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Song Changrong’s Baguazhang

When people talk about ‘Song style’ in a bagua context, there are actually two styles that could be meant: one is the bagua of Song Yongxiang (passed on by Liu Wancang of Beijing and his disciples), while the other is that of Song Changrong, a disciple of Dong Haichuan who was well-known for his lightness skill (qing gong). The material presented below profiles the latter:

“ ‘Flying Legs’ Song Changrong

Song Changrong was born into a noble family in Beijing. Because of Dong Haichuan’s position at the mansion of Prince Su, there was a lot of interaction between the two houses. The Qing dynasty was a peak period for CMA. Everyone from the emperor down to the common man was interested in martial arts. The Song family’s noble status and economic strength meant that they placed great emphasis on the practice martial arts. As nobles, they were of course aware of Dong Haichuan’s position at Prince Su’s mansion, treating him as an honoured guest. And so, Song’s family invited Dong to teach martial arts at their house. This kind of environment meant that Song Changrong was systematically trained by Dong Haichuan from a very young age. As a result, Song’s bagua reached a very high level, to the point that his bagua formed its own branch in Beijing.

When Song was 6 or 7 years old, Dong Haichuan started to teach him a ‘game’. The Song family’s house happened to have a large garden. Dong asked the Songs to prepare several vats, so that Song could practice ‘vat-running’. At first, someone had to support Song on the vats; later on, he learnt how to walk and run freely on top of the vats. After a long while, Song could run and jump on the vats as if he was walking on solid ground. This entire time, Dong did not teach Song any other martial exercises. It was only when Song was 12 or 13 that Dong began to teach Song bagua. As a result, Song was particularly accomplished at ‘lower basin’ (xia pan) walking. He carried on Dong’s lightness skill, called ‘Ba Bu Gan Chan‘ (lit. catch a cicada in 8 steps).

Catching a snake with Seven-Star Staff

After Song had been learning bagua from Dong for 5 or 6 years, his gongfu had made great strides, but there was one thing that vexed him. When Song practiced in his back garden, a small white snake would wriggle out of its burrow and start ‘dancing’ tens of metres away from Song, almost as if it was trying to compete in a test of agility with him! Song tried to use his lightness skill to catch the snake, to no avail: as soon as Song got within 10 metres of the snake it would start beating a retreat. Just as Song thought he might catch it, it always managed to dive into its burrow just in time. All Song could do was sigh in frustration. This continued every day for two months, with Song totally at a loss as to do what to do.

One day, Song mentioned this white snake while Dong was overseeing Song’s practice. In response, Dong picked up a wooden staff and taught Song bagua’s Seven-Star Staff. After a month’s arduous practice, Song had become proficient with the staff. A month later, when Dong came to the Song family mansion to oversee Song’s practice, the white snake appeared yet again. This time, Song chased the snake with his seven-star staff and managed to pick up the snake with his staff just as it was about to reach its hole. Looking at the snake, he said “Who’s faster, you or me?” The snake, seeming to admit defeat, didn’t even struggle to escape. Song, satisfied that the snake was beaten, put it back on the ground, whereupon it sped back into its burrow. The snake never appeared again after that, but the seven-star staff established a place in the bagua school.

‘Tightrope Walker’ Song

Baguazhang’s gongfu comes from circle-walking. ‘Curves’ and ’straight lines’ are relative concepts; when someone has achieved mastery, he can generate luoxuan jin (spiral force), zheng guo li (‘wrapping’ power) and immense baofa jin (explosive force). Once the art is mastered, the body becomes light as a swallow, hence the name ‘lightness skill’. Because this sort of skill was so hard for ordinary people to achieve, the younger generation were all eager to see if the rumours of Song’s skill were true.

One day, Song was at a teahouse with his bagua brothers when they asked him to perform some bagua for them. Because they were all of the bagua school, Song didn’t try to refuse, but instead, picked up a length of hempen rope and asked two of his companions to hold the rope tight at either end. So saying, Song leapt onto the rope and proceeded to perform one of the 64 straight palms on the rope, which was met with loud applause. Some of the others tried to repeat the feat, but none could stand steadily and so they all fell off. Henceforth, people knew that Song’s bagua was its own system with its own style. Unfortunately, Song’s background limited his interaction with the CMA community, and hence he had very few disciples. As a result, a lot of Song’s skills were not passed down (according to an interview with the 4th-generation Cheng-stylist Liu Xinghan in 1994, when he was 85 years old).

Lightness Skill Revealed in a Courtyard

In a courtyard in old Beijing, the second and third generations of bagua had all gathered together in one place to have a ‘longevity banquet’ for one of the second generation masters (Cheng Tinghua? Liang Zhenpu?). This was a big day for the bagua community, and of course Song Changrong had come as well. IN CMA circles, the ‘longevity banquet’ is a momentous occasion at which everyone has to drink to the host’s health.

This kind of banquet was usually only laid on for senior respected members of the bagua community. Thus, the atmosphere in the courtyard was festive and raucous. During the dinner, someone’s disciple came up with the idea of asking M. Song to demonstrate ‘Ba Bu Gan Chan’ to liven up the atmosphere at the banquet. The moment the suggestion was made, the crowd went wild. Most of the people at the crowd had only ever heard rumours of Song’s lightness skill, at any other time no-one would have had the temerity to ask Song to perform. All eyes swivelled to focus on Song. They saw Song stand up and with a fist salute, “M. Dong always instructed us to avoid showing off our art in public. But seeing as it’s my shixiong’s (elder kungfu brother) birthday and we’re all bagua men here, why not?” And so, everyone hurriedly tried to make way for Song to go out into the courtyard, but Song wanted the assembled crowd to go out first. Seeing that neither side was giving in, Song said “Fine, I guess I won’t walk then” and so saying leapt out of the nearest window. By the time everyone caught on, Song had already lightly landed in the middle of the courtyard. Upon seeing this, everyone exclaimed that Song had really lived up to his nickname of ‘Flying Legs Song’.

(According to a 1989 interview with the 3rd generation Liang-stylist Li Ziming at the age of 90)

Song style in the North-east: Wei Jianfeng

The 4th-generation Song stylist Wei Jianfeng had learnt his bagua from Song Changrong’s disciples Zhao Yanrong and Zhao Xiting. He was fearless and straight-talking as well as being an impressive martial artist. During the Japanese occupation (Wei lived in Shenyang, which was occupied by the Japanese during the Sino-Japanese war), he killed Japanese and fought against Chinese traitors. He was thrown in jail twice by his own government: once by the Nationalists (KMT) for opposing their army, and once by the communists, during the Cultural Revolution. The brutal long years in prison robbed him of the opportunity to teach, such that a lot of his special skills were not passed on.

Wei Jianfeng's disciple Zhang Zemin

According to the materials made public by his disciples Yu Hechuan, Ren Hemin, Zhang Licheng, Li Zhiyi, Song Peijian, Zhang Zemin et al., Wei’s bagua comprised the following routines :

Ba Da Zhang (8 great palms)
Lao Ba Zhang (8 old palms)
64 palms
Long Xing Baguazhang (Dragon-shape Bagua)
Bagua Shi Ba Shuai (18 throws)
Bagua Zhai Yao Quan (‘Extract’ of Bagua)
Bagua Lian Huan Zhang (Linking Palms)
Bagua Feng Mo Zhang (‘Crazy Demon’ palm)
Ba Da Deng Pu (8 great Sweeps?)

Paired routines:
Pu An (Catch and Press)
Zui Han Nian Hou (Drunkard shoos Monkey)
Baguazhang Duilian (paired bagua)
72 locks
Qin Na

Weapons:
18 Staff
Bagua Dao [sabre]
Bagua Jian [straightsword]
Emei Ci [Emei needles, aka 'judges pens']
Ziwu Yuanyang Yue (Mandarin Duck Knives, aka Deerhorn knives)

There are also several paired weapons routines.

After Wei’s passing, his disciples continued teaching his bagua in the parks in Shenyang. In 1994 Wei’s grandstudent Zheng Zhi-hong (student of Yu Hechuan) became the first person to bring Song style bagua to Japan when he established his ‘Natural Dojo’ in Kyushu.

Wei Jianfeng's senior disciple Yu Hechuan

READ MORE - Song Changrong’s Baguazhang

‘Departed Warriors’ – the xingyiquan of Li Zhongxuan

I recently came across an excellent book on xingyiquan called “Departed Warriors” (called ‘Shiqu de Wulin’ in chinese). The book contains the recollections of one man, Li Zhongxuan (now deceased), who had the good fortune to study under three disciples of Li Cunyi: Shang Yunxiang, Xue Dian and Tang Weilu. The book, organised by Xu Haofeng, contains Li’s recollections of studying under his three masters as well as his thoughts on the practice of xingyiquan. I have translated below a part of one chapter from his book:

五台雨雪恨难消 (part 1)

‘Tang-chuan’ xingyiquan refers to the xingyi passed down by Tang Weilu. He was known as ‘Tang xiao hou’ (little monkey Tang) echoing the nickname of Sun Lutang, who was also nicknamed ‘Sun the monkey’ – in both cases, the nicknames refer to their ability to scale walls. Amongst xingyi boxers the two men were known as the ‘two lus’, derived from the ‘lu’ part of their names, but also homophonous with the chinese for ‘2 deer’, referencing both men’s ability to walk three or four hundred li (1 li = 500m) in a night.

Whenever M Tang visited Beijing, so as to not attract unwanted attention, he did so at night. He would sleep in Ninghe (near Tianjin) during the day, set off at 7pm, and by daybreak the next day would have reached Beijing, having had to slip past several tax office checkpoints along the way. Li Cunyi gave Tang Weilu the ‘xingyi name’ of Tang Jianxun – the meaning of the name was to commemorate Tang’s exploits. Li Cunyi appreciated Tang’s fighting ability – it wasn’t just because of his speed that Tang was mentioned in the same breath as Sun Lutang. Everyone back then knew M Tang’s fighting skills were a cut above.

: Famed xingyi master Li Cunyi

M Tang always gave the impression of being languid – he would always be carrying a teapot, if left to his own devices he could easily spend a whole day sauntering around town, his teapot in hand. But he was very resolute in that he would willingly accept any challenges that came his way. He once defeated a famed master who had founded his own style, yet would not allow us to tell anyone – this was M Tang’s Wu De (martial morality). It’s exactly because M Tang was satisfied with the quiet life that his xingyi preserves more of the ‘flavour’ of Li Cunyi. Readers interested in the xingyi taught by Li Cunyi at the Tianjin Guo Shu Guan can use M Tang’s xingyi as a reference point.

M Li Cunyi’s book on xingyi begins with the phrases “Only xingyi is most skilled at defeating the enemy and obtaining victory.” Later, in an interview with a journalist, he stated “A practitioner of wushu strengthens his body; a practitioner of guoshu defends his home and country; xingyiquan can be called guoshu”. These two statements led to a misunderstanding, as other martial artists thought that M Li was trying to position xingyiquan as the ‘national art’ (guoshu). And so many people came to challenge him, saying “M Li, is my art wushu or guoshu?” M Li knew that explanations were useless and simply accepted all the challenges. The wulin (martial arts community) in the old days was like that, the slightest slip of the tongue could land you in big trouble.

M Li Cunyi was a man of noble-character who became embroiled in senseless disputes in his old age. It was lucky that he maintained his reputation intact in that he was not defeated. But still, for a man of his years to have to meet challenges every day must have vexed him sorely.

So what exactly did M Li mean by “only xingyi is skilled”? The answer can be found in old xingyi manuals: “The martial artists of the world need to be able to see to accomplish anything; thus, by day they can just about attain victory. But how can they cope at night if they are confronted by the enemy? Only xingyiquan can deal with attacks at night, by relying on ‘feel’ and reacting to the slightest touch.”

The essence of xingyi is not practicing your vision or hearing, but rather this physical response.

My shixiong under Shang Yunxiang, Shan Guangqin, told me that you could talk or walk around M Shang while he was sleeping, no problem. But the moment you focused your attention on him, he would wake up. It sounds far-fetched, but this kind of awareness is a necessary product of extended training in xingyi.

: The ‘Iron-foot Buddha’, Shang Yunxiang

The ‘xing’[form] in xingyi refers to everything external, whilst the ‘yi’ [intent] refers to everything internal, thus xingyiquan can be understood as ‘training everything’. The ‘Xingyi 5 Element Classic’ also echoes M Shang’s approach, it’s about sensitivity. In addition, xingyi’s ‘reacting to the slightest touch’ is unconscious, automatic.

One time, M Tang had gotten lost in thought whilst teaching his disciples. One of them, wanting to test out M Tang’s gongfu, suddenly launched a punch at him. M Tang managed to press the student to the ground, all the while still in a bit of a daze. This student was very happy when he pulled himself off the ground, for he thought that he had found out M Tang’s real gongfu.

M Tang, on the other hand, from then on stopped teaching that disciple, saying “So-and-so has already surpassed me.” Actually, this was his way of ‘disowning’ that disciple. There needs to be sincerity between teacher and student. The kind of person who still has an attitude of ’stealing the art’ whilst studying under you is not to be taught. Even if such a person learns martial arts, they will only bring harm upon themselves and others.

Even after M Tang had passed away, this person still called themselves M Tang’s disciple. Times are different now, the younger generation cannot be held responsible for the actions of their elders. In order to avoid embarrassing this person’s students, I have deliberately omitted his name.

Xingyiquan (Form and intention boxing) is also known as Xingyiquan (moving intention boxing). The grandmaster of our branch was Liu Qilan, who was known for his shenfa (body method), was praised as ‘Long Xing Sou Gu’ (dragon shape searching for bones). The later generations from this branch, Li Cunyi, Shang Yunxiang and Tang Weilu were all known for their gongfu in the legs (tuigong) and shenfa. To retreat whilst fighting Li Cunyi was a big mistake; as soon as you tried to retreat he would be upon you and knock you down.

Gongfu in the legs comes from zhan zhuang and [xingyi] walking. Tang Weilu specially emphasised walking to his disciples. In the morning we would walk 5 km with our hands clasped behind our backs, either loosening up our backbones or with a bit of martial intent. Sometimes we would omit the ‘yi’ of xingyiquan and say that we were learning ‘xing quan’ [moving boxing] with M Tang.

M Tang’s trademark weapons were the judge’s pens (pan guan bi). In xingyi, judge’s pens are basically double spears, initially arms-length with rounded tips. After the practitioner has become familiar with their use, the pens used become shorter, about the length of a forearm. I had a pair of bronze pens specially made; at that kind of weight, there’s no need to hit vital points, wherever you hit the opponent he will go down.

: Normal judge’s pens (pan guan bi)

The double spears require more finesse than the double broadsword; because of the vivid descriptions in pingshu [traditional chinese storytelling], I was very enthusiastic in training the double spear.

One time, when M Tang was visiting Beijing, he saw me practicing the judge’s pens and lost his temper, saying “You were supposed to learn sword from M Shang! If you learn boxing but not sword from M Shang, you will have come to Beijing for nothing!” M Tang also said, anyone can pick up a staff and fight people with it, but most people would be at a loss to know what to do with a straight sword.

My name in Shang Yunxiang’s school was Li Yixia, which was chosen according to the ‘codex of names’ left behind by Liu Qilan; the generation after me all had the character ‘zhi’ [志, ambition] in their xingyi names. In the Shang tradition, learning the jian was a ceremonious affair. Every morning we would have to kow tow to the sword, as the hilt of the sword represents one’s teacher, hence the saying “To have the sword there is like having one’s teacher there”.

In gripping the sword, the little finger must be slightly hooked, out of respect for one’s teacher. In actual fact there is a reason to this hooking of little finger, namely that [in TCM] the little finger is connected to the eyes, if the little finger is continually hooked it can damage your eyesight. Some people experience loss of acuity after practicing xingyi, this is caused by ‘hooking’ the little finger too tightly. This kind of thing is what led to the saying ‘practicing xingyi invites bad luck [zhao xie]“; this saying is actually nonsense, the problems experienced by people after practicing xingyi are because they have not been taught in detail, and go against their own physiology.

The Tang school of xingyi traditionally had good relations with the Yanqing school [Yanqing quan being another name for Mizong, or 'lost-track' boxing], a relationship which had started with Li Cunyi. There was an old Yanqing master, a good friend of Li Cunyi, who was good at ‘tie dang gong’ [iron crotch skill] and liked to demonstrate this skill at the local public baths. Unfortunately, this master attracted the attention of a group of young men who started harassing him with slingshots. Having no disciples of his own to assist him, he passed a message onto M Tang asking for help.

In order to further my training, M Tang sent me to deal with it. Because I knew I was going up against slingshots, I packed a pair of judge’s pens into me knapsack. On the way to the bathhouse, I was waylaid by 3 muggers. I said “My bag is full of gold ingots, let’s go into this copse, and I’ll give you a share.”

They were shocked, but still followed me into the copse. The moment I took out the judge’s pens, they turned tail and fled. Maybe they thought I intended to kill them – all of this stuff was just youthful hijinks. In those days, M Tang’s reputation was a strong deterrent. I invited these guys to talk it out. At first, seeing that I was young, tried to browbeat me and just talked endlessly. Frustrated, I slapped the table (breaking a teapot in the process), at which they immediately promised that they wouldn’t harass Li cunyi’s friend any more. The truth is, they were afraid of M Tang.

Before I went out there, M Tang had said to me, “Don’t fight, try to reason with them.” I thought, if they were reasonable they wouldn’t have harassed an old man, that kind of person is not at home to reason.

That night, I stayed over at this Yanqing master’s house. He was very chatty, and we eventually got to talking about Xue Dian.

: Xue Dian’s 12 animals, taken from David Devere’s excellent website, www.emptyflower.com

He said that Xue Dian was one of Li Cunyi’s later disciples who Li was proud of, but who unexpectedly lost to his shixiong, Fu Changrong. The two of them suddenly crossed hands on the upper floor of a restaurant. With a ‘returning body palm’ [hui shen zhang], Xue Dian was knocked down the stairs. After he reached the bottom, Xue quickly stood up and, without a word, walked off. No-one knew where he had gone.

When Li Cunyi passed away, his friends came to pay their respects. Those who had come from afar would stay for 3-5 days. At the request of the Guo Shu Guan students, they would often perform their gongfu after dinner. One of them in particular, an extremely tall man, stunned the audience with his phenomenal speed. He announced himself as one of M Li’s disciples, causing one of the Guo Shu Guan students to say ”Our shifu never taught this”, to which he said: “I am Xue Dian.” Immediately subsequent to this, he issued a public challenge to Fu Changrong.

How To Live 100 Years: Re-Learning to Breathe

The famous comedian George Burns was once asked, “What’s the secret of Life,” of which he replied, “keep breathing.” Wise words from a guy that reached the ripe ol’ age of 100 (and two months).

The Chinese symbol to the left is Qi (pronounced “chee”). We’ve heard it plenty… some of us have read up on it… but every one of us has experienced it [just most of us haven't been aware of it]. When I speak to youngsters about qi, I often allude to the Star Wars films in which George Lucas replaced “Qi” with “the Force.” Qi is a term that means energy, or breath. It is the prime-mover of our existence and permeates throughout the universe.

There are different types of “Qi Training” (called Qigong) such as: Buddhist Qigong, Taoist Qigong, Wushu Qigong and Medical Qigong. Within these, the practitioner learn to harness and cultivate this energy for the purposes of: emitting, absorbing, cleansing, conditioning and healing. [Author's note: Wushu Qigong should not be attempted without a qualified teacher. Practitioners should also have a basic understanding of qi and qigong training before wushu qigong is attempted]. And yes, there are even methods: Natural, Differential, Reversed, Dantian, Embryonic and “method of no-method.” All have their benefits but it is the first (Natural Breathing Qigon) that we will focus on for purposes of “beginning at the root”, health and in developing a habit of “correct method” of breathing throughout of days.

Breathing and its link to good health makes plenty of sense. …for it’s the air we breathe, the oxygen that is delivered to the cells and the energetics at work that nurtures life. But it’s our awareness of our breath through both moving or non-moving activities that bolsters results.

Awareness: Concentrating on the “breath in” and the “breath out” focuses our mind internally and removes us from outside thoughts and common distractions. Thoughts will always enter in… it is just our nature as humans to think. But just as ripples appear on a pond… let the mind return to calm and think back to the breath as it is drawn into the body and finds its rest in the lower abdomen.

A MYTH: Healthy breathing does NOT mean expanding the chest and letting as much oxygen in as possible. By doing so, oxygen restricts the hemoglobin molecules and less is released to the cells.

THINK QUALITY OVER QUANTITY.

Quality: Soft. Quiet. Relaxed. Smooth… all of these should be words to describe “how you are breathing. As you breath into your nostrils (at a relaxed, steady pace), imagine the breath going all the way down to your abdomen (aka. dantian). By bringing your breath to your dantian, even smallest blood vessels will relax and open and will enrich your body with a greater flow of blood, oxygen and qi.
Natural or Diaphragmatic breathing:Breathe through the nose at a soft and steady rate and bring the breathe to the abdomen. Allow the abdomen to expand (by way of the breath, and not by your abdominal muscles pushing outwards). As you breathe out, do so by breathing out through the nose and allow the abdomen to contract/go inward.
Relax: This cannot be repeated enough. The better you are at relaxing, the greater the benefits you will attain from your practice. Bring your thoughts away from school, work or any other outside distractions. If your thoughts drift… return back. Over time, over practice… the “return” will be easier and easier.
Posture: There are many qigong postures and all of them will have to be adjusted slightly since we all are built differently. I have only 3 postures (which may be over simplified) and they are: standing, sitting and laying. I use each of these postures as throughout the day (as I am often in one of the 3 postures naturally). For instructional purposes, a standing posture should be made with a straight spine, head erect, knees slightly bent, arms by your side and the tip of the tongue resting softly behind the roof of the mouth (behind the first two teeth).

JOURNEY OF TAI JI

Lean With Back {Hanging Rock, NC} Many people in their professional life truly enjoy what they do (many do not, and that’s a shame). But it’s safe to say there are those that do enjoy their job. Even fewer, I believe, work without a single gripe. It’s huge bragging rights I know… but teaching (for me) gives a sense of joy like no other. Over the years, I’ve fielded lots of questions that I will repost here regarding the essence of Taijiquan and my method of teaching this lovely artform.

If you have a question that you’d like me to answer, please ask it in the comment section of this page and I’ll get to it as promptly as I can. Peace and love. -Coach

What is Taiji ?
- Let me first say that there is a misconception that continues to mystify most, and that is centered around two words: taiji (tai chi) and taijiquan (tai chi chuan). They are related but different. Taiji is a subtle principle within Taoist philosophy regarding the essence and relationship of nature to anything and everything. Taijiquan is an artful expression of movement that attempts to unify our physical nature with that which is universal. It is an exercise that stimulates and rejuvenates the mind and body but it can not be forgotten that it is also a wonderful martial art and can be used for self-defense. [sidenote: any of us simply use 'Taiji' to shorten a word by four letters per the example below. Just so you don't try to catch me later. Haha! Thought you had me!]
Is Chen Style Taiji for fighting & Yang Style for the elderly?
- No. Finding strength and learning to be soft are one and the same. Never set them apart just because they have a different look and appeal. Yang Style came from Chen Style, so in theory, technique and principle, they are also the same. Master Hong once wrote, “When we (Chen Stylists) look at Yang Chengfu’s (Yang Stylist’s) photos performing the ‘DaLu’, his sinking power into horse stance is perfect. No difference than Chen Style.”
How many years does the system take to master?
- There are people that are quick learners, but I can tell you with complete honesty that the system of Taijiquan is very special because it can take a lifetime to master. Incidently it can take a lifetime to only become mediocre. People should study the theory, hold true to the principles and practice correctly (daily) to reach a high level. In addition, I also want to say that I do not believe in holding a “rank” over another person. I always had a problem with another person calling me “master.” This type of ego-stroke… superiority is never a good thing and isn’t what the martial arts should be about. Learning and discovery is cooperative and hence, is why I am referred to as ”teacher, coach or laoshi.” I had an interesting talk with Dr. Yang, Jwing-ming (teacher and prolific writer) and it makes me smile to remember what he told me… he said, “You may call me ‘Yang’ or ’Dr.Yang’ or ‘teacher’… but you call me ‘Master’ and I call you ‘Slave.’”
- Although people succeed and become a better martial arts (in terms of movement and energy) when they devote time and enthusiasm to their practice… I’ve never advocated in my classes or workshops that long, grueling hours and standing mediations of extreme lengths of time (and boredom) are requisites. In this way, I’m not a teacher of the traditional ways. Becoming what others term “a master” is not what I look for… I ask the questions of “Do you enjoy what you are doing?”… “Do you enjoy HOW you do it?”… “Can you truly FEEL what you’re doing?” … by answering yes to one or all of these questions are all that really matters.
How do I find “naturalness?”
- It’s funny, and just one of the many contradictions of Taiji practice and this is “to be natural.” I remember speaking with my Taiji brother Ronnie Yee at Hunyuan World in 2003 and we had an interesting discussion on the subject. He made the point that we read that we should “flow like water”… “mental intention should be here (or there)”… “we should assume this posture for this length of time”… all of these words are in fact, unnatural for us (at least in the beginning). But what I (Michael Joyce) continue to tell my students is this: “The movements, breathwork, coordination… all of these are difficult for the beginner and is quite unnatural. This is simply because it is something foreign or new to us. Proper Taijiquan should be balanced (that is to say, neither 100% soft nor 100% hard/rigid)… done in a relaxed manner in hope to achieve what Bruce Lee termed ‘natural unnaturalness.’”

Finding the work ethic of Chen Fake (part 1)

A young Chen Fake Chen Fake is considered by many as the greatest Taijiquan master of the century. Born as “Fusheng” in the village of Chenjiaguo, in Henan Province, China, Master Chen grew up to become an extraordinary martial artist and teacher through persistant practice, respect for his family background (ancestors all masterful in Taijiquan), and love of the artform.

From reading about Chen Fake, through the words of his disciple, the late Hong Junsheng (and my teacher Chen “Joseph” Zhonghua), I’ve developed a deep admiration for the man and for his accomplishments as an artist and teacher. If one was to sum up in the man in terms of his gift of Taijiquan, these two characteristics must be mentioned,

Firstly, it was with the dent of hardwork and preserverence that harvested this amazing gongfu skill. Secondly, Master Chen never withheld anything from his teaching. His students asked and they were given an answer. In most cases, a detailed understanding. Withholding anything is strictly for the ego.

Lesson 1: Work, Work, Work

Part 1 is dedicated to that which is most important. To accomplish anything in life, we must put forth effort…never an aimless attempt… but a steady, direct and focused study of that which we feel we must accomplish. The word “work” being just another of those four-letter words that, for many, initiate a conditioned response of dread… is just the first problem of many. Our first direction should be to make work into something else. For me, when I’m teaching, studying, or training in Taijiquan or fencing…I’m “play”ing. So, in essence, hardwork might best be called hardplaying. The only criteria one must follow (after this change in vernacular) should a change in “how we play.” Whether we are playing the piano, ice skating, or doing a martial art form we should look to our actions a heavenly experience and never anything reminiscent of a chore. Embrace your bliss with your entire being and you’ll be surprised at the growth and jubilance (I may have just made that word up, but from “jubilant”) that follows.

Those with anything to add or comment on… please please please.

Liu Yun Chiao (1909 - 1992)

Grandmaster Liu
Yun Chiao

This world famous martial artist started as a weak boy in Cang County, HeBei province, China. Liu Yun Chiao, destined to leave his country and to become an internationally renown Kung Fu instructor, started as a youth in such poor straits that his father hired the service of a Kung Fu instructor just to see if he could be brought back to health. Young Liu's first teacher was named Chang Yao Ting and he taught the boy such unusual styles as Tai Tzu Chang Chuan (The First Emperor of the Sung Dynasty's Long Fist) and Mi Zong (The Lost Track Style). Liu gradually regained his health and showed a marked interest in Kung Fu. So his father hired the services of a very famous master, Li Shu Wen. This master was known as an expert in two styles: BaJi and PiGua, both beatiful and powerful forms of martial arts. The first was based on the energies of the Bear and the Tiger, the latter on the Snake and the Eagle. Li's method was good but torturously difficult. The young Liu spent his first year in nothing but training stances.

Grandmaster Liu
Yun Chiao performing BaJi.

Li Shu Wen was already in his sixties when he taught young Liu, who was to become Li's last real disciple. But Liu gained the benefit of all Li's advanced knowledge and theories. Then Liu continued his study to include Six Harmony Praying Mantis (from Ding Zi Cheng) and BaGua Palms (from General Gong Bao Tian).

Liu entered the army and fought against the Japanese invasion starting in 1937 and for eight more years. He then moved to Taiwan and became commander of the airborn troops there along with other military positions. He also became the head training officer for all of Chiang Kai Shek's bodyguards. While thus engaged he taught many students in Taiwan and organzied the association known as Wu Tan which has produced many graduates. Liu Yun Chiao's students include many of great fame such as
Adam Hsu, Su Yu Chang, Tony Yang and Jason Tsou.

Grandmaster Liu Yun Chiao (black) with his mantis teacher on his right.

Bruce Lee Quotes

Bruce Lee

QUOTES BY BRUCE LEE

A good fight should be like a small play, but played seriously. A good martial artist does not become tense, but ready. Not thinking, yet not dreaming. Ready for whatever may come. When the opponent expands, I contract. When he contracts, I expand. And when there is an opportunity, I do not hit. It hits all by itself.

"Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend."

Opponent: "What's your style?"
Bruce Lee's Response: "I call it , the art of fighting without fighting"

"a kick is a kick and a punch is a punch..."

"With emotional content, not anger!"

“Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable.”

“All fixed set patterns are incapable of adaptability or pliability. The truth is outside of all fixed patterns.”

“If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.”

“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”

“using no way as a way, using no limitations as a limitation.”

“Showing off is the fool's idea of glory.”

“As you think, so shall you become.”

“I am learning to understand rather than immediately judge or to be judged. I cannot blindly follow the crowd and accept their approach. I will not allow myself to indulge in the usual manipulating game of role creation. Fortunately for me, my self-knowledge has transcended that and I have come to understand that life is best to be lived and not to be conceptualized. I am happy because I am growing daily and I am honestly not knowing where the limit lies. To be certain, every day there can be a revelation or a new discovery. I treasure the memory of the past misfortunes. It has added more to my bank of fortitude.”

“If you make an ass out of yourself, there will always be someone to ride you”

“Simplicity is the key to brilliance”

“The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering.”

“Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one's potential.”

“"A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer."
“Forget about winning and losing, forget about pride and pain”

“Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not you go out and look for a successfull personality an duplicate it.”

“Let an opponent graze your skin and you smash into his flesh; let an opponent smash into your flesh and youfracture his bone; let an opponent fracture your bone and you take his life! Do not be concerned with your escaping safely; lay your life before him!”

“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”

“Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.”

“A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.”

“Real living is living for others.”

"Take things as they are. Punch when you have to punch. Kick when you have to kick.”

“As long as I can remember I feel I have had this great creative and spiritual force within me that is greater than faith, greater than ambition, greater than confidence, greater than determination, greater than vision. It is all these combined. My brain becomes magnetized with this dominating force which I hold in my hand.”

“If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you'll never get it done.”

“Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them.”

“The possession of anything begins in the mind”

“Man, the living creature, the creating individual, is always more important than any established style or system.”

“If you love life, don't waste time, for time is what life is made up of.”

“A quick temper will make a fool of you soon enough.”

"To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities.”

“When there is freedom from mechanical conditioning, there is simplicity. The classical man is just a bundle of routine, ideas and tradition. If you follow the classical pattern, you are understanding the routine, the tradition, the shadow - you are not understanding yourself.”

“I am not teaching you anything. I just help you to exlplore yourself”

“The less effort, the faster and more powerful you will be.”

“Knowledge will give you power, but character respect.”

"Obey the principles without being bound by them.”

“If you want to learn to swim jump into the water. On dry land no frame of mind is ever going to help you”

“It's not the daily increase but daily decrease. Hack away at the unessential.”

“To me, the extraordinary aspect of martial arts lies in its simplicity. The easy way is also the right way, and martial arts is nothing at all special; the closer to the true way of martial arts, the less wastage of expression there is.”

“Take no thought of who is right or wrong or who is better than. Be not for or against.”

“"To know oneself is to study oneself in action with another person."”

“Let the spirit out - Discard all thoughts of reward, all hopes of praise and fears of blame, all awareness of one's bodily self. And, finally closing the avenues of sense perception, let the spirit out, as it will.”

"We have more faith in what we imitate than in what we create"

"Its like a finger pointing to the moon (slap) don't concentrate on the finger or you will miss all of that heavenly Glory!"

"Board don't hit back!"

"Learn the principle, abide by the principle, and dissolve the principle.

"Like a cobra, your strike should be felt before it is seen."

"A fight is not won by one punch or kick. Either learn to endure or hire a bodyguard."

"Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way round or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.
Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it ... becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend."

"Man, the living creature, the creating individual, is always more important than any established style or system."

"knowing is not enough, we must apply, and willing is not enough, we must do!"

Yigal Arbiv From Netanya

"YIGAL OF NETANYA"
By WR Mann
President, Realfighting
www.realfighting.com

If there’s anyplace in the Middle East that resembles America’s 19th century Wild West, it has to be Netanya, Israel.This notorious city north of Tel Aviv is home to Russian mobsters and active terrorists; it is also home to Krav Maga’s toughest school. This is where Haim Gidon heads the governing body for Krav Maga worldwide, the Israeli Krav Maga Association (IKMA).

As every western town had its Bat Masterson, or Wyatt Erpp, Netanya has Yigal Arbiv. Born in Hadera, a town just north of Netanya, Yigal is a security specialist for one of Netanya’s schools, protecting children from the ever constant threat of terrorism. As is often the case with children who wear glasses, Yigal was picked on when he was a youth; this prompted him to learn self-defense. After several months of studying Tae Kwon Do, he met with Haim Gidon, leader and co-founder of the IKMA and has trained with Haim for fifteen years since.

As required of all eligible Israelis, Yigal joined the military (paratroopers) when he was of age, and became a weapons specialist. There he learned how the Israeli military fights, using a fieldstripped version of the Krav Maga learned in Haim’s school. The Israeli army [like other armies] doesn’t have the time to train their recruits in eastern martial arts (which can take years) they need to make soldiers out of these men in months. Since the Israel’s statehood, Israel’s defense and security forces have used stripped-down versions of Krav Maga. As Israel faced its security challenges, Krav Maga evolved and continues to refine itself to this day.

After leaving the army, Yigal attended Wingate, Israel’s national sports institute, an exclusive training academy for instructors and coaches. (Grandmaster Haim Gidon sits on Wingate’s professional board as the recognized head of Krav Maga.) Yigal landed a job at Wingate and eventually started working in school security, protecting students from terrorists. Yigal has a close relationship with Haim who teaches his students not only to be good fighters, but to be good citizens as well. Now teaching Krav Maga fulltime in Israel, Yigal agrees with Haim’s philosophy, “be careful who you teach,” they don’t want students with ill intentions.

Not commonly known, there are several interpretations of Krav Maga within Israel and abroad, more often splinter groups that are offshoots of the main style. But Yigal prefers Haim’s teaching, as did Krav Maga’s founder, Imi Lichtenfeld. (Imi also qualified several high ranking American instructors beginning in 1981.) Due to this constant field-testing; Krav Maga’s knife and gun defense are finely honed and world renowned.

As you can imagine, security work in a town rife with terrorists and gangsters is a daunting task. Yigal says, in Netanya, people attack you with weapons first, that is; guns, knives, axes, and broken bottles (among other things), you only have a split second to react. When dealing with weapons, Yigal says, the most important thing to do, after you neutralize your opponent, is to remove the weapon from his reach. There are several incidents where a downed opponent regained consciousness, picked up his weapon and disabled or killed the defender, or the attacker’s cohorts used the weapon against the defender.

Haim Gidon (who teaches police units in Israel and around the world) recently prepared Yigal for a recent visit to New York City. Yigal, in conjunction with David Kahn, another of Haim’s instructors, taught advanced techniques to state and local law enforcement units, including the latest close quarters anti-terrorist training.

Yigal and David (who is the official IKMA representative in New York City) were kind enough to meet me at Chau’s Martial Arts Center during their hectic schedule to show us some of the latest weapons defenses from Haim’s school. We have a series of pictures that show the basic concepts of weapons against weapons, and unarmed defense against weapons. Starting with this issue, we will show two photo series demos per month until April.

Sudden unprovoked knife attack against armed guard
Unarmed defense against MP-5 assailant from the rear

Unarmed defense against shotgun, from the front
Disarm and escape form assailant holding micro-explosive

6 POINTS FOR GUN DEFENSE

Events of the last several years have finally sent the “wake-up call” to the entire world. The United States begrudgingly joins with many countries in the sobering realization that safety is no longer a guarantee. Most are beginning to see the big picture. Crime and terrorism are no longer threats that happen to someone else. Violations of public and personal safety have become increasingly open and brazen.

One of the weapons most utilized on the streets is a firearm.

In the eyes of the Instructors within the LOTAR / Kapap system dealing with real world, self-defense is of paramount importance, and it is for this reason that one of the most practiced components of LOTAR / Kapap is weapon defense.

LOTAR / Kapap was forged from the experience of continuous conflict. The evolution of the techniques and methods utilized within the LOTAR / Kapap system have all been proven and tested within one of the worlds most active and elite Anti Terrorist Units. This unit, known as the “YAMAM” understands all too well that the consequences of mistakes mean life or death.

LOTAR / Kapap specializes in streamlining the techniques until all that is left are natural and effective techniques to deal with a threat in the quickest and most instinctive way possible. The Instructors at LOTAR / Kapap have trained numerous Law Enforcement and Military personnel in self-defense and anti-terrorist techniques for many years. However, the LOTAR / Kapaptechniques are now being shared with the public for the first time outside of Israel.

Leading the progression of LOTAR / Kapap training out of the LOTAR / Kapap Training is former Israeli Defense Force Major Avi Nardia , Major Avi Nardia is a veteran martial artist and former LOTAR/ Kapap instructor for the “YAMAM” utilize and have developed the six basic points of Firearm defense.

1. Field of Fire
Understanding the direction and distance or point of fire of the weapon. This includes understanding the “field of fire” in which the weapon can be fired, as well as the distance or range in which the ammunition can cause harm.

2. Understanding the Weapon
Understanding the weapon and how it is utilized. Remember edged weapons never run out of ammo but guns do. Firearms can jam or malfunction. With proper instruction you can learn techniques to effectively cause a weapon’s malfunction while disarming an attacker. It is for this reason; an understanding of a firearm’s mechanism is of paramount importance. You should be able to understand and identify the differences between a revolver and a semi automatic weapon; the difference between a Handgun and a Shotgun or rifle.

3. Situation Evaluation
Evaluate in an attempt to controlling the psychological aspect of your situation. Focus and stay in control of your emotions. For most training is required to stay calm and focused internally in spite of your outward appearance. Your body language can easily escalate an already emotionally charged situation. The attacker’s body language can provide clues as to his intentions. You must train to begin an understanding of techniques in attempting to control the situation verbally and physically. You must evaluate the attacker. Is he a punk kid that is very excited and seemingly inexperienced or is he a professional criminal that is under control? Understand that if you see the weapon, it is probable the attacker does not have the intention to just shoot, the attacker wants something. This behavior on the part of the attacker can allow you valuable moments, giving you the time to make choices. To defend or not to defend.

4. Timing
Understand and train in the use of Timing. You must learn to utilize timing to your advantage. If your evaluated decision or only option is to attempt to disarm an attacker, you must move quickly, decisively and unsuspectingly to control and take the weapon away, like a magician that is trying to make a watch disappear off of someone’s wrist.

5. Situational Awareness
Possess awareness of your surrounding environment. You must be aware of your surroundings at all times. An attacker seeks the unaware and unsuspecting. In every surrounding make mental notes of potential escape routes, items that can be used as weapons and other people that will be placed in harms way should a threat or conflict arise. In the case of an attacker with a firearm, you must pay attention to where the bullet will be discharged if fired. Either as a law enforcement officer with your partner or a civilian with a bystander or family member, you must know where others are located when moving the weapon.

6. Post Conflict Details
Be ready for the post conflict. It has been found that people who have been attacked often do not remember the face of the attacker even though they were looking right at it. Remain calm and remember to visualize and take mental notes of details. Try to take a mental photograph of the attacker’s face, clothes, weapon, and any distinguishing marks on the person body or vehicle.

In conclusion we need to point out the key elements essential to these points are awareness, timing, speed and understanding distance. You must pay very close attention to controlling the weapon before any additional strikes or action. Once the weapon in truly in your control then you can strike to multiple targets as your style and situation delegates. You must practice the techniques with each hand as well as under different types of stress levels i.e. Cardio intensive workouts. Also change lighting and environments to follow real world scenarios. Proper and continued training in these six basic points of firearm defense may very well make the difference between life and death when faced with real world threats. Don’t be caught unprepared it might be the last mistake you make!

HAT SOMETHING MORE FOUND IN THE MARTIAL ARTS

What is that "something more" that practicing martial arts can provide? Isn't martial arts just about getting in shape and learning to fight? If you're one of those people that writes martial arts off as people just learning how to fight, you're missing the most important thing there is in martial arts. The latest thing in martial arts doesn't help the perception of martial arts either. What you see on TV with the Ultimate Fighting Championships can be entertaining, it is really a combat sport. The distinction between that and the "something more" in martial arts I am referring to is important to understand.

Although having the ability to handle yourself when you get into a real life situation is important, martial arts goes way beyond that. The most important part is that 'something more' that martial arts offers. And you don't find it many other places. Its really a world unknown to most of people that aren't familiar with the eastern arts.

Many of these eastern martial arts are intertwined with centuries of asian philosophy. These same martial arts follow ideas found within the fabric of the eastern way of life. Asian principles of energy and medicine go hand-in-hand with the principles of many martial arts. True martial arts are really about connecting with yourself. Studying martial arts takes you to a higher level of awareness about yourself and the world around you. That "something more" in martial arts opens new windows of understanding as you discover more about yourself.

Martial arts teaches you to think outside of the box. It shows you that there are no limits other than the ones you place upon yourself. Self-knowledge transcends and you begin to understand that life is best to be lived and not to be conceptualized. Every day there can be a revelation or a new discovery. You learn to treasure the memory of your past misfortunes as they add more to your bank of fortitude.

Martial arts also develops your instinctive urge for expansion and growth. It teaches sincere and honest development of your full potential. By humbling yourself and dedicating yourself to being a student of the martial arts for life you begin to understand that the power of the journey is more important than the destination. These lessons are holistic. They can be directly applied in your work and into your life. After all, its just a path to find out more about yourself.

Martial Myths

The myths that really irritate me the most revolve around fighting and self-defense, and students regularly ask me about these. I’ve listed 10 of the more prominent myths in this article. Believe it or not, a great majority of people still believe these to be indisputable facts.

Myth #1:
The one-punch kill!

This is numero uno, the biggest myth of all; I can’t believe so many people still fall for this one. Most healthy people on this planet are extremely resilient and very hard to kill with empty hands. There are however instances where a person may have a personal weakness that can lead to extreme injury or death. Case-in-point, an incident that happened in New York years ago. A few guys riding in an open jeep were trying to make a right turn. A pedestrian was moving too slowly for their taste and a shouting match ensued. Next, a passenger hopped out of the Jeep and reverse punched this guy in the chest. He immediately collapsed and died on the spot! The newspapers issued a statement “karate man kills pedestrian with one punch!”

It was later discovered during the autopsy, that the victim had a particular heart condition that would have killed him if he had fallen down a flight of stairs the wrong way -- no one-hit-kill, just a person predisposed to a particular tragic condition. Even karate legend, Egami in his book several years ago, admits there is no such thing as a one-strike-kill, he even went further and stated karate punches were the least powerful among all the types of punching styles he reviewed. The one-punch kill is undoubtedly a myth that was propagated to instill fear and misinformation, too bad many intelligent people still believe it.

Myth #2:
Every professional boxer’s hands are registered with the police; therefore most people have little to fear if an altercation is about to ensue in public.

Wrong! A boxer’s just has to obtain a license in order to fight in the ring. In most cases the promoter will help him attain it. Boxer’s do not register themselves with any authority whatsoever. Having a license has no bearing on whether or not he will punch your lights out if he chooses to do so. He may in fact be the first one to deck you. Remember Tyson and Green?

Myth #3:
Version 2 of the above myth: My martial artist instructor has such dangerous hands that he had to register them with the police.

If I had a dollar every time I heard this myth I would be living in a multi-million dollar condo on 5th Ave. There is NO SUCH THING. The typical story goes, “my instructor is so deadly that he had to register his hands with the local police.” It never happened and doesn’t exist. If someone tells you this story ask to see the documentation – there will be NONE!

Myth #4:
My master’s hands are so tough and so well conditioned, he can break any inanimate objects at will, and feels no pain.

Conditioning limbs and body parts to break inanimate objects are as old as man. It does take skill and time to become conditioned, but it has nothing to do with martial arts and more to do with circus performing. The ability to break huge slabs of ice, bricks and boards doesn’t necessarily mean you can fight. I knew a bricklayer who would break stacks of bricks with a moderate slap. He never studied martial arts in his life.

Actually if you closely observe breaking contests you’ll notice that there’s more ingenuity used than power or martial skill. In most cases boards, stones, bricks and tiles are carefully spaced, this creates a domino effect to help break the entire stack. Training to break inanimate objects is also not healthy, it can injure bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. One of the more famous breaking acts was Mas Oyama's breaking off of bull’s horns, which wasn’t as noble as you may have heard. He procured sick bulls (tied up inside pens) and would attempt several strikes before the bull would go down. When he got older, he had so much pain in his hands due to arthritis that he could barely use them.

Myth #5:
My master is impervious to pain [anywhere on his body] and no matter how hard I hit him, it has no effect.

Anyone can train to take full body shots to any part of the body with minimum effect; I’m not saying it’s easy; it’s a skill unto itself. This again has nothing to do with martial arts; this is more related to many documented turn-of-the-century circus tricks. If you observe these exhibitions carefully, you’ll notice that practitioners prepare themselves mentally for the strikes in a similar fashion that a yogi would prepare himself to walk on fire or lie on a bed of nails. What you never see though, are these same individuals summoning these super-protective powers during a real fight. Light a fire in your yard and invite a yogi to take a walk; you’ll be waiting a long time!

Myth # 6:
My master has mystical or supernatural powers

Never happened, never will! These stories usually come from China and other parts of Asia and refer to the vibrating palm, the death touch, flying etc. Again, if you understand China, you’ll appreciate the cultural foundation is based on mysticism and not practicality.

I recently overheard a hilarious conversation in a New York Chinese martial arts shop. A customer and the shopkeeper were seriously discussing how to fly kung-fu style. They both were comparing notes and scoffed at the general public for being non-believers. These guys were serious! I almost exploded in laughter.

I have been to China many times and after coming across some very famous masters who weren’t very accomplished fighters, I finally met a (non-martial art) scholar who cleared up this myth. He told me, in the old days, if anyone died outside of the normal physical injuries [during a fight], it probably happened in two very distinct ways. #1. The person could have been predisposed to a certain injury, that is, he had a weak heart, an aneurysm or something similar, or #2. poison was used. In China, weapons as well as finger picks were used to transmit various poisons. A slight touch and the victim would die within a few days and the mysterious death touch would be credited.

Myth #7:
I practice the real style, not the watered-down styles everyone else practices.

These statements started gaining popularity with the advent of the UFC. All of a sudden traditional martial arts were on the defensive, why, they were losing all the time. The only recourse was to say that everyone else was studying the watered down version, and that a real master didn’t fight in the ring, he only fought to the death. I noticed this trend specifically with wing chun, aikido and karate. I had a conversation with a wing chun practitioner last year. He informed me that his master’s master was better than Bruce Lee’s master’s master. Well if you recall, Bruce Lee created Jeet Kune Do because he had lost faith in wing chun as a fighting style? Many Karate practitioners use this line as well, “well my master was the true master, not the phony master, but he only teaches from his cave because he’s so deadly.”

Myth #8:
Learning how to defend yourself from a dangerous situation takes years of training!

Absolutely not! Studying traditional martial arts for 10 or 20 years doesn’t necessarily mean you can fight. Being able to defend yourself from a violent street attack can take as little as a few weeks of intensive training. We’re not talking about developing cage fighting skills, merely defense and escape. I’ve seen great results with individuals who studied basic combatives for a week and maintained a serious and ongoing practice schedule. Most street fights are won more with awareness, a proper mindset and the will and determination to do whatever’s necessary.

Myth #9:
The military and police all know how to fight!

Nothing could be farther from the truth. Reflecting on all the military and LE personnel I’ve taught, over the years, these guys can’t fight. Of course there are a few who have outstanding skills, but for the most part, they are the exception. The state sees soldiers and police as expendable. The military doesn’t have the time and resources to promote a long-term hand-to-hand program; soldiers and police use guns predominantly.

Myth #10:
It was meant to be (aka. it happened for a reason)

I saved this one for last. Although it’s not directly related to martial arts or self-defense, it is however an important contributing factor to a person’s mindset. And when it comes to fighting, we all know, mindset is 95% of the equation.

The phrases, “It was meant to be,” or, “it happened for a reason” is most commonly used when a tragedy occurs, and I can sympathize. However, many people have a difficult time accepting that things can happen randomly in the universe.

The mudslide that killed a relative wasn’t planned specifically to wipe out that person. The shark that killed a schoolgirl didn’t get its instructions from a higher power, things happen at random often, cause and effect.

Many individuals, both religious and non-religious use this statement to explain their own failure. For a secularist these statements make no sense since they don’t believe in any omniscient or omnipotent being controlling their lives. For fate to be in control is out of the question for them.

For religious individuals it doesn’t make any sense either, since all religions believe that individuals always have the choice over good and evil. If we indeed do have a choice, then the choices we make are up to us, not an outside force. The reason I dislike this statement so much is because it’s used as a crutch, to the point that a person gives up the chance of winning.

Ten Best – The Fighters of 2009

It was another memorable year in the UFC, and 2010 has even more action in store beginning with UFC 108 on January 2nd. But before we close the book on 2009, we will end our unofficial awards season with a look at the top fighters to grace the Octagon over the past 12 months.

10 – Jon Jones
If you haven’t been paying attention to the rapid rise of Jon Jones, where have you been for the last year? A New York phenom who passed his first big test in January when he easily decisioned Stephan Bonnar, “Jonny Bones” went on to submit Jake O’Brien at UFC 100 in July before ending the year on what could have been a downer as he was disqualified for illegal elbows against Matt Hamill. But the dominating performance by Jones before the finish was such that more people are talking about his talent and limitless future than the end result. If everything keeps going the way it has, expect to see Jones on these lists for years to come.

9 – Nate Marquardt
As I mentioned in the “Best Knockouts of 2009,” Nate Marquardt went from being a nice guy in and out of the Octagon to a nice guy who saved his smiles for the time before and after the cage door closed. Now when the bell rings, Marquardt is intent on taking opponents out, and he did just that in 2009 with impressive knockouts of Wilson Gouveia and Demian Maia, the latter coming in just 21 seconds. I kinda like the “new” Nate, and I would guess that fight fans are probably are on board as well.

8 – Dan Henderson
Sure, his former Team Quest teammate Randy Couture first popularized the line ‘not bad for an old man’ after beating Tim Sylvia back in 2007, but Dan Henderson – at 39 years old – certainly earned the right to use it as well after a big 2009. Henderson’s year began with his January win over Rich Franklin, and the victory earned him a coaching spot on The Ultimate Fighter show that exposed him to a new audience of mainstream fans that may not have followed his storied pre-UFC career. But it was his July knockout of his TUF coaching rival, Michael Bisping, that truly got casual observers of the sport paying attention to the former PRIDE two-division champion.

7 – Cain Velasquez
Just 4-0 as a pro when the year began, Cain Velasquez went from ‘next big thing’ to ‘heavyweight title threat’ in the space of three 2009 fights that saw him stop Denis Stojnic, survive some flush power shots to batter and decision Cheick Kongo, and then run through legit contender Ben Rothwell in less than two rounds. With performances like that, Velasquez is right on time for what will be his biggest test in February against heavyweight legend Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira.

6 – Dan Hardy
As Nottingham’s Dan Hardy entered 2009, he was coming off a close decision win over Akihiro Gono, and most observers believed that he would have a bit of a climb to get a shot at the welterweight title. Then came a stirring knockout of Rory Markham, a close win over Marcus Davis in one of the most heated grudge matches of the year, and a clear-cut victory over Mike Swick. All of a sudden, “The Outlaw” had made his climb – three steps at a time – and he will now face Georges St-Pierre in early 2010. Add Hardy’s charisma and ease with the media to the mix, and not only was a contender made in 2009, but a star was born.

5 – Mauricio “Shogun” Rua
Once one of the most feared fighters in the world, former PRIDE star Shogun Rua’s reputation took a hit after he lost his UFC debut to Forrest Griffin in September of 2007 and was forced to undergo two knee surgeries. But 2009 has seen the revival of the Brazilian’s career, and even though he was less than impressive in dispatching Mark Coleman in January, he did stop ‘The Hammer’, and he certainly looked back in form in knocking out Chuck Liddell in April. But it was his five round battle with Lyoto Machida in October that truly saw the resurrection of Rua, as he pushed the champion to the brink, only to lose a controversial decision. In 2010, Rua will get another shot at “The Dragon”, but for now, it’s safe to say that the old Shogun is back.

4 – BJ Penn
By the time February rolled around, it didn’t look like it was going to be a great year for Hawaiian icon BJ Penn, considering his one-sided welterweight loss to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 94. But around the middle of the year, Penn got a new attitude when it came to his fighting life, and with an August submission of Kenny Florian and a December destruction of Diego Sanchez, “The Prodigy” had not only defeated two top challengers to his crown, he established himself as the greatest 155-pound fighter the UFC had even seen. How’s that for a turnaround?

3 – Anderson Silva
With a 2009 cut short due to injury, fight fans only got to see the pound for pound king twice this year, but in those two bouts, he proved why he’s considered to be the best in the game. In April, Silva successfully defended his middleweight crown with a decision win over Thales Leites in which he may have gone 25 minutes without getting hit cleanly once. And though that victory may have been less than scintillating, action-wise, “The Spider”s return to 205 pounds certainly remedied that as he stopped former light heavyweight champ Forrest Griffin in the first round with a frightening display of precision striking, forever cementing the fact that if you want to engage with Silva, the end result might not be pretty.

2 – Lyoto Machida
After a career defining decision win over Tito Ortiz at UFC 84 in May of 2008, it was clear that Lyoto Machida would be moving on to bigger and better things in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. How he would fare in those bouts was still a question mark though, despite his unbeaten record and wins over the likes of Ortiz, Rich Franklin and BJ Penn. There are no questions now, after the Brazilian knocked out previously unbeaten Thiago Silva in January, and then repeated the feat in May over Rashad Evans, a win that earned him the UFC light heavyweight title. And despite a razor-thin decision win over Mauricio Rua in his first title defense in October, “The Dragon” is still standing atop the 205-pound weight class and ready for what should be a very interesting 2010 campaign.

1 – Georges St-Pierre

Beating BJ Penn and Thiago Alves in successive bouts is impressive. Doing it without losing a round in either fight is nothing short of amazing. But that’s what St-Pierre did in defending his UFC welterweight title twice in 2009, first by scoring a TKO victory in his January superfight with lightweight champion Penn, and then following that up with a decision win over Alves in which he had to battle through the final ten minutes of the fight with a groin injury suffered in the third round. If anything, St-Pierre seems to be getting better with every fight, a scary proposition for anyone competing at 170 pounds.

Women In The Martial Arts - Anita Wilson

1st Lady Assistant to Sensei Henry Ellis
Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido
Anita Wilson was graded to Shodan by Jiro Nakazono Sensie the second son of the legendary Budo master who had graded her teacher Henry Ellis in 1963.

I was born in West London in 1963, my father was very involved in the martial arts and a dan grade in Karate he was also a dealer in ancient Japanese arms and armour, although my father has an antiques shop in London’s Bond Street, my home was more like a samurai warriors dressing room, with original suits of Japanese armour complete with very frighting face masks that would frighten the life out of my friends when ever they came to visit, there were also very many valuable swords yari and naginata spears.

The Masters

My father would travel around the world searching for the best quality weapons, what intrigued me the most as a child was all these strange visitors that would come to my home, the famous Otani family were regular visitors with Sensei Matsuro Otani 7th dan Judo the UK National Coach, Kenshiro Abbe Sensei, Tomio Otani Sensei the UK National Coach for Kendo, his visitors were like the who’s who of martial arts, as recently as two weeks ago I was pleased to meet with Sensei Kazuo Chiba 8th dan when he came to see my father.

Introduction to Aikido

As a child I did a little Karate with my father but nothing serious until 1992 when I went to the local Aikido dojo in Bracknell, Berkshire, UK. All those years with my father and his Japanese weapons must have had a latent but profound effect on me, as I watched Sensei Ellis teaching his Positive Style of Traditional Aikido I knew there and then that this was the martial art for me.

The Hard Training Begins

When I started Aikido I made a point of training with the men and they treated me as one of them. With regular practice I progressed. I had now developed the hard training bug and started courses in physical training and amateur weight lifting, after a few years of hard work I became a fully qualified fitness instructor-personal trainer and amateur weight lifting coach, the high light of all this effort was when Sensei Ellis promoted me to assistant coach of the Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido (ESTA) two years later he promoted me to first lady assistant to himself, there had never ever been a lady assistant in all the long history of the ESTA, Sensei put me on a three month trial and 8 year on I am still here.

In 1994 I received my coaching certificate from the British Aikido Board (BAB) which is the governing body for Aikido in the UK. Once I became assistant to Sensei Ellis I became involved in assisting in teaching both men and women and also helping with the children’s classes.

The First Seminar

Sensei Ellis asked if I would like to take part in a very large and important seminar in Liverpool in the North of England, Sensei Ellis is not one of those teachers who has a pet uke follow him around to fly all over the mat at a touch or a glance, he prefers to try to involve all the students who attend his seminars if possible, knowing this I felt very privileged but nervous when Sensei told me there would be about 700 students from various martial arts, I think the phrase “Being thrown in at the deep end” is applicable here.

On arrival at the venue I was amazed to see so many students from so many countries, UK-France-Germany-Italy-India-Austria are just some that I can recall. Sensei Ellis was asked to take the first class of approximately 50 dan grades from various martial arts. Sensei had me demonstrate 100 press-ups on the backs of my wrists with fingers pointing both inwards and outwards. When I had finished and was in the raised position Sensei sat on my back (he did not warn me of this) and carried on with his lecture. Sensei suggested that those who wanted to should try this exercise. It was amazing to see all these black belts struggling. Later I had a little crowd around me wanting to inspect my wrists, I explained that this exercise is standard for both seniors and juniors in our schools.

I was now feeling a little more confident when Sensei pointed out that there were six young dan grades who had arrived late and were respectfully waiting for permission to come onto the mat. Sensei asked me to show them what we had been teaching so far, they were all wearing black gi’s and when I approached and invited them on the mat, they scowled as if to say “hey, we have not traveled all the way from London to be taught by a women” as I showed the first technique “nikkyo” a wrist locking action, the first guy tried to resist me, I applied the technique as shown to me so many times by Sensei and almost put him through the mat. I thought he would be upset with me, but as he got up he asked “How did you do that?”. He then wanted me to do the technique on all the others, now I had their attention and they were a great bunch of guy’s. I really enjoyed teaching them. At the end of the seminar, as we were leaving the hall to head for the car park, these six guy’s were waiting in a line and bowed to me simultaneously with a smile and said to Sensei Ellis ” You have a strong lady assistant there ,sensei” Sensei replied ” That is why she is my assistant”. That was my first seminar and one that I will never forget.

I have been involved in many other seminars with my Sensei and they were always good, but I was never so overawed as I was at my first one, or so I thought. Then Sensei Ellis asked if I would like to visit New Mexico in the USA for a seminar. The seminar was to be held in Alamogordo NM, where Sensei’s USA representative in the US lives and works at the Space Museum. Sensei visits New Mexico every year and we have another Ellis dan grade in Texas, Al Montemar. I had always wanted to visit the US and jumped at the opportunity. We made the trip into a vacation for friends and family. We taught members of the USAF and German Air Force at Holloman AFB, which included a guided tour of the base and various fighter aircraft, including the Stealth bomber. Sensei Rogers is an instructor who teaches students from the USAF, Highway Patrol, police and some members of the United States Marshals.

While in the US, I also visited the Grand Canyon and Phoenix. I intend to move to Phoenix to live within the next two to three years. Sensei Ellis has a book on aikido coming out next spring in the US titled “Positive Aikido” which I am pleased to be featured in, Sensei Rogers is a journalist by profession and has worked on this book for the past two years and it will be published in the US. There are several publishers interested in the book so we are all very excited about this latest project. I hope to be visiting the US again next year and I hope to be there for the launching of the book.

For the martial artists out there I would like to add one more comment about the proposed book. Where as most Aikido books spend a great deal of time harmonizing with the planets and the universe, there will be none of that in this book, Sensei always tells students to come out of the clouds and get back on the tatami because “This is where it all happens” and he also often says ” leave the dancing to Fred Astair” (who is Fred Astair?).

Anita Wilson
Assistant to Sensei Ellis

Posted by Henry Ellis Co-author of Positive Aikido.

http://www.EllisAikido.org

Top 10 MMA Pound For Pound Fighter Rankings

http://thefastertimes.com/mma/files/2009/08/fedor-emelianenko-10.jpg

Mixed Martial Arts i think this sports like mortal combat (just kidding), really i not understand about this sports, it's very new for me but i want a create a label MMA Pound For Pound for my blog, because of that's i make some article with MMA topic, you are right dude i create this article for MMA Pound For Pound Seo Contest from promo junkie, i want compete with seo master, i want learn from they, i just do it dude, in pound for pound competition power and stamina really important, strategy too i forgot it.

Mixed Martial Arts is a sports with full body contact, so prepare your body if want become a player i MMA, i think you must have personal physician dude because this sports is really extreme, must have strong endurance to play it, the fighter like B.J. Penn always keep their body and always practice for an opponent, i believe B.J. Penn have a strong power and stamina, if you are kid don't try at home, because this sport really dangerous for children.

This Top 10 MMA Pound For Pound Fighter Rankings, check this out and survive from they...
1. Fedor Emelianenko
2. Anderson Silva
3. Georges St. Pierre
4. B.J. Penn
5. Lyoto Machida
6. Jose Aldo
7. Brian Bowles
8. Shogun Rua
9. Rashad Evans
10. Miguel Torres

Liangong in 18 FORMS: "Inside China's Emerging Exercise Phenomenon"

Liangong

in 18 FORMS: "Inside China's Emerging Exercise Phenomenon"
by Gerald A. Sharp

(Author's Note: The following text is meant to serve as basic information on Liangong in 18 Forms. An article by the author was published in Volume 12, No. 2, Summer 2002 issue of Qi Journal. You can access the article or obtain a copy through the website at: http://www.qi-journal.com/) See also www.Liangong.com.

For centuries martial artists have known that their forms and training regimens have helped relieve stress and provide medicine through movement. However, what's still lacking is ample scientific evidence to support the many benefits of such exercises or scientific testing to further develop the exercises to address specific problems and combat more modern forms of stress.

In 1974, Dr. Zhuang Yuan Ming (1919- ), a prominent Doctor of Traumatology (a Traditional Branch that focuses on healing external and internal discomfort and stress) and a top student of the famous Kung Fu Master, Wang Zhiping, began developing a set of exercises which became known as Liangong in 18 forms. The original 18 exercises (now their are 54) focused on combating and overcoming acute pain and stress in the neck, shoulders, back, legs, joints, and connective tissue.

Liangong's roots are based on Traditional Chinese Chi Kung and Kung Fu. While authentic Liangong may be relatively new in America, Liangong has garnered an international audience, with the largest body of practitioners outside of China residing in Japan. But what do the Japanese and other martial arts practitioners world-wide see in the practice of Liangong in 18 forms?

While the development of Liangong may have officially begun in 1974, Dr. Zhuang's curiosity for health and healing began over 25 years prior as a student of the legendary Wang Zhiping. Using exercises he had studied with Wang, known as the "20 Exercises," and the ancient exercises of Daoyin (Breathing Exercise), Baduanjing (Eight Pieces of Brocade), and Yijinjing (Muscle Change Classic), Zhuang tested all these exercises in a prominent Shanghai hospital on patients with a variety of stress related conditions to determine how effective these exercises were clinically, and what modifications, if any, could be made to bring about more favorable results treating stress related problems and diseases by utilizing exercise exclusively. As a student of Wang, a young Dr. Zhuang saw his teacher use a variety of massage techniques and exercises to heal a variety of afflictions. Wang may have had a reputation as a tough, no-nonsense guy, but Zhuang observed a more sensitive side of Wang and relates how Wang was fixated with the power of healing and maintaining health.

SCIENCE AND LIANGONG

In the 1970's, Dr. Zhuang was afforded the opportunity to develop and test Liangong in 18 Forms at the Huangpu Hospital in Shanghai. According to Zhuang, he kept an open mind about his preconceptions of what would or would not work.If this was to be a true experiment, one cannot go into it and say these are the results that I want, and presto they happen. However, he was confident that exercise would be effective in the healing process, but was unsure as to what degree or effect exercise would have. He wanted to move beyond a one size fits all concept. So he kept specific records of what worked and what didn't. Then regularly a variety of modifications were added to the traditional exercises to determine what would actually lead to more feeling or complete alleviation of a problem.

During the infant stages of Liangong's development, from 1974 through 1975, Dr. Zhuang became fascinated with ancient drawings, that had been recently unearthed from Han Dynasty tombs on the outskirts off Changsha, Hunan Province by archaeologists. These silk scroll figure drawings were of exercises known as Daoyin (or, breathing exercises). One of the first things Dr. Zhuang noticed was the similarity between these ancient drawings and the "20 Exercises" he had studied with Wang Zhiping.

Other useful concepts that influenced Dr. Zhuang during this period in Liangong's development were drawings contained in classic texts covering various ancient exercises known as Yinjinjing (Muscle Change Classic), Wuxinxi (Five Animal Play), and Baduanjing (Eight Brocades). These exercises also peeked Zhuang's interest, and he infused the movements and healing concepts from these disciplines as well. All the while testing, modifying, to determine how much more effective exercise was in providing both immediate and long term relief from injury and stress.

From 1975 until 1983, Dr. Zhuang with the help of other physicians conducted a study applying Liangong in 18 forms in isolation or in some cases accompanied by other methods of traditional Chinese methods (acupuncture, herbs, and massage) to treat three different control groups of patients.

Each of the three groups were then subdivided into three sub groups as follows: Patients who suffered from a) acute pain in the neck, shoulders, back, and legs; b) acute pain or stiffness in the joints and tendons; and c) internal organ discomfort (i.e. heart problems, high blood pressure, digestive disorders, etc.).Prior to the study most all of these patients had a variety interventions performed on them, including surgery, prior to their exposure to Liangong in 18 forms. In most cases, these interventions had only been partially or completely unsuccessful. So, Liangong was yet "another thing" or a last chance hope for many members of all the control groups in overcoming their invariable struggle with pain.

The results were grouped as follows: Those who dropped out and did not complete the study; Those who had no results; Those who had adequate results; Those who had good results; and, those who met with excellent results. The patients who reported feeling an improvement in mobility or a significant reduction of pain were classified as adequate. Those who claimed an alleviation of pain, but within a moderate duration of time, up to two years, after the study had a recurrence of pain(even those who felt that the practice of Liangong could still alleviate the pain) were classified as having good results. Excellent results were recorded for patients who had a total alleviation of their problem, and no recurrence of pain whatsoever over a two year period.

The first control group consisted of 71 patients who were treated with Acu-Point Massage and Chinese Herbs (both externally and internally), at a frequency of one time for at least thirty minutes every other a day for a duration of 4-8 weeks. The results were as follows: 4 patients did not complete the study (5.6%); 2 patients had no result (2.8%); 43 met with adequate results (60.5%); 15 had very good results (21%); and, 7 patients reported excellent results (9.8%).

The second control group was made up of 217 patients. These patients were treated with Acu-Point Massage at a frequency of one time a day every other day for at least thirty minutes, and Liangong exercises (specifically exercises that would address the problem) at a frequency of twice a day for at least thirty minutes each time. Again the treatment period lasted 4-8 weeks for each patient with the following results: 0 patients did not complete the study; 7 patients had no result (3.2%); 102 met with adequate results (47%); 59 had very good results (27.1%); and, 49 patients reported excellent results (22.5%).

The third control group consisted of 1,361 patients who were treated with Liangong exercises (that addressed their problem area) exclusively. The frequency of treatment was once to twice day for at least thirty minutes ranging in duration from two to four months for each patient with the following results: All patients completed the program; 24 had no results whatsoever (1.76%); 814 met with adequate results (59.8%); 523 met with good results (38.4%); and, 0 Had excellent results.

Although no excellent results were reported for the third control group that practiced Liangong exclusively, 98.2% had adequate to good results recorded. These early studies not only helped some patients to better manage their pain, but helped Dr. Zhuang develop the exercises to be more specific in dealing with the often complex injuries associated with both external and internal trauma resulting from the break down of these sensitive areas of the body as a result of living in the modern age.

Since then other studies have been conducted on the effects of Liangong. One study conducted by Dr. Zhuang and the Liangong Shibafa (18 forms) Association of Shanghai recorded a savings of 55, 850 Yuan for pain medication for 42 patients who were able to give up their medication with Liangong. This may not add up to big savings in the average American hospital. However, for reference, the elderly spend a minimum of 500 Yuan annually for routine care in a Chinese hospital. Another in-depth study, conducted in Japan, found that 73 out of 152 persons tested who practiced Liangong to alleviate external pain and stress met with excellent results. 65 of those who met with excellent results also reported feeling more energy after practicing and a greater flexibility in their joints.

PRECISE MOVEMENTS

Dr. Zhuang has used the postures of the exercises themselves as postures for massage, and to gently apply pressure to the patient's target area for results. However, through the years of testing, Dr. Zhuang has become more and more convinced that Liangong's effects are longer lasting when the practitioner moves their own body by them self. As the practitioner practices the form they them self benefit from the process as well as what each exercise does for them. Zhuang Jian Shen, Dr. Zhuang's son and inheritor of his father's healing arts and practice, says that when a practitioner is able to develop their own skill and heal them self, they are both mentally and physically stronger. Students, who may have once been a patient, once trained correctly in the complete application and methods of Liangong are then able to lay hands on to heal. Hands on healing doesn't necessarily mean massage, but by correcting the postures of the students, they are able to help other practitioners optimize their movements for greater benefit.

When the movements are practiced correctly, the practitioner should sense an internal force or resistance. This does not mean that internal force is confined to a psychological process only, or that something is done with a lack of force. Rather, specific movements are able to isolate certain joints or target areas, and when accompanied by slow, deliberate motion can be much more exact. The character of internal force comes when the practitioner is able to isolate their joints and use natural forces such as gravity and momentum to exercise or release stress from their joints.

That's why, according to Dr. Zhuang, the theory of massage plays an important role in how Liangong is practiced. Traditional Chinese massage holds that the key element in massage begins with the various manipulations of specific aspects or parts of the body. Manipulation must be gentle, even, forceful and persistent, so as to achieve a penetrating action. This penetrating effect is what the practitioner should feel as a reaction to the practice of Liangong. In other words, "a good sore." In Dr. Zhuang's research a muscle is made up of many contractible fibers. There are many nerve endings in the muscles; those controlling the contraction of muscles are called motor nerve endings, each of which controls 100 to 300 muscular fibers. Each nerve ending and the muscular fibers it controls make a motor unit, and there are many motor units in a muscle, which are not all in a state of excitation and contraction at a given time. With a change of movement, these two types of motor units change too. The contracted fibers become shortened while the relaxed fibers lengthen.

This is why at the beginning of each of the postures there may be a tightness exerted by the practitioner, followed by a preparatory movement added while maintaining some of the tightness or force. Then the practitioner turns into an isolated area to apply pressure on this given area. That which was locked is then relaxed, to enable a more beneficial stretch during a twist or turn, or to create a more stable position to turn or move into. Then often the chest is lifted, to create a more internal stretch. Ultimately creating a climate for change among participating nerve fibers, and releasing stress at specific points.

Correct breathing is also extremely important. But as outlined in his books when in doubt breathe naturally and never hold the breath. However, he advocates when the student is able to, inhaling in the first movement (which is often a tight time), and exhaling when moving into the target area (usually the relaxed time) as the most optimum. Furthermore, Dr. Zhuang recommends, as I eluded to earlier, lifting the chest cavity when inhaling and exhaling from the lower abdomen. This lifting of the chest cavity keeps a constant stimulation on the internal organs, which in turn creates a natural resistance. Dr. Zhuang compares this natural resistance, much the way water creates a buoyancy and can be applied for deep penetration in water massage. Furthermore, Dr. Zhuang feels practicing out of doors early in the morning in the fresh air is viable and will naturally make warmth and comfort positive modalities that can further optimize the therapeutic success of Liangong.

When practicing, Dr. Zhuang says that the range of movements are also important to Liangong's success. The larger the movements from the joints and limbs, the more beneficial the results. However, the parts of the body that remain still as to isolate specific points, joints, connective tissue, or muscle groups must be strictly adhered to or the parts that emphasize the movement will be wasted. Furthermore, such unfocused exercise would ignore the scientific development and testing, which is the basis of Liangong's existence.

Like martial arts, patience and perseverance are important in Liangong practice. Dr. Zhuang advocates practicing at regular hours and on a daily basis. According to Dr. Zhuang, sports practitioners who are aware of the benefits of Liangong, often utilize the exercises to effectively warm up the body before beginning a competition or intensive training. Dr. Zhuang has overseen the effective application of Liangong for stress reduction in the workplace both in China and Japan. While Liangong has been applied successfully in the workplace, Dr. Zhuang's observation of Liangong for stress reduction or to overcome injuries have as many differences as there are similarities.

While the practice of Liangong can show immediate effects in stress reduction, injuries can take a long period of time to heal, and it is perseverance that helps the injured move towards alleviating the problem and returning to their everyday life. Likewise, while stress relief may be an immediate byproduct of practice, stress will continue to recur until they practice more regularly. Furthermore, while Liangong can be an effective supplement to comprehensive medical treatment, the effect of Liangong depends on each patient¹s desire to completely restore bodily functions.

AN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIR

Liangong's popularity is growing world-wide. For the past eight years, Liangong organizations internationally have come together for a lavish event every other year. Novices as well as long time practitioners of Liangong are invited to attend, observe, or participate in various events. This international convention consists of demonstrations in a wide variety of cultural arts that often include an opening ceremony, a competition which focuses on precision of movement as well as health benefits from practice, and an international closing party that features a wide array of multicultural flavor. All in all, most participants come to have a deeper understanding of the true, specific practice of Liangong, and the opportunity to make new international friends. Ultimately, Dr. Zhuang feels that more rigorous testing is needed. Since he first started his research more than 25 years ago, he and many others have become more aware of the infinite applications exercise has in treating stress and injury. The future of Liangong, according to Dr. Zhuang, lies in the process of the practitioner them self realizing the infinite power the body and mind have, and a constant reflection on the effectiveness and application of exercise as a vehicle for self healing.

For more information you may contact Dr. Zhuang directly at:

Dr. Zhuang Yuan Ming, #909, 235
Chong Qing Road (N), Shanghai, 20003, P.R. CHINA; Phone and FAX Number 011-8621-6327-2099.

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Liangong in 18 FORMS: "Inside China's Emerging Exercise Phenomenon"

Liangong

in 18 FORMS: "Inside China's Emerging Exercise Phenomenon"
by Gerald A. Sharp

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五台雨雪恨难消 (part 1)

Liangong

in 18 FORMS: "Inside China's Emerging Exercise Phenomenon" by Gerald A. Sharp

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in 18 FORMS: "Inside China's Emerging Exercise Phenomenon"
by Gerald A. Sharp