Besides treating illness, herbs and formulas build stronger vitality and promote longevity. Herbs can be a vital part in any training regiment and can supply the added boost to...
Health & Wellness Articles
Tai Chi Push Hands: Why?
Tai Chi Push Hands used to be one of the greatest training aids ever invented. However, over the years, those who could not or did not know how to fight, decided that they would...
Common Martial Arts Injuries
The most common martial arts injuries are sprains, strains, cuts, and bruises. Broken bones also occur. These injuries frequently affect the knee, ankle, shoulder and elbow. Hands are particularly vulnerable to injury during striking martial arts.
Behind Every Good Non-Classical Martial Artist . . .
As we become more and more advanced in our survival skills, we tend to use less and less techniques, rather preferring to stick with the tried and proven one or two in order to survive. But it’s the years of classical work that gives us this ability. In a real situation, and I don’t mean the odd drunk at a pub, a half of an inch step, balanced, here or there can mean the difference in life or death.
Back Pain – Chinese Qigong for Healing & Prevention
The greatest benefit of Chinese Qigong is probably in the physical (Yang) and mental (Yin) training. Qigong teaches you how to regulate the mind to a calm, profound and concentrated meditative state. It also teaches you how to use your regulated mind in coordination with deep breathing to lead the Qi circulating in your body. From this internal guidance and coordination with specific Qigong movements, you can either heal yourself or rebuild the strength of your physical body. From the Yin (mental body) and Yang (physical body) balance, you regain your health.
The Middle-Aged To Martial Arts
Lioyd Fridenberg discusses learning martial arts as middle aged. The reasons men and women are turning to the martial arts as a form of physical training are a topic of much discussion. One thing is certain: as people come to realize that age is merely a state of...
Lifting the Sky
Sifu Anthony Korahais discusses the 2-minute drill Lifting The Sky. Daily practice is the key to success with Flowing Zen. But it’s not easy to keep your practice regular. No matter how disciplined you are, you’ll still run into obstacles. The 2-Minute Drill is a...
An Introduction To Force Decisions
Each day, media outlets all over the country describe events where officers use force decisions. Often, the reporters and the citizens question the need for force at all or whether the type and amount of force used was really necessary. Citizens worry that their...
Outdoor Martial Arts – A Guide To Training Without Sun Burn
The image of martial arts students training outdoors is pervasive. From Beijing parks to the Shaolin Temple, from Hollywood and Hong Kong movies to "Kung Fu Panda," the romance of outdoor training captures our imaginations. That attractive image may have some...
Taiji Breathing
First, let us consider natural breathing. When you practice Taijiquan with this taiji breathing, your mind does not have to be focused on the breathing. This is especially important for the beginner. At this stage, they should pay attention primarily to regulating the...
Building Qi
Exercises which build up Qi in the limbs called Wei Dan and are usually very simple. They are almost like any of the exercises which are common in the Western world. The only two differences are that when you practice you must concentrate your mind at the area being...
A Deep Relaxation Exercise
While most martial artists spend a lot of time practicing their arts and perfecting their moves, very few balance the practice out with relaxation. This relaxation exercise allows us to loosen up, to let ourselves flow comfortably and to have our body become...
The Eyes Have it
Master Rick Zanotti discusses the power of the eyes. It has been said that the eyes are the windows of the soul. Perhaps that is true. There is much that can be gathered from looking into someone's eyes. But there is more to the eyes than meets the eye. In the...