Wushu may keep one fit
4 min readPortrait of Yan Yuan
Yan Yuan (1635-1704) was a famous scholar of the early Qing Dynasty and one of the few versed in both civil and military affairs. He advocated practical use and was opposed to boasting talk and founded the Yan Li School. He was good at martial arts and internal work. The portrait was unearthed in Taiyuan, Shanxi province in the early years of the Republic of China.
It is widely known practicing Wushu may help build a stronger body, but maintaining physical fitness is seen as more of an outer appearance. Therefore, Wushu’s role of maintaining good health is reflected more in the exercise it offers for the central nervous system and inner organs. According to the ancient Chinese regimen,”essence, energy and spirit”were the three key elements to living well. Here, the “essence”refers to the original essence that comes from the kidneys and is fundamental to human life, known as “Mingmen”(not Mingmen point).”Energy”refers to the original vigor that is innate and rests in the kidneys. Meantime, the “spirit”refers to the fact that human nature and true minds are the outer reflection of “energy.”
Martial arts team of Henan Preparatory School for studying in Europe and America (1912-1921), Kaifeng, Henan province “Essence, energy and spirit”are all provided at birth, but are later reduced and damaged by various emotions and desires that come successively in later days. This leads to weakened vitality, all sorts of diseases, extreme tiredness, premature aging and a shortened life. The Taoism Culture of Health Preservation in ancient China stressed the need for humans to develop innate energy with acquired energy to help restore essence, energy and spirit to its original state, helping achieve perfect integration and harmony between humans and the nature.
Some consider the practice of Taiji to be capable of improving the physical fitness of human bodies both inside and outside, balancing Yin and Yang, and allowing for energy and blood to flow more smoothly, to prevent high blood pressure and many chronic diseases. For example, the Nine Palace & Eight Trigram Palm is believed to renew the cell membrane, enhance body immunity and prevent cancer diseases. The Taiyi Wuxing Quan is said to help balance the functions of internal organs, keep blood lipids down, increase lung and heart performances, improve blood circulation and thus prevent coronary heart diseases. Taiji boxing, so long as it is practiced continuously and correctly, is also associated with helping to build strong bodies. Moreover, the combination of Taiji exercise and energy circulation are said to bring overall benefits to human health.
Photo of Yang Chengfu(1883-1936) performing Taiji Quan Chinese Wushu also includes many health preservation practices, and the “stake skill for better health”in the Xingyi Boxing is a case in point. The stake skill, based on the principles of “making both body and mind relaxed,”makes the practitioner mentally silent and focused through a combination of still or slow, gentle motions. The process regulates the excited central nervous system and removes the chaos and tiredness in human brains while activating the physiological functions of various human systems, improving internal organ performances and thus, keeps one fit both physically and mentally. Xingyi stake skills include dragon-like Kungfu, tiger-like Kungfu, ape-likeKungfu, bear-like Kungfu and health regulation Kungfu, which are suitable for the old, weak or those with chronic diseases.
A Wushu master who has been cultivated both internally and externally, and has both superb martial skills and morals, will always maintain their peace of mind, and will neither be corrupted by wealth, nor shaken by horror or dishonor. They will never seek power and wealth, nor will they be upset about gains or losses in life, or flaunt their martial art skills. The role of Wushu in health preservation can be best displayed in such Wushu masters. Wushu, therefore, nourishes and purifies the spirit. Physical fitness is just an outer form of effect from the practice, while a peaceful mind and the power to master oneself represent the inner fitness in the most important sense, which is the essence of Wushu as a tool for maintaining good health.
Photo of Pu Yi practicing quan, in the early years of the Republic of China, collected by the Palace Museum Qing Dynasty won the county on horse. So, the imperial family of the Qing Dynasty placed emphasis on archery, horsemanship and martial arts. Even the dethroned emperor Pu Yi(1906-1967) also practiced quan at the Imperial Palace.
