The Value of Chan
Most of you are probably familiar with the Japanese term, “zen.” The Chinese equivalent is “chan” and they both refer to the same thing- meditation. Zen, per se, need not be connected to Zen Buddhism any more than praying must …
Tag Archives: Feb 2020
Letters from Master Jou, Tsung Hwa
Without long and constant practice, It is difficult to reach ultimate enlightenment – Wang, Chun-Yueh on Taijiquan Before his untimely death in a car accident in 1998 Taijiquan Master Jou, Tsung Hwa wrote this letter to his students concerning the …
Controlling the Opponents Arm and Spine
This is a basic principle used in all of the Li family arts; however, it is especially relevant in the Xingyiquan splitting / Pi-Quan method to take the opponent’s center even before you strike with the splitting palm. …
Xi Fan Lian – Passionflower
Helps with Anxiety and Depression without making you drowsy Chinese Name: Xi Fan Lian西番蓮 Scientific Name: Passiflora incarnate Passionflower is not native to China; however it has come into common use in many Chinese herbal formulas and on its own …
Chinese Character For Shen神 / Spirit
Chinese written language is comprised of characters or symbols written with a brush and ink so as to express a concrete idea like an object; say a bird, hand or cloud. Such characters are called pictographic as the symbol represents …
Baguazhang is for Everyone
A few days ago my wife and I were talking about the similarities and differences between practicing Baguazhang and Yoga. She casually mentioned that Baguazhang requires years of dedicated practice but anyone could attend a Yoga class and get a …
The Wise Warrior and the Knee
Well functioning knees are crucial to virtually every martial art. Acute or chronic injuries can seriously interfere with optimum performance. For martial artists working in security, the military and law enforcement, such injuries may even be career threatening. The wise …
The Wuguan Gongzhou
“To forget ones ancestors is to be a brook without a source or a tree without roots!” – Ancient Chinese Proverb In Chinese culture, showing respect to ones ancestors is a major part in family life. This can also be …
Yin and Yang
The double-fish diagram known as “Taiji Tu” 太 極 圖 (Grand Ultimate) is familiar to anyone who is even vaguely familiar with Chinese culture. The dark side is referred to as Yin and the light side is known as Yang. …
All Gong Fu Contains Inner and Outer Work
Exercise the physique, and the body will remain intact, Pare away emotional desires, And the spirit will remain intact. Be careful of your speech, And blessings will remain intact. Keeping these things intact is called purity and goodness of the …