Iron Palm & Pressure Points:

Some exercises classified as Qigong methods are really part of the Waigong (external skill training) and also Neigong practice. Waigong training is used to train the muscles and skin surface to become resistant to damage through purely physical means. During China's warrior periods both internal and external schools practiced striking the body repeatedly with bamboo or iron poles to learn to resist damage from strikes.

Slapping the palms, arms and fingers on bags filled with iron sand and washing or cooking them in special herbal lineaments to imbue the hands with greater strength was a common method for warriors. The hand training would create the fabled "iron palm". Such methods are also employed in some styles of Baguazhang combat training.

The Origin of Internal Martial Arts:

An interesting note is that Baguazhang, Xingyiquan and Taijiquan the three so called internal martial arts of China were not differentiated from other martial arts during the early days of their creation. While it is true that their training was very different from other styles it was Master Sun, Lu-tang who first coined the term internal martial arts long after these methods were well known throughout China.

The martial school also borrowed techniques from the medical school of Qigong. For example, the Qi meridian points of the human energy system were carefully studied to learn how Qi moves in the body. Specific striking methods were developed to incapacitate an opponent simply by striking a particular point. Known as Dianxue (pressing cavities), this technique requires careful timing and great precision in striking, but its devastating effect in fighting is a matter of historical record.

Masters of these methods appear to have almost superhuman levels of energy or power. They are able to exhibit phenomenal feats of physical prowess with apparently little effort. This is mostly due to the enhanced strength and coordination created by years of training. Many of these arts survive today and have spread throughout the world, wherever there are avid followers of the Chinese martial arts.

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