A note on the give and take of “information” when it regards the ancient art of Kung Fu.
Aug
15
2009
15
2009
Aug
13
2009
13
2009
Hidden Masters
Are there really “hidden masters” out there? The writer thinks so and tells you why.
Jun
8
2009
8
2009
A Lesson from Cousin Push
It was during one of those conversations that pepper a good workout that Robert Nakashima, Eddie Fong and I found ourselves agreeing that there were all sorts of problems to Taiji’s famous Push Hands, especially regarding the clarity—or lack of it—to students of Taiji.
May
25
2009
25
2009
Who, What, Where, When , How and Why?
Although it almost sounds too vague to be useful, comprehensive martial training should concern itself with 6 essential questions…
Apr
15
2009
15
2009
Tim Cartmell’s Standing Grappling
It is the bane of self defense techniques that they may look real fine in the book, look real good in the magazine or work like a charm when demonstrated by the teacher against a helpful crash test dummy, but in the clutch they do not work at all.
Mar
6
2009
6
2009
Be Chain
Here I am pondering the personality of an ox…
Jan
8
2009
8
2009
It Gets Better
Unlike my toothbrush, my Kung Fu is always packed and ready to go.
Oct
30
2008
30
2008
INB #18: The Creek
A large rock squats in the middle of the creek. The water circles the rock without hesitation, uninterrupted in its career.
Aug
8
2008
8
2008
The Tai Chi Rosetta Stone
There aren’t many code books for deciphering Kung Fu.
May
30
2008
30
2008
INB #17: Assistance on Assistants
Your classes are well enough attended for you to need some assistance. . .
Mar
12
2008
12
2008
The Crooked Line
If you are carrying on the work of developing, say, super string theory it helps to copy the equations accurately. But even correct equations are meaningless if you don’t understand them.
Apr
18
2006
18
2006
Age and Kung Fu
For instance, let’s take the martial aspects. I teach people in their sixties to do the martial part. Why? To enliven them.
Aug
3
2005
3
2005
On the Road to Sisyphus Falls
Sometimes the hardest thing is the world is just to keep in there. Refinement of the self can be a lonely business as Travis Rath contemplates while listening to music…
Feb
14
2004
14
2004
INB #05: Telling Lies
I was one of them. I admit it. There’s a certain phrase that countless that many instructors throughout the centuries have boldly declaimed …
Feb
9
2004
9
2004
INB #04: Those Advanced Sets, especially Weapons
There are a lot of fun forms I can hardly wait to teach.
Jan
17
2004
17
2004
INB #03: The Use of Analogy
A teacher in the martial arts soon learns that knowledge is a dangerous thing – to you.
Dec
21
2003
21
2003
INB #02: Adient and Abient Training
It doesn’t matter which aspect of Martial Arts you’re discussing, there is always an adient and abient face to it.
Dec
6
2003
6
2003
ErMei Style Kung Fu
ErMei is the site of the first Buddhist temple constructed in China.
Oct
24
2001
24
2001
On “GETTING IT ALL BACKWARDS”
Boy, every one of us has been there at one time or other, eh? Well, maybe if we look at “GIAB” in another way, it can be a powerful training tool.
May
17
2001
17
2001
Vanilla Kung Fu
When a Chinese uses the expression Bai-de (buy-duh) he or she is saying something is plain, simple, unvarnished.
Jul
22
1998
22
1998
Postcards from the Shaolin Temple
Real postcards, real Temple, real cool…
Jun
2
1998
2
1998
Tea and Therapy
If there is any moment more therapeutic in the world, I do not know it.
Apr
14
1998
14
1998
Tournamentality…
Once tournaments were inefficiently run, interminably long, chaotic at best and somewhat like a circus conducted by hyperactive children…