WHO ARE WE?

WHAT DO WE DO?

We are a growing group of dedicated individuals who seek to live a life more fully accessed and realised than may otherwise be possible.

Essentially, we are individually and collectively committed to the practice, development and promotion of the Chinese ‘internal’ martial arts and Daoist development systems; as taught by Roy Jenzen. The term ‘internal intent’ says more about what we do than who we are.

Although there are three classical styles of the internal martial arts (nei-jia) – Xingyi chuan, Bagua zhang and Tai Chi chaun – the two we consider most central to our purpose are Xingyi and Ba Gua; together with the original Daoist nei gong (inner skill) work that both informs and enhances the practice of the martial methods.

Indeed, Daoist nei gong practices provide the matrix for the development of any real skill (gong fu) in the internal martial systems, and itself has its genesis in early shamanic practices dating back at least 3,000 years.

It is through the understanding of the wholistic and integrated nature of this work, and of the fundamental importance of having access to, and learning, a complete system – that the dedicated student is presented with the opportunity to enter the hallowed halls of real ‘internal’ martial skill.

It then becomes clear why these systems are not only formidable fighting arts but are also intrinsically endowed methods of healing and self-cultivation.

INTERNAL MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING

It can be said as an overview that training in the internal systems is founded upon the process of re-educating what is often a ‘normal’ body (and mindset) to that of a more ‘natural’ one. The process begins with structural and postural directives that may at first seem to only act on a physical level, yet the student has already begun a remaking process, which can, and often does, bring about quite remarkable changes on many levels.

From this template of structural integrity the internal systems practitioner can begin to develop natural strength and encourage the free and harmonious movement of energy and blood, which can be clearly and unambiguously demonstrated (both to him/herself and to others if necessary) by the ever developing skill of ‘nei-jin’, or inner power. This is not something mysterious but rather the natural product of correct and systematic training.

We emphasise again the fundamental importance of having access to a complete and integrated system of training if one’s desire is to develop true skill (gong fu) – this approach to training graced the education of many, if not all, of the great old masters, yet is lacking in many of today’s schools.

First and foremost the beginning student needs to understand that training in an internal martial arts system(s) is difficult and demanding, both physically,mentally, and sometimes emotionally. The very nature of the work ensures, even demands, that this is so.

There is no place in real internal martial and Daoist nei gong work for a “softly, softly, feel the chi!” esoteric approach; or for a compulsive mindset, devoid of any structural foundation and energetic root, to “connect my du channel to my ren channel” – if one’s du and ren channels are not already connected then one might very well need to be on life support!

No, real ‘internal’ work will (and should) push and challenge the student on many levels and yet it is precisely because of this that the transformational treasures inherent in this work are revealed.