Alan Armstrong

As there are many Chin Na techniques used by many ma styles, I wondered why there wasn't a Chin na style. There are many variations to one technique and add ons also, such as strikes and throws, pressure point grabs an so on. I saw the potential of using these techniques in a way to exercises and learn the body mechanics at the same time. As the human arm is a type of chain that links together, by bending and twisting the arm with a partner is a good exercise for one and a learning experience on how things work for the other. This exercise is totally none aggressive. I believe this is a good learning idea for beginners and experienced martial artists. With additional Chi kung exercises specifically for strengthening and improving flexibility of: fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck, knees and ankles. Counter techniques can also be explored and practiced. I have had experienced martial artists that practice chin na in their style to try them out on me. They didn't work on me because of my years of experience of twisting and exercising my own wrists. And when their techniques did work it was because I gave them time to readjust their technique's and to exert more pressure on my joints. What was even more surprising for them was when I totally relaxed my arms and moved them about like a robot. They could not get a fix on what type of technique to use. This is called using the Empty Shirt' technique. The way I see it is that the human body can only bend in certain ways by learning and practicing with this idea in mind, the possibilities for using Chin Na techniques will be without limitations only set by the limitations of the opponents joint flexibilities. What do you think?

The lazy man will find the simplist method of doing things. Those that know how to use chi power or gravity and momentum with proper structure run the risk of looking out of shape. Storing fat is also storing chi. Sumo wrestlers are the ultimate warriors. They may not win beauty contests but they are a force to be reckoned with. Many that practice the internal martial arts tend to look out of shape over time, but they have learned how to use this to their own martial art benefit. Personally I risk putting on too much weight. This is where the yinyang of balancing all things comes in to play. Doing chi kung exercises is a way to keep the chi flow balanced, with tension and relaxation techniques, every day. Trying too hard can have the opposite effect. Personally my training is different every day in every way.

Ballistic stretching is the worst method. My stretching routines are varied and none aggressive. I stretch in a very relaxed manner without straining myself. I sometimes sit on the top of a slope and let gravity do the work by leaning forward. I stretch with pandiculation in mind and being part of the natural way of doing things.

The way to harness chi power is through learning how to relax certain muscles while practicing or doing techniques. Many martial art styles are tense muscle based. In the history of martial arts these styles are relatively new. The relaxed muscle styles combined with intense exercises were once the norm. Another way to understand chi power, reminds me of a story about four blind men and an elephant. They could not agree on what an elephant was. One of the men had hold of the elephant's leg and he thought it was like a tree. Another blind man was holding the trunk and was convinced it was a like a giant snake. Another blind man thought that an elephant is like a carpet because he observed it's ear. While the blind man holding the elephant's tail was absolutely sure that an elephant is like a giant worm. If all of the blind men's observations were put together to make a picture, the question is, would it look like an elephant? Chi power from my point of view could be similar to others points of view but it will never be exactly the same. Because chi power is just that, a personal perspective.

If I want to get ready and focused for an event, I will practice intently to one song that inspires me to do well. Then on the day, that song will help me seize the day. Victory only comes to those that are properly prepared for it.

Have an idea that works well for me and hopefully in time for you. It is from the Wing Chun system and I cannot imagine why you cannot use it in your Shotokan class. Please practice this because it works. When attacking the opponent's left side they will protect that left side. Which usually opens up the middle so attack the middle and when they protect the middle that usually opens the right side, so attack the right side. While attacking the right side that usually opens up the middle so attack the middle and while they are defending the middle that usually opens up the left side ... As you may see this advice could go on indefinitely. This advice is not a hidden secret, it is well known to many informed Wing Chun practitioners. Ask your Sensei about how to do it, or seek out someone who can show you how. Or perhaps practice and play with the idea for a while (slowly) till you get the idea working for you. I'm sure this advise with practice will give you a large boost of confidence.

In the Wing Chun system, it is the opponent's elbows and not the chest or eyes to observe. Why look at the elbows you may ask. It is because the elbow moves much slower than the overall punch. Looking at the chest doesn't give any information and the opponent's eyes can decive you. Elbows don't lie. Controlling the opponents elbows in many ways has many advantages. Pin your own elbows to your body and then see how well you can punch and kick; not very well. Now practice sparring with their elbows in mind and conceal your own elbow intents. This is why in the Wing Chun system the immovable elbow methodology is used. It is the way to hide one's own intent and to clearly observe the opponent's simultaneously.

As you may start to notice is that there are many types of Chi, as in there are many forms of energy. This is why there is so much confusion on the subject. This is why there is no matter of fact or scientific proof that it exists. So why do 60 million Chinese people practice Chi Kung? All I can offer on the subject of Chi power is to point in the directions that you can discover it for yourself. This is the way to understand it. We hope to grasp the martial art aspect of chi power; yes? One aspect of chi power can be understood by understanding trees. Don't run away just yet; hear me out! Chi power for martial artists are stressed upone not to use muscle power but instead to use chi power. Sounds like a contradiction. Trees have limbs as we have limbs but trees don't have muscles, we do. Have you noticed that Tai Chi is practiced in parks? This is no coincidence. Trees sway and their limbs gently bounce so does the Tai Chi master. If a tree doesn't sway with the wind or weather conditions it's limbs will snap off and it could also be uprooted. It is if the tree is dancing or yeilding to the wind. The tree has no muscles and yet it can withstand alot of punishment. Sticking and yielding, swaying and bending, turning and twisting. All of these movements are what trees do and Tai Chi masters do also. For combative porposes these moments are anticipated and counter movments are used to blend or merge, to strike back or avoid being hit. Push a child on a swing and play dodging and weaving try not to get hit. Now move forward when the swing, swings away and move back when it swings towards you. This is the same principle when in a physical fight. As the swing is attached at two points so is your fighting opponent. Lightly hit one side of the swing's chain and it start moving erratically. You have disrupted the swinging swings chi. Those that develops chi power just help people to fall down. People fall down accidentally because of a number of reasons, many times people fall down on the street because they loose their balance when in a rush to get somewhere... If I lightly touch your shoulder and your response anticipates it to be hard, you will try to push against it with equal resistance, but as my touch is soft and your response is hard, you may fall over. If you don't fall you maybe unbalanced. Then a little tug/push or pull in the direction you are already headed could also make you fall down. A little gentle persuasion goes a long way, if you now how to work it.

Why chi kung exercises are important for martial artists. The more tension in the body the less maneuverability we have, stiffness reduces agility and spontaneity of movement. The more relaxed and ready the muscles are the better they can perform. To be super good at martial arts, chi kung axillary exercises were invented. Tai chi chuan, chi kung exercises are none aggressive and are gentle, because they are designed for the elderly. Chi kung exercises consists of 100's of moves. Depending on your chosen specialty as a martial artist, you can pick and chose what works best for you. Personally my chosen field for my age and health history; as my specialty is health and longevity. The Chin na martial art aspects I choose to practice, are for self defense and an inquisitive interest in body mechanics relating to martial arts. Practicing Chin na with a partner hyper extending my muscles/tendons/joints is a way to keep them strong and flexible. To perform like a high performance race car (human style) doesn't just happen by itself. Getting the right information and training is all important for your performance. Know what type of martial artist you want to be. Hobby or career. To help others or for you to be all you can be. If you don't know right now, think about this. Time spent improving yourself is time never wasted! Chi power is pocessing the right knowledge, then combining it with diligent practice till perfect and initiated it all with focused timing and coordinated intent. Then try to make it all look natural and easy to do.

Chi is derived from Chinese medicine. We in the West were skeptical about acupuncture. Now it is an accepted practice. Chi channels and meridians flow chi around the body. Pain derives from blocked channels and Chinese acupressure and acupuncture practice is use to unblock these channels. Chi kung exercises are practiced to keep the chi flowing in these channels, for health and vitality. With the idea that flowing water never goes stale. Atrophy, diabetes, blocked arteries, gangrene, strokes and heart attacks are mostly attributed to poor lifestyle habits. Chi kung exercises is preventative medicine. Keeping the body balanced without under doing or over doing anything. Using Yin/Yang principles. Keeping chi flowing is also practiced mentally with the help of I-Ching; the book of changes. Like the flowing water principle for the body also I-Ching principles keep to the same principles keeping the mind flowing and active, preventing mental stagnation. Brain cells are said to use up to 12 times more chi energy than the rest of the cells in the body. Could be why thinking can be very metally exhausting at times. In martial arts we are constantly encouraged to "Don't think just do"

About bear chi. Bears a born with prenatal chi, inherited from their genes. Their life style now depends on postnatal chi. Depending on where they live, plenty of salmon is on the menue. They sleep alot and hibernate. They climb trees to eat honey and berries. They live in forest without much pollution. They don't have stressful jobs. They don't drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. They live close to nature. When you sum up the life of a bear, they don't need to learn how to do chi kung; they have already mastered it inherently. We as humans could do ourselves some good by taking some of their positive attributes and incorporate them into our own life style.

Question, what do I need chi for. Yes a balanced life style with food and exercise will work. Chi kung is a way to cultivate it in a focused way. Do you see the way trees move or water flows. The more connected with nature the more awareness you will develops. If you just focused on body posture alone you would start to notice how most around you ignore this most basic practice. Fat belly creeps in and then huching the back... and so on till your ankles are swollen and you need a walking stick to move. Good posture will develop positive chi in you. Tao is the way; the right way. There are millions of right ways to do things; you choose!

Chi cultivation not only gives me a quality of life beyond what money can buy, it also has extended my life also. More than ten years ago I looked terrible. Had four heart attacks; so I should be dead. A personal trainer just a few days ago told me that I have the physique of a 36 year old; I'm almost 60. He wanted to know my secret. I told him that I practice chi kung about 30 hrs a week. I had been fascinated about chi since about the mid 1970's. Since my heart attacks, I have turned my life around in the right direction and now my health issues are working out brilliantly.

I think therefore I am. I feel the chi in my body therefore it exists. I have a heightened body awareness... I read once that a very fat woman went to use the toilet and while there gave birth. Many people do not take care of or listen to their own body. Chi is just energy! Having awareness of my own chi or energy enhances my life in general. I sleep as much as possible because my body needs it and l feel better for it. I don't question it I just feel the benefits of doing it. I feel the benefits of practicing chi kung and once again I feel the benefits of doing it. I only buy in to Chinese concepts because they make sense to me on a natural way of being. The Chinese invented gunpowder and used it for celebration purposes. We in the West used it to dominate other cultures. I have chosen the celebration way. I had heard many years ago that the chi mystery was proven by Western science to be true. For me it is like Christopher Columbus discovering America. The natives there from their perspective were invaded. Chi waiting to be discovered? I hope not, because I'm sure the spontaneous human combustion weapon will be invented the very next day. If you feel sunlight on your skin then you feel chi also. Chi is also absorbed in to the body through our largest organ, that being the skin. Some people need therapy with the use of light. All those people on the beach just soaking up the sun/chi. Why? Because it feels good and a certain amount of sun/chi is healthy but cross the line and then it is dangerous. Dancing is another way to get chi energy absorbed up from the ground. Chi Kung masters use the way of being like a tree, absorbing chi from the sky and the ground, with the surroundings adding to the chi balance. Chinese are known to be hard workers. They can do this, because of living in a chi energy culture. With chi theories imbedded in to their culture and handed down through the centuries. With chi there is nothing to prove or disprove because for the Chinese it just is and they accept it for what it is.

Maybe you have failed to realize many of the cultural differences of East to West. Many Thai boxers fight to eat and the competion for them is incredibly high as it is their national sport, whereas in the West it is just another sport. "Proof is in the pudding."

Fat is stored energy and energy is chi. Blood is food for every cell of the body and exhalation expels used blood cells as carbon dioxide. Chi is also food and fat is stored food. Fat also stores vitamins and vitimins are crystals. The dantien stores energy and when the long practicing chi master dies, it is said that there can be found a crystal in the dantien.

You are right I agree with your point of views. The question was how do Tai Chi guys generate power and that was the focus of my explanations.

Chi is also stored in body fat. If you were lost in the wilderness that body fat could improve your chances for survival as opposed to the lean built person. Chi cannot be separated from blood, so even if you don't believe in chi circulation, we all know how important circulation is to our health. If you put your finger over the nozel of a garden hose the water will squirt out further. This same principle applies to chi also; to focus our chi. We accept the radiation of heat to heal or comfort with a warm welcoming handshake or a hot drink on a cold day. Could also be an ice-cream on a hot day. An ice pack on a swollen twisted ankle. Remember chi is also connected with feelings.

As no one is adding more to this topic and I feel an overwhelming urge to do so. When you see a Tai Chi practitioners beautifully flowing from one graceful move to another, there is one element missing. Which is footwork to close the gap. To set yourself up to release a technique on the opponent. Think about it for a moment. When you do a kata against an imaginary opponent, he is not going to jump in to every position so you can damage him, on the contrary he is going to be as awkward and difficult as possible for you. This is where the art of positioning yourself to do the most damage comes in to play, closing the gap first, then let them have it! By closing the gap it takes a lot less energy to release that energy because you have created momentum combined with gravity and structure in a short distance and all in a millisecond. Respect.

I belive there could be a culture clash as we in the West draw too much from the Eastern ma cultures. Where Eastern values are a part of their culture and not ours. The up side is how martial arts has created a positive bridge between East and West. Kick boxers here in the West had their stripe along the side of their gi, this made a great distinctive difference. The gi and belt ranking systems are Eastern in design. We have continually borrowed from them without question. The gi is what peasants and manual workers wore in ancient Japan. We are 16 years in to the new millennium, it would have been a good time to make a change. Imagine Japanese Morris dancer's in Japan, then you may see my point of view. Schools in Japan for instance are far more demanding on students than Western schools, do we neglect to take that in to consideration when grading? Respect.

I teach chi kung combined with chin na. I don't do belt ranking or give out colored sashes. No certificates or deplomas. No ribbons or medals. This is a very debatable issue, I'm sure. It seems to me like the man that declares himself king, then hands out titles. Many martial art styles were family styles handed down from one generation to the next. Some people call me a master and others ask me if I am a master or a black belt. The freedom of not being tagged, for me is liberating. I view belt ranking on the same level as getting a card stamped at a coffee shop. Many accomplished martial artists complain about how easy it is in this day and age to obtain a black belt. Gung Fu has been replaced with commerciality ma. Gung fu mean's sacrifice Kung Fu means learned skill. My earlier ma teachers were truly Gung fu masters. The black belt that they wore was something to respect; today it is questionable. How young children can wear a black belt and enter competitions and win a trophy that is taller than they are. It is no wonder that there is a major ego flu epidemic going around in the dojos of today. Thank you in advance for reading my rant. Respect.

Attracting new students and keeping them, then you need students that are willing to have a short or long term commitment with you. What are you offering which is better or different than your competitors? What could you offer that is new and exiting? Ask your pontial students with a simple survey. Ask them what they would like. Get their feedback and respond back to them via email. Then offer a short free introductory class. Maybe it is self-defense that they want. Or health and fitness. Could be to learn about other cultures. For fill their needs. Know your customers wants and needs first. Maybe it is a commitment issue then adapt. Maybe it is tuition fees that is the deterrent. Could be inconvenient class timetables. Or potential injuries might be a factor. Ask them ...

This massage for the back of the legs is nothing less than fantastic. The lactic acid is equivalent to nitro for a boost of speed for a car. Some athletes train themselves to use this to improve their performance. It is also associated with the afterburn effect, which is burning fat long after the exercises have ended.

Another way is to find a slope. Take three pegs, place two pegs either side in the ground for your ankles to stop you from sliding down the slope and peg number three on front of you to help to pull yourself forward with your hands. Sitting in this split position on a slope and letting gravity and your own body weight to pull your legs apart, by just leaniing forward.

It is just a story that I made up for fun. Chi masters are known to be a bit crazy. The fly swatter is an efficient hand held weapon designed for killing; just playing on words. Having a little wit could save you from a very dangerous situation; it has saved me plenty of times.