Combat skill or martial art?

[dingyuan]

Hi I just wish you guys to could tell what do you feel about Baji Quan because the longer I practice the more I don't feel that it is a martial art or any form of "art" at all. Do you guys think Baji Quan is really a martial art or a combat skill? Thanks.

[1kickKO]

All martial arts are "martial arts" in their own way, most just teach different things...but any and all martial arts were either started for a religious discipline, to learn to fight an enemy or opponent, or for strong mind/body.

[krzychicano]

Well put.

[ovine king]

martial arts are fighting arts.

 

the thing you learn as martial art is a dead thing.

 

it has no life.

 

it has no anima (thanks grosse pointers...).

 

the art is what you do with it and how you do it.

 

any monkey can learn a form.

 

any monkey can learn how to imitate movements.

 

the art comes from your understanding and your own application of the things you have learnt.

 

like a cooking recipe.

 

there are certain standard recipes for things.

 

the art of good cooking is knowing when and what parts of taht recipe to change.

 

someone used writing as another example.

 

we all know the basics of language, of grammar, rhythm, structures but that isn't the art of good writing.

 

the art comes from knowing how to put it all together.

 

ulitmately, all ('traditional') martial arts teach you to fight.

 

if it doesn't do that, then something really is amiss.

 

all martial arts are combat arts.

 

unless of course you are trying to say that the art you practice is not one of them fancy non-combat things that call themselves martial arts and hence baji should be called 'combat art' instead of 'martial art'.

 

or am i being too cynical again?

[Mr. Mike]

Baji Quan or the eight extremes Chuan is also known as the open-door eight extremes Chuan, which is one of the traditional Chinese Chuan schools. Baji Quan is known for its force-fullness, simplicity and combative techniques. According to Wushu proverbs: "For ministers, Tai Chi Quan is used to run the country and for generals, Baji Quan is used for defending the country." From this it can be seen that Baji Quan holds a significant position among various Chinese Chuan school. The Meng Village of Cangzhou in Hebei Province is the birthplace of the Eight Extremes and while it is mainly practised in north China, it is also found in some places in the south. The Wu-style eight extremes Chuan is said to have a history of more than 260 years. It was passed on from a traveling senior monk to Wu Zhong of the Meng Village. The book of Secrets of the Eight Extremes Chuan, therefore, proclaims that the Monk was the creator of the eight extremes Chuan and Wu Zhong was the first successor. Because of his excellence at spear play, Wu Zhong was known as Spear God Wu, the number one spear fighter from Nanjing to Beijing.

 

The eight extremes Chuan is simple and plain. It consists of short and yet menacing moves which are forceful, powerful and abrupt and demands hard play in both attack and defence. Elbows are often used in straightforward ways. The explosive powers generated are stimulated through breathing which is articulated by two sounds of "Heng" and "Ha." Powerful blows are delivered from elbows and shoulders in close combat against the opponent.

 

It is most definitely an "art" as you say. It is very powerful in the hands of any dedicated practitioner...as is any martial art. Perhaps you do not have the correct teacher...perhaps you are not the correct student for this art. Maybe look into other styles?

[GhostlySykanRyu]

Maybe you just need a lot more time in the art until you treuly understand?