Martial Arts and Eastern Medicine

Hwa Ta (The Han Dynasty)

 Martial arts and eastern medicine grew strong, especially during the Han Dynasty, 206 B.C.  During this time, many physicians became interested in the effects of natural healing movements on overall health and vitality.  Between the years of 141 A.D. to 203 A.D., a man called Hwa Ta (also known as Hou Tao) combined martial arts and eastern medicine philosophies in order to develop exercises that mimicked animals.  Hwa Ta called the exercises the “Play of Five Animals.”  The Play of the Five Animals consists of basic physical movements, forms and various meditation techniques.  These natural exercises help open the meridians or “energy pathways” to allow Ki too properly circulate throughout the body; Strength is developed in the joints, tendons, bones and muscles.  Hwa Ta is known, and was considered the first surgeon of China, and one of the last famous surgeons of ancient China.  It was said that Hwa Ta looked the same at almost 100 years of age, as he did in the peak days of his youth.  His longevity and health developed through the practice of natural healing exercise created a popular belief that Hwa Ta was an immortal. 

“Play of Five Animals.”  "Oh Keum Hui"

Hwata

Dal Ma

Around 206B.C. to 220B.C. a man called Dal Ma (also known as Daruma, Ta Mo, Bodhidharma), taught his martial arts form of “Yuk Geun Kyong” , called “Do In Che Jo” in Korean, to the monks of Shaolin Temple.  The legend is that Dal Ma came to China from Ceylon (India) around 520 A.D.  He spent much of his life at the Shaolin monastery and is credited as being the founder of the martial art of Shaolin Chuan. Yuk Geun Kyong consists of yoga stretching techniques, breathing exercise, meditation exercise and various physical exercises to stimulate circulation, loosen the joints and improve overall health.  These techniques became an essential method in promoting a natural healthy condition. 

Dalma