A martial arts idiom describing a system that teaches an emphasis on physical hardening and toughness with less time spent on subtle manipulations and developing internal energies.

Comments:

An External System is one that concentrates its skill building on direct physical defenses and offensive.

Some External Systems rely upon physical hardness as one mechanism for both offensive and defensive capabilities.

Example(s):

Examples of External Systems include:

Goju Ryu

Ishin Ryu

Shaolin

Opposite(s):

Internal System

Related Definition(s):

Breathe, Chi, Ki, Zen

Related Term(s):

Active Chi/Ki, Passive Chi/Ki