Beginning in the late 1960s, actors like Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris captivated the American consciousness, inspiring generations to become involved with Asian martial arts. University of Wyoming’s own Asian Internal Martial Arts Association (AIMAA) provides an opportunity for students to experience the world of Asian martial arts.
Originating from a martial arts school founded in 1979 by Tim Sheehan, the club’s “Sifu” or master, the club focuses on a wide range of disciplines.
“On campus we do Tai Chi, Bagua and Xingyi,” senior student Mike Hotchkiss said. “We also do Shaolin here in Laramie.”
The RSO, founded in 2009, stands in stark contrast to the focus of more popular martial arts such as MMA, Muay Thai and other disciplines.
“In external arts you rely upon your bone and muscle,” visiting senior student from Colorado Brad Cohen said. “In internal arts it comes from within.”
The RSO has a strong focus towards development of its members. “Being a warrior art, it’s about being successful,” Hotchkiss said, “these principles from the martial art translate into their personal lives as well. That’s what we’re trying to develop.”
Hotchkiss said this approach offers greater opportunities for personal development of its members compared to martial arts such as MMA or boxing.
“MMA is a sport martial art whereas we’re a combat martial art focused on developing a person,” Hotchkiss said.
Despite its internal focus, AIMAA members do spar. “In some of the classes we’ll spar but not for sport,” Hotchkiss said. “We’ll spar for development purposes.”
Students might assume that internal martial arts are less effective than sparring focused martial arts. According to Hotchkiss, that isn’t the case. “A fight should be over in one or two seconds,” Hotchkiss said.
For Cohen, the roots of internal martial arts’ effectiveness lie in their origin. “These are warrior arts. Warriors have always had to be ready for any situation,” Cohen said.
The theory behind the claimed deadliness and effectiveness of the martial arts relies upon the concept of Chi, an Asian meta-physical concept of energy. Chi is an internal and interconnected life force flowing through all living things, and in the hands of an experienced user, can be channeled for devastating effect, according to practitioners of Asian martial arts,
Students interested in joining this RSO, or just seeing what its all about can check them out Wednesday nights at 7:30 in the Union basement.
