The Foundations and purpose of any martial art
When embarking upon the journey of martial arts there are 4 aspects the dimensions of kung fu that are essential to incorporate within the framework of the practice of the martial art otherwise there is deficiency within the knowledge and practice of the style that a person is aiming for within the scope of the martial art. So what are these 4 dimensions of martial arts:
- Form
- Force
- Application
- Theory
With the first aspect of form, this is the visible part of the martial art, all the patterns, sets and techniques that a person has to begin with that teaches them how to learn to defend themselves and become effective fighters. The form includes all those exercises that allow a person to use their physical skills to be used in combat and forms the basis and foundation of the art of fighting. Form is necessary for correct discipline, knowing how to fight and prepare the person to defend themselves when faced with those that seek to harm others. There are many different patterns, sets and techniques that are incorporated within the style of fighting, whether its kicks or punches or using the ability to strike the opponent within the combat to not bring harm but to cause the opponent to be subdued with the use of the various techniques that will allow the fighter to be able to either defeat the opponent or to make the opponent realise that the form is the means by which fighting is possible. However, it is with combined efforts of the other 3 dimensions that bring the complete use of the martial art into its purpose. Form requires the way to fight however it also requires the use of the other three aspects that are force, application and theory.
The second dimension of kung fu is force, this is the exercises used to build power, accuracy, speed and strength within the techniques used to fight for self defense and perseverance. This aspect of force is necessary for the practioner of the martial art for without it the fighter cannot be effective in their skills and techniques of combat. This aspect of force is invisible unlike the form which is visible. Force has to be built and used in combat, daily living and play. It requires the use of stances, exercises, breathing techniques and can be classified into two main methods internal and external force or also be basic and specialised in its aspects. This means for example that using different stances along with breathing techniques a person can build internal force for example the use of Qi Gong those breathing and movements of the body that brings the life force of Qi into their being that harnesses strength, vitality, power and endurance that is a soft art yet is very powerful in building energy that can be used for fighting within combat when a person has to defend themselves. A lot of practioners of martial arts only use one or some of the dimensions of kung fu within their practice which leaves their martial art incomplete. For it requires form and force to be able to use the art of fighting within combat otherwise if there is no sparring or fighting within the practice then essentially you have reduced the martial art to simple exercises rather than its main purpose which is effective fighting for self defense. One must be careful as the purpose is not to start looking for trouble and fights with people as violence and brutal strength is not the purpose of the martial art as the next two dimensions explain what the use of martial arts are mainly for. Anyway back to the aspects of force then there is external force those exercises for example the hard striking of a sandbag with your palms or fists to develop a particular form and force of striking an opponent such as iron palm technique. Then there are other external hard exercises and techniques used that for example like the body conditioning of strenuous difficult exercises like maintaining repetitive kicks and punches, performing different types of body strengthening techniques like iron shirt or iron body which are using the body weights or different types of equipment such as carrying two large buckets of water up a steep hill and then balance and stances are also critical and useful for developing and building force as mentioned before it requires the use of power, accuracy, speed and strength to be harnessed and using both soft internal and hard external aspects to maintain the equilibrium the balance of the entire being to be maintained and disciplined into a formidable fighting force. So with the use of internal and external there is also the use of basic and specialised techniques such as a basic technique maybe striking iron palm punching and hitting sandbags repetitively for years so that it builds the form and strength and toughness into the hands that make the basic exercise or technique into a specialised art that is used when in combat.
The third dimension is application this is the functional aspect of the martial art, it is the ability to put into practice the use of form and force within the combat aspects of fighting when sparring with an opponent. This requires understanding, knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge to learn how to be an effective fighter. Also this requires courage, confidence, self defense is something that has to be learned and practiced so that the student of martial arts can be taught to fight well when in combat. This requires calmness, sound judgement, fluidity of movements and mental freshness. It is important to note that without application the martial art is essentially useless other than building health and vitality as the main purpose of martial arts is to make and build people into effective fighters that use this art for the purpose of self defense which brings us to the fourth dimension which is theory.
The theory is the philosophical aspects the thoughts behind the entire framework of the martial arts and for the purpose of the martial arts. It is also the spiritual aspect of the heart and includes all those traditions, history, principles, methods, techniques that are essentially used for self development, personal growth, and the use of profound knowledge that has to be with foundations of morality, virtue, goodness and righteousness. The theory is critical for maintaining the correct application and reasoning behind the use of martial arts which brings us to the three main aims of any martial art and that is:
- Effective Fighting
- Health and vitality
- Personal growth
As already mentioned the purpose of martial arts is to make a person into an effective fighter, this will make the individual grow into a strong, healthy and powerful person that has a responsibility to ensure that the use of the martial art is not for violence and oppression and injustice but for learning self defense and this brings through the practice of the forms and techniques good health and vitality much more than standard practice of common exercises like swimming, jogging, body building or other similar exercises because those exercises given time once a peak is attained will decrease the benefits to the individual with age whereas martial arts particularly soft internal aspects like Qi gong will with time and age be more beneficial and useful to the individual as through the natural process of life when a person crosses the peak of youth their physical health declines yet with the practice of martial arts, with time and age a person remains in good health and also has vitality, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual good health. This brings the last aim into use which is the continued and learned aspect through the journey that its builds good character, development and growth of the individual, bringing a sound heart into existence with their words and actions, discipline and perseverance, calmness, compassion and cosmic love the higher aspects and attaining consciousness towards being a more enlightened sound individual that has a strong foundation in morality, virtue goodness and righteousness which is essential to good living.
With these four dimensions and the aims a person can align themselves on the journey of the practice of Kung fu or any martial art that makes life much more enjoyable, interesting and builds useful skills for effective fighting. There can be no peace without fighting so it is essential to learn how to defend yourself and enjoy the art of combat and try to win fights without fighting but know how to fight.