subject: Martial Arts Science Revealed By Five Elements [print this page] That there is a martial arts science is a fact which none can dispute, the sad news is that people hold to art, and refuse the science in their thinking. This science, however, lives and breathes in the fighting disciplines and is described in many of the books, strategies and philosophies of the arts. In this piece of writing we will discuss the distinct progression of arts that will reveal this science.
The universe can easily be seen as five distinct elements. Interestingly, though there can be disagreement as to what actually constitutes a basic element, the science will still, in the final analysis, be revealed. Thus, choose your elements, and apply your arts as is done here, and it will still work.
The first element is air. Air is intaken and used by the body to generate chi energy. Thus, one could do any exercise, yoga is very good, zen is adequate, and begin the transmutation of the universe into personal energy.
The second element one must understand is fire, and this is the generation of chi within the body generator, known as the tan tien, or 'one point.' Fire can be created quite easily by practicing the more violent arts. This would include such fighting skills as Karate, Kenpo, Taekwondo, some of the more violent forms of Kung Fu and so on.
The third element to be considered is earth. One breathes air in, generates the fire within, and connects the fire to the earth. This can be done in any fighting system, but a study of such arts as Tai Chi Chuan or Pa Kua Chang are usually the best for this.
The fourth element is water. Once one learns how to connect to the earth, one must learn how to be fluid and changeable, and this holds for movements, strategic shifts in fighting skills, and so on. This can be studied, again, through wudan style martial arts, but also through Aikido, and some of the more esoteric Indonesian styles.
The fifth element one must understand is void. Void is the fact of awareness, and comes through an analysis of all arts. To practice one discipline is to study a piece of the whole, is like examining one vegetable and assuming you know them all.
The conclusion to be reached here is that one must apply oneself to all arts and learn their juxtapositioning. One must come to an appreciation of their inter-relationships, and understand them as a whole. This is the only way to truly master the fighting systems of the world, and to understand the complete Martial Arts Science.
