Martial arts styles are usually grouped together based on their nation of origin. This distinction is of particular import to those whose primary concern is the protection and dissemination of tradition in keeping with the culture and heritage thereof.
From perhaps a more technical perspective, martial arts may also be classified as "internal" or "external", "hard" or "soft", "linear" or "circular" and this is the view of many practitioners whose primary concerns are about execution and application- how a technique or style expresses itself and is used in actual combat. There is significant overlap of the above terms, as well as variable levels of each, from style to style. Western minds still tend to work in a very Manchaen fashion (where things must be one way OR the other, black vs white with little to no grey) and so tend to struggle with this.
Starting with what may be easier to understand, the "external" principle is often expressed with "hardness" and tends toward linear movement. Good examples of these are TaeKwonDo, Muy Thai, and Western pugilism or boxing. The "internal" principle tends to be expressed with "softness" and tends toward circular movement. Taiji, JuJitsu, and Aikido all exemplify this fairly well.
That being said, MOST styles are a mixture of all of these. Even Taiji seeks to express "yin" and "yang" in its movements, and, when applied to actual fighting, there are "hard" strikes and blocks that move along the line of attack just as much as there are circular throws and redirection of offending blows. Wing Chun tends to move in a line, and utilizes great force, even defending by striking at strikes or "defanging the snake" as they would say in the Filipino martial arts, and yet there is still great emphasis on internal power and circular movement.
Moreover, the "ju" or "gentle" principle does not always mean it is exactly "nice" to the opponent. Almost all "soft" styles use vital point striking and joint manipulation- which are not only quite painful but can easily lead to severe injury or death. Aikijujitsu almost always moves in circles, strikes at vital points, and often seeks to destroy limbs as part of its defense. This is a soft, circular style with a much more external expression than aikido or jujitsu alone.
Qigong is primarily used for the cultivation of internal power, and development of the ability to regulate and move the flow of energy within the body. It helps to promote vitality, flexibility and organ health. It also develops physical strength and flexibility, albeit in a more subtle way than say push-ups or splits. Qigong is used in many esoteric healing practices, not unlike the more well-known Japanese practice of Reiki. At the same time, Qigong is also the key element of "iron shirt" practice- an esoteric martial art technique of making the body less vulnerable and more resilient to attack or damage.
Like yin and yang, internal flows to external and vice-verse. Understanding hardness and softness leads not only to deeper comprehension of martial arts, but translates to more effective technique by knowing how to attack and defend with the appropriate energy format. One can move in both circles and lines simultaneously- using a small circle joint lock while moving the body along a line to drive the opponent to the ground, or stepping in a circle to move off the line of attack while countering with a direct linear assault as is common to mantis-style kung fu. Martial arts is not stagnant, it is an art of motion. Like all things in nature, there is a constant exchange and interplay of forces which spiral around one another in an endless dance.
So, when classifying martial arts, or looking for a new style or technique to study, remember not to be too limiting. Don't put things into boxes and assume complete understanding based on a superficial label. No style is better or worse than any other. It is all about your personal mastery, and how well that art works with you and for you. Ultimately, all fighters end up cherry-picking techniques and blending them together anyway. Some bodies are more suited to emphasize soft styles, others work better with hard, yet both will employ both to some extent. Internal arts will always enhance external arts, and external work will make your internal power more effective.
As always, seek BALANCE by friends... Balance in all things...
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