Chris
Chris;
I had to laugh, after reading your last post it accrued to me that it was exactly what I would have said if the rolls were reversed.
Your assumptions were right on. When I refered to internal arts being the same as external arts, I meant in a martial sense. (i.e. both are equal forms of self-defense).
Most of the time I refer to things in a general sense.
I’ve been into Xingyiquan since 1983 and have done the external thing ( a shodan in Shotokan and Aikido “my second love” outside Xingyquan. (I still think you got me in the years/experience department, can I call you “old honorable one?”………Respectfully of course. 
Traveling around all the Neijia news groups one tends to come across the notion that internal arts are better than external arts. I think this notion is silly and I may have been coming from this platform. People usually cite an internal art’s martial prowess as to the reason why. I don’t believe internal arts are any better martially, I think they are just two sides of the same coin.
Different yes, but still the same coin.
Although there is a way of doing things internal and once learned are hard to break. If I had a dollar for every time I got yelled at in the Shotokan dojo for doing something the Xingyi way, I would be rich.
Something sparked a good point.
Obviously I prefer the internal side of the coin, and think internal arts are better, but mainly because of the benefits your posts were alluding too.
Few cite these reasons as to why internal arts may be more advantageous than external arts.
I’m not only referring to the Nei gong aspects you mentioned, but much in the way most internal quan are performed and it’s effects on the body long term.
I’ve seen someone burn his body out in an external style. Usually knees and hips get blown. (This is one of the many reasons why I have returned to Xingyiquan.
It’s important to stress this longevity, plus the “as you get older, you get better, while not slowing down thing. “
I don’t see it as much in external styles, usually I see the exact opposite.
I should have helped you point that out.
Good thread.
Paul Calugaru
