Is there a way to train before 40 years of age and another way to train after?
The answer may surprise you. Let me explain:
In Chinese martial arts it is common for practitioners under 40 years of age to concentrate on the “hard” or external styles of training. But after the age of 40, top martial artists generally move toward the “soft” or internal styles.
Why is this?
There are many, many reasons – but one of them goes as follows: Your body is limited in what it can accomplish through brute physical power alone. And the longer you push the edge of the envelope with “hard” training, the greater the risk of doing more harm than good.
The solution is to develop a base of strength through external exercises – and once this is in place – graduate to the internal phase of development.
Interestingly enough, those who practice the INTERNAL end up being far healthier, more vitally alive and much more developed all the way around. Onlookers cannot tell how you developed your strength and power – because your exercises appear so meek and mild. But as the Biblical saying goes, “The meek (soft and gentle) shall inherit the earth.”
Yes, just as water will erode stone – softness and gentleness can defeat those with arms and legs of steel. When you are soft, the movements you do come from within – and this gives you incredible insight and leverage as to how to easily defeat those who are externally oriented.
The first time this occured to me in a very personal way was when I returned from China eight years ago. I got on the mat with a couple friends, and for some odd reason, put my hands behind my back when we squared off. To my amazement, they could not score on me. And when I did use my hands, instead of fighting muscle to muscle, I used whipping, snake-like movements that made them feel helpless. This caused one fellow to remark, “Man, everything you do hurts but it looks like you’re not even trying.”
A few years ago, when training in China with Master Liu, he knocked me back 20 feet without physically pushing me. It felt like a cannon had gone off inside my chest. I asked, “How much power did you use to do that?”
He replied by putting his thumb and index finger a few centimeters apart, then saying, “Yi dian, dian.” Very, very little.
This took Bruce Lee’s 1-inch punch to a level most have never seen. There was no “inch.” There was no punch. He already had his hand on me and without using any muscular force I went flying. I guess I should also mention that Master Liu is 54 years old and is 50 pounds lighter than me.
Okay, so what does all this have to do with you?
First, many people write me who are in their 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and then some. Many of these people have not trained a day in their lives. Their bodies are banged up and they want to know what to do.
My answer, in most cases, is to follow a longevity-based exercise program that is not difficult to do; a program that helps you regain your health internally. Yes, your muscles will benefit, but if your internal organs are weak, no amount of muscular power can save you. If you doubt this study those who got a kidney stone, or needed an emergency appendectomy, or had a heart attack or stroke.
So, it makes practical as well as physiological sense to work on getting into balance internally – because this will take care of the external without forcing you to do something that may be overly difficult.
I teach precisely what to do to recapture your health and magnificence internally in the Chinese Long-Life Program. You learn how to improve your health via pressing, kneading and tapping various longevity points on your body. You learn easy to do exercises that open up the meridians in the body, promoting an increased flow of chi – or vital energy.
You learn how to increase the odds that you’ll live 100 years in perfect health.
Now, does this mean that you cannot do Combat Conditioning if you’re over 40, 50, 60 and so on?
No. I have many students in those age ranges and beyond. And they’ve benefitted enormously.
Even so, these men and women also recognize that having a fitness plan that incorporates more than one training modality is a darn good idea.
If your longevity plan incorporates a PLAN of attack that goes by land, air and sea – you greatly increase the odds of not only surviving to a ripe age – but you’ll also magnify the odds that you’ll be one of those fortunate souls who still has his wits and whims about him – at any age.
What a way to live, eh?
Matt Furey
P.S. Living a long life in China is a wonderful thing. You’re revered, loved and respected for your wisdom. Perhaps the same will be said about you when you’re 100 years of age. Ramp up the odds by ordering NOW.