Neijia / Waijia
內家 / 外家
Traditional classification of Chinese martial arts into internal (Neijia) and external (Waijia) schools.
Quick Facts
CategoryConcept / Principle
Pronunciation/[nay-jah] / [why-jah]/
Alternative NamesInternal and external Chinese martial arts styles
Definition
Chinese martial arts categorize disciplines into Neijia (internal family – focusing on Qi, relaxation, and biomechanical alignment like Tai Chi) and Waijia (external family – emphasizing muscular power and explosive athleticism like Shaolin).
Related Terms
Qi / Ki氣 / 気
Concept of vital life energy and internal breath in Chinese and Japanese martial arts.
Dan Tian丹田Internal energy reservoir and center of gravity in the lower abdomen according to Chinese tradition.
Fa Jin / Fa Jing發勁Technique of issuing explosive internal power instantaneously in Chinese martial arts.