There is much confusion about the internal martial arts and how they should be trained to create what is commonly called internal power. Many feel that one has to meditate or do some form of spiritual practice in order to create the mysterious internal strength, in fact, this is not true.

True internal martial arts train both the inner and the outer to have a complete and well-rounded method.  In the practice of internal martial arts, cultivating energy and power through breathing, visualization, and relaxation exercises is the goal. Such inner skill or power is called (Nei-gong).  Our first method of Nei-gong as used in Jiulong Baguazhang is called Quiet Sitting (Jing-zuo) it is a part of a series of martial Nei-gong exercises, from the inner family (Nei-jia) traditions found in the Li family Chinese martial arts.

Quiet Sitting training emphasizes coordination of your mind and body with breath and imagery, sometimes called “achieving accord of the inner and outer.”  Training Nei-gong through Quiet Sitting looks like meditation to the casual observer. However, it is focused on cultivating physical and mental control over emotions and body movements and as such is not a spiritual practice.

Quiet Sitting is more a form of “self hypnosis” in which you will learn to communicate with your unconscious mind’s control centers to help first release unnecessary muscular tension as well as enhancing the coordination of your movements for martial usage.  Combined with special breathing techniques and powerful visualizations, Quiet Sitting enhances both the inner and outer powers of the body. 

Li family martial Quiet Sitting is about establishing awareness and control of your inner self (mind, emotions, attitude, and organs) and outer self (muscles, coordination, senses) in such a way that you are able to use the body like a finely tuned instrument or weapon.  Quiet sitting is the easiest way to create and then feel subtle internal sensations to change long established negative habit patterns for ones that are more appropriate.

With proper practice, your mind becomes like a silent, tranquil body of water where distractions have been eliminated.  From this silence, you can learn to direct the heart/imagination (Xin) to cause your body to react and follow your commands.  From this skill, you attain the ability to achieve a state of martial Chan (Zen) - to move naturally, easily, and appropriately in harmony with the actions of others.