All Roads Lead To Yiquan
It’s incredible to think that forms are still so highly regarded in martial arts. Whilst they are a historical curiosity, all of the functions they perform are far better achieved by other means. The exception to that rule perhaps is shorter forms, not 24 step short but micro-forms not unlike the short kata you see in Iaido for example. Forms are also quite a high risk investment given the time taken to learn them, the time required for maintenance and the possibility of losing them. These time periods are often stretched out to fill weekly classes which is a shame because there is plenty of scope to get creative with training ideas. At least inventing your own forms would have a measure of creativity and exercise the mind as well as the body but inventing anything new, even if it is constructed out of formalised building blocks, is very much frowned upon in certain circles.
The inevitable evolution of IMA training looks something like Yiquan. Jian wu and shili being examples of freestyle forms and micro-forms referenced above. It is a holistic system drawing from diverse influences. Whether the energetic side of Yiquan was abandoned or hidden at the outset to suit the politics of the time is a debate for those that know their history but as long time readers will know, as far as we are concerned energy work is at the heart of everything.
Arguably there should be more carrot and less stick in terms of the arbitrary times people are expected to stand. It’s also nice when people colour in what can often be a grey image of traditional training. We recently have been messing around with paddleboard zhan zhuang and qigong. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, it’s a really good laugh and has a specific utility (see fundamentals series 001). Maybe where we see evolution some see heresy. Each to their own. Even DK Yoo’s pseudo-Yiquan body method schtick was kind of infectious until he got involved in a long drawn out PR car crash. Pro tip; it’s fine to just be a coach, not everybody is a fighter. It’s fine to train martial arts just for fun/fitness etc. Just don’t delude yourself or anybody else. Yes, fighters need some coaches with experience, but this is more an Ido Portal-Conor McGregor type coaching relationship we are describing. Some of the Wujifa stuff also piqued our interest some time ago, right up until we read about the rather, hmmm let’s say “invasive” finger training.
There is a saying that ‘Yiquan contains the universe’. This most likely refers to a philosophical idea in the same way Tai Chi is an expression of Taoist cosmology, wuji becomes taiji etc. Or maybe it refers to it’s breadth of influences, martial or otherwise. However we like to think it means internal martial arts can be anything you want it to be whether that’s hardcore martial training, expressive dance, energy work, cosplay, meditation, whatever brings you joy and meaning.
Your art should pay homage to it’s origins while at the same time transcending cultural restrictions.
At the risk of losing readers to an obscure British comedy reference we’ll leave the final word on evolution to the legend that is Alan Partridge in conversation with fictional BBC exec Tony Hayers. ‘Well, you know, whatever. Because that is me. You know, because I e-volve but I don’t re-volve. Or vice versa.’ Couldn’t be clearer.