Makotokai Karate klub Shi-do

A short review of history

There are three main martial arts in China, which are known as internal styles: Tai Chi Chuan, Xing Yi and Pa Kwa Chang. They are regarded as the highest, most demanding and most profound Chinese martial arts, that used to be thought only in very closed circles: among family members, monks, princes, rich people, and later also in the army (i.e. Xing Yi).

Although they are called internal styles (differing from external styles, such as, for example, Shaolin), they use in their movements either internal energy, Qi, or external power, Chou Jin.

The movements are, therefore, not only soft, slow, meditating motions beneficial for health, but the practitioners also use all possible natural ways of movements and forces: weight, wave, rotation, contraction- de-contraction, explosion, jumps, and so on. Besides, the applications are focused on the use of so called indirect forces, such as gravitational, centrifugal, and centripetal force. This differentiates the internal styles from external styles, which use direct forces (Shaolin, Karate).

Generally speaking, we could define their fighting and movement characteristics in the following way:

Tai Chi Chuan practitioners use small circular movements on the basis of thirteen internal paths- regardless of the school or a style (Yang, Chen, Sun, Li, Wu)
Pa Kwa Chang is regarded as University or PhD in martial arts, because it is far the most demanding of all others. It can be learned only by someone who is already skilled in some other martial art; for a novice this is out of question. It is known for numerous dynamic and complex movements, where an opened palm is most usually used for striking. It is closely connected to philosophy and principles of an ancient book, I Ching- the book of changes.
Xing Yi Chuan is the art of form and mind. It differs from the other two in being externally harder, using a straight line of movements. It nevertheless belongs to internal styles where mind, Yi, is used for relaxation of internal energy Qi, and where its external manifestation, Jin, is of primary importance. Xing Yi also is focused on five elements of tradition: Water, Fire, Air (only in medical sense), Earth, and Metal. Besides, its forms are modelled upon behaviour of twelve animals (therefore it contains 12 individual forms and 1 joined one). Knowing animals in a form means, of course, that you literally change into them. This refers to breathing, thinking, movements, and the use of particular abilities and powers.

Slowly one regains the natural instinct, which has been because of too much and too limited rationalisation of mind forgotten.

All three above mentioned martial arts have several common elements as well as their own specificities. At the same time, all three of them contain and nourish Qi Gong programs for a holistic construction of an individual. Qi Gong is science, therapy, self-therapy, and the manner in which energy-breathing exercises are carried out statically and in movement. The ways are many, so that the quality depends only on diligence of an individual or a teacher, but not on the school or a style.

The Qi Gong programs help a person:

to establish and preserve the balance (and harmony with it) in his or her body
to accelerate activity of immune system
to build a mindful and energetic human being (more than average).

Therefore, it is suitable not only for someone who is involved in martial arts, but also for other sportsmen, patients, injured persons..; that is, for everyone!

In Shi-Do school, besides Qi Gong (workshops), we also teach Tai Chi Chuan, the style of Yang Pai Ho. His student is teacher Paolo Bolaffio from Trieste. PAI HO belongs to the family of HO. This family's branch of knowledge of martial arts is directly connected to the roots of first beginnings of Tai Chi in 13th century. Therefore, it is neither manipulated nor deformed. This is very important.

We implement our learning program according to the levels or groups of maturity, where the knowledge of eight levels of Tai Chi is offered. There are exercises in pairs, different ways of building bodies, and study of a short staff in connection to Ping Chi (weapon).

We are not learning the so called Peking form (24 Form), which began in the period (ca. 1950) when Taoist's healers, the practitioners of martial arts, and also Tai Chi were oppressed in China because of absurd political reasons.

The Peking form is composed in such a way that it contains reconstruction of a long (108) form of the real Tai Chi. Because it is not modelled on the principle of five elements of tradition and other ways of using the body and breathing, there is almost no effects! It is, however, a good and relaxing exercise that does no harm.

Tai Chi is a real treasury of knowledge and also demanding skill, which requires from a person regularity, effort, and capability of changing the self. It is suitable for everyone irrespective of age, gender, and physical abilities. It is important that one is prepared to do something for oneself.

Previously mentioned eight levels reflect- in terms of forms- eight levels of maturity on the path of education. This means that according to the knowledge of an individual the form slightly changes, becomes longer and more demanding. This, of course, is normal and obligatory, because we are beings in evolution and any stagnation can be harmful, while change brings freshness, health and higher state of awareness.

Knowledge, which we acquire in forms, is checked also in pairs and in different ways: pushing hands, self-defence applications, coordination exercises, so called attention exercises, awakening and understanding of swiftness, and so on.

When I talk about Tai Chi, I always talk about martial-healing art. This sometimes turns away some people who would like to inscribe to the course, or amazes others, such as, for example, the practitioners of Karate, when they learn that this is a very subtle martial art, from which a large amount of Karate actually sprang up.

It is necessary to know that:

martial does not mean to be brutal, aggressive, brawling, but first of all one has to face and fight oneself, with his or her problems, inhibitions, and fears. With the help of this exercise you acquire different regularity in your life, and stronger self-confidence. You get to know your body and mind and start believing that there are no borders, that you are capable of achieving a lot and also helping others (of course, a person is capable to harm as well).
The work on application or understanding of self-defence is always on the level of maturity, i.e. capability of accepting a group.
Tai Chi Chuan- its original name is Wudang Pai- began in 8th century as martial art, which at the same time nurtured Qi Gong exercises for preserving health.
As the actual martial program is really demanding it is practiced only in special mature groups or between individuals.
There is a lot of disinformation in connection to martial-healing arts in the world. Nowadays, there are many who call themselves trainers, teachers, masters... But in reality they know only a small part of this enormous treasure and even this small part they know badly (either health or martial component). To become a teacher, trainer or master it is necessary to study over a long and intensive period. You need to be in contact with a living teacher who can have you regularly under control regarding your knowledge, behaviour (ego, presumptuousness), and personal growth. Who does not know anything about these skills and begins to train is forced to almost blindly believe whatever teachers say, show, give. But...maybe it is not like that anymore.

I personally think that each of us has his or her own living path and lessons in order to mature and arrive somewhere. Where, how much, how far? This is a personal thing.

A person, nowadays, restrains oneself and others too much: spatially, temporally, culturally, and emotionally! Martial-healing arts and Qi Gong enable us to overcome these restraints so that we can move into the world of higher efficiency, capability, understanding, and happiness!