This DVD is actually from a series on the “Famous Temples and Monasteries in China”.
Jan
5
2010
5
2010
Oct
27
2009
27
2009
Tournament: The Sad State of Southern
Third day of the tournament. We’ve seen divisions now in staff, spear, woman’s straight sword, San Shou and Southern Boxing
Sep
9
2009
9
2009
INB #20: On Becoming a Teacher
I’ve heard it said that most people get into the Martial Arts not simply to become Martial Arts practitioners but to become Martial Arts “Masters” …
Aug
15
2009
15
2009
INB #19: What to teach?
A kung fu teacher’s ruminations on the nature of students and content.
Jul
10
2009
10
2009
Secrets
Some martial artists say there are secrets, some say there are none.
Jun
13
2009
13
2009
What is your Intention? Part Two
I once walked with my brother through the middle of a gang of twenty-one skinheads who would seriously have quite happily attacked either one of us …
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…
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
9
2008
9
2008
Holding Together
A bank for the poor seemed so ridiculous. And now look at the towers toppling and “their” banking system crumbling. Perhaps Grameen will float them a loan after the dust settles.
May
30
2008
30
2008
INB #17: Assistance on Assistants
Your classes are well enough attended for you to need some assistance. . .
Apr
19
2008
19
2008
Anthony Hopkins Plays the Guitar
People have asked me, throughout my teaching life, about my inspirations. How did I develop my instructional technique?
Feb
25
2008
25
2008
Anatomy of Yang Family Tai Chi
In every book where an experienced practitioner “tells it like it is” you have the potential for real benefits and, at the same time, some real confusion. “Anatomy of Yang Family Tai Chi” by Steffan de Graffenried is a perfect example of how hard it is to do the one without the other.
Feb
4
2008
4
2008
The Doctor as Warrior
The Viewpoint: Chinese Medicine: There are aspects of practicing that are truly an “inner art.” Here we deal with some of these …
Nov
21
2007
21
2007
Oct
24
2007
24
2007
One Day in Jinan
Whoa! Stop the train… in our honor? I am no one. I run a small (not for profit) Chang Chuan School in Michigan.
Aug
29
2007
29
2007
Alive in the Moment
When I think back, I can still smell the cheap shaving cream I used that morning in July 1984…
Aug
11
2007
11
2007
Review: Praying Mantis DVD
I recently obtained a copy of Gao Jian’s first public DVD, “Six Harmonies Praying Mantis Boxing” from Plumpub.com, and decided to write this review of one of the first English language DVD, produced on this rare system of Northern Praying Mantis.
Aug
9
2007
9
2007
Simply Simplicity
… and my only Xing Yi weapon is the famous San Cai Sword. I am an admirer of the style, though. I like its simplicity.
May
19
2007
19
2007
Ch’i at Sea Redux
A Caucasian Bruce Lee wannabe does all out battle with a very skillful digitalized cow in a wide open grassy field. It was udder nonsense.
Feb
6
2007
6
2007
Footsteps
Breathe in and draw down into dan tien. Breathe out, up the back, then out into the arms as the elbows lift almost imperceptibly…
Nov
18
2006
18
2006
Butterfly Among Broken Glass
They start at my forehead, streaming freely down my face to drop from the nose and chin of my hanging head in steady progression. Sweat flows out of every part of me, seeming to take with it my strength and resolve.
May
16
2006
16
2006
FX & OZ
Now the special effects industry has grown beyond anything expected with scenes of never previously envisioned complexity and illusion.
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.
Oct
6
2005
6
2005
The Mysterious Peril from the East
Racism is nothing new. But in the early part of the 20th century it had the face of a super-villian.
Aug
26
2005
26
2005
BA GUA with Adam Hsu
They do not leave the practitioner thinking only, well, that was a nice demonstration but what can I get out of this ?
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…
Sep
6
2004
6
2004
Shopping For Books
The store owner approaches with three books in English, recently published, new, shiny. “You like Kung Fu?” she asks, fanning out the books.
Aug
6
2004
6
2004
Does Your Furniture “Fit” You
When was the last time you gave much thought to your chairs/sofa? Do they really “fit” you — or do you attempt to make yourself “fit into” the furniture, choice being primarily motivated by “style”/color/price?