadays there are plenty of hotels and around 50 martial arts schools with more than 50,000 students.

Every morning, schools start in the same way: getting up at 5 o’clock in the morning, endless run in a school yard, covering a field with floor-mats (in every season training is outdoors), slow taijiquan movements and only then students practice what do most of us imagine when thinking of Shaolin – blazing strikes, fast movements and miracles of flexibility. Among all exercises the most impressive are undoubtedly those of sanda form – this is boxing style allowing full contact of fighters. And don’t expect typical monk’s dress – it is reserved for performances and competitions.

The most popular martial art around the world is admittedly taijiquan which is practiced in China by millions till very advanced age. It is a real treasure for one wishing stay flexible, maintain good circulation of the blood and well-balanced organism. Cultivation of qi, energy used for both self-treatment and fighting, makes up a big part of training.

One of the best-known taijiquan forms is Yang family style which in its simplified form is not that difficult. Other styles, for example Chen family style, demand more efforts: its positions are painfully slow with high pushes, so it needs special flexibility. Chen style is popular with youth and it is this style highly cultivated in Shaolin – slow movements and blazing strikes. Among others not that famous styles are Sun and Wu.

Tiajiquan exercises include “pushing hands” and others. “Pushing hands” teach how to react correctly to a rival’s movements. Good understanding and adequate reaction is the main weapon for fighters. They are purposefully taught cheating the enemy pretending to concede because it is easier to control and redirect the force while retreating. Mastering of all nuances of taiji is great art requiring efforts and years of training.

Wing chun boxing was invented by Buddhist monk Ng Mui who passed his skills to Wing Chun. It is fierce and dynamic system promising fast results for novices. This is the Bruce Lee style. The main accent in wing chun is speed, the main methods – deviations, tricks and fast kicks. Positions are simple and straight, very different from other styles.

Wing chun based on the “central line theory”. It draws imaginary line along the centre of a human’s body from a head to a heel and invites to strike to this line. It passes through the most sensitive points: eyes, noise, lips, mouth, throat, heart, solar plexus and groin. Every strike to any of these points weakens the opponent and potentially is very dangerous. While blocking somebody else’s strikes hands don’t stray beyond the width of the shoulders which is the limit of any possible attacks. It is exactly why wing chun looks so simple. The punch takes its strength from shoulders, elbows and wrists. They are delivered with high speed along the shortest distance between the boxers. Routine paired exercises are called chi sau; they teach how to remain soft and even a bit pliable responding to attacks. Softness develops relaxation and gives speed in counter-attacking.

Bagua zhang translates as “eight-trigram boxing”. This is one of the strangest martial arts style to witness. Bagua boxers are feared for fury and untraditional moves. Bagua practitioner revolves in imaginary circle changing speed and direction and occasionally thrusting out a palm strike. Inspiration for this style can be found in eight trigrams (an arrangement of three broken and unbroken lines) of the Book of Changes. The trigrams are often arranged in the form of a circle hence the fighter’s movements. 

The main skills in this kind of boxing are wiles, tricks, speed and unpredictability. Force usually is not met with force but deflected by circular movements. Another trade mark of this style is using the palm not the fist as the main striking weapon.

Art of bagua zhang is deeply esoteric and virtually off-limits for non-Chinese. There are not many real teachers left.

Xingyi quan is another soft, “inner” boxing style. Like taijiquan trainings emphasize development of qi energy, however moves of xingyi are more dynamic and powerful. Philosophy behind this style is not passive which differs from that of taiji.

Some people think that xingyi quan is the oldest martial art of China. It is this style that imitates movements of 12 animals comprising Chinese zodiac. There are different schools with different techniques but standard forms of xingyi quan include schools of dragon, tiger, horse, monkey, chicken, harrier, Chinese ostrich, swallow, eagle, bear, water lizard and snake. It is a must to understand the spirit of each animal through its form, idea and intentions. All these animals enjoy their special place in Chinese culture and traditions.

Before studying the animal forms students must start with five punches which are blocking system of xingyi quan. Strikes are taught one after another until perfected. Every strike symbolizes one of five elements of the Chinese philosophy – metal, wood, water, fire and earth. The punches reflect cycle of conquest and creation that reveal itself in interaction of the elements.

Xingyi is performed in a relaxed state, emphasizing calm but observant mind. Movements are quick and direct, the body unites as a whole while targeting. Training is difficult and tiresome task; it consists of many postures that must be held for a long time to develop qi. Force met with force and not with tricks and deviations like in other systems. Like with bagua zhang it is difficult to find a good teacher of xingyi quan and they are often very secretive. Yes, Bruce Lee is not born every day.

There are plenty of martial arts forms and styles in China with every single one of them having its own philosophy and spirit. Every one is the distillation of boxers’ experience and the direct connection to centuries-old traditions. You will never be a winner fighting only with arms and legs. It is the spirit conquering all obstacles and throwing enemies.  

 Book “Chinese Customs and Wisdoms” (translated into English by the author) was published in Beijing in 2007 by the Foreign Language Press