T'ai Chi Ch'uan Solo Form - Part Six - Day 2,922 for Sifu

On June 30th 2001 Sifu was initiated as a 7th Generation Disciple in Grand Master T. T. Liang's Yang Style T'ai Chi Ch'uan lineage.

I made a pact with myself that day, that I would do a minimum daily practice of at least a 'round' of T'ai-Chi Ch'uan with warm ups, Standing Meditation and Qigong. Today will make 8 years (2,922 days) that I have been blessed to be physically, mentally and emotionally able to do that practice daily without fail.

I am so grateful to my teachers and the knowledge and wisdom that they have shared with me. I'm grateful to them for giving me these truly marvelous health maintenance practices and all of their multifaceted parts; Warm ups, Standing, Qigong, Solo Forms, Weapons Forms, Two Person Sensitivity Exercises, Two Person Weapons training....etc. etc.

My main teachers in the chronological order that I met them:

Sensei Steve McCabe

Master Paul Gallagher

Master Ray Hayward

Grand Master Remy Presas

And all the other teachers that I have trained with over the years that have had a serious impact on my life and my art:

Master Ken Cohen

Master Leung Key-Chi

Master Zhang Jie

Sifu Jimmy Morris

Sifu Paul Abdella

Master Duan Zhiliang

And of course many thanks to Grand Master T. T. Liang for the way he handed down the 'complete system' and his words of encouragement for my daily practice. The music and Grand Master Liang counting one, two......assists me everyday I encounter difficulty in my daily practice of T'ai Chi Ch'uan...as soon as the music starts and the Master starts to count....It's like domino's falling or like flipping a series of internal switches. Inside of me everything slows down and emotionally and spiritually things start to fall into place and I become more peaceful and tranquil inside. The Master helps me to 'arrive' at my practice.

Over these past 8 years, the daily practice of T'ai Chi Ch'uan has greatly contributed to my "Joi de Vivre".

To all of my teachers .............[Bow]

I show my respect for you is in my daily actions, as I practice and research what you have taught me and reflect and meditate on what you've told me. I'm so fortunate to have been blessed with such wonderful teachers and I feel truly grateful. Thank you all! [Bow]

J. R. Roy Sifu

Fight...Flight ....or .....Freeze!

This post is an amazing story about JG, the1st degree Brown Belt Karate-Do student above, who is practicing defensive Hook Kicks against the stretching bar.

JG has studied at JRRMAS since he was a very small child. He has just successfully completed his first year at Deerfield Academy. He was also fortunate to get job at DA this summer as a life guard for the DA pool.

Now for the 'amazing' part; Last week was JG's second week as a life guard. He was guarding a 6th grade class swimming in the DA pool. All of a sudden he notices a 6th grader sinking below the surface. Much to JG's amazement the 6th grader was sinking below the surface without struggling at all! Simply sinking below the surface with limbs limp and the boy was taking water into his lungs. In that very instant of recognition.....Without panicking......or freezing....JG leaped into action and saved the boy's life. Wow....Amazing!

I only hope that the years of training at JRRMAS contributed in some small way to JG acting decisively in that moment of crisis. Correct Martial Arts training is not merely designed to kick and punch others in self-defense but is more accurately designed to give the practitioner that little bit extra that one needs in such a crisis situation.

JG's ability to use the Life Guard Training, the confidence in his own abilities to swim and help others, that enabled him to act decisively, instead of freezing or panicking! You never know if the training is going to pay off until push comes to shove.

Lesson 1:

In Martial Arts it's moments of crisis...

that the training is designed to prepare you for....

So that you...

Don't FREEZE!

Don't PANIC!

So that you are able to ACT,

able to stay CALM,

to stay CENTERED

and feel STRONG

and CAPABLE.....

So that you may act immediately and decisively!

In a crisis...

Yours or someone else's life may depend upon your ability to...... act!!

Sifu

JG ....All of us at JRRMAS are very proud of you......That SAVE was the 'real deal'. Bravo from Sifu!!

Youth American Karate-Do, beginners class, practice side kicks to body shields

Well...I had much difficulty posting today...three failed attempts to upload other videos and 4 hours later, I finally got this one to upload...whew!

Lesson 1:

The Side Kick is a very powerful kick indeed...

it uses two joints, the hip and the knee, unfolding, as in rising from a squat!

Initially you when you step up, make sure your supporting foot is pivoted!

Then, the best method is to......jump in and..... 'replace the foot'

To advance,

drive the rear knee up,

while in the air,

drive the kicking knee up,

simultaneously land with supporting foot pivoted and kicking foot landing on target

The advance, the landing and the kick........ all in one beat!

Lesson 2:

Remember to drive your kicking knee up high

then, kick from your hip, using your gluts to power-up the kick!

Your kicking leg should be straight 'in line' with your hip and supporting foot

Muscle lock the knee ...do not lock the bones!

Be aware of the 'Line of Power'!

Your supporting foots heel and your kicking foots heel and all that is in between form "One Line"

Remember, to keep your balance after the kick has landed and return to a well balanced and defend able position with your hands up!

Little Dragons Class Graduation

Sifu and Little Dragons graduate GR. GR has completed on full year (two semesters) of the Little Dragons program and now has two red stripes on her White Belt.

This past Thursday the Little Dragons class graduated from the winter/spring semester.

Four of our students were not able to be there for this picture because the families were out of town. Only three students graduated from the entire 6 month semester. The remainder of the students had started within the past several months. Out of the three that did attend the entire semester only one was present this past Thursday. GR received a certificate and a 'red stripe' on her belt in recognition of the 'time in rank'.

There will be a Little Dragons class in July, but it will meet on Thursday morning from 10:30-11:00 AM.

The Thursday afternoon 4-4:30 class will resume the first week of September.

The Youth Karate-Do and Little Dragons program schedule for July and August is as follows:

Wed. 4:30-5:30 PM (all ranks)

Thursday 9:30-10:30 AM (all ranks)

Saturday 9:30-10:30 AM (all ranks)

10:30-11:30 AM (Blue Belts and above)

Little Dragons:

Thursday 10:30-11:00 AM (July Only)

Harvard Medical School's Harvard Health Publication calls T'ai-Chi "Medication in Motion"

Harvard Health Publications calls T'ai-Chi "Medication in Motion"!

Tai chi is often described as “meditation in motion,” but it might well be called “medication in motion.” There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in China as a martial art, has value in treating or preventing many health problems.

Tai chi is easy to learn and you can get started even if you aren’t in top shape or the best of health. In this low-impact, slow-motion exercise, you go without pausing through a series of motions named for animal actions or martial arts moves. As you move, you breathe deeply and naturally, focusing your attention — as in some kinds of meditation — on your bodily sensations.

Tai chi differs from other types of exercise in several ways. The movements are never forced, the muscles are relaxed rather than tensed, the joints are not fully extended or bent, and connective tissues are not stretched. Tai chi can be easily adapted for anyone, from the most fit to people confined to wheelchairs or recovering from surgery.

Tai chi in motion:

A tai chi class might include these parts:Warm-up. Easy motions, such as shoulder circles, turning the head from side to side, or rocking back and forth, help you to loosen your muscles and joints and focus on your breath and body.

Instruction and practice of tai chi forms:

Short forms — forms are sets of movements — may include a dozen or fewer movements; long forms may include hundreds. Different styles require smaller or larger movements. A short form with smaller, slower movements is usually recommended at the beginning, especially if you’re older or not in good condition.

Qigong (or chi kung):

Translated as “breath work” or “energy work,” this consists of a few minutes of gentle breathing sometimes combined with movement. The idea is to help relax the mind and mobilize the body’s energy. Qigong may be practiced standing, sitting, or lying down.

No pain, big gains:

Although tai chi is slow and gentle and doesn’t leave you breathless, it addresses the key components of fitness — muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and, to a lesser degree, aerobic conditioning.

Here’s some of the evidence:

Muscle strength:

In a 2006 study published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Stanford University researchers reported benefits of tai chi in 39 women and men, average age 66, with below-average fitness and at least one cardiovascular risk factor. After taking 36 tai chi classes in 12 weeks, they showed improvement in both lower-body strength and upper-body strength. In a Japanese study using the same strength measures, 113 older adults were assigned to different 12-week exercise programs, including tai chi, brisk walking, and resistance training. People who did tai chi improved more than 30% in lower-body strength and 25% in arm strength — almost as much as those who participated in resistance training, and more than those assigned to brisk walking.“Although you aren’t working with weights or resistance bands, the unsupported arm exercise involved in tai chi strengthens your upper body,” says internist Dr. Gloria Yeh, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. “Tai chi strengthens both the lower and upper extremities and also the core muscles of the back and abdomen.”

Flexibility:

Women in the 2006 Stanford study significantly boosted upper- and lower-body flexibility as well as strength.

Balance:

Tai chi improves balance and, according to some studies, reduces falls.

Proprioception:

— the ability to sense the position of one’s body in space — declines with age. Tai chi helps train this sense, which is a function of sensory neurons in the inner ear and stretch receptors in the muscles and ligaments. Tai chi also improves muscle strength and flexibility, which makes it easier to recover from a stumble.

Aerobic conditioning:

Depending on the speed and size of the movements, tai chi can provide some aerobic benefits. But in the Japanese study, only participants assigned to brisk walking gained much aerobic fitness. If your clinician advises a more intense cardio workout with a higher heart rate than tai chi can offer, you may need something more aerobic as well.

For more information on the health benefits of exercise, order our Special Health Report, Exercise: A program you can live with, at www.health.harvard.edu/E.

Harvard Medical School's Harvard Health Publication, May, 2009

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Tai Chi & Qigong will play an important role in global awakening."

Eckart Tolle, author of A New Earth (Oprah's Book Club Pick)

American Karate-Do students sparring at a recent Belt Testing

Students sparring at a recent Belt Testing. TP shows good kicking form during the match.

J. R. Roy Seminar - Saturday July 18th - 1:00-5:00pm - Greenfield, MA

Master J. R. Roy (Sifu) would like to invite all of you looking at the Studio Blog to a:

'Special Training Seminar'

with

Sifu J. R. Roy

on

Saturday, July 18th from 1-5pm

in

Greenfield, MA

Tuition:

$70 non-members (bring 5 and the sixth is free)

$65 for JRRMAS members

JRRMAS Staff members 10% off

Master J. R. Roy (Sifu) will be presenting a "Special" blend of material that will include empty hand and weapons training for skill development and sensitivity training.
He will be teach techniques and drills to help your internal energy cultivation and energy release (Fa Jing) with a "Special" training sequence and auxiliry drills. He will also be teaching a blend of joint locks, disarms, baiting and set ups.

This Seminar is appropriate for students at all levels of development, from beginner to the more advanced and for students from any art, external and internal.

This is a rare opportunity to train with Sifu J. R. Roy and learn the "The art, within your art"

Email me to sign up.....today!

Hope to see you there....

Sifu

Modern Arnis, Anyo Tatlo, Empty Hand Form 3

Sifu practices Modern Arnis's Empty hand form 3

Lesson 1:

Modern Arnis is truly a remarkable Martial Art!

It combined the Soft and the Hard,

the Internal and the External,

the straight and the curved.

It flows but is punctuated with strength!

Lesson 2:

Modern Arnis is relaxed,

then strengthens when it issues

then it returns to relaxed again.....

In order to be prepared:

to flow,

to follow,

to control,

to be ready,

to issue again!

Example:

The checking hand of a Modern Arnis adept has a very heavy feeling. When practicing Trapping Hands, the checking hand strikes (stregthens), it does not push, but rather it relaxes after impact and listens, in order to flow, follow, control and then position to strike again.

"The live hand seeks the path"

Prof. Presas

Joint Locking, how to practice it safely and have it contribute to health maintainance

JRRMAS Staff member JK assists Sifu in an explanation of how to correctly practice Joint Lock's.

Lesson 1:

These practices can injure your joints if not practiced properly,

Always practice with respect for each others range of motion limitations.

Injury is guaranteed if you practice to quickly and use too much external muscular force....

Instead, concentrate on the exactness of your fulcrum and lever....

and proper body positioning, listening skills and leverage.

Speed is good.....

up until the point where the slack is taken out of their joint

then you must go slowly giving them time to 'slap out'

Going slowly at the point that the joint lock is 'activated' ......

will gradually increase the strength and the range of movement in the joint

Then instead of injuring the joints

they are slowly being strengthened and stretched!

Sifu

T'ai Chi Ch'uan Dance, Part Three, Issuing Side

JRRMAS Staff member BL and Sifu practice Part Three of Grand Master T. T. Liang's T'ai-Chi Dance. Sifu is practicing the issuing side.

American Karate-Do, Black Belts Side Kicking practice

JRRMAS Staff members NL, JC and DG practice defensive (not stepping in) Side Kicks in a recent Adult American Karate-Do class. NL is leading the class. All are demonstrating excellent form.

Lesson 1:

Side Kicks are both a classical and a modern basic technique

The kick also crosses over to real life self-defense

from both a standing and a lying position.

It is one of the most powerful techniques in Martial Arts, especially for women.

For men the legs are twice as powerful as their arms,

but for women the legs are four times as powerful as their arms!

So learning to kick is a must for women's self-protection,

especially the side kicking action

that uses the joints of the hip and the knee working in unison.

The Side Kick is a very powerful kick indeed!

Lesson 2:

Remember to drive your knee straight up (as in a front kick)

and learn to use the momentum of the initial vertical action of the knee

changing it from vertical to horizontal

The 'secret' to a quick and powerful Side Kick

is keeping the knee up as the initial power of the vertical knee drive

turns the 'corner' to a horizontal thrusting action using the hip and the knee joint

Be very clear about the 'line of power' at the end of your kick!!

T'ai Chi Ch'uan Dance, Part Three, Receiving Side

Sifu and JRRMAS Staff member BL practice Grand Master T. T. Liang's T'ai-Chi Dance. Sifu is on the receiving side of Part Three

Lesson 1:

When practicing,

at first go slowly,

Concluding your gestures with your whole body ONE unit!

pausing slightly as you synchronize your movements

as the Yin/Yang flow and exchange

The Dance is truly marvelous and infinite

as you learn to SEE with your touch,

and not merely your eyes!

Lesson 2:

The eye is easy to fool, but to fool the touch of a T'ai Chi Ch'uan Master, is very difficult, indeed!

Once you know the 'sequence' of a solo or two person set, then try practicing with your eyes closed. Remember to meditate on the principles, your balance point and your breathing!

Practicing with your eyes closed is an excellent way to practice anything from solo forms to Trapping Hands and Chasing Hands, as well as any of the Pushing Hands and Da Lu variations.

Bagua Zhang, 1st Yin Fu Set, Change #3

Sifu and JRRMAS Staff members BL and WF practice the third change in the first Yin Fu Set.

Lesson 1:

Because Bagua Zhang is moving meditation

with a focus on correct body mechanics,

T'an T'ien breathing

The mind is controlling the bodies movements,

with low single leg squats for strength and flexibility

and standing on one leg for balance

twisting the limbs and trunk for circulation.

With all of the 'principles of Bagua Zhang' that are going on simultaneously,

regular DAILY practice of Bagua Zhang

WILL:

improve and maintain your overall health

and well being!

You will become Stronger (in your overall constitution),

more apt to be Centered (especially in high stress situations)

Calmer in your approach to everyday life

More apt to have a positive attitude in general

and especially towards life little surprises!

Sifu

Modern Arnis Empty Hand Form 2 - Anyo Dalawa

Sifu practices Modern Arnis Empty Hand Form 2 - Anyo Dalawa

Sifu regularly had his Modern Arnis forms corrected by Prof. Presas himself...usually in Sifu's living room or front yard after one of the East Coast Camps or after one of the many Seminars that Sifu organized for Prof. Presas.

Many thanks to Prof. Presas for sharing his art with me! I honor his effort in the most meaningful way I know.... I practice the material!

Sparrow Hop

JRRMAS student helper SM feeds a Side Kick (light) to White Belt RH so that he can practice the 'Sparrow Hop'. RH holds a body shield and allows the power of SM's Side Kick to move his body backward by allowing his front foot to replace his back foot. If it's a really powerful technique the receiver might have to 'Hop' back two or three times in rapid succession.

Lesson 1:

This practice will help the student to develop the ability to 'see' the kick coming and study what it looks like when someone kicks at you. He will get the timing, body movement, distancing, and nuance. In normal life we rarely have a kick (or punch) coming at us...and never in a way that we can really study it. So the body shield (and focus pad) holding is invaluable in 'seeing' techniques and thus being able to defend against them.

Lesson 2:

Holding a body shield for kicks and punches will help the student to emotionally acclimatize to the physical feeling of being kicked, without being hurt. The student will slowly gain confidence and will be able to deal with powerful kicks effectively.

World T'ai Chi and Qigong Day April 25, 2009

A couple of photographs that JRRMAS Staff member WF sent me this morning from our Studio's gathering for World T'ai Chi and Qigong Day this year at Beacon Field in Greenfield .

WF lead the group through the 'round' of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.....Thanks Wayne!

An amazing story about one of our students!

This week end one of our best young students Scott M. a Green Belt who also assists with the Youth Karate-Do classes, accomplished an amazing feat for a truly worthwhile cause....outstanding Scott! We are all very proud of you. Those of us that have lost loved ones to cancer (my Dad in 1992) are very grateful and appreciative of you and your teammates efforts.....Go Green Wave!
Why they Relay
The Green Wave Team is comprised of current members, alumni, and friends of the Greenfield High School cross-country and track teams. Last year, one of its freshmen, Scott, asked if some of his friends and teammates could form a Relay For Life team to support his mother, Sharon, who was recovering from breast cancer. The cross-country and track teams had experienced devastating losses during the previous year and the athletes understood the importance of his request. Eli and Luke had lost their father,Ken, during the last weekend of the cross-country season and Marcus lost his younger brother, Logan. Ryan learned that the cancer courageously endured by his mother, Mary, was terminal and CJ and Austin supported their mother, Carlene, as she began her battle against breast cancer. Joined by cross-country and track alumni, the team members decided to run every lap of the Relay For Life. Scott and several other members ran the twenty-six miles that constitutes a marathon distance while most ran at least twenty miles. This year, the Green Wave is running in honor of cancer survivors Carlene and Sharon, and in memory of Ken, Logan, and Mary. Like last year, the team plans to run every lap. Parents and alumni will host a spaghetti supper and meeting of hope and remembrance for team members the night before Relay at Greenfield High School. How can one team experience so much loss? This team has spirit, energy and a serious commitment to run every lap in honor and in memory of their loved ones. Be sure to give them applause (and plenty of water) as they run their way to finding a cure! Go Green Wave!

NOTE: REPRINTED from The Relay News June 2009 edition - Thanks Sharon

American Karate-Do, Wallace Roundhouse Kick Exercise

JRRMAS Staff member DG demonstrates his excellent kicking form. This is an exercise I learned from Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace back in the 1980's and has become an intergral part of the American Karate-Do curriculum for both the Youth and Adult groups.

Lesson 1:

Doing the kick slowly gives you the best indication of your kicking ability. Your knowledge of the kick will be revealed by going slowly. This knowledge includes:

Kicking knee position,

Supporting foot position,

Hip position,

Upper body position

Slow kicking will also reveal :

Your stretch,

Your strength

And most importantly your balance.

Slow kicking is healthy for practitioners of all Martial Arts

and for praticioners of all ages!

Slow kicking is a tried and true method that has come down through the ages.

Many thanks to Bill Wallace for pointing us in the correct direction!

T'ai Chi Ch'uan - solo form - part 5

Sifu and the morning class practice the solo form. This is what I'm calling Part Five of the solo form from the second Wave Hands Like Clouds to the third Wave Hands Like Clouds.

Again this clip uses the music and Grand Master T. T. Liang counting as a training aid.

Tuesday's Youth Karate-Do Class

A group photograph of the Youth Karate-Do class this past Tuesday. We did an 'open workout' where the students have to use their own initiative and creativity. This was an excellent group....hard working, productive and focused. They were inspiring each other, while researching and examining the 'Art'.... What more could a Teacher look for?
A big congratulations to JS for his recent graduation from High School! All the best luck to you!!

American Karate-Do, Line Work "smoothing out the combination"

JRRMAS Staff member DG talks about smoothing out the combination. DG is the newest American Karate-Do Black Belt. He was promoted in January of this year and is doing an excellent job with the programs that he is helping with on Staff. He is currently involved with the Little Dragons, Youth Karate-Do and Adult Karate-Do programs. DG is often seen hosting free-sparring clinics/sessions after classes on Monday and Thursday evening. He is having very positive effect overall on the three Karate programs at the Studio.

Coming up shortly, I'll be posting a video clip of DG practicing/demonstrating the 'Wallace' slow Roundhouse Kick exercise....stay tuned as his skill and ability in kicking is truly remarkable!

Lesson 1:

When the Cross (rear hand) retracts, it's like pulling on a lever that drives the rear knee up for the Front Kick. In a combination the moment the first technique starts to retract the next one starts it's journey to the target and as that new one starts retracting, it set's the next technique into motion and so on...... Smoothing out the relationship between the techniques in the combination. Feints and fakes and minor timing changes (broken motion) can also be added to the combination to increase the chances of creating an opening that you can take advantage of.

T'ai Chi Ch'uan Dance, Part Two, Receiving Side

JRRMAS Staff member LB and Sifu demonstrate Part 2 of the T'ai-Chi Dance. Sifu is demonstrating the receiving side.

Modern Arnis, Mobility Throw, following up with standing Goose Neck Lock

Sifu and JRRMAS Staff member PR slowly demonstrate an empty hand application from Single Sinnawalli.

With a jab feed Sifu blocks and strikes the ear using Single Sinawalli positioning. Then Sifu's right hand is controlling PR's head and Sifu's left arm is controlling PR's attacking arm as he flows into a Mobility Throw. Sifu follows up once PR's on the ground with a Goose Neck Wrist Lock for control. (If the arm resists bending then a standing or lying arm bar can be used) Sifu then uses a Motorcycle Lock on the thumb and pinkie finger to bring PR up to a standing position then he flows into a backward throw and again into a Goose Neck Lock then flows into a Thumb Lock to control PR back up to a standing position following up with a come along Goose Neck Lock then back into a mobility throw.

They would then practice the other arm attacking and the other side of the locking series.

Lesson 1:

Joint locks are opportunistic....

one needs to be able to 'go with the flow',

and have the skill to flow from one lock into another

in accordance with the energy the opponent is giving you....

from standing to the ground

and from the ground to standing,

with stance work, balance and good body position...

and full control

at all times!

T'ai Chi Ch'uan - solo form - part 4

The morning class and Sifu practice our daily round of the solo form. This is what I'm calling Part Four. From the second Cross Hands to the second Wave Hands Like Clouds.

This demonstration, like the earlier Solo Form posts, is to the music, with Grand Master T. T. Liang counting.

The music and the counting are meant as training and practice aids

They are for intermediate levels of training

The highest levels are practiced to the rhythm's of nature and ones own internal beat.

In classes we practice several ways:

1. With music and counting

2. Just the music

3. To a metronome (with beats and half beats sounding out

4. Without music or counting, using our own internal beat.

Lesson 1:

Practicing to the music will verify your meditation.

If you space out and miss a movement....you will know it at the end of the round....

because you'll have more beats left than you should!!

Otherwise, you might think you did all the moves

But ..really...there is NO verification that you actually did!!

Thank you Grand Master Laing!

Lesson 2:

The other purpose I use the music and counting for are for those day's that I need a little 'help and support' for my personal practice....

I can always count on Grand Master Liang being there for me ...

and counting ....One..Two...

The sound of his voice alone sets the tone for the meditation...

and is inspiring and supportive.......

Grand Master Liang never fails to help me jump start my practice...

even if I'm struggling...

even if I'm feeling down and out!!

Thank You Grand Master Liang!!!

Modern Arnis, Redonda and Rompida

JRRMAS Staff member PR assists student AG by holding sticks as targets for the Redonda and Rompida combination drill he is doing.

Drills like Redonda are a basic component in many styles of Martial Arts. Redonda is also the weapons translation of our 'Trapping Hands" drills. Rompida (up and down) is also a basic found in all weapons arts. These are tried and true techniques that have come down through the ages.

Striving to reach the minimum standard of 10,000 strokes is a must for all serious practitioners...there is NO substitute for repetitions.....get started today!!

Lesson 1:

Practicing double weapons drills

Will......

Develop coordination between your right side and your left side.....

it will make your weaker side...... stronger!!

Practicing improves grip strength and shoulder flexibility,

and will....Connect your foot work,

your body

and your arms,

into one unified movement, working towards.....

"Whole Body Power"

Lesson 2:

" Aways use your waist rotating and your weight shifting when practicing"

"Continue striving to connect your whole body, into..... 'One'! "

"Everything must be aligned, unified, and balanced, then the movement must be coordinated, so that the whole body starts and stops together, in order to develop................ Whole Body Power"

American Karate-Do, Seiuchin Kata, students practicing

Black Belt Candidate JS leads the Saturday Karate-Do class through Seiuchin Kata, the third Kata in the American Karate-Do System. This Kata teaches 45 degree angles, multiple strikes with the same hand and stepping forward and backward in a straight line.

T'ai Chi Ch'uan Dance, Part Two, Issuing Side

JRRMAS Staff member LB and Sifu demonstrate Part Two of Master T. T. Liangs 'Tai-Chi Dance'.

Master Liang compiled several methods of pushing-hands, Da-Lu's (big roll back) and various applications from the many Masters that he trained with throughout his career, to develop the "Dance".

Each individual 'drill' has specific 'energies' and skills that need to be developed independently through repetitive practice. Practicing the entire 'Dance' sequence is more for demonstration and cataloging of the information. But to truly develop the energies and skills the practitioner needs to stay with one idea and practice it repeatedly with correct principles and feeling. The Dance has 176 moves on each side and of course like with everything, there is the right and the left side. In this short clip Sifu is demonstrating the 'issue' side of Part Two and LB is demonstrating the 'receiving' side. We are consciously pausing slightly at each intersection ...in reality it should be practiced more smoothly.

The listening skills (Tien Jing) that can be gained by practicing the Dance drills are incredible. Listening through the touch/contact point....and eventually being able to 'see' everything about them.

"I know you and I know myself.....you don't know me, you also, don't know yourself"

Traditional saying

Modern Arnis Single Sinawalli

Two JRRMAS Modern Arnis Staff members, PR (Black Belt Candidate) and LS (Second Degree Black Belt) practice a double stick drill called 'Single Sinawalli' recently at our regular Wed. 6:45-8:15 class

NOTE: The public is always welcome at any of our classes. Check out the schedule at JRRoy.com

All Modern Arnis Black Belts train FREE every Wed. evening at JRRMAS - email me for details!

Lesson:

Notice how they start

Slowly

then, they progress in speed until they become

Stiff or Tense

then.... They return to a more relaxed speed

Before....they again return to 'max' speed

and so on.....from slow to fast, fast to slow

just like

practicing drum rudiments or scales

Once it tenses up.....

try your best to relax at that new speed

if you can't

your finished

So return to a speed that you CAN relax in

Then

Do it again!!

Practicing for speed

It's all the same......................

Tension is the opponent!

Students helping each other

A photo of student helper SM adjusting the position of a junior student in a recent youth American Karate-Do class.

Having senior students assisting with the junior students is the tradition in Martial Arts.

It models correct attitude and behavior and helps the junior student to set the 'standard' for their art and their life.

And.....

The junior student gives the senior the opportunity to look at the material from an entirely different perspective!

'It's like climbing a ladder. The one above reaches down to help the one below come up which helps the one above to continue climbing even further upward"

T'ai Chi Ch'uan - solo form - part 3

This clip is what I'm calling 'Part Three' of the Solo Form. From the first Wave Hands Like Clouds to the second Cross Hands.

Note: I've broken the Solo Form down into six discreet parts. They were originally six separate training 'methods'. I'll be posting the last three parts soon.... Stay tuned!