In this short response to a video sent to us by Steven, a Bagua student, Ted Mancuso briefly describes one of the most—if not THE MOST—important elements of Bagua Zhang: reeling silk energy, or Chan Ssu Jin. Reeling silk energy is in the DNA of all of the traditional Chinese martial arts, but is particularly […]
May
8
2021
8
2021
Apr
14
2021
14
2021
Tai Chi Training Secrets: How Do You Practice Martially, When You Are By Yourself?
A recent letter from one of our favorite correspondents, Gary Shapiro, put the question: “We spoke about how practicing taiji with the martial aspects in mind enhances it’s health effects. So— how does that work? Can one practice “martially” solo? (and how?).” In our newest video, Sifu Ted answers this and offers some training tips […]
Mar
7
2021
7
2021
From Basics to Mastery: Jibengongs and the Bear Palm Gong in Bagua
As we have mentioned (more than once, I’m thinking), I am working on a new book/dvd project on Bagua Gongs, those special exercises that teach by principle and really infuse your practice with the flavor of your style (in this case, Bagua Zhang). The project keeps growing, and looks like it is veering into one […]
May
26
2020
26
2020
Adam Hsu on Chen Style Taijiquan
It is no secret that we at Plum greatly admire Adam Hsu (Hsu Ji) and his teachings. We have published some of his books and DVDs, excerpted and reprinted articles, and referenced his many principles and theories. He is also our teacher. Although many have read his works and seen his videos, it’s not exactly […]
May
20
2020
20
2020
Practiced Intent
Internal martial practice is an important step to deepening and improving your kung fu. In this video, Sifu Ted Mancuso demonstrates and teaches a short exercise learned decades earlier from Sifu Wing Lam, for developing and incorporating intent into movement. Following the instruction is an interview with Ted, where he further elbaorates on these concepts. […]
Apr
28
2020
28
2020
Why I Like Bagua
Everything is spinning crazily. The fact that facts are scarce does not prevent them from flying at us, relentlessly. We spend our hours looping and diving, just to keep upright. In times like this, Bagua sounds just about right. It is no wonder that people recognize that Bagua is the truth-speaker of a relatively untruthful […]
Apr
24
2020
24
2020
Kung Fu Training: You Always Hurt The One You Love
Over my years of teaching martial arts, I’ve had quite a good time explaining some of the more obscure switches of Kung Fu’s winding pathway: the splits, front and side; gyrating and rolling children, long past their bedtimes; and the fine art of setting things on small altar stacks, then crushing them. And that is […]
Apr
21
2020
21
2020
The Simple Art of Breathing
This simple method of breathing works well for people practicing Chinese martial arts, Chinese medicine, meditation and what is commonly referred to as Qigong (Chi Kung). We call it simple, but it is also profound; as it relates the physical act of inhalation and exhalation with the mind’s intent, keeping a special focus on a […]
Mar
30
2020
30
2020
Beng Jin: Kung Fu’s Hidden Skill
Here’s a new short video on Beng Jin (Beng Energy) that we created for our local sequestered students. If you are a Tai Chi student, you have most likely heard your teacher lecture on this special quality, and are undoubtedly practicing this right now! But Beng Jing exists in all styles of Kung Fu, and […]
Mar
27
2020
27
2020
Inner Circle Tai Chi Daily Neigong
Our illustrious and accomplished colleague and friend in Sacramento, Sifu Robert Nakashima, has generously created and shared his daily Neigong routine. Running about 20 minutes, even just watching this video provides calm and comfort, although getting up and trying it yourself is highly recommended. The setting, the presentation, even the light chirping of birds in […]
Mar
22
2020
22
2020
Safe, Sound and Shipping
Dear friends, Just a note to let you know that we at Plum are all healthy and safe and still open for correspondence and business. We are monitoring the shipping situation around the world and, so far, packages are being delivered, although it may take a few extra days to receive them. Having suspended classes […]
Mar
19
2020
19
2020
Free Livestream Qigong Class, Thursday, March 19
Next session, Sunday, March 21, at 10am PDT, on Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/953395301 Our friend and colleague, Sally Chang, sent this to us this morning… With news in a nosedive, I decided to offer this Qigong class FREE for EVERYBODY. No experience necessary, I’ll guide you the whole way. Invite a friend, and show up with whoever […]
Mar
14
2020
14
2020
3 Minute Qigong For Lung Health
Our good friend and colleague, Sally Chang, created this short video of a simple qigong to strengthen lungs. Thanks, Sally! Sally Chang is Chief Instructor or Evergreen Taiji Academy, a seasoned Acupuncturist and Martial Artist. She integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into her teachings, providing a whole health perspective. Sally brings a warm, focused presence […]
Aug
12
2019
12
2019
The Road to Tan Tui (Redux)
A long while back, we created and posted a free series of video tutorials on the famous 12 Road Tan Tui; the series is made up of 14 videos which include step-by-step instruction PLUS applications for each road. For years, this has been popular on our site, but when we recently reviewed it we were […]
Jul
17
2019
17
2019
Q&A: The Yoke Punch in Tan Tui: North and South
Q: I’d like to ask why is there a different alignment of the arms with the Yoke punch as demonstrated in the Tan Tui 12 Road and the 10 Road forms respectfully? In the 10 Road video Sifu gives specific details about the arm alignment (90° in one instance and 135°? In another instance… depending […]
Mar
27
2018
27
2018
Tutorial: Tai Chi Tips, Stepping
If you’ve spent more than 5 minutes at Plum, you know how highly we prize basics as the foundation of good movement. ‘Stepping’ in Tai Chi, is one of those fundamentals that you might learn on the first day of class, and which you might be refining well into your advanced practice. We prepared a […]
Oct
17
2013
17
2013
All Things Staff
You’ve found our page on All Things Staff. Check back every once in a while to see more tutorials, recommendations, articles and comments on the Kung Fu Staff. Our new book… Staff: Kung Fu Weapon of Skill Below are some video tutorials for rolling the staff. All videos might take a minute to […]
Dec
15
2012
15
2012
Tutorial: Spear Lesson #6 More on the Dragon
The last spear lesson left you halfway through a new move …
Dec
8
2012
8
2012
Tutorial: Spear Lesson #5, The Dragon’s Tail
We begin the next stage of spear training with the first compound shape, the Dragon’s Tail, a low deflection action that “bites back” immediately…
Aug
19
2012
19
2012
Spear Tutorial #4: The Big Ghost
The thing I love about spear practice is that it reinforces both empty hands and weapons skills. Traveling with the spear, for instance, gives the added bonus of coordinating hands, feet, open, close and a pointy stick.
