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    Archive for October 2015

    Going Back To Move Forward : TKF 74

    Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 7:57 AM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith

    focus,basics,fundamentals,qigong,kungfu,tw smith If you practice Martial Arts, QiGong, even meditation, or anything that matters, you want to progress. Isn’t it frustrating when the only way to go forward is to go back? Happens all the time. Focus on fundamentals to discover and unlock.


    During This Podcast:


    A Teacher that is inspired by a young man on the kidney transplant list

    My son is inspired by a boy with one arm

    Training by the Path of Tao

    Getting Better by Going Back

    Halloween Story of a Jona, A Hotel in China, and the Ghost in her picture



    Getting Back to Fundamentals


    Mentioned

    Our Official Cake Pop Maker : Ms. Kat Sweet Bites CakePops 

    Hotel Halloween Ghost in Hotel : Screams From an Empty Room

    Artwork By : Mango of Sketchclub

    Edited on: Wednesday, October 28, 2015 10:43 AM

    Posted in Athletic Performance , Chinese Martial Arts , Personal Development , Podcasts

    Meditation : Mind and Body Work

    Posted on Friday, October 16, 2015 at 2:02 PM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith

    Meditation may take on many forms and styles. Sitting meditation is used often for mind clarity and calming. There is also standing, walking, and moving meditation, and if you are too weak for any of these, laying meditation.

    Standing, Moving and Seated is where we start students can here in Raleigh. all forms meditation benefit you mentally, emotionally, and physically.

    Meditation promotes and achieves:

    Energy, breath and blood circulate freely through meditation. In our small groups and private lessons in Raleigh; we learn to meditate with simple calming exercises that lures the mind back inside.

    Natural Detoxification - The meditational breathing practiced increases lymphatic movement by 10-20 times, helping to remove toxins from your system.

    There are only a few English translations of this style of meditation.  Through our meditation training and practice, you can find the postures that best suit to strengthen you. Through meditation practice you cultivate a stillness and calmness that allows you to look within for your answers and keys to self-development. 

    This style of meditation training is helpful for anyone at any age.  Even if you do not wish to practice kung fu, you can learn and practice standing, sitting, and walking meditation to gain results.

    Chi Kung (energy training) and Yi Chuan (mind strengthening) are blended into students meditation practice

    Posted in Athletic Performance , Mindfulness - Attention , Style: QiGong

    Ba Gua Zhang

    Posted on Friday, October 16, 2015 at 1:50 PM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith

    paqua Raleigh Ba Gua is often referred to a the sister of Tai Chi Chuan and BaGua considered the art that represents the basis of many philosophical perspectives and a basis of Chinese Medicine.

    In Kuo's book, Tai Chi Chuan is referred to as the 13 movements. This was understood to be the 8 gates (energies) of the paqua, combined with 5 stepping of hsing yi.

    One good friend, an Oriental Medical Doctor who had graduated Chinese Medical School in Beijing said that all the Doctors there, were required to learn basic paqua. She told me that they weren't required to be proficient, but to see the philosophy in motion.

    The Taoist philosophy is primarily associated with paqua. The understanding of continuous motion and flowing change is a basis that it is built upon.

    Ba Gua has been two main components:

    1. Walking the Circle(s)

    2. Primarily Open-hand martial system

    Walking the circle (Rotate with Heaven) has been performed by the Taoist sages for centuries. They do their meditation while walking, often times chanting as they walk.The Taoist walk bagua circles in their long robes, sometimes slowly, sometime swiftly, around trees and chant and pray.

    Sin Tien Wu Chi Paqua has 8 primary hands and is the walking meditation and tendon buidling aspects of the Ba Gua. Most students find the focus on proper, dedicated Ba Gua footwork to be challenging, and requires practice.

    The first four palms are offered in a Bagua Beginner Workshop.

    In the early 1800's Dong Hai Chaun sought refuge and made it to the Taoist sages. Dong Hai Chuan was already a very well trained martial artists, but put that to the side to learn the quiet ways of the sage.

    Hau Tien Wu Chi PaQua has 8 forms that are walked both in straight lines and circles to complete a full routine. These 'change palms' exhibit many of the forms and expressions that are used as a very good fighting kungfu. It is primarily an open hand system with many elbow and knee strikes. Our students begin learning the basic movements and then develop skills, then form.

    Ba Gua is a fighting system, but the root of the training began in quieting the mind in motion. Many very good fighters have used Ba Gua, and often iron palm training is also used in combination with these fighting skills. Learning to deliver strikes and blows while in continous motion is one of the signatures of Ba Gua.

    Paqua Zhang

    raleigh pa qua kuo

    paqua walking raleigh

    Edited on: Friday, October 16, 2015 1:59 PM

    Posted in Athletic Performance , Chinese Martial Arts , Mindfulness - Attention , Style: Ba Gua

    Hop Gar History

    Posted on Friday, October 16, 2015 at 1:37 PM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith

    During the Ming Dynasty, over 300 years ago, a Lama priest named Dai-Dot began developing the Hop Gar system.  During this time, he observed the battle of a great White Crane and an Ape.

     

    ***The Lion Roar system was created by Dai-Dot that included eight steps, eight fists, kicks, and grips. The Lion Roar style continued for 3 generations of Masters until it was titled, Lama Kung Fu.

    A temple was built so the Royal Guard could practice the Lama kung fu. Until the middle of the Ching Dynasty, Lama kung fu was the Imperial Kung Fu of China.

     

    In a small village (Ching Hoi) on the border of Tibet and China, there was a Lama monk named Ng-Muy. Ng-Muy had four excellent students, each focused on mastering different aspects of the Lama system. Kup-Duk, Gai-Bai, Ling-One, and Fan-Tiu were their names.

     

    Hing-Duk was the last student of Ng-Muy, and he learned the entire system. The Ching Hoi village is where Wong Yan Lum went to learn the Lama system from Hing-Duk.

    Wong Yan Lum used his skills to act as a Body Guard and Protective Escort. On Wong Yan Lum's return to Southern China, he erected his famous fighting stage in Canton, and took on all challengers with his now named Hop Gar Style kung fu. Later, Wang Yan Lum would occupy the number one seat in the Canton Ten Tigers exclusive kung fu group.

     

    Wang Yan Lum had only one representative for a long while, Wong-Hen-Wing.  Master Ng Yim Ming learned the Hop Gar system from Wang Yan Lum. Master Ng came to the U.S. during 1950 to visit family, and stayed. Master David Chin learned Hop Gar from Master Ng, while in San Francisco, and was later appointed by Master Ng to carry on the Hop Gar Style.

    Hop Gar Masters Ng Chin  Tibet

    Grandmaster Ng Yim Ming (Harry Ng)with his disciple (Chin Dai Wei) David Chin in San Francisco.

    Edited on: Friday, October 16, 2015 1:40 PM

    Posted in Chinese Martial Arts , Style: Hop Gar

    Hop Gar : Chinese Martial Art

    Posted on Friday, October 16, 2015 at 1:23 PM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith

    Hop Gar has no blocking, evade, penetrate, use space to your advantage.

    The Lama System makes Hop Gar Kung Fu unique. A few distinctions in this fighting art:

    1. There is No Blocking - You must develop a new skill set that allows you to intercept and penetrate.

    2. Physically unique - literally add inches to your striking reach as you move. Learn to make an unnatural mindset and physical skills, natural. Use angles and non-stationary strategy.

    3. Philosophy - Mind Set - Absolutely clarifies purpose and reason

    4. Footwork (Kay Men Bo) - Emphasis on stances and stepping, so you can deliver strikes without being in the same place.

    5. Body Space Elimination

    Tibetan Hop Gar Kung Fu from the Lion's Roar is a Lama Pai style, it is so unique that it is not meant for all students.  The physical expectations, the mind set required, and its pure intention requires great work and effort.

    Sifu Chin and Michael Staples wrote a Hop Gar book that explores Tibetan Hop Gar Kung Fu.

    As the Daai Si Hing (Eldest Senior Brother) years ago he had asked me to start writing a Fundamentals of Hop Gar book. Sifu gave me a copy of Park Bok Nam's "Fundamentals of Pakua" and told me to use it as an outline for the Hop Gar book.

    He said that it is well organized. I have started putting all this media together, video, audio, pictures and pages of notes.

    Lama Style SiGung Ng Yim Ming

    Hop Gar Certificate Sigung (Harry Ng) brought Tibetan Hop Gar to the U.S. and recognized Sifu David Chin to carry HopGar. Sifu Chin Certified Daai Sihing TW. Smith as a carrier of Hop Gar in 1997.

    Contact us at your convenience to discuss your interest in Tibetan Hop Gar


    We Run Hop Gar Kungfu Workshops and Classes.

    Tibetan Hop Gar


    Principles of Hop Gartw smith hop gar kung fu training

    Chon - No negotiation, destroy. You can't negotiate with a Tiger. Mental preparation.

    Sim- Evade, put your opponent in unfavorable position.

    Chun - Penetrate, attack the space movement and non-movement.

    Jeet - Intercept, trap inside the yin and yang.

    For Years our Hop Gar Training was rigorous and we were told, not for sport. The Delta's and Special Forces men that I trained with, trained to come home from hostile places.


    Hop Gar History | Hop Gar in Curriculum | Chinese Martial Arts School
    Edited on: Monday, October 26, 2015 1:11 PM

    Posted in Chinese Martial Arts , Style: Hop Gar

    Jogging and Tai Chi

    Posted on Friday, October 16, 2015 at 10:34 AM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith

    Tai Chi Hits Stride

    tai chi run stride health

    by Vicki Cheng - The Raleigh News & Observer posted 3/11/2005

    Chi Running -- a combination of tai chi and running -- is gaining converts in the Triangle. Raleigh Pilates instructor Charman Driver heard about it from a client who had been on a trip out west. Kathy Lawrence of Hillsborough got wind of it from her spin bike instructor. Steve Hoge watched in amazement as a new member of his Chapel Hill/Carrboro trail running club used it to glide effortlessly through a run.

    All three were intrigued by ChiRunning's promise to cut down on injury. What they learned was so different from the way most of us run that it was almost like anti-running: To go faster, you find the path of least resistance and relax rather than tighten your leg muscles. Instead of pushing your body forward with your legs, you harness the power of gravity and let yourself fall into each step. The mind, not the body, does most of the work.

    If all of this sounds a bit Californian, that's because ChiRunning's creator is Danny Dreyer, a nationally ranked ultramarathon runner based in San Francisco. Dreyer, who has run marathons of up to 100 miles, was studying with his tai chi master when a light bulb went off in his head: Why not apply tai chi's concepts -- moving from one's center and letting the arms and legs follow -- to running In 1999, after some trial and error, ChiRunning was born, said Katherine Dreyer, Danny Dreyer's wife and co-author of their 2004 book, "ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running." Since then, thousands have changed their running form and become ChiRunning devotees, according to the Web site at www.chirunning.com.

    Driver, 34, has been running since she was 15. She started with track and moved on to 5Ks and marathons. But when she hit 30, the knee twinges started. She changed shoes, but the pain always returned in a few days. When one of her Pilates clients told her about ChiRunning, which, like Pilates, uses the body's core muscles, Driver got the book and the DVD.

    "I was blown away," she said. "I've never experienced anything like it. When you run track, you learn a technique. It's a burst of energy. You're using every muscle in your body to get yourself to the end. With ChiRunning, it's not about using those small muscles. He's saying, 'Let's use that powerhouse we know about from Pilates.' "

    Learning the technique

    Driver went to California to become a certified ChiRunning instructor. Recently, she started teaching the technique to people in the Triangle. Sunday, a group of nine gathered at the Broughton High School track in Raleigh for their first ChiRunning lesson.

    In a wax-on, wax-off kind of way, Driver led the class through a series of exercises for most of the hour, before allowing them to step foot on the track. They learned to tighten their stomach muscles, and to tilt their upper bodies precisely a quarter of an inch forward. They learned to hold their torsos perfectly straight, like steel, and to relax their limbs, like cotton. They pushed against a wall to get used to the sensation of letting gravity pull their bodies forward. They learned to land in the middle of their feet.

    They learned about chi, the immeasurable life force that the Chinese have been studying for thousands of years, and how to keep it flowing. When they were finally ready to take off, Driver reminded them to get into their best posture.

    "Get your chi on!" she said.

    After a lap or two, Lynne Harris of Raleigh said, "It feels different. It's a little overwhelming. Is my stomach tight? Are my arms moving the right way? But it felt good. It wasn't as much effort, physically." She plans to stick with the program in hopes of breaking some bad habits and easing her chronic Achilles tendinitis.

    Bad form causes injury

    Lawrence, 44, started ChiRunning in December. The shin splints that she often had to treat with ice and ibuprofen are gone. Because her legs don't hurt anymore, she runs five miles twice a week. She's lost 10 pounds.

    Still, ChiRunning isn't easy. Core muscles get sore. "It takes a lot of concentration," she said. "I can't think about anything else, or I lose my form and I have to stop."

    Robin Queen, coordinator of sports biomechanics at Duke University's Michael W. Krzyzewski Human Performance Lab -- or the K-Lab -- said that improper form is the biggest contributor to running injuries. "Everyone assumes you put one foot in front of the other, and that's all there is to it," she said. Most of what she'd heard about ChiRunning sounded good, she said, especially the emphasis on core muscles and stretching. "If your core is strong, that keeps you in better balance," she said.

    People often get injured when they start running too far, too early. "Pay attention to how your body is responding," she said. "If it hurts, don't do it."

    Sixty-five percent of runners will become injured in an average year, according to a study reported in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. Jonathan Chang, a clinical assistant professor of orthopedics at the University of Southern California and a fellow with the American College of Sports Medicine, said it remains to be seen whether ChiRunning reduces injury rates. But if you're using a larger number of muscles to run, then potentially, you'll do less damage to your legs.

    Competitive athletes will probably need to stick with "power running" techniques that focus on leg strength, said Chang, himself a former competitive marathon runner. But those who are running for fitness might find ChiRunning appealing, because it's something different.

    Driver said that it took her five months to really get ChiRunning. "It's a gradual process," she said. Since then, she's come to believe that chi, or energy, flows through your body.

    "It's not about how fast you can run, or how strong you are," she said. "It's about being able to run ... without injury. I know I can do this the rest of my life, because I'm doing it the chi way."

    Tai Chi Running

    Edited on: Friday, October 16, 2015 10:40 AM

    Posted in Athletic Performance , Chinese Martial Arts , Style: QiGong , Style: Tai Chi

    Tai Chi Chuan

    Posted on Friday, October 16, 2015 at 10:22 AM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith

    Tai Chi is an excellent resource to develop balance, skills, and health.

    Put the mind and body together in harmony. An art that began as a martial style, but was modified to emphasize supple movements, creating energy, balance and flow.

    Over time, Tai Chi Chuan has developed into many styles and forms. Even its name has changed over time. Tai Chi (TaiJi - Pin Yin) can be traced back as legend to Chang San-Feng and further.
    The principles and theories of Tai Chi as a martial art extend deep into history.

    Develop your physical skills with Tai Chi by starting at practically any stage of health. Use Tai Chi to achieve new levels of flexibility, balance, and stamina at your pace.

    Tai Chi exercise moves in gentle, flowing manner, it is often referred to as moving meditation, due to the focus of circulation, breathing, mental alertness, and emotional stability practiced while moving through the form.

    If you are looking to improve your health, calm your mind, or improve your ability to respond positively mentally and emotionally,Tai Chi Chuan is an excellent place to start.

    Students learn Tai Chi or another style of moving meditation, just as we did. Sifu emphasized that it was the balance for all the other things that we would get involved in.

    Yang Tai Chi is the fundemental style that all students learn. Later they can get involved with Tai Chi Chuan which has the martial components built in. This version of Yang Tai Chi Chuan has many components of the Chin Canon Fist System as Yang Lu Chan had learned it from the Chin Family.

    Other Tai Chi Links in our website

    Our Tai Chi School | Tai Chi Improves Running | Kou Lien Ying

    The Health Benefits of Tai Chi are well noted, here are respected sources:

    Edited on: Friday, October 16, 2015 12:44 PM

    Posted in Style: Tai Chi

    Kuo Lien Ying

    Posted on Friday, October 16, 2015 at 9:38 AM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith

    Kuo Lien Ying (1895-1984) Born in Inner Mongolia

    We practice and the Quang Ping, Original Yang Martial TaiJi Chuan Style

    You will find

    Kuo Lien Ying brought Quang Ping Tai Chi Chuan with him, and it physically explains many of the classics, not just intellectually (talking hands).

    Kuo Lien Ying brought the Tai Chi with him in 1960's to San Fransisco. The expectations of this old Yang style from Quang Ping Province are high, encouraging physical development, martial skill and sensitivity.

    There are several similarities between the Yang Martial Tai Ji Chuan and the Chen Canon Fist. Both in distint postures or in Jing (power expression) normally not seen in softer health version.

    Softer Beijing Yang Styles are used to promote the health benefits, has its place and is excellent. Most of our students, once exposed to springy, old style Tai Chi Chuan from Quang Ping and Yang Ban Ho, prefer it, even though it is much more demanding and challenging.

    TaiJi Chuan - Brought to US in 1963

    There is a Tai Chi Qi Gong for health and then there is the original Combat Martial Art.

    Edited on: Friday, October 16, 2015 9:46 AM

    Posted in Chinese Martial Arts , Style: Tai Chi

    10 Attributes of Water : TKF 72

    Posted on Monday, October 12, 2015 at 6:38 AM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith

    water,be like water,kungfu,martial arts,qi gong,chikung Recent Events in China caused me to reflect on the Natural Element of Water.

    In Taoist Tradition, Water is one of Nature's 3 Treasures.
    Its Properties, Forms, and Abilities are attributes that we can use to improve our Martial Arts, QiGong and Ourselves

    "Be Like Water" is referred to so often that is nearly a cliche. Like most cliche's we forget how powerful the statement really is.


    In the 10 Attributes of Water Podcast :

    Recent Facts of Dalian, China

    Softness of Water

    Power of Water

    Resiliencies

    How these characteristics can apply to our Martial Arts, QiGong and Ourselves


    At the closing of the podcast I update the Workshops and share an idea I recently entertained :

    Dalian, China, Water Spouts  
    Sighting of Recent WaterSpouts in Dalian, China Have an In-House Workshop 2016 :

    Come in Friday

    Stay in the Kwoon or Local Hotel

    Train Friday, Saturday and Sunday Morning

    Contact Me if this sounds like

    A Workshop you are interested in..

    All 10 will be detailed in Tuesdays Newsletter. You can also get the Qin Na "Catch" Flow Drill Video when you signup





    10 Attributes of Water That Effect Martial Arts, QiGong and Ourselves


    Associated with the "10 Attributes of Water and Effects on Martial Arts and QiGong", plus Halloween :)

    Dalian Ghost Stories: Based on True Events from the Qing Niwa, Dalny, Dairen, and Luda Periods of the City's History

    Peng Jin : Tai Chi Chuan : TKF 63 

    Edited on: Friday, November 20, 2015 8:39 AM

    Posted in Athletic Performance , Chinese Martial Arts , Mindfulness - Attention , Personal Development , Podcasts

    Breathe Life Into Your Martial Arts Forms : KungFu CPR : TKF 71

    Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2015 at 12:32 PM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith

    Breathe Life Into Your Martial Arts Forms : Kungfu CPR


    C - Continuously

    P - Practice

    R - Realistically



    There have been several updates to our Workshop Calendar, including a :







    Breathe Life Into Your Martial Arts Forms


    During Todays Podcast




    Mentioned Resources

    TKF 64 www.tibetankungfu.net/64

    MyNet Diary

    Get Newsletter with Catch Drill Video

    20 Uses of Military Shovel

    Edited on: Wednesday, October 07, 2015 4:52 PM

    Posted in Athletic Performance , Chinese Martial Arts , Personal Development , Podcasts , Self Defense