What do you think?
Rate this book
The Power of Internal Martial Arts and Chi: Combat and Energy Secrets of Ba Gua, Tai Chi and Hsing-I
Originally published in 1998, this book has become a martial arts classic. It provides detailed descriptions of the three main internal martial arts—tai chi (taiji), hsing-i (xingyi) and ba gua (pakua)—and their sub-styles, as well as how they differ from each other and from such external arts as karate, tae kwon do and judo. Each internal martial art is analyzed in terms of its fighting strategies and applications. This revised edition includes 50 pages of additional material including a new chapter on martial arts and spirituality.This was the first book to provide in-depth information to Westerners about nei gung ( neijiaquan ), the sophisticated Taoist system developed in ancient China for working with chi in the body, mind and spirit. Chi helps build relaxed speed and power without the use of muscular tension or adrenaline surges. This gives many internal martial artists a powerful edge over counterparts trained in external martial arts.
The book provides vivid details about Frantzis’ personal training odyssey in the martial arts, including fascinating profiles of such renowned martial artists as Morehei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido; ba gua master Wang Shu Jin, who emanated chi so powerfully that on cold days his students could warm their hands by standing near him; and Liu Hung Chieh, the legendary master of the internal martial arts and Taoist meditation who also had a complete knowledge of traditional Chinese medical theory.
The new edition demystifies the technique known as fa jin, the storage and sudden discharge of energy without the use of muscular force, one aspect of which is demonstrated on the front cover. The new edition also adds a lengthy chapter on the spiritual development of a martial artist, and describes how the internal martial arts are linked to Taoist meditation.
The book provides vivid details about Frantzis’ personal training odyssey in the martial arts, including fascinating profiles of such renowned martial artists as Morehei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido; ba gua master Wang Shu Jin, who emanated chi so powerfully that on cold days his students could warm their hands by standing near him; and Liu Hung Chieh, the legendary master of the internal martial arts and Taoist meditation who also had a complete knowledge of traditional Chinese medical theory.
The new edition demystifies the technique known as fa jin, the storage and sudden discharge of energy without the use of muscular force, one aspect of which is demonstrated on the front cover. The new edition also adds a lengthy chapter on the spiritual development of a martial artist, and describes how the internal martial arts are linked to Taoist meditation.
- GenresMartial Arts
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 1998
16 people are currently reading
365 people want to read
About the author
Bruce Frantzis
26 books37 followersBruce Kumar Frantzis is a Taoist Lineage Master with more than 40 years experience in Eastern healing systems. He is the first known Westerner to hold authentic lineages in qigong, bagua, tai chi, hsing-i and Taoist meditation.
Frantzis has developed a practical, comprehensive system of programs that can enable people of all ages and fitness levels to increase their core energy and attain vibrant health. (-amazon)
Frantzis has developed a practical, comprehensive system of programs that can enable people of all ages and fitness levels to increase their core energy and attain vibrant health. (-amazon)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 4, 2018
Bruce has studied internal martial arts for most of his life. This book is a great insight to what he has found throughout his years of practise.
He gives his thoughts and experiences openly but clearly favors Ba Gua out of the 3 major arts. Even though when seriously injured, he was turned to radio chi to heal. He still has a biased view to the art.
Yet this does not take away from the vast amount of Knowledge and insight this book has to offer!
I doubt it would be useful to those whotrain the external arts but would still be a joyous read for any martial artist as it is Well written and flows from one topic to another with ease..... Much like his art.
Personally I used it as a motivator for when I reached platos of stagnation (where I felt I had not processed) , this book inspired me to continue.
All in all, an insightful and easy read!
Enjoy!
He gives his thoughts and experiences openly but clearly favors Ba Gua out of the 3 major arts. Even though when seriously injured, he was turned to radio chi to heal. He still has a biased view to the art.
Yet this does not take away from the vast amount of Knowledge and insight this book has to offer!
I doubt it would be useful to those whotrain the external arts but would still be a joyous read for any martial artist as it is Well written and flows from one topic to another with ease..... Much like his art.
Personally I used it as a motivator for when I reached platos of stagnation (where I felt I had not processed) , this book inspired me to continue.
All in all, an insightful and easy read!
Enjoy!
June 1, 2013
I have dabbled on and off (mostly off) in the arts for a few decades and recently started again, taking tai chi. This book has been collecting dust on my bookshelf for decades too. With my renewed interest in martial arts I ordered the author's latest version of the book and got to reading.
I don't know if any "combat secrets" are revealed here but this book talks in depth about the mechanics, applications and principles of the 3 internal arts. This not a how-to book. If you are studying the internal arts this book can augment that. If you're interested in the study of the internal arts and the differences between them and the external arts it is also good. Bear in mind that the author main study is Bagua and he doesn't hide the fact that he thinks the internal arts and Bagua are superior. If you can get past this or you already agree the book is chock-full of info.
On the other hand The chapter at the end on spirituality in the martial arts is prefaced with the fact that he's not going to describe any of the methods on how to do it because you have to do it with a teacher.
Then he talks about how great it is but at the same time how hard it is. It is way harder than the "eating bitter" m.a. talks about, he says. Really, how? I found this chapter boring and skimmed it. The chapter on health in m.a. was not that exciting to me either and has more chi exaggerations. I wish I had just read the original version that I already had instead of ordering the new version with these two new chapters.
What I liked most about the book
* The general principle of the book, i.e. the in-depth discussion of the 3 internal arts and the internal arts in general
* The bios of all the different masters he studied with and the interesting personal stories thrown in
What I did not like about the book
* His, in my opinion, exaggerations of the powers of Chi. I don't believe you can control people in another room or kill people or whatever by projecting chi. To me this really dragged my opinion of the book down.
* As I said before on the last two chapters...
I don't know if any "combat secrets" are revealed here but this book talks in depth about the mechanics, applications and principles of the 3 internal arts. This not a how-to book. If you are studying the internal arts this book can augment that. If you're interested in the study of the internal arts and the differences between them and the external arts it is also good. Bear in mind that the author main study is Bagua and he doesn't hide the fact that he thinks the internal arts and Bagua are superior. If you can get past this or you already agree the book is chock-full of info.
On the other hand The chapter at the end on spirituality in the martial arts is prefaced with the fact that he's not going to describe any of the methods on how to do it because you have to do it with a teacher.
Then he talks about how great it is but at the same time how hard it is. It is way harder than the "eating bitter" m.a. talks about, he says. Really, how? I found this chapter boring and skimmed it. The chapter on health in m.a. was not that exciting to me either and has more chi exaggerations. I wish I had just read the original version that I already had instead of ordering the new version with these two new chapters.
What I liked most about the book
* The general principle of the book, i.e. the in-depth discussion of the 3 internal arts and the internal arts in general
* The bios of all the different masters he studied with and the interesting personal stories thrown in
What I did not like about the book
* His, in my opinion, exaggerations of the powers of Chi. I don't believe you can control people in another room or kill people or whatever by projecting chi. To me this really dragged my opinion of the book down.
* As I said before on the last two chapters...
February 19, 2025
I think this book is for people somewhere between beginner and intermediate martial artists. If I didn't have a some experience in tai chi, I'd be completely lost. I felt very lost on ba gua, hsing-i, and some of the internal concepts he talks about. Youtube has been a big help in translating words to actions. The organization of this book was a bit hairy and the occasional self-promotion was irksome, but over all increased my interest in this topic. I will return to it when I have a more solid foundation.
June 18, 2024
Great overview and perspective on the internal arts. Master Franzis is well connected and positioned to discuss. My only wish is that there was more depth, as this talks about the styles, their brief history and key persons, without any practical conversation. This is not an instructional book whatsoever.
I would still recommend.
I would still recommend.
May 19, 2011
A fascinating journey into the so-called internal martial arts
Although not exactly a manual to learn internal martial arts, this book sure can pique a reader's interest! Much like a collection of anecdotes (which I love), thoughts, and insights, it is a great introduction to the martial arts of xingyiquan, taijiquan, and baguazhang, as seen through the author's eyes. The author talks of his many varied experiences and of many exceptional people that he met or learned from, making this book quite a fun read. Although practitioners won't find many specific techniques or training methods in this book, it is a good way to get people excited about the internal arts!
Note that there are two versions of this book; the newest one includes some additional material.
Although not exactly a manual to learn internal martial arts, this book sure can pique a reader's interest! Much like a collection of anecdotes (which I love), thoughts, and insights, it is a great introduction to the martial arts of xingyiquan, taijiquan, and baguazhang, as seen through the author's eyes. The author talks of his many varied experiences and of many exceptional people that he met or learned from, making this book quite a fun read. Although practitioners won't find many specific techniques or training methods in this book, it is a good way to get people excited about the internal arts!
Note that there are two versions of this book; the newest one includes some additional material.
July 6, 2010
Christians must avoid: you can NOT practice divination, gnosticism, visualization, and/or playing with psychic abilities in a martial art and still honor God. You can not honor God and partake of these things. Reliance upon the flesh (the fallen nature and its corrupt desires for power and advantage over its perceived enemies) is incompatible with a Christian worldview and faith in Christ Jesus. The bottom line is: what part of "love your neighbor as yourself" do you fulfill by practicing the "power of internal martial arts"?
April 17, 2012
One of my top five. This truly awesome book, encapsulates a rare look inside the journey from the external martial arts into the profoundness that is the internal martial arts. One of the best books on the martial arts ever written. HAs fantastic sections on the development of skills and the differences between internal and external styles. A rare book with a wealth of information within its covers.
April 10, 2008
This book is what caused me to study internal kungfu and partially the reason I am getting my Master's in Chinese Medicine. This is no other book out there like this. It is truly a classic and catches the true essence of the Internal Martial Arts, healing, the nature of spirit, and the Warrior heart.
October 18, 2010
Master BK Frantzis has written a comprehensive treatise on the Chinese Internal Arts, each style with its own methods of nei jing. He elaborates on each system, bagua, tai chi, and hsing-i, offering a brief history, and a comparison of the systems. A thoroughly enjoyable read for students of these arts!
April 12, 2015
Another book I've reread many times over the years.A real comprehensive and informed approach to the internal arts.
Most of these sort of books try to obfuscate the subject but BTK is a real authority.Still one of the clearest presentations on this fascinating material available.
Would not hesitate to recommend any of his works .
Most of these sort of books try to obfuscate the subject but BTK is a real authority.Still one of the clearest presentations on this fascinating material available.
Would not hesitate to recommend any of his works .
January 9, 2011
He explains on page 73 that Ba Gua is the purest form of Taoist Martial Arts.
Shaolin Temple (or monastery) in China is the legendary birthplace of Chinese martial arts.
Shaolin Temple (or monastery) in China is the legendary birthplace of Chinese martial arts.
November 21, 2012
Who knew that I will like this book and start reading more about stuff like that. Pick at random in my library
April 2, 2013
a very good intro to the big three Bagua, Hsing I and Tai Chi
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews