Dim Mak

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Dim Mak or "Death Touch" (dim mak is an approximate Cantonese pronunciation of 點脈, as subset of 點穴, pinyin diǎnxuè) is said by its adherents to train attacks on pressure points in some styles of Chinese martial arts to kill, incapacitate, or otherwise control an opponent.

Traditional Chinese medicine theory is based on the idea that specific pathway lines called meridians exist on the human body, along which are found many hundreds of acupressure points. Acupuncture is the most well known use of the meridian system. Pressing, seizing or striking these points (or combinations of points) with specific intent and at certain angles can result in either heightening or diminishing qi circulation in the body, according to this theory.

Effects are said to range between weakening an opponent, to deadening limbs or organ systems, to slowing bodily functions to the point of death.

However, many modern martial artists consider the legends of Dim Mak to be a wuxia fiction. Others assert that it was a form of sorcery, at one point, but is now a lost art. Yet others claim to teach it in the martial syllabus of their schools.

[edit] Media

In the movie: Kiss of the Dragon the actor Jet Li uses a sort of Dim Mak as main fighting style. In the show: Avatar: The Last Airbender, the character Ty Lee uses Kyusho jitsu, presumably Dim Mak, in combat. The characters Neji, Hinata, and the rest of the Hyuga Clan in the anime/manga series Naruto use a "Gentle Fist" style drawn from this in conjunction with their Byakugan to damage their opponent's chakra circulatory system.

[edit] See also

• Chin na
• Kyusho jitsu
• McDojo
• Neo-ninja
• Tui na
• Commotio Cordis
• Varma Kalai

[edit] External links

• Investigating the Dim Mak Death Touch
• Dim Mak explained
• Ao Denkou Kai International
• The Darkside of Dim Mak:The touch of Death (YouTube video)
• Hernan Fung website
• Vital Point Striking