Wearing an elegant and flowing golden Tai Chi suit, Chinese athlete Sophie Li showcased the beauty and power of traditional martial arts by performing a set of Shaolin Lotus Fist during the “NTD World Chinese Traditional Martial Arts Competition”.
On August 31, 2024, Sophie participated in the eighth “NTD Martial Arts Competition” in Waldwick, New Jersey, USA, and demonstrated the Lotus Fist in the preliminary round.
“Martial arts have beauty, as well as the beauty of power,” Sophie said. She believes that traditional martial arts share similarities with traditional arts, drawing inspiration from watching Chinese classical dance and ancient paintings, she feels that traditional martial arts embody a sense of “ease and stretch”.
She hopes to showcase the traditional charm of martial arts in the competition and to make connections with martial arts enthusiasts from around the world. “Exploring different perspectives is an opportunity for growth,” she added.
Growing up in Yunnan where martial arts culture thrives, Sophie learned Tai Chi from her family at a young age. Over the past year, she has been studying traditional martial arts such as Lotus Fist and Xingyiquan under the guidance of professional instructors. As she delves deeper into martial arts, she realizes the profound depth of traditional martial arts.
Previously unaware of the distinction between traditional and modern martial arts, Sophie reflected that her previous practice was only superficial. Now, she acknowledges that traditional martial arts are peaceful and systematic. The key principle of traditional martial arts lies in “martial virtue”. She resonates with the emphasis of the chairman of the martial arts competition judging panel, Mr. Li Youfu, who highlighted the importance of moral integrity in martial arts training, emphasizing the importance of righteousness in martial arts practice.
In her practice of traditional martial arts, Sophie experiences dual benefits for both her body and mind. The most noticeable change is her improved complexion, feeling more invigorated. Previously confined to long hours sitting in an office for work, she felt her body becoming stiff. However, through martial arts training, even with limited practice time, she noticed a significant improvement in her physical health.
“Martial arts can broaden one’s perspective,” Sophie observes a shift in her mindset towards a more optimistic and resilient outlook. She finds that practicing martial arts helps in relieving negative emotions, providing a sense of fluidity.
Persistence is the greatest reward that traditional martial arts have brought to Sophie. “There are no shortcuts in martial arts; it requires dedication and daily effort to accumulate progress,” she emphasized. Learning traditional martial arts has significantly increased her patience and resilience. She has also learned to be more modest, recalling the ancient proverb that martial artists do not boast.
Through her martial arts practice, Sophie has come to appreciate the importance of traditional Chinese culture in today’s society. She not only learns the martial arts techniques but also gains insights into Chinese traditional history and traditional Chinese medicine. She believes that there can be mutual inspiration between different aspects of traditional culture, such as medicine and martial arts being intertwined, and dance and martial arts sharing common origins. She emphasizes that learning culture is an essential part of mastering martial arts.
“People have roots,” Sophie pointed out. She expressed concerns about the gradual erosion of many traditional Chinese cultural elements, especially since the rise of the Communist Party. She hopes that more people worldwide will have the opportunity to explore traditional martial arts. “At the very least, it is a way to maintain physical fitness,” she noted. Contrary to common misconceptions, traditional martial arts are not as intense as perceived, and can be practiced by individuals of all ages and physical abilities.
In the martial arts school where Sophie learns traditional martial arts, there are children, elderly individuals, and even pregnant women participating in simple, slow movements. “In the past, people emphasized on health preservation; martial arts also serve as a way to cultivate vitality,” she explained. “Learning martial arts is about cultivating one’s inner self, not about engaging in physical combat.”