![]() ![]() At the one end, picture MMA fighter Bas Rutten, covered in sweat and blood in an all out fight in the ring. The two opposing images of martial arts clichés can sum up the wide spectrum of martial arts. You can also move into definitions for ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ martial arts – the latter using redirection and deflection rather than direct opposing force. Of course there are many grey areas in between, and students of an art like aikido might argue it offers both – development and use of ki energy for health, but the ability to deliver techniques as powerful as striking art like karate. Internal arts have greater focus on the use of chi or ki energy, and there is an emphasis on health benefits as well as self defence. To put it very simply, external martial arts generally focus on the physical application of force. It can be difficult for Westerners to grasp the real meaning of internal arts, as they are deeply rooted in the cultures of China and Japan. Of course this question often comes in the form ‘Which is better?’ There are many explanations about internal and external arts, and these can include comments about the religions and philosophies behind them. One of the common questions asked about martial arts relates to the difference between ‘internal’ and ‘external’ martial arts.
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