The word 'fighting' has the connotation of reciprocity: two people trading blows. Taking turns.
Many schools are training 'fighters' for competitions.
Kung fu is about cultivating a healthy body, a sharp, clear mind, settled emotions and self defence skills.
Students work towards inner peace, strength and relaxation.
The self defence training is extensive, sophisticated and will require a lot of hard work.
The three skills of combat are an integral part of the syllabus.
Monday
A complete martial art is not about fighting.
Therefore, the strategies and tactics are geared towards completion of the event.
Force is never blocked.
Struggling is circumvented.
If something does not work, it is immediately discarded.
An entirely different mentality is required.
The student must think about the art as a martial art, not as a sport.
The aim is to evade and escape, not to win prizes or accolades.
The opponent may attack from an unexpected angle, they may be armed, they may not be alone and they will not stop when you have had enough.
Your repertoire must be varied and extensive. Your skills must be honed and comfortable.
Students must use their bodies intelligently and skilfully, employing optimal body mechanics to ensure the best 'effort to reward' ratio
Therefore, the strategies and tactics are geared towards completion of the event.
Force is never blocked.
Struggling is circumvented.
If something does not work, it is immediately discarded.
An entirely different mentality is required.
The student must think about the art as a martial art, not as a sport.
The aim is to evade and escape, not to win prizes or accolades.
The opponent may attack from an unexpected angle, they may be armed, they may not be alone and they will not stop when you have had enough.
Your repertoire must be varied and extensive. Your skills must be honed and comfortable.
Students must use their bodies intelligently and skilfully, employing optimal body mechanics to ensure the best 'effort to reward' ratio
Sunday
The form itself teaches the body how to move in an internal way.
Ideally, this is how your body should move in combat.
Form literally means 'shape'; and the aim is to re-shape your movements and structure into something martially viable.
The complexity of form means that a student has countless layers of skill to add to their form, and it will take decades to understand it deeply.
This learning process is what training an internal art is all about.
Ideally, this is how your body should move in combat.
Form literally means 'shape'; and the aim is to re-shape your movements and structure into something martially viable.
The complexity of form means that a student has countless layers of skill to add to their form, and it will take decades to understand it deeply.
This learning process is what training an internal art is all about.
Saturday
Unlike fighting, self defence requires the student to finish the opponent off decisively.
There can be no drawn-out combat.
The exponent must be capable of rapidly, spontaneously switching tactics and skills.
Trading blows is time-consuming.
It is necessary to adapt, change and improvise constantly.
Skill in all three areas of combat are necessary: chin na, jing and shuai jiao.
In self defence, the situation is unpredictable and there are no rules.
You must incapacitate the attacker immediately.
There can be no drawn-out combat.
The exponent must be capable of rapidly, spontaneously switching tactics and skills.
Trading blows is time-consuming.
It is necessary to adapt, change and improvise constantly.
Skill in all three areas of combat are necessary: chin na, jing and shuai jiao.
In self defence, the situation is unpredictable and there are no rules.
You must incapacitate the attacker immediately.
Friday
Bruce Lee saw this division of grappling or striking/kicking as being an imbalance he wanted to correct.
However, traditional martial arts were already complete.
They did not need anything adding to them.
Tai chi chuan and baguazhang teach 3 martial expressions:
However, traditional martial arts were already complete.
They did not need anything adding to them.
Tai chi chuan and baguazhang teach 3 martial expressions:
Chin na involves cavity press, dividing the muscle, misplacing the bones and sealing the breath.
Jing teaches sensitivity, awareness, manipulation and all forms of striking without tension.
Shuai jiao is about putting the opponent on the floor.
Jing teaches sensitivity, awareness, manipulation and all forms of striking without tension.
Shuai jiao is about putting the opponent on the floor.
Questioner:
"Dear Sifu Waller,does Shuai Jiao have forms? Also,does Shuai Jiao have more grappling than striking? Lastly,how long does it usually take for one to earn a black belt in Shuai Jiao? Thank you."
Answer:
Baguazhang and tai chi chuan feature a significant range of shuai jiao applications
Each art has its own form that can be applied as chin na, jing or shuai jiao, dependent upon the individual student's skill and insight.
Shuai jiao is about taking people down to the floor.
Typically, there is no striking.
As a form of grappling shuai jiao works in tandem with the various pushing hands (grappling) skills, and chin na (seizing, not grappling) or jing (sensitivity skills & striking without tension).
We don't offer a separate belt in shuai jiao.
One student gained his black belt in tai chi and baguazhang within 5 years.
Most people take longer than this.
"Dear Sifu Waller,does Shuai Jiao have forms? Also,does Shuai Jiao have more grappling than striking? Lastly,how long does it usually take for one to earn a black belt in Shuai Jiao? Thank you."
Answer:
Baguazhang and tai chi chuan feature a significant range of shuai jiao applications
Each art has its own form that can be applied as chin na, jing or shuai jiao, dependent upon the individual student's skill and insight.
Shuai jiao is about taking people down to the floor.
Typically, there is no striking.
As a form of grappling shuai jiao works in tandem with the various pushing hands (grappling) skills, and chin na (seizing, not grappling) or jing (sensitivity skills & striking without tension).
We don't offer a separate belt in shuai jiao.
One student gained his black belt in tai chi and baguazhang within 5 years.
Most people take longer than this.
Thursday
Why did Bruce Lee develop jeet kune do?
Bruce Lee had studied wing chun and felt that wing chun did not fully address certain aspects of combat such as grappling, kicking and floor work.
To resolve this, Bruce Lee sought to develop his own martial arts system.
Many modern martial arts focus on certain aspects of combat and neglect other considerations.
Typically, an art is concerned with grappling or striking/kicking.
Broadly speaking, judo, ju jitsu and aikido are grappling arts... whilst karate, wing chun and tae kwon do are striking arts.
Bruce Lee had studied wing chun and felt that wing chun did not fully address certain aspects of combat such as grappling, kicking and floor work.
To resolve this, Bruce Lee sought to develop his own martial arts system.
Many modern martial arts focus on certain aspects of combat and neglect other considerations.
Typically, an art is concerned with grappling or striking/kicking.
Broadly speaking, judo, ju jitsu and aikido are grappling arts... whilst karate, wing chun and tae kwon do are striking arts.
Wednesday
Yang Cheng Fu said "Use mind not force" and this one statement holds the key to understanding the difference between internal and external.
Intention requires considerable presence and awareness.
The student must have a calm, clear mind; focussed on the here and now.
The mind is used to create energetic outcomes within the body.
For example: a student seeks to 'sink' and 'root'.
A beginner may accomplish this by dropping deep into the hips, bending the knees and bearing the weight down.
Such a method would be fine in most martial arts, but in what way is it internal?
The physical action needs to be slight. No deep bending. No bearing down.
Use your mind instead.
If this seems difficult to you or unlikely, it reveals the fact that your training remains largely 'external'.
Intention requires considerable presence and awareness.
The student must have a calm, clear mind; focussed on the here and now.
The mind is used to create energetic outcomes within the body.
For example: a student seeks to 'sink' and 'root'.
A beginner may accomplish this by dropping deep into the hips, bending the knees and bearing the weight down.
Such a method would be fine in most martial arts, but in what way is it internal?
The physical action needs to be slight. No deep bending. No bearing down.
Use your mind instead.
If this seems difficult to you or unlikely, it reveals the fact that your training remains largely 'external'.
Sunday
The fundamental qigong/neigong exercises were designed to build-up the strength and coordination required to practice form.
Instead of moving in a tense, sloppy, disconnected way, students learn how to move slowly and smoothly.
In time, the entire body moves as one unit.
When the form is practiced correctly, it is quite demanding.
Instead of moving in a tense, sloppy, disconnected way, students learn how to move slowly and smoothly.
In time, the entire body moves as one unit.
When the form is practiced correctly, it is quite demanding.
Thursday
For shen to manifest, a person must lose all self-consciousness.
Instinct must replace intellect, and thought must give way to physical sensation.
The divide between themselves and the activity must end.
A spectator should not be comforted by your pretty smile.
The movements of your body and your intensity should make them feel only one thing: nervous.
Instinct must replace intellect, and thought must give way to physical sensation.
The divide between themselves and the activity must end.
A spectator should not be comforted by your pretty smile.
The movements of your body and your intensity should make them feel only one thing: nervous.
Saturday
An earnest student is not putting on a performance.
They are focussed upon what is occurring in the immediate moment.
They are feeling what is happening as it is happening; without commentary or reflection.
The student should look neither happy nor sad.
Their expression should be alert, alive and intense.
Shen should be present in their eyes: like a predator stalking its prey.
They are focussed upon what is occurring in the immediate moment.
They are feeling what is happening as it is happening; without commentary or reflection.
The student should look neither happy nor sad.
Their expression should be alert, alive and intense.
Shen should be present in their eyes: like a predator stalking its prey.
The form is like that of a falcon about to seize a rabbit, and the shen is like that of a cat about to catch a rat.
(Wu Yu-hsiang)
There is nothing friendly about this description.
It suggests a serious demeanour in which the ego of the student is sublimated by the art.
It suggests a serious demeanour in which the ego of the student is sublimated by the art.
Wednesday
Tao Te Ching teaches us many important lessons.
In terms of combat we recognise that the 'power' can only be used if the student adheres strictly to the 'way' of the event.
Blocking the incoming force, struggling, resisting, postural instability... these bad habits prevent the student from having any power.
Instead, it is necessary to harmonise, accord, blend with the attack.
Neutralise, and counter-attack by borrowing power from the opponent and adding it to our own.
This is harder than it sounds, for the student must set aside their own pride and ego, and follow the parameters of the art exactly.
In terms of combat we recognise that the 'power' can only be used if the student adheres strictly to the 'way' of the event.
Blocking the incoming force, struggling, resisting, postural instability... these bad habits prevent the student from having any power.
Instead, it is necessary to harmonise, accord, blend with the attack.
Neutralise, and counter-attack by borrowing power from the opponent and adding it to our own.
This is harder than it sounds, for the student must set aside their own pride and ego, and follow the parameters of the art exactly.
Monday
Dear Lord,
Thank you for giving me the strength and the conviction to complete the task you entrusted to me. Thank you for guiding me straight and true through the many obstacles in my path. And for keeping me resolute when all around seemed lost.
Thank you for your protection and your many signs along the way.
Thank you for any good that I may have done, I'm so sorry about the bad.
Thank you for the friend I made.
Please watch over her as you watched over me.
Thank you for finally allowing me to rest.
I'm so very tired, but I go now to my rest at peace.
I fought the good fight, I finished the race, I kept the faith.
(Book of Eli)
Sunday
A new starter's response to attack is random, sloppy and untrained.
The individual is usually poorly coordinated, with little sense of balance, rhythm and timing.
What you bring with you into an internal kung fu class is worthless: physical tension, bad postural habits, aggression, fear, clumsiness...
Even skills from other martial arts tend to be an impediment.
You must unlearn.
Our aim is help you to become responsive, spontaneous, adaptive. Capable of changing instantly in accordance with circumstance.
The individual is usually poorly coordinated, with little sense of balance, rhythm and timing.
What you bring with you into an internal kung fu class is worthless: physical tension, bad postural habits, aggression, fear, clumsiness...
Even skills from other martial arts tend to be an impediment.
You must unlearn.
Our aim is help you to become responsive, spontaneous, adaptive. Capable of changing instantly in accordance with circumstance.
Tuesday
Saturday
It can be difficult to perceive something new on its own terms.
The temptation is always to see it in terms of what you already know.
Yet, this approach closes your mind to the new.
Internal kung fu cannot be seen in terms of the conventional, external martial arts.
Yes, we require similar results:
The temptation is always to see it in terms of what you already know.
Yet, this approach closes your mind to the new.
Internal kung fu cannot be seen in terms of the conventional, external martial arts.
Yes, we require similar results:
- Success in self defence
- The ability to perform a variety of skills against a range of opponents
- Appropriateness
Wednesday
I find the syllabus is well-structured and offers carefully designed and enjoyable exercises which aid application of the palm changes. Learning the purpose of each of the movements gives a real insight into overall strategy of baguazhang.
In addition to creating an accessible website containing information relevant to learning baguazhang, Sifu Waller also takes the time to explain concepts in detail in class with the added benefit of being able to demonstrate how these principles can be applied martially.
The emphasis on evasive movements in baguazhang has been particularly helpful in overcoming my tendency to freeze-up during self-defence scenarios and instead I'm learning to relax and respond.
Although the underlying principles are similar to tai chi, baguazhang feels very different. Adapting your mindset to take into account multiple opponents is difficult but very rewarding from a martial perspective.
Bagua is proving to be a great opportunity to escape from the trappings of individual techniques and instead concentrate on realistic improvisation of self-defence applications in high-pressure situations. I particularly appreciate the focus on deception and evasion.
(Dominic Hine)
(Dominic Hine)
Tuesday
Monday
Sunday
I cannot fault the self defence aspect of bagua. It is fast, decisive and unforgiving. Making a mistake will cost an opponent dearly. Applied correctly, the opponent will have no upper hand to begin with as the bagua student will have already acted without even thinking. Your examples of application are comprehensive and calmly executed. Anyone not impressed by the form would surprise me.
(Barnaby Baron)
(Barnaby Baron)
Saturday
Sifu Waller introduced me to his tutor Peter Southwood who subsequently invited me to join his beginners Tai Chi class. The core of these classes being the Yang style long form. Well structured, Peter's classes always started with Tai Chi strength-building exercises centred around qigong movement and standing. Energised, the class moved into the form. Sifu Waller was the assistant instructor and helped Peter teach the lesson. The final half hour was dedicated to martial application of the form, pushing hands, small san sau and self defence. This was taught by Sifu Waller.
I accompanied Sifu Waller, Peter and Shaun Ullah (Sifu Waller's student/training partner and another of Peter's senior students) on several Tai Chi excursions. The most notable being Chin Na tuition and the visit of Yang Jwing Ming. It is interesting to note that for a moment during a pushing hands demonstration, Dr Yang seemed uncomfortably wrong-footed by the subtleties of Sifu Waller's dynamic guile. Impressed, the Master insisted on using Sifu Waller as his on-stage practice partner for the remainder of the weekend.
Peter was always eager to further his students and embraced Sifu Waller's rapid progress; maintaining an intensive 'indoor' Master/Student relationship until Peter's untimely death. With Peter's passing, we have lost a great conduit for the furtherance of Internal Kung Fu.
(Michael Dutton)
I accompanied Sifu Waller, Peter and Shaun Ullah (Sifu Waller's student/training partner and another of Peter's senior students) on several Tai Chi excursions. The most notable being Chin Na tuition and the visit of Yang Jwing Ming. It is interesting to note that for a moment during a pushing hands demonstration, Dr Yang seemed uncomfortably wrong-footed by the subtleties of Sifu Waller's dynamic guile. Impressed, the Master insisted on using Sifu Waller as his on-stage practice partner for the remainder of the weekend.
Peter was always eager to further his students and embraced Sifu Waller's rapid progress; maintaining an intensive 'indoor' Master/Student relationship until Peter's untimely death. With Peter's passing, we have lost a great conduit for the furtherance of Internal Kung Fu.
(Michael Dutton)
Friday
If you chose to use a sword to defend yourself in the 21st Century, you will most likely go to prison.
This is a simple, unequivocal fact.
Yet, people spend hours training with swords, and many even practice cutting things with a sword, as though they may one day come to use the weapon in martial contest.
What is the point?
You could spend those same hours on some more relevant.
Training a sword may enhance your self defence skills in some fashion, but practicing shuai jiao, chin na and jing with a partner would do so much more.
This is a simple, unequivocal fact.
Yet, people spend hours training with swords, and many even practice cutting things with a sword, as though they may one day come to use the weapon in martial contest.
What is the point?
You could spend those same hours on some more relevant.
Training a sword may enhance your self defence skills in some fashion, but practicing shuai jiao, chin na and jing with a partner would do so much more.
Monday
Yang Lu-chan taught tai chi for self defence purposes.
Imperial palace guards had little time or interest in heritage and tradition.
They wanted serious, pragmatic, powerful self defence skills.
They sought rapid victory.
Tai chi was not intended as a museum exhibit.
It was designed to meet the needs of the time.
It was intended to be functional and contemporaneous.
Imperial palace guards had little time or interest in heritage and tradition.
They wanted serious, pragmatic, powerful self defence skills.
They sought rapid victory.
Tai chi was not intended as a museum exhibit.
It was designed to meet the needs of the time.
It was intended to be functional and contemporaneous.
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Building up your strength takes time, practice, commitment and patience.
In truth, you may not even realise it is happening.
Internal arts training is not strenuous or stressful.
You undertake regular training and let the mild exercise build up layers of strength.
An hour of training every morning mounts up over time.
Pretty soon you have a level of strength you never expected.
This is not the strength required to lift a massive weight.
It is the strength to deliver a penetrating strike, snap a limb or flip an opponent without trying.
In truth, you may not even realise it is happening.
Internal arts training is not strenuous or stressful.
You undertake regular training and let the mild exercise build up layers of strength.
An hour of training every morning mounts up over time.
Pretty soon you have a level of strength you never expected.
This is not the strength required to lift a massive weight.
It is the strength to deliver a penetrating strike, snap a limb or flip an opponent without trying.
Tuesday
Monday
Tai chi students smiling is a parody of the actual requirement.
Can you honestly picture Imperial Guards 150 years ago smiling gaily as they practiced the art?
Does such an image inspire confidence in their abilities?
This does not mean that you should look glum, not have fun or feel miserable.
Just do not be a phoney.
Can you honestly picture Imperial Guards 150 years ago smiling gaily as they practiced the art?
Does such an image inspire confidence in their abilities?
This does not mean that you should look glum, not have fun or feel miserable.
Just do not be a phoney.
Sunday
Friday
One of the requirements of tai chi is to be calm and composed at all times.
This refers to:
This refers to:
- Cognitive awareness and clarity
- Being in the moment
- Having balanced emotions
So why are tai chi people smiling?
This is a good question.
They are smiling because they want you to see that they have cognitive awareness and clarity, are in the moment and have balanced emotions.
This is a good question.
They are smiling because they want you to see that they have cognitive awareness and clarity, are in the moment and have balanced emotions.
Thursday
Tuesday
Monday
Sunday
Saturday
Effort/reward ratio:
Internal body use challenges conventional wisdom and the conventional application of strength.
The body must be strong.
The application of that strength is unorthodox.
The aim is to use most of your power in combat; uniting the entire body in application.
Yet, the target is small.
Every action is a complete action. Every part of you does every movement.
This may sound strenuous but it is not.
Instead of delegating the workload to your arms and shoulders, every part of the body is involved.
Instead of forcing your will upon the entire attacker, you limit your attention to a small part of their body and use everything you have on that target.
The strategy comes from The Art of War.
Internal body use challenges conventional wisdom and the conventional application of strength.
The body must be strong.
The application of that strength is unorthodox.
The aim is to use most of your power in combat; uniting the entire body in application.
Yet, the target is small.
Every action is a complete action. Every part of you does every movement.
This may sound strenuous but it is not.
Instead of delegating the workload to your arms and shoulders, every part of the body is involved.
Instead of forcing your will upon the entire attacker, you limit your attention to a small part of their body and use everything you have on that target.
The strategy comes from The Art of War.
Thursday
Sunday
When Yang Lu-chan popularised tai chi by teaching it to the Manchu Emperor's palace guards, he probably taught sword forms.
Why?
Because in 1850 it may have been a well-used weapon in China.
Yang Lu-chan's purpose in teaching sword would have been for self defence, for viable, practical martial purposes.
150 years later...
In the UK nobody carries a sword.
You are unlikely to be attacked by a sword and you are unlikely to be carrying a sword yourself.
The police are not happy with members of the public owning or using swords.
Why?
Because in 1850 it may have been a well-used weapon in China.
Yang Lu-chan's purpose in teaching sword would have been for self defence, for viable, practical martial purposes.
150 years later...
In the UK nobody carries a sword.
You are unlikely to be attacked by a sword and you are unlikely to be carrying a sword yourself.
The police are not happy with members of the public owning or using swords.
Thursday
If you are studying tai chi in order to preserve the heritage, then swords are a must.
You should learn how to use both the straight sword and the broadsword.
Learning the spear and staff may be valuable too.
Many practitioners commit a significant amount of time to learning weapons forms and drills.
These people keep the traditions alive.
You should learn how to use both the straight sword and the broadsword.
Learning the spear and staff may be valuable too.
Many practitioners commit a significant amount of time to learning weapons forms and drills.
These people keep the traditions alive.
Wednesday
Dave Lowry maintains that not all so-called 'martial arts' are actually martial arts.
'Martial art' literally refers to a combat system that has been tried in battle/used by professional warriors/soldiers.
Such an art was intended for self defence and the training methods should reflect this.
A lot of contemporary arts are 'fighting arts'.
They may have been designed as a sport, or for their aesthetic value.
e.g. modern tai chi is often merely performance art.
A fighting art may be very functional and effective, but (strictly speaking) it is not a martial art.
'Martial art' literally refers to a combat system that has been tried in battle/used by professional warriors/soldiers.
Such an art was intended for self defence and the training methods should reflect this.
A lot of contemporary arts are 'fighting arts'.
They may have been designed as a sport, or for their aesthetic value.
e.g. modern tai chi is often merely performance art.
A fighting art may be very functional and effective, but (strictly speaking) it is not a martial art.
Sunday
Tuesday
If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them.
But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being.
And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?
(Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn)
Friday
Saturday
When you practice the form, take a moment to feel the shape and nature of the movement being performed.
Remember that the form contains approximately 225 separate movements, although many are repeats, and variations on a theme.
Across the form you will see many examples of each animal represented.
You must understand all of the movements in terms of the 5 animals.
Remember that the form contains approximately 225 separate movements, although many are repeats, and variations on a theme.
Across the form you will see many examples of each animal represented.
You must understand all of the movements in terms of the 5 animals.
Tuesday
Each of the animals embodies certain characteristics that must be explored in self defence.
This constitutes the 'way of' part of the syllabus.
These qualities must be incorporated:
This constitutes the 'way of' part of the syllabus.
These qualities must be incorporated:
- Bear
- gravity, indifference, casual
- Bird
- open & close, unite upper & lower
- Monkey
- withdraw, yielding, softness, distraction
- Snake
- reeling silk, speed striking, wave, penetration
- Tiger
- advance, wu nien
Merely to train 5 animals in form is to practice the shape but not the essence of the animal.
Friday
Wednesday
What is a treasure?
- A quantity of precious metals, gems, or other valuable objects
- A very valuable object
- Keep carefully (a valuable or valued item)
- Value highly
- A collection of precious things
- From Greek θησαυρος; thesaurus, meaning "a treasure of the chest"
- A concentration of riches, often one which is considered lost or forgotten until being rediscovered
- A term of endearment
- To consider to be precious
- To store or stow in a safe place
The 16 treasures are key skills that underpin the entire system.
Thursday
Does your martial art cater for the realities of self defence?
Are you learning to respond to multiple attackers?
Will your opponents be armed?
Do they carry knives or other improvised weapons?
What will you be wearing? What kind of footwear?
Be honest about what you are expecting to do with your art.
Is your art up to the needs of self defence?
Are you training the necessary skills?
Are you learning to respond to multiple attackers?
Will your opponents be armed?
Do they carry knives or other improvised weapons?
What will you be wearing? What kind of footwear?
Be honest about what you are expecting to do with your art.
Is your art up to the needs of self defence?
Are you training the necessary skills?
Saturday
In order to step, all of your weight must first move into the supporting leg - making it 100% weighted.
The unweighted leg then lengthens and the foot places.
There is no more weight in the foot than the weight of the foot itself.
When stepping, transfer weight from the heel to the ball of the foot.
Feel how the ball actually pushes slightly back towards you when it receives pressure from the weight shift.
This awareness is very important because it prevents the knee joint from being bent too far.
The unweighted leg then lengthens and the foot places.
There is no more weight in the foot than the weight of the foot itself.
When stepping, transfer weight from the heel to the ball of the foot.
Feel how the ball actually pushes slightly back towards you when it receives pressure from the weight shift.
This awareness is very important because it prevents the knee joint from being bent too far.
Sunday
Learning to strike somebody and learning how to take a strike are essential.
Being hit can really mess you up.
Clever self defence tactics and techniques may fall to pieces when you are actually taking hits.
It is imperative that you know how to relax and roll with the punch.
Developing your own striking ability is critical. Without it, you cannot hope to defend yourself.
You need to make each blow count.
Range, timing, distance, accuracy and penetration must be practiced relentlessly.
A bag or focus mitt is not the same as a person. You need to strike real people.
Do not pull your punches. Let them land. Feel whether or not you are receiving adverse feedback.
Learn to control your power, your commitment and your intent.
Punching thin air may train the body mechanics behind a strike but tells you nothing about your ability.
Being hit can really mess you up.
Clever self defence tactics and techniques may fall to pieces when you are actually taking hits.
It is imperative that you know how to relax and roll with the punch.
Developing your own striking ability is critical. Without it, you cannot hope to defend yourself.
You need to make each blow count.
Range, timing, distance, accuracy and penetration must be practiced relentlessly.
A bag or focus mitt is not the same as a person. You need to strike real people.
Do not pull your punches. Let them land. Feel whether or not you are receiving adverse feedback.
Learn to control your power, your commitment and your intent.
Punching thin air may train the body mechanics behind a strike but tells you nothing about your ability.
Friday
Fear needs to be addressed as well as competence under pressure.
You do not have to endure severe combat training in order to see how you cope under duress.
It can be done safely and playfully. If this sounds improbable, look at sport.
What matters is the core requirements:
You do not have to endure severe combat training in order to see how you cope under duress.
It can be done safely and playfully. If this sounds improbable, look at sport.
What matters is the core requirements:
- Keeping a cool head
- no anger
- no upset
- no panic
- Decisiveness
- action
- no dithering
- no getting ready/anticipating
- no worrying
- Effectiveness
- does it work?
- are you able to follow it up?
- can you improvise, adapt and change?
You need to know that the material works and have the confidence to use it when the situation is unpredictable and confusing.
Wednesday
Group dynamics and evasion strategies cannot be codified into a step-by-step guide.
You must learn to go with the flow, responding and adapting to the needs of the situation.
This takes patience and practice.
If you lose your composure, you lose everything.
You need to work with punches, kicks and grapples. It needs to be varied, confusing, unsettling and unpredictable. A melee.
You must learn to go with the flow, responding and adapting to the needs of the situation.
This takes patience and practice.
If you lose your composure, you lose everything.
You need to work with punches, kicks and grapples. It needs to be varied, confusing, unsettling and unpredictable. A melee.
Monday
Tao Te Ching, The Art of War, The Book or Five Rings and I Ching all offer excellent principles.
These are what you need in self defence.
Scour your art for underlying precepts of body use, relationship and strategy.
These are what you need in self defence.
Scour your art for underlying precepts of body use, relationship and strategy.
Thursday
Monday
Optimal range is a necessary consideration in terms of health, and combat.
It is the degree of range that enables you to use your extension most effectively.
Considerations:
It is the degree of range that enables you to use your extension most effectively.
Considerations:
- Ease
- Root
- Comfort
- Strength
- Stability
- Movement
- No leaning
- Relaxation
- No stretching
- Maintain balance
When operating within your optimal range, your body is far stronger and more resilient.
It can adapt, change and move with ease and comfort.
It can adapt, change and move with ease and comfort.
Sunday
Stretching the body is good when the purpose is exercise.
When lifting a heavy object or when engaged in combat, stretching in not a good idea.
The problem with stretching at the wrong time is that it puts stress on the body, reduces stability and prevents freedom of movement.
A stretched joint cannot rotate and turn comfortably.
It is not relaxed.
It is prone to injury.
The internal arts never advocate stretching in everyday life or combat.
The joints remain free and loose, heavy and dropped.
When lifting a heavy object or when engaged in combat, stretching in not a good idea.
The problem with stretching at the wrong time is that it puts stress on the body, reduces stability and prevents freedom of movement.
A stretched joint cannot rotate and turn comfortably.
It is not relaxed.
It is prone to injury.
The internal arts never advocate stretching in everyday life or combat.
The joints remain free and loose, heavy and dropped.
Monday
The internal arts teach the student to move the entire body towards the opponent, rather than stretch out the limbs.
Stretching is regarded as foolish:
Stretching is regarded as foolish:
- It exposes the ribcage, armpit and torso
- It makes the joints less resilient
- It makes it easier for your balance to be taken
- An opponent can avoid a strike more easily
- The further out from the centre you reach, the less power you have
Rather than stretch, you step.
If you cannot employ optimal power at your current range, do something else.
If you cannot employ optimal power at your current range, do something else.
Monday
Long, narrow stances are not combat stances. They were designed for performance.
The deep, horse stance is not for combat either. It is intended to build strength in the legs.
A realistic combat stance enables you to be pushed firmly from all sides without any loss of root.
It allows freedom of movement.
It keeps the joints and spine mobile and loose.
Find the stance that allows you to use your body in a smooth, natural, spontaneous fashion.
A stance that easily facilitates walking.
The deep, horse stance is not for combat either. It is intended to build strength in the legs.
A realistic combat stance enables you to be pushed firmly from all sides without any loss of root.
It allows freedom of movement.
It keeps the joints and spine mobile and loose.
Find the stance that allows you to use your body in a smooth, natural, spontaneous fashion.
A stance that easily facilitates walking.
Wednesday
Partner work, form and other drills can teach students about reach and range.
Three useful solo training methods are easy to practice at home:
Three useful solo training methods are easy to practice at home:
- 3 tier wallbag
- Striking post
- Pushing peng (against a wall)
The wallbag ensures that your strikes are powerful and have no adverse feedback into your body.
Use a tree, column or doorframe as a striking post and practice stepping and striking.
With practice, you learn how much power you possess at what range, and begin to find the different ranges instinctively.
Pushing peng is about finding optimal alignment, relaxing and cultivating groundpath.
Virtually any posture from the form can be trained this way.
Use a tree, column or doorframe as a striking post and practice stepping and striking.
With practice, you learn how much power you possess at what range, and begin to find the different ranges instinctively.
Pushing peng is about finding optimal alignment, relaxing and cultivating groundpath.
Virtually any posture from the form can be trained this way.
Friday
Ask your training partner to:
- tug sharply on your wrist
- kick your thighs and calves vigorously
- push your torso from all sides
- be awkward against your applications
Did you lose balance?
Did you need to tense-up or perform an action in order to compensate?
If your stability is lost or you lacked power, explore your stance, reach and range.
Did you need to tense-up or perform an action in order to compensate?
If your stability is lost or you lacked power, explore your stance, reach and range.
Sunday
The key to getting stronger is to master the fundamentals.
Spend a lot of time just standing.
40 minutes once a week is great.
15 minutes a day is a must.
Moving qigong in its various forms will supplement standing, training the body to move in the correct way.
Form accomplishes the same.
Partner drills build up awareness and sensitivity.
The ability to affect another person.
A striking post or wallbag ensures that your strikes possess power, rather than just being empty.
Spend a lot of time just standing.
40 minutes once a week is great.
15 minutes a day is a must.
Moving qigong in its various forms will supplement standing, training the body to move in the correct way.
Form accomplishes the same.
Partner drills build up awareness and sensitivity.
The ability to affect another person.
A striking post or wallbag ensures that your strikes possess power, rather than just being empty.
Wednesday
The weakest part of any new starter is the mind.
Modern minds are lazy, distracted, eager for gratification and entertainment.
The calm, detached, logical, disciplined mind of a martial artist is very different to that of a 'consumer'.
We recognise that there is more to life than shopping, celebrity, fleeting fads and fancies.
Patience, tenacity, endurance... these develop a quiet strength.
Modern minds are lazy, distracted, eager for gratification and entertainment.
The calm, detached, logical, disciplined mind of a martial artist is very different to that of a 'consumer'.
We recognise that there is more to life than shopping, celebrity, fleeting fads and fancies.
Patience, tenacity, endurance... these develop a quiet strength.
We are not interested in pitting strength against strength.
Our aim is to evade strength, re-direct power and destabilise the attacker.
Instead of force against force, we circumvent.
We break the root.
We lead into emptiness.
You do not need to be immensely strong in the upper body.
The power will be coming from the ground, so stronger legs are more important.
Our aim is to evade strength, re-direct power and destabilise the attacker.
Instead of force against force, we circumvent.
We break the root.
We lead into emptiness.
You do not need to be immensely strong in the upper body.
The power will be coming from the ground, so stronger legs are more important.
Wednesday
Most people quit within a lesson or so, others within a year.
The hype surrounding modern tai chi leads new starters to have high ambitions and low commitment.
For some inexplicable reason new starters forget that using the body for hours at a time requires strength.
Combat necessitates concentration and stamina.
It is common to see new starters gasping for breath minutes after a melee exercise commences.
Their minds are reeling in confusion.
They are not breathing properly.
They are incredibly unfit.
Unprepared.
And yet these same people wonder why they are not being shown advanced-level skills...
The hype surrounding modern tai chi leads new starters to have high ambitions and low commitment.
For some inexplicable reason new starters forget that using the body for hours at a time requires strength.
Combat necessitates concentration and stamina.
It is common to see new starters gasping for breath minutes after a melee exercise commences.
Their minds are reeling in confusion.
They are not breathing properly.
They are incredibly unfit.
Unprepared.
And yet these same people wonder why they are not being shown advanced-level skills...
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