Impact training the shins is an important thing to do. Shins are very sensitive. They react to the slightest impact with the greatest pain. And, they bruise easily too. Of course, conditioning the entire body for impact is a given but paying special attention to training the shins is a must for the serious and/or…
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The Forward Stance
A tendency of the student, when utilizing a forward-stance, is to lock the rear leg (knee). There are some styles that do that intentionally and they have their reasons. It’s all good. But our style maintains a slight bend in the rear leg. It helps with mobility and your ability to shift direction easily without…
Kung Fu Is What We Are
One of my main mantras in teaching kung fu is: Kung Fu isn’t something you do, it’s something you are. In the western world we have a tendency to occupy ourselves with things to do. Tennis, golf, yahtzee, poker and countless other distractions are such things. Very often, even our careers are something to do…
Chi Kung Your Way To A Healthy Heart
One of the most important studies within our martial art system is the study of chi kung. Literally, chi means air and kung means work. Of course, there are richer meanings to the word chi as you get more familiar with it’s concept and depth. Often, it is described as our very life force. I…
Smoking or Chi Kung?
Have you ever seen someone that smokes take a smoke break? It’s a very interesting process. They have the tapping of the cigarette or package. They have things slowing down — they begin looking around or gazing like they’re seeing passed everything that is right in front of them. There’s the posture to light it…
Self-Defense: When Should You Defend Yourself?
When to self defend is one of the toughest questions and just as difficult to answer. A common phrase is “imminent danger of great bodily harm and/or death”. That may be the right answer but keep in mind, I’m not an attorney and am not trying to give you legal advice though I want to…
Martial Arts Defensive Tactics For Police Officers
Police Defensive Tactics is probably one of the most difficult areas of martial arts application one could teach. It isn’t a theoretical environment. There are no tests: no promotions. There’s only survival. Survival to a police officer isn’t limited to the techniques he/she uses in the field. It also includes “post encounter” criticsm. That could…
The “Extra” Tai Chi Move
I was remembering a story the other day from a few years back. We were in the tai chi class. I’m teaching a few moves into the form. Of course we’re moving very smooth and slow. The students, in general, weren’t real experienced and still learning the tai chi sequence. Half way into the class,…
Choosing A Martial Arts Style
Choosing a Martial Art School to train at can be a bit tricky these days. There are so many schools and so many styles. It can become real confusing, fast! There are two issues at hand here: one is choosing a style and the other is choosing the right instructor of that style (the school…
How To Overcome Your Pre-Promotion Test Anxiety
Taking a promotion exam can be a scary and challenging thing – especially for newer students. Most often, very advanced practitioners sit on a judges panel and watch every move the student makes. It’s a succinct moment where the student will pass or be delayed; and that kind of pressure can throw someone off their…
