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Traditionally Chinese Kung Fu can loosely be categorised as either Hard/Yang/External or Soft/Ying/Internal. I use the terms loosely as there are some ‘Hard’ styles that put just as much emphasis on Internal training as some of the ‘Internal/Soft’ styles.
Probably a better way to describe an Internal style is one where physical movements (using minimum power and speed) are trained alongside Yi (Intent). Initial training is focussed on coordinating physical movement with Intent rather than on Speed and Power. All Internal styles can be trained hard once the Internal foundation has been established so superficially an Internal Style can most certainly look like a ‘Hard’ style.
Developing Internal power to the point where one can apply them to a live situation unfortunately doesn't happen overnight. It will not come just because you practice the best style of Kung Fu. This comes with time and avoiding focus on the idea of  conquering all others and, instead, focuses on a method of following or yielding (not giving up) to others. Incorrectly this is sometimes taught to mean relaxing more or moving away from others. But nothing could be further from the truth, unless you understand that relaxing is not a final achievement in the process, but rather that relaxation is a process that you engage in while you train every part of your being, every cell and fibre.
Yielding or ‘Swallow and Spit’ is not about turning your waist or sitting back to neutralise force, but using subtle circular movements to gently introduce a change in a given situation against the opponent’s structure. This doesn't mean using force in a resilient manner either, to break through an opponent's guard or place force upon their stress. By combining both the process of relaxation with Intent to deliver slight physical movements is the beginning of a training process that harmonises the body and mind.
Instead of overturning the waist, small movements such as the slightest movements that a person could possibly make while standing with their arms up curved in at shoulder level, may be the most revolutionary. Meaning that if you let go more in your elbows, you may relieve stress in your shoulders. If you can relax little by little more and more as you breathe, you will be training your fibres to engage in a process of power that seems to be coming from a seemingly unknown place, and furthermore training a calm mind to be useful in a stressful situation.
What is commonly misunderstood is the assumption that a focus on circular energy and movements means following a longer path resulting in less efficiency and precision. Nothing could be further from the truth, as the Internal martial artist trains the body in precision striving for a point where stillness in movement is achieved. In other words, pursuing the idea that less or even nothing can be more.
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