Free Knowledge Articles

What is Qi? A Concept from Chinese Philosophy and Martial Arts

By Christian Weidl · updated 26 August 2026

Qi is a historical concept in Chinese philosophy, medicine and martial arts. Learn how it serves as training language for breath, attention and movement quality.

Reading time: approx. 7 min

Baji Quan – The Fist of Eight Extremes: Stance, Impact and Uncompromising Close Combat

By Christian Weidl · updated 27 April 2026

Baji Quan – the 'Fist of Eight Extremes', the historical bodyguard style. Stance, weight transfer and ramming techniques in close combat.

Reading time: approx. 8 min

Tongbei Quan & Pigua Zhang – Whip and Axe: The Most Famous Style Pair of the North

By Christian Weidl · updated 27 April 2026

Tongbei Quan and Pigua Zhang: northern Chinese style pair, whip and axe. Power from the back and torso, range, and swinging whole-body movement.

Reading time: approx. 8 min

UCC – Ultimate Close Combat: Self-Defence Forged at the Hamburg Door

By Christian Weidl · updated 27 April 2026

UCC – Ultimate Close Combat: self-defence from Hamburg, tested in real door-security work. Escrima, Muay Thai, boxing, rapier footwork.

Reading time: approx. 7 min

Vee Arnis Jiu Jitsu – Seven Decades of Street-Tested Self-Defence from New York

By Christian Weidl · updated 27 April 2026

Vee Arnis Jiu Jitsu – developed in NYC since 1955 by Professor Vee. Filipino blade intelligence, NYC law-enforcement standard.

Reading time: approx. 7 min

Kung Fu – Born for War, Built for Life

By Christian Weidl · updated 27 April 2026

What is real Kung Fu? From Wushu as the art of war to modern sport and the principles of physical sustainability, beauty and combat.

Reading time: approx. 10 min

Wuzu Quan & Taizu Quan – The Power of the Ancestors: A Complete Combat System Across All Distances

By Christian Weidl · updated 27 April 2026

Wuzu and Taizu Quan – southern Chinese distance system pairing close and long range. Set-ups, 'block is a punch', root of karate.

Reading time: approx. 9 min

Systema – The Russian Martial Art of Natural Movement

By Christian Weidl · updated 22 April 2026

Systema is the modern Russian martial art by Ryabko and Vasiliev: four principles (breath, relaxation, structure, calm), no rigid techniques.

Reading time: approx. 9 min

Taiji Quan: The Highest, Ultimate Fist Between Martial Art and Philosophy

By Christian Weidl · updated 22 April 2026

Taiji Quan is more than gentle park movement: 5 main styles, 400 years of history, UNESCO World Heritage – the art of Yin and Yang.

Reading time: approx. 11 min

Wuji Quan – The Fist of the Great Nothingness: The Origin of the Inner Martial Arts

By Christian Weidl · updated 22 April 2026

Wuji Quan is one of the oldest inner Chinese martial arts – the art of emptiness from which Taiji, Bagua and Xingyi emerged.

Reading time: approx. 11 min

Bagua Zhang – The Palm of the Eight Trigrams

By Christian Weidl · updated 11 November 2025

Bagua Zhang blends circular movement, dynamic footwork and I Ching philosophy – an art as aesthetic as it is combat-practical.

Reading time: approx. 4 min

Yi Quan – The Fist of Willpower

By Christian Weidl · updated 11 November 2025

Yi Quan distills inner martial art: explosive power from absolute stillness, developed by Xingyi master Wang Xiangzhai.

Reading time: approx. 5 min

Xingyi Quan – The Fist of Form and Willpower

By Christian Weidl · updated 11 November 2025

Xingyi Quan – inner Chinese martial art with explosive close-range power, splitting principle, focus on Yi: willpower as motor of movement.

Reading time: approx. 4 min

Geng vs. Lik – Why True Strength Doesn't Come from Muscles

By Christian Weidl · updated 8 June 2025

Lik denotes muscle strength; Geng develops force transmission through technique, timing and structure. See how the training approaches differ.

Reading time: approx. 4 min