The 12 Bridge Principles (十二橋訣) : twelve qualities of force , these are heart-methods (心法): attributes of how energy is expressed, not specific techniques. The 12 Bridge Hands (十二橋手法) : twelve concrete applications performed with the bridge against an opponent's arm. These are hand-methods (手法): things you physically do. They are governed by the maxim 橋來橋上過，無橋自造橋 — "if a bridge comes, go over it; if there is no bridge, build one."
Few institutions in early modern history rival the Eight Banners (八旗, Baqi) in ambition or consequence. Within half a century, it had become the skeleton of the Later Jin (后金) state and then of the Qing dynasty (清朝), which used it to conquer Ming (明) China and to govern the largest and most diverse empire East Asia had ever seen.
This frontier warfare also explains why the gaucho's martial reputation involved considerably more than personal duelling. He had to endure long rides, poor food, exposure, fatigue and uncertainty. He needed to know how to move through country where roads were rudimentary or nonexistent. He needed to recognize water, grazing and routes of travel. He needed to handle a horse after hours of riding and still be capable of fighting. In an irregular war, the ability to remain mobile and self-sufficient could be as important as the ability to strike an opponent.
There is an old saying in the martial arts world: "One who practices martial arts is half a doctor" (武林有句俗话“一个武半个医”). Those who train in martial arts often suffer injuries, so skilled practitioners also tend to learn bone-setting and massage techniques. In the ancient city of Cangzhou (沧州), there is a renowned martial arts master named Ma Zhendong (马振东), who, while training in martial arts, also mastered the advanced skills of bone-setting and massage. He teaches people martial arts for fitness while also providing free medical treatment.
The sabre is valued for its length, the body for its weight; For every finger‑length of extra sabre, a portion of gold. Where the blade meets the guard, distinguish hard and soft; When steel is dipped for the edge, discern shallow and deep.
Hook Sickle Spear (钩镰枪, Goulian Qiang) is a type of cold weapon from ancient China.It was used in infantry combat and was one of the weapons in ancient chariot warfare tactics. Its form consists of a long spear with a barbed hook on the sharp blade of the spearhead, specifically designed to counter enemy cavalry.
The Jian Jing manual is not a collection of techniques, rather it is a method of controlling distance, line, rhythm, and force so that the staff becomes an extension of the whole body, and the body becomes a formation. One of the main problems with those that have not studied the staff, is that often wiggle around the staff without attention of the body, and in chinese martial arts, and in the Jian Jing, significant focus is on distance, stepping, as well as the lines of forces.
Many practitioners of Xingyi Quan (形意拳) encounter a very real predicament: during daily practice, the Five Elemental Fists (五行拳) are performed with formidable power, the routines are memorized to perfection, and movements flow like water. Yet once they put on boxing gloves and engage in sparring, their minds instantly go blank. They frantically search their memory