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Internal/External or Soft/Hard refer to the basic tendencies of a martial art. Soft or internal arts such as Tai Chi and Aikido work on the energy and power internal to the human body, using it to redirect blows and deflect power. Hard or External arts, such as Karate, initially focus on striking and powerful blows and kicks. As one becomes more experienced in the art of choice, you discover that there are more similarities between them then there are differences. All arts have a Hard/Soft or Yin/Yang component to them. More input: Internal arts are used more in dealing with pain and controlling the body, making it do whatever you need it to do. Such as Shaolin Monks being supported by spears in the torso and extremities. In short, Internal arts condition the will and Chi (life energy) and External arts condition the actual physical aspects of the body such as pain and injury tolerance.

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Q: What is the difference between internal forms of martial arts and external forms of martial arts?
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Which martial arts are both internal and external at the same time?

Most traditional martial arts include an emotional and a physical change. They teach self-discipline and respect, which I imagine you are referring to as 'internal'. All martial arts offer a physical development of skills, understanding and ability. Basically all martial arts have an internal and external aspect to them. The balance between the two is critical to being a good martial artist. Many arts stress one side or another, but they cannot exist alone. It is the whole Yin/Yang or hard/soft combination that works so well.


What is the role of martial arts in the Taoist out look on life?

The Taoists are given credit for creating Tai Chi Chuan which is an internal martial arts style.


What is the difference between mma and UFC?

MMA is mixed martial arts and is a sport. UFC is a organization for the sport. It is not the only one. Think football = mma, NFL = UFC.


Which martial art is good for small men?

== == The one that you will study and train in. The number of arts that exist are so varied and different, that to claim one is better then the rest shows a lack of understanding of any of them. There is an art out there that is the best for you as an individual. Finding your art is part of the martial arts journey. Once you have studied for a long time, you will realize how similar they really are to each other, and understand the weaknesses and strengths of the art you chose.Size is not that important, any of them can be adapted. My personal recommendation would be karate of the Okinawan or Japanese styles. The natives are on the shorter side and the instructors can relate to a smaller person. A good instructor will also provide the understanding that techniques have to be adapted to the individual, their size, ability and knowledge.Good luck!Contrary to what is written above there are martial arts that suit smaller men more than other martial arts.. you would look for a martial art that is more of an internal art then it is an external art meaning that it doesn't emphasis on muscle strength and size. search for the internal martial arts and you will find many.


What is Wushu?

A Chinese martial art similar to Kung Fu."Wushu" refers to Chinese martial arts. It is both an exhibition and a contact sport, depending upon the focus either on "taolu" (forms) or "sanda" (boxing). Essentially, the Western concept of "kungfu" is actually wushu.The Simplified Chinese script for wushu is as follows: 武术. It literally translates into "martial art," 武 standing for "military" or "martial," and 术 representing "discipline," "skill," or "art.There are many different sects of wushu. There are two dominant sects of wushu -- Shaolin and Wudang. Shaolin is an external martial art, as opposed to the internal martial arts of Wudang. Both are beneficial in different ways.Learning wushu is about improving your self-confidence and self-discipline. Like any other martial art, it increases your flexibility, strength, and body awareness, among other things. Though rigorous, practicing wushu is an invigorating experience.

Related questions

What is the difference between Internal Styles and External Styles in Martial Arts?

There are many differences between external and internal marital arts. One difference is that external marital arts focuses on the physical abilities while internal martial arts focuses on the Chi energy of a person.


Which martial arts are both internal and external at the same time?

Most traditional martial arts include an emotional and a physical change. They teach self-discipline and respect, which I imagine you are referring to as 'internal'. All martial arts offer a physical development of skills, understanding and ability. Basically all martial arts have an internal and external aspect to them. The balance between the two is critical to being a good martial artist. Many arts stress one side or another, but they cannot exist alone. It is the whole Yin/Yang or hard/soft combination that works so well.


What is the difference between hapkido and karate?

Hapkido is a Korean Martial Art and Karate is an Okinawan Martial Art. Both involve learning strikes, grappling and throws.


How can you use the word martial in a sentence?

What is your marital status?Welcome to our marital home.


In martial arts what is the difference between the way and art?

Way are typically sports, arts are usually older and not for sport.


What is the difference between Tae kwon do and krav Mago?

Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art. Krav Maga is an Israeli martial art. Both involve the use of kicks and punches, but the philosophies are different (as is their history).


What is the role of martial arts in the Taoist out look on life?

The Taoists are given credit for creating Tai Chi Chuan which is an internal martial arts style.


What is the difference between martial art and martial science?

Martial science is the methodical world of technical warfare and self-defense. There are no varying martial sciences, just varying objectives in the arts that use it. Martial science is the anatomy of joints being manipulated, the physics of optimum force exertion, knowing which strikes to use in certain places, using terrains to your advantage, methods of escape, etc verified by the scientific method.


How many Kung Fu styles in the word?

In China there are so many, they are divided into families. I'm sure you're familiar how everything is grouped. For example, with animal biology you have species, genus, family, etc. With martial arts is similar; 1) The largest overarching group of course is the kind of martial arts, namely "Chinese." That encompasses ALL Chinese styles. 2) The subdivision of the kind of martial art, is the martial arts family, generally divided according to region; in China you have the northern styles, and you have the southern styles. 3) From from region, you divide into province; virtually every single Chinese province, has its own variation of a standard mainstream style. In other words if you count variants, Chinese martial arts styles in fact number in the thousands. By all estimates, there are probably around, between, 1,500 - 2,000 Kung Fu styles in China. They are not just divided by region, but by approach as well; the two main families of Chinese martial arts are the external schools, which focus primarily on physical conditioning that ressembles athletic training. I use the word ressemble, because, where in athletics there is concern with rest and recuperation, in Chinese martial arts, the body is brutalized, the thinking being that sooner or later it has to adapt. Athletes, do not do the same thing every day; they have cardio days, and they have weight days, the cardio days allow damage to heal from the weight days, while the weight days allow damage to heal from the cardio days. In Chinese martial arts though you do weights and cardio EVERY DAY. The reason the training is brutal is, I don't know if you've been to an emergency room but, the puncture wound from a knife can cause a lot of blood loss, because of that, Chinese martial arts instructors do not tolerate laziness of any kind. The other family, are the internal schools, which focus on meditation, focusing very little on actual physical training. Now, Baijiquan uses a lot of Chi Kung, as well as a lot of internal-like forms, however it is not considered an internal art because it is also heavily reliant on physical conditioning. In the Chinese martial arts families, there many more external schools, than there are internal ones, as in modern day China, the majority of external martial artists do not consider the internal ones to be practical. Chinese martial arts experts who see the internal martial arts as practical, are a minority, as few people in the Chinese martial arts community have encountered a true master of this internal art or that. In recent years, even Tai Chi Chuan practitioners have been under performing; an excellent Shaolin monk, most of the time, will handily defeat an outstanding Tai Chi practitioner. I need to state for the sake of the question, that Tai Chi Chuan is considered a style of Kung Fu, however even with in it, there are subdivisions and families.


What is the difference between a martail artist and a sports person?

A sports person only excercises for the body. In the works of Martial Arts, you excercise for both your body and mind.


What is the difference between Japanese karate and Australian karate?

Australian karate is based on the Okinawa martial art of karate. Depending on the school, it can be teaching traditional karate. Most of the martial arts adjust and include techniques that are good for their area and how to counter common occurrences in their area.


What is the difference between mma and UFC?

MMA is mixed martial arts and is a sport. UFC is a organization for the sport. It is not the only one. Think football = mma, NFL = UFC.