The Evolutions of Martial Arts Development

There are five Evolutions in Hsin Lu Chuan Shu Tong International, each possessing the same basic concepts yet with greater sophistication in application as they progress.

Hsin Lu Chuan Shu Tong International was created in response to problems encountered with many of the traditional and non-traditional martial arts. Scores of martial arts and self defense systems being practiced today have numbers of techniques that are not valid in actual combat situations. Some, for instance, have too many techniques to make for combat effectiveness. Both problems arise from a failure to understand the purpose and application of the various movements and techniques currently taught.

In truth, a martial artist should leave a class with a clear understanding of the material covered and a greater ability to defend her- or himself than when s/he started.

Hsin Lu Chuan Shu Tong International, we believe that there are no real blocks in martial arts. There are only counter attacks. We are quick to point this out and we teach this from day one. An attack is attacked by the martial artist. So, essentially, there are no submissive blocks taught within Hsin Lu Chuan Shu Tong. For instance, an arm that throws a punch is attacked with the intent of disabling it. As the evolutions continue this is accomplished by more advanced, yet simpler, methods.

By using what some may think are very basic techniques that have been derived from various styles and systems, a focus is placed on execution and an understanding of the inherent complexities rather than on a mix of what appears to be more “advanced” (read ‘more complicated’) techniques. These various and basic techniques are applied as concepts and principles. In this way, the veil is lifted and the martial artist is able to see what is so often overlooked. In effect, a greater level of performance is achieved without the mindless repetitive training that is so often required by other methods of training. Without the premise being described here, the application of contact martial arts’ skills degenerate rapidly in a real combat situation, primarily due to the adrenaline, fear, emotional responses, physiological changes, and the host of other factors which comprise the actual combat scenario.

The problem of combat effectiveness is addressed in the Evolution ideology. Research done by this Alliance has, time and again, discovered a lack of combat effectiveness on the part of martial artists. An enormous amount of study has been undertaken in an effort to determine how a martial artist could be made to be combat effective more expediently. We have learned that, whereas there are universal principles inherent in fighting, there are not immeasurable techniques necessary to the application of these principles. The student, therefore, is taught simple principles and concepts in the place of learning innumerable techniques.

Breakdowns occur in the face of too many procedures. The uselessness of having a myriad of techniques is evident when you consider that fine motor skills deteriorate in a combat situation. When a martial artist learns simple concepts that employ gross motor skills, s/he is able to adapt these concepts to any attack. Nonetheless, as the student goes through the Evolutions, the concepts become more sophisticated in order to achieve maximum effectiveness.

Students in this system of training are desensitized to combat situations in stages. As the student becomes less likely to be affected by the stress and mental conflict of physical combat, s/he is better able to utilize the more sophisticated applications of the concepts taught. This allows the student to progress at a rate s/he is comfortable with, while maintaining combat effectiveness throughout the range of Evolutions.

Each Evolution is a totally effective combat system in itself. Weapons are utilized in all them. The student is not short-changed with a myriad of meaningless and combat ineffective techniques. A student who wishes to remain in the first Evolution will, for example, nonetheless, be a very effective fighter in real combat. A second Evolution student will be just as effective, but will greater capability to inflict damage efficiently. The third Evolution student uses more advanced methods because of her/his intimate familiarity with hard-contact fighting. In short, students have the ability to think while they are fighting.

Overview of Evolution One

The first Evolution is comprised mainly of basic techniques which include striking, joint attacks, throws, and evasions. A great effort is placed on developing and maintaining a fundamental balance of understanding and application that will give the student her/his core foundation. This opens the door to continued growth throughout the study and practice of the martial arts.

There is no need for training in fine motor skills in this Evolution. All of the techniques are simple and direct. The main theme of this Evolution is that the basic concepts involved in striking, joint attacks, throws, and evasion are the same for hand-to-hand, weapons, and multiple-attacker situations. Real contact sparring is encouraged. The student is gradually immersed in hard-contact, reality-based sparring, and dynamic training until s/he becomes comfortable with it, and this not done for sport or competition. To do so would give license for the ego to interfere and delay the student’s true development. The goal here is to get all of the emotional and physiological responses to personal combat minimized so the student’s performance can improve. The likelihood of losing fine motor skills is reduced.

Overview of Evolution Two

The second Evolution introduces more extensive knowledge of anatomical targeting. This permits the student to increase the amount of damage s/he can inflict with the same concepts that were learned in the first Evolution. Without the understanding and core development of the prior Evolution, development in this Evolution is not possible.

Aggressive attacks and/or counter-attacks with total combat principles are taught here. The student is virtually desensitized to the mental effects of real combat at this point. S/he is at a point where there is relative comfort in a physically combative situation.

Overview of Evolution Three

The third Evolution deals with advanced targeting of anatomical weak points. These are in essence acupuncture points, bone structure weaknesses, vascular targets, and vital organ targets. The student becomes familiar and comfortable enough with real contact-combat that the emotional and physiological effects of combat are negligible. S/he is able to operate fluently in a fight with little or no emotional content (fear, adrenaline related problems, etc.). This allows the student to effectively utilize more complex techniques in actual combat.

Overview of Evolution Four

The fourth Evolution involves the teaching of information learned in prior Evolutions. This teaching is done under the close supervision of Hsin Lu Chuan Shu Tong International or a designated affiliate. The Evolution includes advanced understanding and application of techniques, a required knowledge of Hsin Lu history, other study material and historical information, and extensive testing on the substance of prior Evolutions. This Evolution results in the promotion of instructors and master teachers for Hsin Lu Chuan Shu Tong International, and requires years of training, study and teaching.

The proper attitude towards the martial arts develops naturally as this Evolution is progressed. Additionally, a sense of goodwill for all martial arts should present, and is required before the student is allowed to proceed to the next Evolution.

Overview of Evolution Five

Evolution five is a natural progression for those who have successfully completed all prior Evolutions and have demonstrated the requisite knowledge and ability. It is created for those who have spent scores of years in the martial arts and have honed their skill sets to an exceptionally high level. The desire and ability to advance the martial arts and freely add a positive influence on the martial arts community is proven.