We are filled with light, never forget that. But the metaphor of light used by so many is a weak substitute for the true light inside us. Some practices encourage this recognition. But too many half-heartedly pursued, improperly understood, lackadaisically researched impressions and clichés only dim the inner experience to weakly glowing embers.
Jan
24
2012
24
2012
Jan
21
2012
21
2012
A Black Belt Story
I start teaching the next class but I’m really bothered; on the one hand, Dan might just be claiming what never happened; on the other hand, I guess I could have forgotten I attended a ceremony, or something like that.
Jan
18
2012
18
2012
Key Concepts from the Tao Te Ching, Part 1
The Tao Te Ching, by Lao Tzu (circa 500 BCE), is not only a foundational text of both Taoism and Chinese culture, but also key to the theories and ideas behind many Chinese martial arts. Unfortunately the text is very inscrutable, regardless as to whether one knows Chinese. This inscrutability is due to its antiquity [...]
Jan
17
2012
17
2012
The Speed of Thought
The point is not that they should try to hurry up their moves, but that they should abandon speed as something they can “control” or “will” into happening.
Jan
14
2012
14
2012
Enter the Year of the Dragon
The Chinese Year of the Water Dragon, which arrives on January 23, 2012, promises transformation and good fortune. Of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, the Dragon is the only one that is not encountered in “real” life. It is a mythical creature, considered to be the ruler of Heaven, mists, and rain, and [...]
Jan
13
2012
13
2012
My Gripes About Push Hands
I remember Adam Hsu telling me that there had recently been a big Push Hands championship in China. Then, shaking his head, he said, “…and all the students beat the instructors.” This was hardly a surprise to me. I have officiated at Push Hands competitions and can see all the problems.
Jan
5
2012
5
2012
The Knights of Kung Fu
Many of the latter came from the Wu Xia, but now they were absorbed into the “system” and lost their reputations as lone wolves.
Jan
1
2012
1
2012
Bio: Chen Wei Ming
He stayed in Shaghai during the pre-revolutionary days of the 30’s and 40’s but took some time away to travel to Canton and introduce Tai Chi to Southern China.
Dec
31
2011
31
2011
Training: Arms like Banners
This may sound like I am a candidate for the Wrong Way Corrigan Award but I sort of like that about Kung Fu practice. It reinforces that very true statement that the direct route is always nice, if you can get it. But there is no guarantee.
Dec
28
2011
28
2011
QA: Tai Chi Ball
Q: I have what I hope is a quick and easy question for you. I see that you and Ted are fans of tai chi ball training. What advice would you have on the kind of ball one should use for starting out and then as one progresses as far as weight, size and material [...]
Dec
24
2011
24
2011
Yang Ban Hou style Tai Chi
The second son of Yang Lu Chan was named Ban Hou. He developed the Yang style to a high degree of fighting skill, so much so that not many people actually wanted to study from him. This is possibly a reason that it is only in the last few years that his style has started [...]
Dec
21
2011
21
2011
Midnight and Midwinter
At this time of the year I think about two things: giving and darkness.
Dec
20
2011
20
2011
Southern Kung Fu, but different
We return with five more DVDs from teacher Lin Xin. These are all in Cantonese (a requirement of the best Southern Kung Fu as far as we can see) and English subtitles. His background is a mix of somewhat non-standard Southern styles. For instance, his Wing Chun is all YING (hard) style, his Hung sets [...]
Dec
16
2011
16
2011
My Bagua Book #2: Hitting My Friends
My manuscript is nearing its finish and now is the time to fill the remainder of the designated vacant white squares with photographs.
Dec
10
2011
10
2011
Dec
9
2011
9
2011
Dec
5
2011
5
2011
50 Ways to do Things Wrong, One Right Way
There’s an old saying, “Learn from your mistakes.” And of course I see the sense of this. But some students have the slightly mistifying habit of wanting to back track for everything.
Nov
29
2011
29
2011
More Books for Less
We spend a lot of time scouring for “hurt” books because we know there are a number of you out there who would like to save a bit while building a martial arts library and, additionally, perhaps keeping your mate from showing you a move up side of your head that you NEVER want to [...]
Nov
27
2011
27
2011
Al Novak Passes
Much respected, many practitioners treated Novak as a kind of Kung Fu gandfather.
Nov
23
2011
23
2011
Nov
19
2011
19
2011
Iron Palm Training: A Word
Some people really feel this concentration of energy and find it invigorating. And, for five to ten minutes a day of training, it all seems worth it.
Nov
15
2011
15
2011
Fun Stuff: Kung Fu Learns a Few Tricks
The Chinese got some hard lessons in the latter half of the 19th century.
Nov
10
2011
10
2011
QA: Jiang Style Bagua Palms
Hi there., I recently bought the DVD, Bagua: Art of Change from you and am most happy with the quality of instructions. I understand it is Jiang Baguazhang covered in the DVD. I am wondering if there might a set of static arm postures (whilst walking the circle) associated with Jiang Baguazhang.
Nov
9
2011
9
2011
On Joseph Crandall’s Work
It was certainly not a foregone conclusion, when we started this web site, that Bagua would be as popular as it has become. We thought it would happen. Adam Hsu thought it would happen.
Nov
3
2011
3
2011
Form
When I open the door I expect the garden to be there. It would not shift in the night. That is just not the garden’s style. First I visit the olive trees which, in the morning, stand and sparkle with a.m. light next to my front door, as though they had been rehearsing to show [...]
Oct
31
2011
31
2011
Practice During the Day
But there are differences in practicing at various times of the day.
Oct
27
2011
27
2011
Instructor’s Notebook (INB) #25: A Horse Lesson
I was watching a competitive match on Youtube the other day (I do not do this regularly or I would have to spend days screening samples and answering people’s questions). A Muay Thai fellow was pitted against a Kung Fu practitioner.
Oct
18
2011
18
2011
QA: Yan Qing Staff
I think I’ve spotted why – the way he holds it with his leading hand. He often uses the ends of his fingers, as though holding a director’s wand.
Oct
16
2011
16
2011
Loss: Revisted
Sometimes people remind me of the saying “Invest in loss.” For martial artists this is a pivotal idea. Even before you think much about it you also have to admit that there are times in life when it isn’t even a choice, when loss is all we have.
Oct
12
2011
12
2011
The Plum Flower Piles: Watch Your Step
If you kept every Kung Fu training device stored in your garage you wouldn’t be able to squeeze in to practice yourself. 3000 years of invention have spawned everything from training equipment to a crowd of weird devices.
