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May 4, 2015

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Martial arts and ancient healing share a heritage

IN traditional Chinese medicine, doctors commonly put pressure on acupuncture points to relieve discomfort or pain. In martial arts novels, characters often use the same points to disable opponents.

“Martial arts and traditional Chinese medicine share origins,” a saying goes. The two elements of cultural heritage are interlinked and have influenced each other over hundreds of years.

Qimai (气脉), or internal energy channels, is a key concept in both. Another shared idea concerns the five basic elements of earth, metal, water, wood and fire, with each influencing the one that follows in the line of order.

Like both sides of a coin, the same ideas can be used to injure or to cure.

Many renowned martial artists were also practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, focusing especially on healing injuries, dissolving blood stagnation and relieving swelling.

Wang Ziping (1881-1973), a Shanghai master nicknamed “king of strength,” earned his reputation by defeating many foreign opponents much larger than himself. He was also a traumotology doctor who wrote several traditional Chinese medicine books, including one about how certain kung fu moves prevent disease and keep the body health.

His book drew on ancient manuals of kung fu and traditional Chinese medicine, including Wu Qin Xi (五禽戏), or the “five animals play,” a set of exercises developed nearly 2,000 years ago to maintain body health.

Arguably credited to the legendary traditional physician Hua Tuo (AD 140-208), the book is considered one of the earliest kung fu manuals.

The exercises in it mimic the moves of the tiger, deer, bear, monkey and crane, and each is matched with one of the five basic elements. Mastering all of them was said to keep the body in perfect balance.

Today, many Chinese see kung fu purely as a good health conduit. They are drawn to popular exercises such as tai chi.

These exercises are often done in slow motion, requiring less physical strength while unblocking energy channels — a concept prevalent in traditional medicine theories.




 

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