Neijia is a term in
Chinese martial arts, grouping those
styles that practice
neijing, usually translated as
internal martial arts, occupied with spiritual, mental or
qi-related aspects, as opposed to an "
external" approach focused on physiological aspects. The distinction dates to the 17th century, but its modern application is due to publications by
Sun Lutang, dating to the period of 1915 to 1928. Neijing is developed by using
neigong, or "internal exercises," as opposed to "external exercises" (wàigong ),