编者按：洪拳，广东名拳之一，威震岭南数百年。影视作品的倡导让洪拳在国内外迎来了空前的繁荣，但缺乏深入理论研究，只是表象繁荣；尤其是李连杰先生夸张的动作，对洪拳正常发展造成了极大的破坏性，甚至误导国际友人认为他演练的风格才是真正的洪拳。这一现象激发了洪拳界的担忧，他们立即对洪拳进行深入挖掘与全面研究，以求有所建树。其中，武术家周至誌先生的文章，对洪拳有全面的宏观把握，代表了洪拳理论研究的先进水平，对于欲从深层次探索洪拳奥秘的武友而言，不失为满足愿望的良机。

“小成三年中，大成十年功”。任何武艺，都离不开刻苦砥砺和持之以恒，是以南派称武艺为功夫。林世荣先生在《虎鹤双形拳》的自序中如是说“一道真功夫诚易学难精”，先要明其规矩习其标准，然后假以气力善于接桥。明此则功自进，更从而求其横直吞吐、四到之秘五门之法八面之形生死之路”。古人说学武先求明师知其然与其所以然，再加力气并持之以恒，将融会贯通就是这个道理。

从扎马碌桥开始，便是一门实实在在气力功夫，没有花巧可言。“讲桥马蔡家快打”；“桥马佛家快打”，这些流行谚语更加突出的是没有离开桥手和马步，这样的前辈在桥马上痛下三年五载苦功很普遍试想轻浮经不起刮压无力的抵不住压迫怎能与人相搏?只通过简单实用的途径入门经苦练琢磨才能明白其中奥妙便已踏进殿堂了。

bridge, contained in the outer five essentials of the art. The inner five essentials are fundamental to a practitioner's physical and mental cultivation, as well as to the development of martial arts skills.

Jing (Essence): This refers to the life force that is inherited from one's parents and nurtured through proper diet and rest. It is essential for maintaining good health and vitality.

Li (Vitality): This refers to the energy generated by proper exercise and training, which helps maintain physical strength and resilience.

Gu (Bone): Strong bones provide a solid foundation for muscular power.

Qi (Energy): This refers to the flow of vital energy within an individual, which enables them to perform various martial arts techniques with ease.

Shen (Spirit or Mindfulness): A calm and focused mind allows practitioners to connect with their inner self, enabling them to access higher levels of consciousness during meditation or combat.

The practice of these internal principles requires patience, discipline, dedication, and consistent effort over time.

Outer Five Essentials:

These refer specifically to external techniques used in martial arts practice.

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Mastering these external techniques relies on understanding how they work together harmoniously with internal principles.

In summary: mastering both internal principles like Jing-Li-Gu-Qi-Shen & External Techniques like Bridge-Ma-Bridge-Step-Horse-Knee-Chest-Stomach-Face-Eye-Hair-Nose-Tongue-Swallowing-Inhaling-Exhaling-Raising-Lowering-Walking-Jumping-Rolling-Falling-Upward-Downward-Forward-Backward-Side-to-Side-Crosswise-Versus-The-Way-of-Art-and-the-Way-of-Life

"True mastery comes not just from learning but also from deep understanding."