What We Teach

Internal Martial Arts

Internal Martial Arts are collectively referred to as Nei Jia Quan (內家拳), which literally means “inner family boxing”, or “inner school boxing.” The term Nei Jia Quan refers specifically to styles of martial arts that in English we call “internal.” Today, the Internal Martial Arts are considered to include Tai Ji Quan, Xing Yi Quan, Ba Gua Zhang, Tong Bei Quan, and Liu He Ba Fa. Many teachers of internal martial arts never really say what an internal art is. The nature of something ‘internal’ is sensed and experienced internally, rather than perceived externally.

Internal Arts International teaches two styles of Internal Martial Arts, Ba Gua Zhang and Xing Yi Quan.

Learn about Xing Yi Quan          Learn about Ba Gua Zhang


Chinese Internal Martial Arts focus on relaxation, mind-intention, stillness and natural movement.
Rather than stressing techniques and developing muscular strength, speed and athletic prowess, training looks inward. Internal focus is an important part of the Internal Martial Arts for building and maintaining health, flexibility and refined strength. Additionally, training principles of the Internal Arts are completely congruent with the principles of Chinese medicine. This includes a deep understanding of the unified nature of the body, mind and spirit, and their connection to the natural world.

Want to start learning an Internal Art? We teach Xing Yi Quan, Ba Gua Zhang, Qi Gong and Chinese Medicine, in seminars and classes and via online programs. We look forward to training with you!

Internal Martial Arts Articles & Videos

Health Benefits of Internal Martial Arts

 General Health Benefits
 Increased vitality and resistance to disease
 Increased energy
 Improves alignment of joints, sinews and muscles
 Calms and harmonizes mind and spirit

 Xing Yi Quan
 Harmonizes internal organ function (Five Zang Organs)
 Gathers Qi in Dantian
 Develops Jing Shen
 Develops Overturning Wave Power
 Develops a supple, elastic power dynamic

 Ba Gua Zhang
 Unwinds and opens up the joints
 Propagates Qi circulation in the 8 Extraordinary Meridians
 Increases flexibility and agility
 Develops Millstone Turning Power (spiraling, twisting Jin)
 Increases ability of mind and body to flow and adapt to change

 For more on the Health Benefits of Internal Martial Arts, read
 A Medical & Physiological Study of the Health-Giving Effects of Ba Gua Zhang Practice

Internal Martial Arts Seminars

Weekend training intensives in Ba Gua Zhang and Xing Yi Quan take you through every aspect of training. Classes are taught by world-renowned martial artist and author Tom Bisio and instructors from Internal Arts International.

See all upcoming classes and events HERE.