Major variation of Trapping Hands from Modern Arnis with Sifu J. R. Roy...

Empty hand Tapi Tapi with the right side with Sifu J. R. Roy and Sensei Jeff Chaisson

Great T'ai Chi & Qigong class this past Tuesday morning

 Had a great class this past Tuesday; Janee, Nancy, Sally and I were joined by Bob and Lenny. 

Some good discussion about ideas and principles to keep in mind while practicing both solo and with a partner. 

The all important (IMO) idea of 'assisting' your partner to 'get it' and definitely not competing with them during a cooperative drill. FYI - Most developmental drills are cooperative! For some folks this is a very difficult thing to focus on. 

Especially when younger students (but older ones too) are training with a partner, I try to point out the actual task at hand; To learn how to work with a partner as a team, especially if it's a partner that is difficult for you to work with. Learning to work efficiently with a partner is the kind of skill that will serve any student well in other aspects of life. 

If you can revel in the accomplishments and refinements of your partner, then you in the correct spirit IMO. Laughter and smiling is a a good indicator. Just sayin'

I'm sorry that I didn't take any photo's of this wonder-filled gathering. I guess I was too engaged?

One of my favorite Standing postures - Raise Hands and Step Up - 

Timing for Modern Arnis' Trapping Hands

An explanation of the basic timing for two person drills like Trapping Hands. Standardizing the timing is essential for good quality two person drills. Especially when weapons are involved standardizing the timing makes the practice much safer to bring up to reality speed. When actually using the art for SD or sport it's essential to be aware of the 'pulse' or timing of your opponent/partner, in order to have the skill to apply techniques outside of the standard pulse, by cutting the time in half or more. 

                                         

                                        ***Good timing is paramount to effective martial arts***

By the way:

Timing is Everything!

Abdominal Breathing & Adjusting the Mind with Sifu J R Roy

Here's a simple technique that I use to adjust what my mind is thinking about. What I call "Correct Thinking". Initially this is simply a check list of things to monitor while your practicing. The quality of your thinking is essential to monitor in order to extract the maximum benefit from the time spent  practicing.

*Monitoring your breathing is a cornerstone in most meditative practices. 

**Breathing is the primary way that we humans extract Chi from our environment. 

***Good oxygen exchange within our bodies cells is necessary for good health.  

Malcolm promoted to Blue Belt in Modern Arnis

 

Congratulations to all involved with last evenings Modern Arnis rank evaluation!

 Great job done by all. Congratulations! It was truly wonderful to spend the evening with all of you!

Front row kneeling:

Damian Biagi - Low Blue - Antas Tatlo 

AnnaMaria Biagi - Low Blue - Antas Tatlo 

Malcolm Howard - Low Blue - Antas Tatlo

Zach Fraley - Low Blue - Antas Tatlo 

Rob Laporte - Brown I - Likah Isa

Back row standing:
Guro Jack Fox

Sifu J. R. Roy

Sensei Jeff Chaisson

Guro Luke Smith

Guro Phil Ringwood

Grandmaster Leung Kay-Chi R.I.P.

 

10 Seconds On Each Leg Balancing Exercise with Sifu J. R. Roy

20 Seconds, that's all it takes! 10 Seconds per side...Give it a try!

Master Ray Hayward announces the passing of our teacher, Grandmaster Leung Kay-chi, R.I.P.

From Master Ray Haywards blog: 

The Inspired Teacher: Passing of My Teacher, Dr Leung Kay-chi, R.I.P.:   It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my teacher, Dr Leung Kay-chi, this morning. He was a few weeks shy of his 84th birthday. 

R.I.P. Grandmaster Leung Kay-Chi

 

Congratulations to Thomas and Laura Perham on their recent marriage

 

The happy couples first dance as a married couple. Wishing them many years of happiness and joy!!

Students refining the starting speed of their backfists

At last Saturdays Karate class, students refine the starting speed of their backfists. Starting from a ready position, completely still, the partner will move the pad IF they see you telegraph your strike. Then give you feedback; What they saw move first. 

Lesson: Move the small parts first (fist/arm) then the larger parts (shoulders/body) follows. 

Lesson: The goal is to throw the technique in a way that your partner is unable to perceive it. 
 

Youth Karate class this past Saturday

 

Youth Karate class practicing 'knee to elbow' this past Saturday 

A neutral posture will transform (neutralize) the force of you opponent - Known as Hua Jin or transforming energy

 "If you miss by a hairsbreadth , you miss by 1000 miles" by Wang Zhongyue - Taijiquan Lun

The line from the Taijiquan Lun by Wang Zhongyue " if you miss buy a hairsbreadth , you missed by 1000 miles" can only be understood when one starts to understand what is meant by being in Center. When the body is in Center, then the tissue is neutral and has no unauthorized contractions. A neutral posture will more easily ground out someone's force causing their force to hit the floor. Most practitioners play a game of hide and seek when it comes to push hands training. Most practitioners do not understand that if their posture is correct , it will neutralize or transform the force of your opponent. This is known as Hua Jin or transforming energy. When the posture is neutral, then the tissue is at its softest and allows the Qi to flow through easily. The posture will have muscular tension if there are any contrivances in it's formation. The following is an example showing the parrying hand used in the posture brush knee and twist step. It shows that if the arm is twisted in either direction or above or below its body center , that it will fail allowing the force to cause my partner or opponent to be pushed out or collapsed. When the posture is correct it automatically grounds out my opponent's force which loads my Jin. This is how you transform your opponents force into a re-action force that is of their own making. This skill typically develops after years of standing training and song gong training. When I am in the correct position it does not take any additional muscles to stay comfortable. My Qi is not severed ; In fact I can actually start to relax and feel more stable. This is an example of what it means to "miss by a hairsbreadth and you miss by 1000 miles"