Are the internal Arts beneficial for health and longevity?

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I chose this forum though my question may relate to all the internal arts. I have this nagging doubt about the beneficial effects on health and longevity that are assumed in Ba Gua and Tai chi. Don’t get me wrong, I am not dissing these arts. In fact, I want to believe they do, but closer scrutiny makes me wonder. I hope you can offer some enlightening comments.

Especially, when it comes to longevity, some of the most famous masters, like Yang Cheng Fu from Tai chi actually died quite young. There are many masters who have not lived so long–maybe into their 70s at most. I could sadly write a list of names. For example, Wang Shujin, that is mentioned in Bruce’s book, “The Power of Internal Martial Arts and Chi,” states that he (Wang Shujin) was in his 80s, and that he could beat the toughest young men. Presumably, he was in excellent health too. However, several sources on the internet show that he passed away at the age of 77 because of complications with melanoma. One blogger, who claims to have a personal account, states that Wang Shujin had several serious illnesses. Despite this, i still believe he was great teacher.

One exception comes to mind from Tai chi: T.T. Liang who lived to about 100. However, this is the exception and not the rule. From what I read, T.T. Liang was a character who loved a laugh. A deep belly laugh a day may be the ingredient to long-term good health rather than the internal arts. Or it could be a combination of factors. I don’t know.

Thus, I am left to wonder. Maybe it is not the arts themselves, but our determination, effort and intention that we put into them that makes them effective for health and longevity. It could be that though people still get old, that internally, practitioners are more energetic and lively than those who don’t practice.. Yet, I know of some older teachers who lack enthusiasm too, so I wonder about this. After all, there are many people who do not practice, that live long and healthy, and many who do not. This appears to apply to practitioners as well. It seems that environmental factors, lifestyles, and karma may play even stronger roles. I am not sure, but I would love to hear your views on this.

With deep respect,

Bill

[Anonymous]

Hey Bill,

I think the internal arts do make you healthier. But many other factors also affect your health. You could be a great Tai Chi master and then the next day you could get hit by a large truck. Now you’re dead.

I think you hit it on the head when you said “Maybe it is not the arts themselves, but our determination, effort and
intention that we put into them that makes them effective for health and
longevity”

These arts aren’t magic, doing some sloppy tai chi form every day won’t magically give you super human health. But these arts do work. They are very well designed and thought out. They’ve been tested and refined over thousands of years. And if you put in diligent practice they can make you much stronger and healthier then you might have otherwise been.

In my own case, I’ve had multiple knee surgeries. I have severe chronic back pain. I have a number of old martial arts injuries. And a list of other health problems and ailments. Practicing the internal arts has helped all of them. In some cases, it’s completely cured the problem and in other cases it has mitigated the problems.

Practicing these arts has made me much healthier, but they won’t stop me from getting hit by a bus tomorrow

Hope this helps,
Janak

[Anonymous]

Yes, Janak, you make a good point. By all means, please avoid buses and all moving vehicles That is true, some masters died in accidents. Still, many masters, who trained diligently initially, could either not control their life style choices, or extricate themselves from their unfavourable environmental circumstances, and thus suffered the consequences. Then, what is the point of Yin and Yang and balance?

I do believe that you experienced many benefits from the internal arts. Maybe, it is just that, “belief?” However, what you say about their being a long history of experimentation, and that these arts have substance is true. Still, it seems we can’t rely on these arts entirely in a passive way.

I guess the lesson we can take is that if we don’t take of ourselves, (our health, diet, environmental factors) and that we don’t make continuous efforts throughout our lives till the very end, none of these arts will exhibit their greatness in our lives. As for genetics, I don’t know. Also, let’s avoid moving vehicles and accidents as well. Any other comments?

Bill

[Anonymous]

Yes, Janak, you make a good point. By all means, please avoid buses and all moving vehicles That is true, some masters died in accidents. Still, many masters, who trained diligently initially, could either not control their life style choices, or extricate themselves from their unfavourable environmental circumstances, and thus suffered the consequences. Then, what is the point of Yin and Yang and balance?

I do believe that you experienced many benefits from the internal arts. Maybe, it is just that, “belief?” However, what you say about their being a long history of experimentation, and that these arts have substance is true. Still, it seems we can’t rely on these arts entirely in a passive way.

I guess the lesson we can take is that if we don’t take of ourselves, (our health, diet, environmental factors) and that we don’t make continuous efforts throughout our lives till the very end, none of these arts will exhibit their greatness in our lives. As for genetics, I don’t know. Also, let’s avoid moving vehicles and accidents as well. Any other comments?

Bill

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