Going back to the triangle theory in wing chun, it can be said that wing chun is heavily reliant on this technical concept, of aligning the body with its center line, redirecting body angles and energy accordingly. This can be very difficult, yet with enough practice and slowly gaining the extensive theory of the art will release practicioners' full potential and allow them to execute forms and moves in their highest competency level. Remember that the most important concept being the center line and redirection of energy.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
wing chun triangle prt2
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Training and Reality
I have seen martial artists training over and over again - they are strong, fast, alert, confident and nothing seem to be able to bring them down. Yet, when reality struck, when it comes to competitions, real fight scenarios, I see the same people - minus everything that has been mentioned that they had in training. Real fights are nothing like practice or drills. Although drilling techniques and sequences of movements is the best method to gain realistic experience and for training that is closest to the real thing, not the best but the least that can be done.
Witnessing real fights - there has not been any real fights that looks like martial arts in the films and movies, it does not even look like what it usually or should look like in the gym, dojo, or wherever training is carried out in.
Except perhaps, shaolin monks who devotes their time and most of their lives to martial art.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Wushu Kicks
The leg and feet is another part of the body; beside the arms and hands which is extensively used in martial art.
Kicks in wushu is much more acrobatic than other martial arts, as wushu-chinese martial art is said to be the basis of all martial art. Kicks are fast and explosive, developing perfect balance of timing and power with accuracy.
The importance of explosive power/energy in wushu cannot be emphasised enough, speed and power is the key to good executions of techniques.
Kicks should come up fast and back down as equally fast, light but powerful. When you see a wushu athlete kick, it is as natural as extending an arm above their heads; kicks that are executed so perfectly, knee straight, feet above head height with the right amount of energy.
Train kicks and explosive power by repetitive kicking:
Kick 100 times a day for first day
Continue to kick 150-200 kicks for the second day
Continue working until you reach 500 kicks a day for each leg.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Wing Chun - Centre Line and The Triangle
Wing chun relies heavily on body angles and keeping a form of triangle for the body-through positioning of the feet and focusing energy towards the centre line of the body.
This allows practicioners to manipulate opponents and execute attacks from controlled positioning of stance. Emphasis on relaxation is an important key to achieve the correct amount of energy release, while keeping a firm stance.
By sticking to the three rules; stance, relaxation and centre line, it would be more than adequate for effective defense and attacks.
IT is CRUCIAL to defend the centre line, attacking when there is an opening and execution of movement deriving from opponent, always covering the centre line and leave no room for attacks from opponent.
Have an awareness of a hunting tiger, like a tiger awaiting to pounce,relaxed as a sleeping dragon, fast like a praying mantis capturing its prey.
Check out other blogs and articles regarding the wing chun triangle theory, available extensively through the web.
Picture courtesy of International Cannagraphic, Stainless, B, 2009, from https:/.../ic/showthread.php?t=122714&page=7
Friday, August 14, 2009
Hook Swords
One of my favourite exotic chinese weapons is the twin hooksword. It is a twin sword as they are used in pairs with chinese wushu techniques - combining chinese sword (jian) techniques while making most use of the weapon's ability of defending and attacking at the same time.
The hooksword is an ingenous and beautiful weapon, highly affective in combat. Hooksword techniques includes controlled speed whilst incorporating turning and twining - as chinese sword techniques would. Hooking and trapping with its' hooks, blocking and striking with the crescent blade and stabbing with the sharp point at the back end of the sword.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Weaponary
Weaponary is possibly mankind's greatest invention since the wheel. Over the past thousands of years, human kind have been developing weapons to kill or injure each other and other living being. Of course, there are also weapons that are created for all sort of other reasons.
Weaponaries has advanced significantly, but looking back at the creation of our ancestors, it is fascinating to see what was designed and developed to be used to hurt/maime other human beings. Most weapons are finely created, put together by most skillfull of weapon designers and swordsmiths. Nowadays, weapons are still used to hurt and kill each other, but they are also used in martial art training environment, but, weapons are kept as collectible items, kept for their beauty and value.
Especially swords of the orient; Chinese swords and the famous, highly sought after Japanese swords.
Sword collectors all around the world values different aspects of the swords, it is not just a piece of steel. Whether it is purely ornamental wall hanger or fully functional swords, they each have their own attractions. Of course, it is hard to beat the temptation of swinging and using the swords for test cuts. Proper techniques and knowledge is crucial in order to properly maintain and use swords safely.
There are numerous sword manufacturers in the market, with prices ranging from $80-$5000, give and take a few occassionaly. One can easily find and purchase swords to their taste online and have it shipped right to their doorstep.
Sword collecting can be very enjoyable if it is one of your hobbies as collectors, or as martial artist, nevertheless, finely made swords are beautiful masterpieces that will become a part of your assets.
Along the topic of weaponaries, there falls a group of weaponaries that stood out most from amongst ancient weapons used in warfares, hunting, and other battles against human and animal. The exotic weapons of the East; the strange, unusual weapons of wushu (kung fu) and the formidable samurai swords - the katanas.
Swords were widely used all around the world - resulting in different shapes, sizes and grades. However, the most interesting and exotic weapons were mostly developed in the ancient civilization of the East - China.
Some of the exotic weapons developed in the past are lesser known than others. Some of the exotic weapons that are well known, and still widely used today includes: the hooksword, claws, emei piercers, rope darts and meteor hammer. There were also the warriors of the shadows - the japanese ninjas with their strange and formidable weaponaries.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Wushu Basic Forms
Wushu forms are fast paced (slow for Tai Chi) elegant, artistic and highly conceptual. There are basic forms and movements that practicioners practice and improve, slowly moving to more complex and harder forms while incorporating alot of basic movements and forms which are practiced prior advancement.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Qing Gong - Lightness Kungfu
What is Qinggong? What is lightness Kungfu?
Back in the days, martial art practicioners trained many of the different aspects of martial art forms. Martial arts involves the use of energy in human bodies - whether it'd be kinetic or raw energy, and even inner energy. Powerful force that are unseen by most human eyes produced by human bodies in its harmony and correlation with nature and continuous development of such forces and energy.
Qing gong is similar to Qi gong in regards to it's use of existing internal energy, its hard to pin point such energy. Qing gong is the technique of mastering body balance, centre of gravity, speed and control of body with the use of internal energy (and mind) to allow it in becoming as if it is lighter. Masters of Qing gong can tranfer their centre of gravities and body balance allowing htem to run at a much faster speed, jump higher, scale walls, walk lightly and et cetera.
One story of a master showing the skill of Qinggong was how he walked towards the shore on a sandy beach to fulfill a challenge to fight. His challenger who has been waiting for him on the beach, watched as the master walked towards him, he noticed that there are no foot prints left on the soft sand where the master had walked on. Realising the skill of the master, the challenger lost his desire to fight and withdrew the challenge.
There are numerous techniques of practicing and perfecting Qinggong, many ways that has yet to be heard by many people. Some of the more popular and most used practices to develop Qinggong and lightness skill is to contantly jump to a higher ground (this is a normal way of trying to jump higher and increase height) This can be done by digging a hole, putting on sand weights and jump. Particular exercises that strengthens the calf and achilies. Running up wodden board planks placed againts a wall and increasing the degree of steepness. Walk around a large basket that can hold your weight, first start by placing sand in the basket, slowly reducing it as you circle the basket with two feet.
Meditation is also an important part of Qinggong, just like any martial art and other activities, mental focus and development is a must.
Friday, June 12, 2009
WUSHU
wǔ shù(武术) is directly translated as martial art, wushu is a sport form of chinese martial arts, emphasizing both aspects of forms exhibition (taolu; 套路) and contact sparring (sanda/sanshou/leitai; 散打) pity that modern wushu forms emphasizes performance and disregard much of its martial aspects. Nevertheless, wushu is a very popular form of sport, highly promoted by the Chinese government and was pushed to be one of a major exhibition and sport event in the Olympic and mainly in the 2008 Beijing Olympic. Despite this, it was not accepted and resulted in the Beijing 2008 Wushu Tournament being held during the Olympic.
Through the years, countless of extraordinary wushu athletes has emerged, mastering this fast, graceful, highly-demanding sport and taking it into varying levels.
Some of most notable wushu athletes of the past and present includes:
Zhao Changjun
Zhang Cheng Zhong
Yang Shi Wen
Jet Li - turned actor
Wu Jing
Wushu has become highly popular across the world, practiced by people of various race, men and women, young and old. There is just no limit of where one can take wushu, international levels are highly competitive, bringing athletes together, people from all over the world and minds alike, striving to achieve one common goal, to practice the art of wushu.
I will include here, wushu beginning from its basics - movements, stretchings, forms, starting from basics and make a progress towards improvements and upskilling as the postings updates.
There are numerous sites that offers online instructions in descriptive step-by-step of wushu methods in forms of writing, pictures, diagrams, videos, flash and others. I will try to incorporate as many here......taking references from reputable sources and select the best to be compiled and viewed here
Wushu Basics
The key to good wushu is basics. Mastering basic movements and skills will enhance one's level further and further. Everything comes with practice and a constant one, along with progress. Smart training compared to hard training is important, although training hard is important, it is much more important to train hard while being smart. That means, train what really needs to be trained. To improve a jump kick, you can jump kick as much as you can until you get the technique right, but it is much better to train and improve step-by-step; improve your stretching, basic kicks and jumps. combining each one of these techniques will improve any techniques and movements.
Through the years, countless of extraordinary wushu athletes has emerged, mastering this fast, graceful, highly-demanding sport and taking it into varying levels.
Some of most notable wushu athletes of the past and present includes:
Zhao Changjun
Zhang Cheng Zhong
Yang Shi Wen
Jet Li - turned actor
Wu Jing
Wushu has become highly popular across the world, practiced by people of various race, men and women, young and old. There is just no limit of where one can take wushu, international levels are highly competitive, bringing athletes together, people from all over the world and minds alike, striving to achieve one common goal, to practice the art of wushu.
I will include here, wushu beginning from its basics - movements, stretchings, forms, starting from basics and make a progress towards improvements and upskilling as the postings updates.
There are numerous sites that offers online instructions in descriptive step-by-step of wushu methods in forms of writing, pictures, diagrams, videos, flash and others. I will try to incorporate as many here......taking references from reputable sources and select the best to be compiled and viewed here
Wushu Basics
The key to good wushu is basics. Mastering basic movements and skills will enhance one's level further and further. Everything comes with practice and a constant one, along with progress. Smart training compared to hard training is important, although training hard is important, it is much more important to train hard while being smart. That means, train what really needs to be trained. To improve a jump kick, you can jump kick as much as you can until you get the technique right, but it is much better to train and improve step-by-step; improve your stretching, basic kicks and jumps. combining each one of these techniques will improve any techniques and movements.
Stances
Stance is fundamental in any martial arts (and even dance). Not only it emphasise performance but also direct movements to flow from one to another, composing attacks, feints, avoding/ dodging, power and creating solid and grounded movements in martial art. The most widely used and fundamental stances includes:
Horse Stance
Bow-arrow stance
Cat stance (also known as empty stance)
Flat stance (also known as low stance)
Rest Stance
One leg stance
Horse Stance
1. Open and turn both toes outwards
2. Turn heels outwards
3. Turn toes outwards again
4. Turn heels outwards once again
5. Align each feet to 45 degress outwards
6. Sink into stance, bending on the knee
7. Back straight
8. Backside tucked in
9. Head facing forward, eyes look forward
10. Hand can be by the sides as fists, or extended straight outwards in front with the index and thumb pointing upwards
11. Weight is distributed eaqually on both legs
12. Focus on energy and chi from the dan tien (solar plexus) to the leg and feet. Arms and hands
Bow-Arrow Stance
1. shift to the right or left from the horse stance
2. as if going for a lunge, but keep back leg straight and in somewhat a 45 degree angle, sinking into the stance
3. Body faced forward, shoulders aligned to the front
4. Weight should be more on the front leg and less on the back. Leaning and sinking on the front leg
Cat-stance
1. From bow-arrow stance, shift the back foot to support all the weight distribution on the back leg
2. Lean backward as if sitting while weight is supported by the back leg
3. Front leg is pulled in, towards the back leg and toe pointed and touching the ground
4. All weight should be on the back leg
5. This is to avoid sweeps to the front leg
Low Stance
1. Spread leg and feet apart
2. lean towards the right or left stretching the opposite leg to the side
3. Keep body straight and upward as possible
4. There should be more weight on the leg that is leaned into
Rest Stance
1. Stand with leg and feet aligned
2. Twist body to the left without shifting position of leg and feet
3. As the leg crosses each other, bend on the knees as is squatting - but this will cross your legs, left on top and as it crosses over the right on the bottom
4. This is a rest stance as you will be 'kneeling' on one knee on the floor
5. Hands can be either by the side as fists or a straight punch or any other hand positions
One Leg Stance
1. Stand on one leg
2. All weight on the one leg
Increase time of remaining in the horse, bow-arrow and cat stance, slowly getting lower and longer. The shaolin monks have gone through extreme trainings which requires them to hold within a horse stance for two hours.
These stances are fundamentals, used in empty handed forms, weapon forms, Tai Chi Quan forms, Bagua Chang forms and widely used in other martial arts.
References:
Wikipedia, (2009.Wushu(sport) Retrieved from. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wushu_(sport)
ChinaDaily, (2009). Wushu to be held during Beijing Olympic. Retrieved from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/olympics/2008-08/05/content_6906212.htm
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Iranian wushu at Asia Wushu Event in Macau
The sport of Wushu is everywhere, despite China being the Wushu powerhouse, many countries around the world has come up the ladder of competition.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
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Saturday, April 4, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Aikido fight
Really like this clip, good executions of move, don't know much about aikido but it looks pretty good.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Eva Huang - Legacy of Guangfu taiji
Tai chi quan, Taijiquan is a complex system, which has a definition of "supreme ultimate fist" "Great boundless fist" - this ultimate fist was introduced by the legendary Zhang ShanFeng in the early 12th century and passed on lineage after lineage and created what is today known as Taiji, Tai chi. Tai chi is practiced as a dance and exercise by many around the world, but it is much more than merely excercise movements. Tai chi is meditation within the form of movement, a perfect balance of Ying and Yang, solid and soft, dense and transparent, drawing ultimate energy from the universe.
Tai Chi is a martial art, entirely combatative, although many practices it in slow rhytmic movements, just like ba qua, neiji, xing yi and others, it can be performed with speed and power, just like all chinese martial arts, internal energy is an utmost important, essential essence and tai chi is an internal art which is used to develop and strengthen qi.
knee strike
a knee strike is a technique strongly used in the ancient art of Muay Thai, it is widely known for its effectiveness in their use of elbow and knee strikes in addition to the general combatative nature of fist and feet. Muay Thai also uses hardened shin to kick and sweep opponents, as I have heard that Muay Thai fighters conditions their shin in various ways - kicking banana trees hundreds or thousands of times, rolling glass bottles, kicking, breaking and smashing other things to harden and deaden the nerves of the shin.
A knee strike is not only used in Muay Thai
it is also used in other martial arts all around the world. When you look at it, all martial art are the same, they may differ in origins, creators, movements, techniques and et cetera, yet they share common similarities in their philosophies and serve a common purpose, to fight and self-defense.
A knee strike is effectively and widely used in chinese martial arts - (omei has written instructions for knee strikes).
Striking an opponent into the chest with the knees can cause dramatic damage, fracturing, collapsing the ribs, puncturing the lungs, even stopping the heart. According to the National Geographic Fight Science - a tested knee strike of a Muay Thai warrior has caused more damage and exerted more power when compared to other kicks (back kicks, flying kick, front push kick etc.)
A knee strike is just a knee strike, as simple as that, it does not belong to a particular style nor form, it does not need to be credited to a particular form of martial art and a creator of a system. All human beings can use whatever part of their body for self defense purposes. Although nowadays, martial arts are widely considered as sport and performance, it's essence still lies as a fighting form - ways of fighting and defending with one's body (or weapon). 
picture courtesy of www.shaolin.org, Flickr & Fight science
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Wing Chun
Wing chun, so little effort yet so muchpower. Most of us has seen the movie Ip Man, we saw how little effort and movement was done in this art of Wing Chun through the skill of the late Grandmaste Ip Man, portrayed by Donnie Yen in the movie. I believe that true and effective skills of martial art allows practicioners to do this, by physical power and strength also by internal strenght, the latter being much more important and crucial. I see Wing Chun practicioners practicing on wooden dummies, carrying out movements hard and fast on the wooden dummy, I guess it is important to do this over and over again not only to practice the movements and build it up in our mind, but to develop that power and physical conditioning. Even by hitting wood all day will make you stronger, as it goes "no pain no gain" Nevertheless, In my opinion it is not enough to develop physical strength and disregarding internal development, even though it is highly difficult to do so. Years of practice and guidance would be needed. Then again, alot of practicioners of various martial arts disregards or does not put enough emphasis on the development of mental strength and the use of internal energy which is very much vital to our body and strength. The body and mind is a delicate balance. Bong-sau
I still cannot realise to understand how to be perfect in the art of wing chun. The need to strengthen skin and bone, and also internal energy. I just cannot find guidance where I am at to learn ancient mastery of internal energy cultivation. I've read several good books on the subject in relation to internal strength, and one electronic book specifically regarding Wing Chun and internal energy.
I beleive that all martial art is internal, regardless of it is being generalised as external or internal. Other martial arts are considered to be more external or dwelving more internal aspects of course, such as; shaolin kung fu - being much more external than tai chi, but each style of martial art is both external and internal regardless.Kwan-Sau
pictre courtesy of vechtsportschoolroermond - Bruce Lee with kwan sau and tan gerk
Kwan sau- block, double block. Kwan sau should be done is a sweeping stroke, flowing motion. Done as an initial block or re-block when hand is pushed by opponent.
The application of bong-sau in wing chun is simple yet complex, just as wing chun is entirely about simplicity within complexity, if you catch what I meanBong-sau, I once was told that bong-sau was taken from the crane form - the movement imitates a crane blocking with it's wing. A bong-sau is as natural a movement as any block with an arm, hand, feet and leg. Just taking natural blocking movement to an application and increase it's effectiveness. I must say though, bong-sau does not always work effectively at all times. Bong-sau should be executed only when a wing chun straight punch has failed, changing this punch to a block - intercepting opponent's punch or kick with a twist, firm yet relaxed. Keeping the bridge between you and the opponent, hand and wrist in a relaxed state, dropping it in a flimsy manner. Despite its technicality, bong-sau is just a bong-sau as a block is just a block. A punch is just a punch
(of course, different people and different lineage teach techniques differently - whatever works for them and you.....stick to it and practice it)
picture courtesy of ukwingchun.com and www.wingchun.com.au
Monday, December 1, 2008
Mizongyi
Huo Yuan Jia, Mizongyi
Mizongyi is a combination of external and internal kungfu of Northern China, it is the style studied by Huo Yuan Jia of the Huo family. Yuan Jia won countless fights in his lifetime in the late 1800's to the early 1900's. His style; the Mizongyi is considered as an eccentric martial art, translated as 'Lost Track Fist' due to its illogical movements executed to confuse opponents. Mizongyi involves its practicioners to perform moves that seems to be 'lost'- lost footwork, punches, steps, also involving acrobatic rolls, jumps and kicks.
In Jet Li's movie 'Fearless' his potrayal of Huo Yuan Jia does not really show Mizongyi in it's actual forms.
'Fearless' movie review can be found here:
maskman.webonsites.com/.../581900/month/2008-02/
http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/25571/jet-lis-fearless/
According to some people, Mizongyi is a result of the combination of two different styles of martial art; the MizMingquan and the Luohanquan. Creating a style that is based upon deception, confusion and mobilty. As with many other chinese martial arts, Mizongyi revolves around legends and stories, as it's origins is beleived to be from the Shaolin temple and created during the time of the Tang Dynasty.
Sources:
http://www.mykickboxing.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=327
http://wikimartialarts.org/main/index.php/Mizongyi
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Women
Are there more men practising martial art than women? not sure, but there sure is not a few.
http://www.essortment.com/all/womenmartialar_rcmc.htm
Even in today’s supposedly enlightened society, a woman starting in any martial arts training program is often subjected to many responses from friends, family, and co-workers. These responses are often based upon misinformation and prejudicial born myths. A few of these myths are covered below:
1. Martial arts training make women become unfeminine – This myth is so hard to kill even though Shaolin nuns were practicing the martial arts over a thousand years ago. Vulnerability may work well in the movies and romance novels but on the street it can get you killed. When a woman learns martial arts, she also learns self-defense, self-confidence and self-esteem. These things do not make her less a woman, in fact, the allow her to be able to go out in life with less fear and with a warmer and more open attitude.
2. Martial arts training is 100% effective in any given situation – All too many women AND men believe this one. Regardless of what how well a technique works in a martial arts class or seminar, no single technique is going to work in any and every situation. The important thing to remember is to have back up techniques and to be able to execute them without hesitation or thought.
3. Karate or any type of martial arts training is too rough for women. They get knocked around and hurt – Most schools require padding during any type of sparring activity. This protection is also used during tournament fighting. Any type of physical training can be rough on women but in martial arts the woman will be taught how to train properly. How to move, hit, punch, kick, fall and avoid an opponent. Jogging and tennis may be considered more “feminine” but even these can pose opportunities for injury. How many joggers or tennis players learn to fall in case of a misstep?
4. Martial arts make women more aggressive – True martial arts training and discipline teaches the women and me to control themselves, their temper, and anger. It also teaches patience. Just because a woman has the right to say no and proceeds to do so doesn’t make her aggressive, hard, unyielding or the term that comes up so often and rhymes with witch.
5. She will be able to defeat a man-Pound for pound in a wrestling match; a woman usually won’t be able to beat the man. On the other hand, martial arts training will teach ways to work around this problem. Many styles will teach leverage or joint locking techniques that will even out the competition.
6. Women martial artists are coarse, unattractive women – For those who believe this, take a long and hard look at black belt champions and movie stars Rene Russo, Cynthia Rothrock and Kathy Long. In an incident a few years ago, a man who was much larger and more aggressive decided to take issue with Ms. Long’s driving on a Los Angeles freeway. After causing her to pull off to the side of the road, he became hostile with her up until the time the full contact, Black Belt Hall of Fame winner laid him out on the side of the freeway.
7. Martial arts training pose a threat to a relationship – A loving spouse or significant other will understand and support the woman in her training, perhaps even take an interest and participate. For those who are in abusive relationships, martial arts training can aid in building enough self-confidence and self-esteem to move on from the abuse. For those who stay in the relationship, it can at least help by giving options on self-defense. It may also cause the abuser to pause and think before striking out.
8. Karate training removes the need for patience – FAR from it! An important part of any martial arts training is learning how to avoid confrontation. As a student moves from novice levels (white, yellow, orange belt) through intermediate, many instructors will insist on a portion of the training being spent in teaching the lower grade students. Brown belt students are often required to show an aptitude for teaching before being awarded their first degree Black belt. For anyone doubting this, try teaching martial arts or anything to a group of twenty to twenty-five youngsters whose ages range from five to ten years. This is especially true when their parents to be babysat in a safe environment have dropped off a large number of the children.
9. It is the man’s place to protect and defend the woman – Puleeze! How many times have we all seen movies where the hero is getting his rear kicked and the woman is over in the corner crying and having hysterics while the audience is yelling for her to pick up the gun? There is nothing wrong with a man being protective but the ultimate responsibility for her own safety is hers. If a man’s attention is wasted on trying to look out for her, the chances are high he won’t be able to respond to an attack in time. If this happens, what do you think the chances are for either of them?
There is no reason for the prejudice, animosity and ridicule many women put up with simply because they choose to study the martial arts. The women are not becoming unwomanly, joining a secret cult society or even trying to promote the woman’s movement by showing how tough they can be. They are simply learning a means of self-preservation by doing something they enjoy while also bettering their health and general level of fitness.
There are equal number of girls and women practicing martial to boys and men. Does not matter what style of martial arts are out there, there is no prejudice againts race, sex, age and et cetera. Martial art is about self control, striving for improvements, discipline, health for the body and mind and of course, self defense.
Martial art has always been important throughout the eras of the world, there will always be individuals who are out there to do harm onto others. Knowledge of self defense to an appropriate level is important to protect ones selves as a last resort. It is better to resolve conflicts in peaceful manners.
There are many types of martial arts that can be practiced by women, name any type of martial art, it is important not to limit yourself to one style, expand knowledge, the more you learn the better. The more you practice the better.
There are martial art styles that are designed especially for women, many have opened schools and associations that focuses on women self defense, but as mentioned previously, martial art should not be discriminating, martial art is blind.
Wing chun is a perfect example of a martial art style derived from the legendary Shao Lin temple. It was originally taught by a buddhist nun to Yim Wing Chun, a young woman who lived in South China. This style was highly effective, a no nonsense straight forward martial art, it became well known and kept spreading, and resulted in its popularity today.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Tae Kwon Do
Taekwondo, the popularized Korean martial art and established as the national sport of South Korea and also an Olympic sport event.
Taekwondo is translated as foot, fist, way - the was of the foot and fist. It is also loosely defined as the art of kicking and punching (Wikipedia, 2008)
Taekwondo was originally practiced in Korea, martial art practices in Korea dates back to 50 B.C as evidently shown in paintings of men in fighting stances pictured on the walls of tombs, although some rejects this and put forward the theory that these men could have been dancing (Nauta, 2008).
Taekwondo is used by South Korea as a military training, involving the combination of different techniques of self-defense, sport, exercise, meditation and philosophy (Wikipedia, 2008).
Like many other martial arts, Taekwondo does not only emphasise on the body but also the mind and soul, to achieve a way of cultivating one's mind allowing the achievement of much greater skill and knowledge beyond techniques of the art.
Taekwondo became an Olympic sport event which is governed by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF). Another federation governing taekwondo is the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF). There are certain differences in regards to techniques and doctrines between the two federations, but overall shares common concepts. "the art in general emphasizes kicks thrown from a mobile stance, employing the leg's greater reach and power (compared to the arm) (Wikipedia, 2008)
Taekwondo in 2008 Olympic
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taekwondo
http://www.barrel.net/history.php - Barry Nauta: General Taekwondo information
http://uk.reuters.com/news/sports/beijingOlympics/taekwondo
picture courtesy of dynamite kenji
Useful links:
http://www.taekwondobible.com/tkdbible/maintext/tkdphe6.htm
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Xingyiquan
Dong Zi Ying
形意拳; Xíng yì quán; Hsing I Ch'üan is considered to be one of the many internal Chinese martial arts. Xing Yi Quan is defined as Form boxing, intention boxing, mind boxing and many other definition circulating the art.
The origination of the art can be dated to the relatively recent 18th century. Although according to legend, the origin of Xing Yi Quan goes back to Yue Fei who was a famous general of the Song Dynasty in the year 960-1279 AD.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xingyiquan#Recent_history
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Aikido
I've recently become interested in aikido, a relatively new and young Japanese martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba in the 1900's, popularly called as "O-sensei" by aikido practicioners (kistonedojo.com, 2006).
Aikido was founded through the vision of budo that bring harmony and unity within people and the society. Aikido was the creation of Morihei Uyeshiba, combining various martial arts together to form what is now known as aikido.
Its fast, precise, clean and somewhat graceful manipulation of opponent's movements that defeats them with minimal force.
Although aikido is very interesting and seems to be very effective, no one can really say one style of martial art is better than the other, they way I see it is that all martial arts come from one source of origin and it all links back together.
Martial Artists really needs to combine all kinds of martial arts together to perfect it.
Aikido link:
Aikido faqs
Aikido faqs2
Aikidojournal.com
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
History of Chinese Martial Art
A Brief History of Chinese Martial Arts
by Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming
The beginning of Chinese martial arts probably started long before history was recorded. Martial techniques were discovered or created during the long epoch of continuous conflict between humanity and animals, or between different tribes of humans themselves. From these battles, experiences were accumulated and techniques discovered which were passed down generation to generation. Later, with the invention of weapons, different types and shapes of weapons were invented, until eventually metal was discovered.
Following the advancement of weapon fabrication, new fighting techniques were created. Different schools and styles originated and tested one another.
Many of these schools or styles created their forms by imitating different types of fighting techniques from animals (e.g., tiger, panther, monkey, snake, or bear), birds (e.g., eagle, crane, or chicken), or insects (e.g., praying mantis). The reason for imitating the animals' fighting was that it was believed that, in order to survive in the harsh natural environment, all the animals still maintained a natural talent and skill for fighting. The best way to learn the fighting techniques was by studying and imitating these animals. For example, the sharp spirit of the eagle was adopted, the pouncing/fighting of the tiger and eagle's strong claws was imitated, and the attacking motions of the crane's beak and wings were copied.
Since the martial techniques first developed in very ancient times, gradually they became part of Chinese culture. The philosophy of these fighting arts and culture has in turn been influenced by other elements of Chinese culture. Therefore, the Yin/Yang Taiji theory was adopted into the techniques, and the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) concept was blended into the fighting strategy and skills.
The Shaolin Temple
Buddhism traveled to China from India during the Eastern Han Ming emperor period (58-76 A.D.). Several hundred years after this, as several emperors became sincere Buddhists, Buddhism became very respected and popular in China. It is estimated that by 500 A.D., there probably existed more than 10 thousand Buddhist temples. In order to absorb more Buddhist philosophy during these five hundred years, some monks were sent to India to study Buddhism and bring back Buddhist classics. Naturally, some Indian monks were also invited to China for preaching.
According to one of the oldest books Deng Feng County Recording (Deng Feng Xian Zhi), a Buddhist monk name Batuo, came to China for Buddhist preaching in 464 A.D. Deng Feng was the county where the Shaolin Temple was eventually located. Thirty-one years later, the Shaolin Temple was built in 495 A.D., by the order of Wei Xiao Wen emperor (471-500 A.D.) for Batuo's preaching. Therefore, Batuo can be considered the first chief monk of the Shaolin Temple. However, there is no record regarding how and what Batuo passed down by way of religious Qigong practice. There is also no record of how or when Batuo died.
However, the most influential person in this area was the Indian monk Da Mo . Da Mo, whose last name was Sardili and who was also known as Bodhidarma, was once the prince of a small tribe in southern India. He was of the Mahayana school of Buddhism, and was considered by many to have been a bodhisattva, or an enlightened being who had renounced nirvana in order to save others. From the fragments of historical records, it is believed that he was born about 483 A.D.
Da Mo was invited to China to preach by the Liang Wu emperor. He arrived in Canton, China in 527 A.D. during the reign of the Wei Xiao Ming emperor (516-528 A.D.) or the Liang Wu emperor (502-550 A.D.). When the emperor decided he did not like Da Mo's Buddhist theory, the monk withdrew to the Shaolin Temple. When Da Mo arrived, he saw that the priests were weak and sickly, so he shut himself away to ponder the problem. When he emerged after nine years of seclusion, he wrote two classics: Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic) and Xi Sui Jin (Marrow/Brain Washing Classic. The Yi Jin Jing taught the priests how to build their Qi to an abundant level and use it to improve health and change their physical bodies from weak to strong. After the priests practiced the Yi Jin Jing exercises, they found that not only did they improve their health, but they also greatly increased their strength. When this training was integrated into the martial arts forms, it increased the effectiveness of their martial techniques. This change marked one more step in the growth of the Chinese martial arts: Martial Arts Qigong.
The Xi Sui Jing taught the priests how to use Qi to clean their bone marrow and strengthen their immune system, as well as how to nourish and energize the brain, helping them to attain Buddhahood. Because the Xi Sui Jing was hard to understand and practice, the training methods were passed down secretly to only a very few disciples in each generation. Da Mo died in the Shaolin Temple in 536 A.D. and was buried on Xiong Er mountain . If you are interested in knowing more about Yi Jin Jing and Xi Sui Jing, please refer to the book, "Muscle/Tendon Changing and Marrow/ Brain Washing Chi Kung" by YMAA.
During the revolutionary period between the Sui dynasty and the Tang dynasty, in the 4th year of Tang Gao Zu Wu De (621 A.D.), Qin King Li Shi-Ming had a serious battle with Zheng King Wang Shi-Chong . When the situation was urgent for Qin King, 13 Shaolin monks assisted him against Zheng. Later, Li Shi-Ming became the first emperor of the Tang dynasty (618-907 A.D.), and he rewarded the Shaolin Temple with 40 Qing (about 600 acres) of land donated to the temple. He also permitted the Temple to own and train its own soldiers. At that time, in order to protect the wealthy property of the Shaolin Temple from bandits, martial arts training was a necessity for the monks. The priest martial artists in the temple were called "monk soldiers" (Seng Bing). Their responsibility, other than studying Buddhism, was training martial arts to protect the property of the Shaolin Temple.
For nearly three hundred years, the Shaolin Temple legally owned its own martial arts training organization, and continued to absorb martial skill from outside the temple into its training system. During the Song dynasty (960-1278 A.D.) Shaolin continued to gather more martial skills from outside of the Temple. They blended these arts into the Shaolin training. During this period, one of the most famous Shaolin martial monks, Jueyuan traveled around the country in order to learn and absorb high levels of martial skill into Shaolin. He went to Lan Zhou to meet one of the most famous martial artists, Li Sou. From Li Sou, he meet Li Sou's friend, Bai Yu-Feng and his son. Later all four returned to the Shaolin Temple and studied together. After ten years of mutual study and research, Li Sou left Shaolin; Bai Yu-Feng and his son decided to stay in Shaolin and became monks. Bai Yu-Feng's monk name was Qiu Yue Chan Shi. Qiu Yue Chan Shi is known for his barehand fighting and narrow blade sword techniques. According to the book Shaolin Temple Record , he developed the then existing 18 Buddha Hands techniques into 173 techniques. Not only that, he compiled the existing techniques contained within Shaolin and wrote the book, The Essence of Five Fist . This book included and discussed the practice methods and applications of the Five Fist (Animal) Patterns. The five animals included: Dragon, Tiger, Snake, Panther, and Crane. This record confirms that the Five Animal Patterns martial skills already existed for some time in the Shaolin Temple.
From the same source, it is recorded that in the Yuan dynasty , in the year 1312 A.D., the monk Da Zhi came to the Shaolin Temple from Japan. After he studied Shaolin martial arts (barehands and staff) for nearly 13 years (1324 A.D.), he returned to Japan and spread Shaolin Gongfu to Japanese martial arts society. Later, in 1335 A.D. another Buddhist monk named Shao Yuan came to Shaolin from Japan. He mastered calligraphy, painting, Chan theory (i.e., Ren), and Shaolin Gongfu during his stay. He returned to Japan in 1347 A.D., and was considered and regarded a "Country Spirit" by the Japanese people. This confirms that Shaolin martial techniques were imported into Japan for at least seven hundred years.
Later, when Manchuria took over China and became the Qing dynasty, in order to prevent the Han race (pre-Manchurian) Chinese from rebelling against the government, martial arts training was forbidden for a long period of time (1644-1911 A.D.). In order to preserve the arts, Shaolin martial techniques spread to layman society. All martial arts training in the Shaolin Temple was carried out secretly during this time. Moreover, the Shaolin monk soldiers had decreased in number from thousands to only a couple of hundred, all trained secretly.
After 1911, the Qing dynasty fell in a revolution led by Dr. Sun Yat-Sen. At this time, the value of traditional Chinese martial arts was re-evaluated, and the secrets of Chinese martial arts were revealed to the public. From the 1920's to the 1930's, many martial arts books were published. However, this was also the Chinese Civil War period, during which Chiang Kai-Shek tried to unify the country. In 1928, there was a battle in the area of the Shaolin Temple. The Temple was burned for the last time by Warlord Shi You-San's military. The fire lasted for more than 40 days, and all the major buildings were destroyed. The most priceless books and records on martial arts were also burned and lost. It was also during this period that, in order to preserve Chinese martial arts, President Chiang Kai-Shek ordered the establishment of the Nanking Central Guoshu Institute at Nanking in 1928. For this institute, many famous masters and practitioners were recruited. The traditional name "Wushu" (martial techniques) was renamed "Zhong Guo Wushu" (Chinese martial techniques) or simply "Guoshu" (country techniques). This was the first time in Chinese history that under the government's power, all the different styles of Chinese martial arts sat down and shared knowledge together. Unfortunately, after only three generations, World War II started in 1937 A.D., and all training was discontinued due to the war.
After the second World War in 1945, mainland China was taken over by communists. Under communist rule, all religions were forbidden. Naturally, all Shaolin training was also prohibited. Later, under the communist party, Wushu training was established at the National Athletics Institute. In this organization, portions of the martial training and applications were purposely deleted by the communist party in order to discourage possible unification of martial artists against the government. Performance was the goal of this organization. This situation was not changed until the late 1980's. After the communist government realized that the essence of the arts - martial training and applications - started to die out following the death of many traditional masters, the traditional training was once again encouraged. Unfortunately, many masters had already been killed during the so-called cultural revolution, and many others had lost their trust of the communist party, and were not willing to share their knowledge.
In order to bring Chinese Wushu into Olympic competition, China had expended a great deal of effort to promote Wushu. With this motivation, the Shaolin Temple again received attention from the government. New buildings were constructed and a grand hotel was built. The Shaolin Temple became an important tourist location! In addition, many training activities and programs were created for interested martial artists around the world. Moreover, in order to preserve the dying martial arts, a team called the "Martial Arts Investigation Team" was organized by the government. The mission of this team is to search for surviving old traditional masters and to put their knowledge in book or videotape form.
This situation was different in Taiwan. When Chiang Kai-Shek retreated from mainland China to Taiwan, he brought with him many well known masters, who passed down the Chinese martial arts there. Traditional methods of training were maintained and the arts were preserved in the traditional way. Unfortunately, due to modern new life styles, not too many youngsters were willing to dedicate the necessary time and patience for the training. The level of the arts has therefore reached the lowest level in Chinese martial history. Many secrets of the arts which were the accumulation of thousand years of human experience have rapidly died out. In order to preserve the arts, the remaining secrets began to be revealed to the general public, and even to western society. It is good that books and videotapes have been widely used both in mainland China and Taiwan to preserve the arts.
If we look backward at the martial arts history in China, we can see that in the early 1900's, the Chinese martial arts still carried the traditional ways of training. The level of the arts remained high. From then until World War II, the level of arts degenerated very rapidly. From the War until now, in my opinion, the arts have not even reached one-half of their traditional levels. All of us should understand that martial arts training today is no longer useful for war. The chances for using it in self-defense have also been reduced to a minimum compared to that of ancient times. This is an art whose knowledge has taken the Chinese thousands of years to accumulate. What remains for us to learn is the spirit of the arts. From learning these arts, we will be able to discipline ourselves and promote our understanding of life to a higher spiritual level. From learning the arts, we will be able to maintain healthy conditions in our physical and mental bodies.
Sources:
History of Chinese Martial Art
Read More.......
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
I often wonder about the origins of martial arts, especially Chinese martial arts; Kung fu, such profound concepts, beyond mystics and comprehension.
some people say that martial art is more than movements and techniques, but it is somewhat, somehow a result of thousands of years of evolution and passing down from generation to generation; passed down from our early ancestors. Of course, that depends on the martial art's origins and you origin. Of course, minus a slight genuineness and authenticity here and there, but essentially some techniques of kicks and punches of martial art dates back to the beginning of civilization, some even before that. Even more essential, to practise martial art is to practise the art of our ancestors. Practising the art dating back to history itself.
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