What are Internal Martial Arts, and what can they offer individual and social change today?
A unique mix of theory and practice, this workshop provides a historical perspective on the evolving nature of martial arts, along with a tangible experience of the ways the internal systems can cultivate consciousness, power and relationship. These practices are distilled from the Neijia schools of Chinese boxing—Baguazhang (Eight Trigrams palm), Taijiquan (or Tai Chi Chuan, Great Ultimate fist), and Xingyiquan (Form of Mind fist), which will be described in the workshop. Special attention will be paid to radical internal perspectives within these systems that focus on the leading role of the mind—trained through standing meditation, circle-walking and visualization. Participants can personally sample what “whole body power” is, and how it relates to both higher states of individual consciousness and blending in movement. Experience how simple images can create surprising balance, strength and sensitivity; and contemplate the potential of such mind-body experiences for individual & so
