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Fun from today's training.

Submitted by michael young on 2016-02-21 18:14

Proper engagement of the point of contact and the rest of the structure is necessary to harmonize with and developing control of the opponent.

Definition of Internal Practice

Submitted by imklg on 2016-02-21 16:29
torso inside

Chinese Martial Arts are sometimes divided into two adversarial camps: Internal vs External, NeiJia vs WaiJia. It is usually in some kind of advert where I see these terms. Over the years as I have kept abreast of anatomy, neuroscience and related disciplines, I have always looked to clarify this false distinction. In 2010, I published a draft definition in my FAQ. Since then I have been fortunate to receive peer feedback and continue to refine both language and scope.

An update on my journey!

Submitted by marvinjonesjr on 2016-01-29 00:26

Greetings Sifu! Sorry it has taken me so long to post about my training updates! I'll be as brief as I can. My training is going so great. In spite of limited time, I feel myself growing in both mental awareness and physical cultivation. In my training, I have noticed more fullness on my entire body. In the last month or so I found my back (yang) to be opening up more and more, with this I have felt a more relaxing stretch that expands as opposed to the tension stretching I was doing to try and feel the yang. This hit me like a ton of bricks and increased my excitement for my training!

What Is FaJin?

Methodology

Fa means to 'throw' in the sense of 'releasing a kite to the wind'. 'Jin' simply means 'Refined Force'. The question is, What is being refined? What is being thrown? This can be a productive metaphor upon which to dwell. Training progresses from big movement, to small movement, to 'no movement'. The tendons must become strong and supple. Relaxation must be present in order for beginners to 'sink the chi' and, later, for the bones to play their proper role in all movement at all times. Fajin is the natural product of this specific awareness.

Throwing hands and soreness in the yin cavities

Submitted by michael young on 2015-09-28 19:40

Anytime I train throwing hands, I have a slight soreness in the yin cavities of my arms for a few days. It's not painful. From what I understand this is a normal experience when conditioning the white tissues. Is this right?

Soreness and difficulty in training

Submitted by michael young on 2015-09-12 19:37

Something I've noticed is that during training I get loosened and more open in my tissues so that I can feel more. However, the next day I generally feel very tight and unable to get back into that same feel that I had the day before.

Seminar with Sifu Kelley

Submitted by arthur deich on 2015-09-01 16:20

A special thank you to Sifu Kelley Graham for coming to Southern Indiana this past weekend (August 23, 2015) and sharing his knowledge – what a great seminar and what a great resource.

UCB Seated Meditation

UCB Seated Meditation. This is not a mindfulness method. Students actively experience their sensorum in a novel manner. Contact me for complimentary access to UCB Live.

 

Sketch of Meditation-vs-mindfulness

GM Sam F.S. Chin on The Four Topics

  1. Attention
  2. Readiness
  3. Change with Change
  4. Uncertainties 

Student needs to be aware at all times, and have the quality of readiness to change with the change and be able to face uncertainties.  There should be no surprises since you are always aware.  Aware of the awareness...

Excerpt from a conversation on the 4 topics from the I Liq Chuan Forum. The following interview is conducted by Yen Lee Chin, Master Sam's daughter.

Relaxation - Song

Profound Relaxation can be cultivated. Relaxation is called 'song' in Chinese. (sounds like sung, sometimes spelled that way). An old translation describes song as:

'What a woman's long hair does when the pins are pulled out, being gently shaken and cascading down the back'.

There is a direct relationship between posture and song. Easy to say, hard to do.