Bagua training--GM Liu Yun Qiao

Modern Arnis Knife Disarm #2

Guro's J. R. Roy and Jeff Chaisson demonstrate Modern Arnis Knife Disarm #2

Modern Arnis Knife Disarm #1

Guro's J. R. Roy and Jeff Chaisson demonstrate Modern Arnis Knife Disarm #1.

Iron palm | dangers & correct theory

Modern Arnis - Spinning Throw from Armbar

Modern Arnis Guro's J. R. Roy and Jeff Chaisson demonstrate a Spinning Throw from an Armbar, followed by a reversal to a Backward Throw (variation).

Modern Arnis Strike 1 and 2

Using a feed of strike 1 & 2 from my partner (Sensei Jeff) as a starting point, I add a reinforced block with stance work. Then I initiate the sequence with a 7 & 6 poke, then add my own 1, 2, 3 or 4 to initiate the sequence. My partner continues with 1 & 2 strike, noting that proper retraction of 1 & 2 already has the block built in. Finally I segue into the improvised Tapi Tapi drill. (counter for counter). One of the best drills I've ever seen to develop sensitivity and skill in defending against a weapon. Those skills also transfer to empty hand self-defense and bladed weapon SD also. 

Liang Tung Tsai 1979 Northern 8-Step Praying Mantis Jai Yao

Thomas and Jack testing line work

Liang De Hua interview #2 - on the Martial Man

Liang De Hua interview #2

Master Duan with Mom and me

 Taken at the seminar that Master Duan taught at the Greenfield Grange. He was amazing! 

Ray Hayward, the Inspired Teacher

Modern Arnis Double Zero

Modern Arnis Tapi Tapi with Jeff and I

Modern Arnis practice with Guro's J. R. Roy and Jeff Chaisson.
Here we are reviewing a few techniques from Tapi Tapi (give and take), for the first time this season! COVID-19 has seriously hampered all of our two person practices, which comprise a large percentage of Modern Arnis practices; Especially important as you become more advanced. With great care and a lot of thought, Jeff and I have had several two person practices SAFELY, with masks etc..
in order to keep the drills, our skills and our sanity. It's been tough for those of us that are used a lot of physical contact with others and when you teach martial arts for a living, you normally get hours of close contact per day.
COVID-19...This too shall pass

Da Lu Big roll back

Sensei Jeff and I recently reviewing the first Da Lu (big roll back), masks and all.

Five lines - Two pillars and three strings of pearls

"The main ingredient for success is PERSEVERANCE, no matter the endeavor."

 "The main ingredient for success is PERSEVERANCE, no matter the endeavor." 

                                                                                                                                            Sifu 

Documentary about Master T. T. Liang

Documentary about Master T. T. Liang  

Qigong Breathing

Breathing science is one of the most important and beneficial aspects of martial arts and Qigong/Neigong training. 

Breathing is the main way we get Chi (energy). 

IF/WHEN breathing is impaired, we humans are in trouble. 

We harvest oxygen day and night from birth to death. We cannot live without. 

Unconscious breathing vs. conscious breathing.

Your breath is the ONLY thing that you carry with you everywhere; You can always access your breathing. 

It's worth the effort to develop a stable Qigong breath! 

Taoist Longevity Breathing:

*Consciously breathing in and out through the nose

*When breathing in, the abdomen expands actively 

(as if a point two to three fingers below the navel, 1/3 of the way in (Dan Tien), is about the size of a golf ball, as you breathe in, the ball expands to the size of a softball, expanding in all directions.) Once the abdomen has expanded, the area around the floating ribs begins to expand passively to the sides,  the area around the kidneys and the lower back also expands slightly.

*Exhaling is the reverse process

*The movement of the abdomen is active, the movement of the rib cage, lower back and kidneys is passive  

*Strive for a stable Qigong breath; Around a 10 seconds cycle

*Breathing: "Slow, Fine, Even and Soft"

For best results should be practiced daily. 

Even if it's only ONE BREATH

Bagua Zhang Sword Changes by Master Ray Hayward

Bagua Sword Changes with Sifu Hayward 

Using martial arts for health maintenance

 The two main ingredients for successfully using any of these arts (internal/external & qigong) for health maintenance / medication are: 1. Daily dosage (regularity) 2. Clinical dosage (getting enough of whatever it is) It's basically just like any medication; Take enough and take it regularly.    NOTE: The daily practice is the tough part.  

Daily practice is hands down, the most misunderstood, difficult but immensely important aspect of using internal/external martial arts and qigong training for health maintenance. 

Developing the habit of daily practice is tough, there's no two ways about it. It takes WILL, DETERMINATION and COMMITMENT, but once the habit is solid (takes 60-90 consecutive days to develop a habit), the benefits are amazing! 

My advice is to be kind to yourself, if you find you've stopped practicing (for whatever reason) DO NOT dwell on that, just start again and keep track of the 'days in a row'. It's just that simple;^)

  

"The main ingredient for success is PERSEVERANCE, no matter the endeavor." 

                                                                                                                                            Sifu 

The history of Yang Style Fa Jin 發勁 | Sifu Liang De Hua

History of Yang Style Fa Jin 

Don and Janee Stone at her birthday party

Don and Janee Stone at her birthday party yesterday

 

Happy Birthday Janee!

 Happy Birthday Janee! 

Janee's husband, Don Stone invited me to do a surprise T'ai Chi Ch'uan demonstration for Janee's birthday party yesterday. 

I talked about meeting Janee at our mutual teachers, Master Paul Gallagher's classes in Hadley, MA and the reasons why I continue to study, teach and practice our grand teacher, Master T. T. Liang's style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. 

I demonstrated the Double Broadsword, the Single Broadsword and the Jian (straight double edged sword) forms. I practice these forms primarily for health maintenance, to keep my hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders and neck/back properly conditioned. 

Master Liang was able to perform the Double Broadsword form well into his 90's! To me that is truly impressive. Wish me luck;^) 

Small Heavenly Circle Taoist Meditation, lesson # 3

Small Heavenly Circle, lesson # 2.

Small Heavenly Circle Meditation, lesson # 1.