Chinese often classify martial arts as internal or external styles. In mandarin, internal style is pronounced as neijia. Here is a little bit of history behind this classification from wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neijia
As you can see, the definition is less than precise and changes depending on who you talk to and the purpose.
There are people who thinks that if you practice “internal styles”, it means that your motion should be soft and to train for that softness, you have to avoid the use of weights.
I intend to teach LHBF as a form of self defence. By self-defence, I mean protection of yourself, as well as people and things that are irreplaceable. I am not going to judge you on your specific definitions. To some of you, your phone with its data/photos and messages may be your most prized possession. However, if you indeed it is that important, you should back it up. You shouldn’t have to go all ape about losing your phone.
Self protection can be as simple as knowledge and awareness in case of a house fire, CPR, etc. Furthermore, you may need muscles to move obstacles or to carry love ones out. To think that you can solve all problems with just one approach is faulty.
Having strength is different than having power and is from having stamina. One does not lead to the other. If you think going to weight room makes you fit, then again, you are falling into the trap of being too single dimensional.
Monday night is the seasonal opener for American Ninja warrior and those guys are fit! Futhermore, you will see that the mental aspect is just as important at the very high level. Bigger is not always better, in fact, because of there are lots of hanging / climbing challenges, 200 pounds is a lot to hang on to with just one arm. In that respect, you see tall, strong but slightly slender built have some distinct advantages. Rock climgers always amazes me in their grip strength.
Exercise
Do you think our version of LHBF is external or internal? Your comments. 🙂