For thousands of years Martial Arts has been the basic structure for a human's health and defense as well as a way into spiritual growth. There are many skills within the martial arts history that are rare and almost lost for example the Golden Egg technique is a rare skill to learn because its a bit off putting for more to learn since it requires hardening your groin area for Iron body defense.!
I have studied Martial Arts for around 25 years and have always been intrigued with the essence of martial prowess and what it has to offer. Let's start with the basics there is Hard style and Soft style within well created styles of martial arts the Hard style usually consists of external methods of training such as physical fitness and conditioning as well as the everyday training. Even bone density training with Qi gong. In the medical field there is a certain process in which a Martial artist can create more dense bone with wolff's law this is a process in which small micro damages of bone will allow the bone to heal and create more dense structure of bone making your body more durable. Then there is Soft style with teaches other aspects of Martial arts like sensitivity training for example in Tai chi they use push hands to create sensitivity training for the body if done properly one can learn about pushing and pulling of a opponent simply through touch. Meaning one could be blind folded at a high level and feel the opponent through the initial clenching of the opponent feeling the inertia if it were and re direct the energy of the persons movements enabling you to be more energy efficient in your moves. In the Martial Arts world there is a lot more to learn then we had thought.
Interesting post. You were searching for other posts dealing with martial arts. I have post some writings about Venezuelan stick fighting. I appreciate your opinión if you read some of them.
Best Regards and blessings!