Body Fitness through the Art of Meihuazhuang?

Meihua Zhuang is a martial art whose techniques employ the use of either ground markings or logs attached to the ground, which are set in a pattern that resembles a plum blossom petal. The pattern used is inspired by ancient Chinese theory or ying-yang and five elements. A person who seeks to learn this art can either train footwork on top of the logs, or can alternatively circle around them with varying movements.

The person who trains for this art needs deep comprehension of everything involved — even the tiniest details. The fundamentals of this art lie in the skills of motion referred to as ‘arts of steps’. The skill is divided into two distinct sections namely:

• Tian Pang Zhuang which is also called ‘celestial poles’ or Ma Bu Zhuang. This skill deals with the static positions and several methods of steps and movements on the logs.
• Di Pan Zhuang also called ‘terrestrial poles’ or Lian Huan Zhuang. This skill deals with techniques and homogeneous series of leg techniques.

Mei Hua Zhuang was originally practiced on top of logs which have varying heights according to the skill level of the practitioner. The practitioner then acquires dedicated footwork and balance because they train on top of the logs.

 

Principles if Meihua Zhuang :

This martial art is said to possess 4 abilities namely:

•  Great self-defense abilities.
• Improved mental capabilities and speed to figure out responses.
• Improved physical health.
• Improved general body health.

It is a common practice for people to undergo fitness exercises so as to improve the general health of the body. One health condition that people are not comfortable with today concerns increase in weight which is oft seen as an invitation to other complicated diseases. Hence many people go to gyms and other fitness areas.

The general health of a person is also connected to the emotional and mental status of that person. Good mental health can motivate hastened healing and general health.

In Meihauzhuang, the training techniques focused on freeing the practitioner body and mind from fixed patterns of motion and ideological thinking. The practitioner’s harmonized their mental and physical state of their bodies through various qigong healing techniques. This is achievable because the training environment is quiet and encourages concentration.

Internal styles lay emphasis on the development and nurture of the internal qi through the various exercises and meditation involved. Relaxed and expanded motions of this art emphasizes on the development of power. These help the release of stress which improves the health of the practitioner.

External styles lay emphasis on the overall body fitness and the yielding of an aerobic capacity.

The training schedules eventually harmonizes the entire body and mind into one through the styles and the needs to co-ordinate both mental and physical aspects to yield the desired results. This results to increased body balance, strength and co-ordination.