Alan Armstrong

Admittedly it is easier to teach martial arts without chi kung training as getting a student over this hurdle might not be possible, for example as law enforcement officers in the West don't have much need for it, as some ma techniqes is enough to get by with, however in the East it is highly prized. Therefore it is the student to persue the Chi kung issue and not be reliant on a teacher to fill the gap, as Chi kung is an axillary training method and not a martial art. Chi kung practice is also a way to build up internal life force energy and store it in the dantien, a way to stay younger for longer for those that believe to be like water, keep moving, so as to not become stale or stagnant.

The expression "Where the mind goes the chi goes" As one gets older there seems to an ache or strain somewhere, anywhere on the body, so the game is to focus on that area first. Chi Kung need not be a chore, it could be as simple as smiling for a prolonged period of time as those that take themselves far too seriously, could use a little of this on a daily basis. For most however chi kung is a good way to relieve unwanted and unnecessary tension in the body. Whatvever the method is in using Chi Kung, breathing should be integrated in to the practice. When lowering stress then breathing as in the same way as smelling a rose is helpful. There are many method to choose from to gain benefits from chi kung, as martial artists harnessing the power of chi and using it is most definitely worth the time to find out. Chi kung exercises might focus on all of the joints and tendons in the body for ease of movment or getting the blood to flow better as in improving circulation or unlocking stagnant chi in the body that is causing discomfort. With practice a person can get a feeling of euphoria as the entire body is in a state of perfect synchronicity, with mind body and spirit working together as one.

Written as "Peng" pronounced "Pung" as it would be misinterpreted with a bad smell. When this Chineses word Pung can become lost in word association with smell, it is however probably one of the most important energy concepts in martial arts. As Pung is not only a direction of a curved arch going down and up in Tai Chi Chuan it is also defines the quality of all things in their natural comfortable state. Therefore in a fight situation it is better to stay composed, aware and prepared in a Pung state of being whilst let the opponents be disjointed and uncomfortable, OK easier said than done, that is for sure, but be assured that this is the place to aim for as a martial artist, as this is the closes you will be to your MA potential.

Another problem with Western misinterpretations of Chinese sounds and how we for example try to make sense of them, for example the multitude of spellings for the same idea "Jom" or "Jum" or "Jam" to sink or sinking or sunk, when it's true meaning is "pillow". As with pillow, there is a 'connection of two things coming together' element and a 'time' element also a 'slow or gradual' element and a 'softness' element, a connection of pillow and sinking. Therefore to express a technique with the quality of 'Jum' then to use the idea of sinking with a pillow in mind is correct instead of something already sunk or as a sinking ship. Clear descriptions of Chinese energy concepts is a must otherwise everything is up for mass miss interpretations.

Thank you sensei8 for your comments. There are Chinese energy concepts that are very small in them selves but have deep profound meanings. "Jin" Elastic energy, the more a martial artist has of this one the better. "Song" Sinking and releasing as in making use of one's own body mass. "Ting" sensing the tension in another person and taking advantage of it in a confrontation. "Ji" Triangulation or funneling energy to a point. "Bien" Whipping energy. "Biu" Thrusting energy. These are just a few of many, small concepts individually but collectively used with martial art intention can be very overwhelming for the none initiated.

The Western mind set is a very difficult one to adapt to the Eastern one, it does take a lot of time and effort to adapt to and still a person might not reach very far. As more and more Westerners learn and share with other Westerners on topics such as Chi the more easier it will become for everyone over time. Personally I can snap back in to tool based thinking and using techniques in a second but this is secondary to using energy-efficient concepts first. Chi is also air, run out of air in a confrontation due to being exhausted or winded by a shot to the abs or a rear naked choke they all add up to losing. As a car needs air in it's tyres and for the combustion engine chi is present to make things work not just efficiently. Chi is energy that can used in many positive and negative ways to hurt or to heal having too much of a good thing can also have the reverse effect therefore moderation is a factor also. Modern day Western personal trainers are now using Chi Kung exercise concepts in their curriculums they just might not know it, as it is showing up progressively more over time. Perhaps trainers are missing out on Chi aspects and only using the Kung, which represents time and effort,

Wu Wei, from my understanding as none preference?Thanks for sharing the video Douse Geluk.

Hello KeithBerg, have often tried to make a point here on KF about energy based concepts that turns in to tool based conversation instead. This is why my participation here has dwindled down to almost nothing. Perhaps Chinese energy secrets have been blown out of proportion that they have lost validity in main stream MA. When physics, body mechanics and a whole lot of understanding of how to pull the strings of another human better than themselves, as in balance and using gravity to one's advantage, this being understood by all, until then it will stay in the most part, either in the shadows of mystery or in the realm of con men, for profit or just for fun. Understanding chi concepts for health benefits and for quality of life is something every human being can use not just martial artists. Chi kung exercise helps martial artist to be stronger when ever needed and also developes that individual's martial quality, no matter what style or system practiced. Chi kung can also be used as a therapy to regain health, after serious health issue, having four heart attacks, it is important for me to do the right things to not only survive but thrive. So my advice is to get past the chi hype and look in to sustainable healthy lifestyle habits, by cutting back on thing that are unhealthy bit by bit and adding thing that are good for your health. Over time looking back on the healthy life style changes you have made, will have been the greatest gift that you could have given to yourself. One principle aspect of chi is understanding the quality of all things, from the quality of air we breath, to the water we drink, to the food we eat, to the way we train, so you become an accumulation of things built on quality products, qualty training and quality methods that makes a martial artist a formidable opponent of quality.

I shouldn't ask, but, what's SMH stand for?? Shake My Head

Death is waiting for us all, I for one am not waiting for it, as it will need to catch me first; preferably when sleeping.Being unstoppable needs some reflective thinking about it first, just to say no, is the easiest way to avoid any further questions about the difference that can occur. Great thinkers were unstoppable, as they can see many pros and cons to analyze, not being totally against or for anything %100 Being narrow minded, stubborn or bias is a way many choices are rationalized for each individual. Recently watched a play "The Wizard of Oz" with all the main characters, missing something and when finding it, became complete. What Oz did for each of them, was to unlock their potential, with the power of self belief. A story for young children to gain the power of self belief is important for becoming successful, no matter if it is just an illusion. This is why this story will go on forever, seemingly unstoppable. Of course to be unstoppable is an illusion, just be aware to not be delusional about it.

Some people like to think out side of the box while others are happy where they are. Boxes come in all shapes and sizes not much different than people really.When talking or discussing about a new cube or the cube itself, it is called "Un-Boxing"

Becoming unstoppable is similar to become invisible as in Ninjitsu not to be taken literally.As Ninjas can disguise themselves to go about unnoticed, very far from looking all dressed up and obvious as an assassin. Becoming unstoppable means, not letting others stop or discourage you from what you want to do or accomplish. Becoming unstoppable means, letting go of one's own baggage or inhibitions. Becoming unstoppable means, not being addicted or a slave to making others rich, for example, smoking, overeating and gambling. Becoming unstoppable means, clearing a clean path through all the rubbish put in front of you, to be where you wnt to be. Becoming unstoppable means, having the determination and fortitude to start and finish a project that you set out for yourself and not to be swayed or discouraged to stop by any one or thing. Becoming unstoppable, could be like Bruce Lee, even after his death, he is still going strong and more popular than ever.

That was a faked video that's been around for a long time, often with different titles but wing chun isn't one of them. It was initially labeled as capeiora fights mma. It's a staged video- i don't even think the crowd isnreal Wow you have a good eye TJ-Jitsu but Superman punches are very real. Of course they are, but they're hardly a wing chun innovation. They've been around about as long as kicks have in the UFC. In fact, the more committment to the roundhouse, (or attempted roundhouse) the easier and stronger the superman punch. An early 1980s Wing Chun movie (Pre 1993 UFC) "The Prodigal Son" in it landing a Superman punch. If that's a superman punch, its terrible. It'd be more appropriate to call that a "jumping punch" than a superman punch, and most likely done for theatrics. This guy merely jumps and throws his fist- theres no power on that (we've talked about that, yeah?). A superman punch comes from the feigned kick snapping back into a punch. Still the power has to be derived from the foot that's on the ground as that's the one pulling the leg that did the kicking. To merely jump and throw a punch is to do just that, and is to lose any and all power... Someone who just might have the Superman Punch figured out... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJDwsS-3z6s All and any punches Superman makes are authentic Superman punches, all us humans can hope for or do are imitations at best; except for the few here on Earth that are not %100 human.

Here is KungFu cube. Work good for Shaolin Kung Fu Rubic cube competitions.

Are you pleased questions, doesn't exactly bring out the "True Grit" or "Gung Ho" passionate side of people. Having extremes "Strong words" is only a way or method to put a broader perspective on any subject, it also makes for a more sensationalized heading, as in "Made you look made you smile" I have a personal preference for this method, also as "This vs That" this isn't a we vs them to be taken literally, just a way to put up a broader net and get the ball rolling. The alternative, is what many others use, something I dislike, headings that are ambiguous and misleading. The use of the appropriate word or words is really important. It better conveys the message one is trying to get across. It also helps convince others that one knows what they're talking about. Which also shows that one is paying attention to what has been said.Different versions of this quote below has been around for sometime now, here is a version I like. Hope this quote is fitting and appropriate for this topic. ................................................................ In promulgating your esoteric cogitations, or articulating your superficial sentimentalities and amicable, philosophical, or psychological observations, beware of platitudinous ponderosity. Let your conversational communications possess a clarified conciseness, a compacted comprehensibleness, a coalescent consistency, and a concatenated cogency. Eschew all conglomerations of flatulent garrulity, jejune babblement, and asinine affectation. Let your extemporaneous descantings and unpremeditated expatiations have intelligibility and veracious vivacity, without rhodomontade, or thrasonical bombast. Sedulously avoid all polysyllabic profundity, pompous prolixity, psittaceous vacuity, ventriloquial verbosity, and vaniloquent vapidity. Shun double entendres, prurient jocosity, and pestiferous profanity, obscure or apparent. In other words, talk plainly, briefly, naturally, truthfully, purely. Keep from " slang"; don't put on airs ; say what you mean ; mean what you say. And don't use big words. Dr R http://editingmonks.blogspot.com.es/2009/06/dont-use-big-words.html?m=1

Are you pleased questions, doesn't exactly bring out the "True Grit" or "Gung Ho" passionate side of people. Having extremes "Strong words" is only a way or method to put a broader perspective on any subject, it also makes for a more sensationalized heading, as in "Made you look made you smile" I have a personal preference for this method, also as "This vs That" this isn't a we vs them to be taken literally, just a way to put up a broader net and get the ball rolling. The alternative, is what many others use, something I dislike, headings that are ambiguous and misleading.

The idea of the Rubic's cube in the dojo would be similar to bringing a chess game to class; not practical. As many can relate their martial arts to chess I'm only showing a relationship from another perspective and that being the Rubic's cube. As martial arts is a way to build confidence, the Rubic's cube can also have a confidence building effect, when knowing how to work with it, by solving problems or solutions efficiently and effortlessly. Where as the uninitiated will consider the cube to be impossible to solve, while the rest know that it is not. As many give up very quickly, learning how the inner workings of the cube functions, while others consider it a challenge to master it. For me there are similarities between "The Cube" and Chinese martial arts, considering Yin/Yang lines and the nine gates. The three dimensional spacial awareness of the cube and the fourth dimension of time can create a stronger awareness and understanding between oneself and what a person is doing. With the cubes algorithms and remembering complex sequences, this can lead to understanding kata movements in a simpler form. With the notations of: Represented in a clockwise rotation F=front U=upper R=right L=left B=back D=down With an anti clockwise rotation it is written as: F' U' R' L' B' D' As two movements or turns would be written as for example: F' F' These same notations and modifications can be used when mapping out katas. The aspect of solving the cube with the least amount of moves, is also a subject matter that can be related to martial arts. Do you see any similarities between martial arts and the Rubic's cube?

The Rubik's cube invented in 1980, a multicolored hand held mind puzzle game. This little mind teaser forces a person to use their brain. Not only thinking where you are, also moving forward, but also just as important to remembering to go back where you have been in reverse. The turning and holding of the cube is a good exercise for strengthening the wrists and fingers; also improving dexterity. The colors remind me of the belt ranking system with: White opposite yellow. Orange opposite red. Green opposite blue. Knowing where the colors are makes the solving process quicker. With the white facing forward makes the yellow to the back. With the red on top makes the orange on the bottom. With the green on the right/hand makes the blue/hand left. When solving the last layer of the cube, algorithms are very handy to know, these remind me of katas. As doing a kata and the cube are both done by oneself, with practice they can both be improved upon. Do you see similarities to the Rubic's cube and martial arts? Perhaps you see the Rubic's cube better in your grappling?

Perhaps so. Though that's an awful lot of terrible behavior you're proposing to engage in considering the sheer number of folks that harm each other on a regular basis. But leaving that aside, who are we to say that they didn't have cause? All of the fighting I have done in my life, and I can tell you my opponents thought they had cause plenty of times. I didn't agree, and perhaps society wouldn't either, but that is irrelevant to them at that moment. What is relevant is what sort of behavior YOU are willing to engage in on a regular basis. Or me for that matter. I know myself well enough to know that while I could live with harming another person if it happened, I would have to be provoked far beyond what is necessary to get me to engage physically with someone, in order to be willing to gouge an eye or certain other tactics. I need a scalable response, and most of those things are not. Keeping it playful, or sporting as the english would say, enables me to choose the level response based on the level of threat. As the old saying goes, if your only tool is a hammer... I agree with you. The level of aggression is equal to the level of response. "The level of aggression is equal to the level of response" sounds good on paper but not possible in reality.If a person throws a stone at me, then should I throw a stone back? If someone throws a stone at me, then that person has chosen to do harm to me, my response is to stop that person's intent from continuing, being open to use whatever force to make it possible, being a gentleman or not will have nothing to do with the methods I choose to use, that could include not to be violent or aggressive. So this is where an in-depth understanding of levels of force is very useful. Level of force is related to a combination of intent and likely outcome, not necessarily choice of weapons. For example, the standard used by most legal systems in developed western countries is I.M.O.P. Standing for Intent, Means, Opportunity, and Preclusion To take your example of someone throwing stones: Are they throwing stones to hit and harm you? or is it just some kids messing around. Those require 2 VERY different responses. Also Means, Are these actual stones that CAN harm you? Or are they just tennis balls that leave a bruise at the most. Different responses. Opportunity. Are you within range of these stones? And, Can you get OUT of range easily and safely? Different responses. Finally Preclusion. Are they throwing stones at you because you are somewhere you are not supposed to be? Are you breaking in to their house? Are you standing on the clearly marked stone throwing range? Different responses. Even the simplest example, when you add the complexity of the real world to it, becomes undeniably complex and requires more than a simple attack/response drill. A big thank you Tempest.If someone throws a stone at me: My reaction to it will depend on where I am situated, the country or territory or area, am I an intruder. Who is throwing the stone, children, teens or adults. To understand the apparent reason for the stone throwing, is this a riot or a street battle. Were the stones being thrown intended for me or not on a personal level, or just target practice. Am I responsible for the care and security of anyone with me, children, friends and family or VIP work related. Do I recognize any of the stone throwers, that might have a personal grudge against me. Would my aggresive or passive actions escalate or aggravate the situation or not. Could this be part of a bigger plan, such chasing them and getting caught in an ambush. First, safety comes to mind for myself and those with me. Secondly, assess the situation. Third, make a plan and implement it.

Funny, I've heard this argument when it comes to Suidi (Shuri-te) vs. Nafaadi (Naha-te). One is for smaller people and one for larger. I think this is a western ideal and not factual in any sense. I started in the Shuri-te arts because a teacher said that they were for small or skinny guys. At the time I was a runt at only 5' and maybe 90 lbs. Funny thing is I've taken both arts and to be honest, I don't see the difference or why one would best suite one body type over another. Your body grows and adapts over time. I disagree. Again with time and training this ceases to be a factor. So your saying a person that is slow can not train in a fast paced style? Then how do you increase your speed? I don't follow this logic at all. So essentially stay within your comfort zone. Why! I'm quick (maybe not as quick when I was younger) and fast on my feet. I guess I should not have wrestled in JH, or taken Judo. The arts are about perfection of oneself. Why would anyone put limits on themselves or on a student? If you're slow you should take a fast paced art. If you're weak you should be taking an art that demands strength. Why? Because it develops it. Again I disagree. The only way you get better is by doing those things that you are not good at. I have taken (I won't say studied) many arts trying to find what works best for me as a young man. I found no art that was best suited for one type of person over another. Yes some arts may have been more of a challenge but there in lies the point. To challenge oneself. When I took Judo I was told I was going to get destroyed by guys that were much larger than me. Not true at all. Many things fall down to technique. Were they stronger? Yep. Did that help them? Nope. I found that huge guys were top heavy and as long as you executed the technique properly they fell just like anyone else. Certain arts are equated with strength because the bigger guys dominate that art. All arts come down to proper technique. Yes strength is a factor as well as speed but without proper technique all your really doing is using your strength. In a fight (real) this is a mistake. Strength only gets you so far. Speed only gets you so far. You have to balance the two with proper technique. I have heard this argument most of my life. If I have a skinny weak student, yes I will teach them how to maximize their strengths but to ignore their weaknesses is folly and not in the best interests of the student. Rather than take the stand point that "I'm weak, so I shouldn't take arts that require strength", why would you not challenge them to take those arts so that they can improve on their weakness? Same goes for any weakness. I agree that not everything will suite a person. However that is not to say that they should not try everything to find what best works for them and more importantly overcomes their weaknesses. This could be because their instructor doesn't know how to teach them or that they are teaching them sport based arts. The student nor the art is to blame in this instance. It's their instructor. On the other hand if the student is the type to roll into a ball at the first hint of danger then the issue is with them. This is a mental thing and not a physical obstacle. Everyone likes to bring size into the picture but it really falls down to mentality. However the instructor in this case shares some of the blame. The instructor should challenge the student and take them outside of their comfort zone. More or less like a DI does to their recruits. True. One of the baddest guys I've ever known grew up on the streets as the wrong ethnicity in the part of town he lived in and grew up fighting every day of his life. He was (since passed about 15 years ago) 5'2" 120 lbs soaking wet and could clean out a bar of bikers without breaking a sweat. He was one person I can honestly say I feared. He absolutely loved to fight and loved pain. He wouldn't hesitate to step to any man no matter size or ability. He had absolutely no training whatsoever. However he learned by doing and out of shear necessity. I think this boils down to two factors; how much you have fought in your life time and your mentality. However this is the exception rather than the rule. We all have some ability to fight and everyone can swing away or wrestle to some degree. However if put up against a trained fighter, other than the rare exception, would get destroyed unless they get a lucky strike on the button. My way of reasoning comes from a lifetime of experience, first hand knowledge, my experience and not yours, therefore I don't expect you or anyone else to agree with me, this is all relative to each individual.Belonging to gangs was a way of life, growing up in an urban concrete jungle, fighting as a teenager was entertainment. When having outgrown all that street fighting, then entering the work a day world, a change was needed, otherwise the only option available, would have been a life of crime, not wanting that, I moved deeper in to martial arts and now half a century later, still learning, developing and experiencing. My statements are just that "statements" and "generalizations" as (young fat boys don't usually join a ballet class whereas young skinny girls do) which are not absolute as there will always be exemptions (with which nature likes to make) as with birds that have wings that don't fly, while some fish that don't have wings can.

Perhaps so. Though that's an awful lot of terrible behavior you're proposing to engage in considering the sheer number of folks that harm each other on a regular basis. But leaving that aside, who are we to say that they didn't have cause? All of the fighting I have done in my life, and I can tell you my opponents thought they had cause plenty of times. I didn't agree, and perhaps society wouldn't either, but that is irrelevant to them at that moment. What is relevant is what sort of behavior YOU are willing to engage in on a regular basis. Or me for that matter. I know myself well enough to know that while I could live with harming another person if it happened, I would have to be provoked far beyond what is necessary to get me to engage physically with someone, in order to be willing to gouge an eye or certain other tactics. I need a scalable response, and most of those things are not. Keeping it playful, or sporting as the english would say, enables me to choose the level response based on the level of threat. As the old saying goes, if your only tool is a hammer... I agree with you. The level of aggression is equal to the level of response. "The level of aggression is equal to the level of response" sounds good on paper but not possible in reality.If a person throws a stone at me, then should I throw a stone back? If someone throws a stone at me, then that person has chosen to do harm to me, my response is to stop that person's intent from continuing, being open to use whatever force to make it possible, being a gentleman or not will have nothing to do with the methods I choose to use, that could include not to be violent or aggressive.

It could be helpful to you Lupin 1 and other martial artists, to know which personality type one falls under.Here it is in book form: "How to analyze people on site" http://www.gutenberg.org/files/30601/30601-h/30601-h.htm Here is a sample from the book: The Evolution of the Jaw ¶ The jaw is a good illustration of this alliance between the mind and the body. Its muscles and bones are so closely allied to the pugnacity instinct center in the brain that the slightest thought of combat causes the jaw muscles to stiffen. Let the thought of any actual physical encounter go through your mind and your jaw bone will automatically move upward and outward.[Pg 20] After a lifetime of combat, whether by fists or words, the jaw sets permanently a little more upward and outward—a little more like that of the bulldog. It keeps to this combative mold, "because," says Mother Nature, the great efficiency expert, "if you are going to call on me constantly to stiffen that jaw I'll fix it so it will stay that way and save myself the trouble."

Integrity should never be compromised; never ever. Integrity is strength that needs to be constant, never to become a hit or miss thing. If integrity is compromised in the marital art business, then the skills will fall victim to the same fate; both failing and falling flat on the face. Being unscrupulous isn't a winning plan on account of missing the most important ingredient, that being integrity.

"How to analyze people on site" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFWGvJy1sus This is a (free) course, a recording of how to recognize the five personality types. If you find that understanding body language is interesting than this will surely be of interest to you also. This recording is almost seven hours long, as it is the complete book/manual. (There is an explanation of why people fight and the relationship to the jaw contained within this audio book)

Martial arts just like everything else has fallen into the grips of the false economy. Faster cheaper watered down knockoffs of everything is available. Always keep your integrity, as this is the true value of your martial art teaching. Just like a fake gun will explode in the users face, so the same thing will backfire to those that don't have anything substantial to teach in martial arts; therefore let them create their own fate to failure.