It is with regret that I have to announce the passing of Joe Lewis
Aug
31
2012
31
2012
Aug
22
2012
22
2012
A Guide to Chinese Martial Arts
Here is a book, written in 1991, that was one of the first guides officially issued by Beijing. It is a general book about the history of Kung Fu with three forms illustrated: Long Fist, Simplified Tai Chi and Shaolin TianGang. The best thing about this is its section on Kung Fu through the dynasties [...]
Aug
13
2012
13
2012
Training: 8 Tips on Memory
There is probably not a martial arts teacher on the planet who has not had a thousand students complain about the difficulty of memorizing “all those moves.” It’s to be expected…
Aug
8
2012
8
2012
Qigong: Shutting Out the Noise
It’s a noisy world, and getting noisier. The gal next to you in the restaurant is almost yelling into her mobile phone, making you wonder why the phone is even necessary…
Jun
28
2012
28
2012
Being Lousy
I was talking to a friend. He quoted a phrase he had just read in a book on golf. “The only people who are always at the top of their game… are mediocre.”
Jun
26
2012
26
2012
Why the Spear?
What does the spear teach? A list of things you would hardly guess…
Jun
23
2012
23
2012
Adam Hsu and Nezha
Here’s a short clip of Adam Hsu bringing his usual unique view to the subject of martial arts. And you get to learn a bit of Buddhist belief. A charming three minutes.
Jun
11
2012
11
2012
Magic and Martial Arts
Ted and I ran into a friend the other day, a consummate and quite excellent magician…
Jun
6
2012
6
2012
China’s Living Treasures: Qigong
George Xu and his respected brother, Dr. Gordon Xu, offer various methods of Qigong practice. Each of these sample videos from the China’s Living Treasure series shows a traditional and unique approach. Dragon Gate Chi Kung (Qigong) – DVD #25026 Wu Wei Chi Kung – DVD #25036 Taoist Hua Shan Chi Kung – 36 [...]
Jun
5
2012
5
2012
What is jibengong? What would be a good DVD for some examples?
Dear Ted, Recently in the online community RumSoaked Fist, Dr. Kenneth Fish has expressed a lament in the lack of jibengong being taught to new students. Dr. Fish then goes on to elaborate that there needs to be more leg lifts, goblet and pistol squats, crescent kicks and so forth for any martial arts foundation. [...]
Jun
2
2012
2
2012
You and Standing Practice
Standing practice is very personal, obviously. It is the purest expression of the Taoist principle that, “Everyone finds his own way.”
May
27
2012
27
2012
China’s Living Treasures: Improving Your Training
This group of videos shows many methods of training that can only improve your performance in Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Qigong or from a health standpoint. Another selection from the Living Teasures series. Chan Ssu Chin Silk Reeling Cocoon – DVD #25015 Taiji Power Stretching, Spiral Training Fundamentals – DVD #25031 Taiji Standing Postures, Qigong [...]
May
23
2012
23
2012
AWESOME WEAPONS
I knew when I wrote “The Bandit Knife” book I would have to cough up the DVD of the weapon at some point…
May
22
2012
22
2012
China’s Living Treasures: Wu style Tai Chi
From the Living Treasure series we have video samples of some of the most dynamic Wu style Tai Chi renditions. Each video on a separate page. Wang Hao Da is simply amazing, combining precise Fa Jin and relaxed, fluid movement… Wu Tai Chi Long Form (Part 1) – DVD #25027 Wu Tai Chi Long Form [...]
May
14
2012
14
2012
What Do You Practice and Why?
I remember reading an interview where someone asked Hawkins Cheung what Wing Chun made up his practice. In other words what was his regimen. “That’s for beginners,” he said. “I practice whatever I want.
May
3
2012
3
2012
China’s Living Treasures: Chen style Tai Chi
Want to see some great Chen style Ti Chi? Here is another selection of video samples you can scan from the Living treasures and George Xu. Chen Tai Chi Chen Tai Chi: Lao Jiao Form (Part 1) – DVD#25010 Chen Tai Chi: Lao Jiao Form (Part 2) – DVD#25011 Pao Chui-Cannon Fist Chen Taiji – [...]
Apr
25
2012
25
2012
Adam Hsu: Reflections
Certainly one of the most conscious martial artists of his generation, Adam Hsu long ago took on the unrewarding task of reconciling a lot of stupid martial misconceptions and misinformation with an art of protracted history and great complexity.
Apr
20
2012
20
2012
Apr
16
2012
16
2012
Learning Bagua Just About Here
The aim of this book is simple, to show you how to build a foundation in Bagua that will last your entire practice-career.
Apr
13
2012
13
2012
The Way of Chuang Tzu, Thomas Merton
Chuang Tzu , living almost 2500 years ago, was what we might today term a monk. He was certainly an iconoclast. Thomas Merton was not only a monk but…
Apr
12
2012
12
2012
China’s Living Treasures, Yang style Tai Chi
The line up of China’s Living Treasures focusing on the Chen Tai Chi of George Xu.
Apr
12
2012
12
2012
China’s Living Treasures Xing Yi, Bagua and Weapons
The China’s Living Treasure series has been around for a long time, but the quality of the information, presented in a no-nonsense and thorough manner, have often substituted for live teachers of quality when no other was available. In this selection from their stock of over 50 videos we sample the style of Xing Yi [...]
Apr
10
2012
10
2012
Everything About the Guard Stance Except Guarding
I love to teach the guard stance because it brings the students’ minds into focus on the whole idea of self-defense.
Apr
8
2012
8
2012
QA: Mud Stepping in Chen Tai Chi and in Bagua Zhang
Is the mud stepping in Liang Shan the same as it would be in Cheng style Bagua? There is the young female Bagua master on youtube who gives some brief introductory lessons on mud stepping, as I believe it is called. Dear RP, The Cheng style mud stepping relies a bit more on the sliding/landing [...]
Apr
2
2012
2
2012
DVD 25034/5 Xu shows family style Chen Tai Chi
Indoor or advanced teaching refers to private instruction directly from the master, which includes the entire system inclusive of all the subtleties and nuances of the form….
Apr
1
2012
1
2012
The Southern Art of Ten•Wood•Rice
Southern Kung Fu styles turn, dodge and side step quickly with “rat steps.” At the same time hands flop out and haul in forming themselves into a menagerie of claws, paws, wings and edges.
Mar
30
2012
30
2012
New View: China’s Living , Surveys
Vincent Lynch has been assembling this series, with the invaluable help of George Xu, for years. Here is a selection of videos from One Hand Videos well-known series “China’s Living Treaures” which, as far as martial arts goes, lives up to its name. In this presentation we concentrte on CLT’s demonstrations of top instructors and [...]
Mar
29
2012
29
2012
New: VCD 1731 Xing Yi Meridian Sword
Dubbed, not subtitled, a strong form Xing Yi straight sword set by champion, Zhang Xi Zheng.
Mar
28
2012
28
2012
Standing Still
Personally, I continue to believe that standing practice is important and useful. The trouble is that there is a deep, deep contradiction in the way it is taught in many schools.
Mar
27
2012
27
2012
New View: Cheng & Tian Bagua, Emei Boxing
More videos of our represented styles: Cheng Bagua, Emei Mountain Kung Fu and Tian style Bagua Zhang.
