Wing Chun Kung Fu and Chen style Tai Chi train us to develop two very different fighting styles. Each has it’s own unique techniques and characteristics. To understand how we punch in each of these martial arts, we should start by understanding what separates them from each other.
Read MorePick any martial art, self-defence system or combat sport to train, and one of the first things you will be taught is how to throw a punch. It’s almost an instinctive thing that most of us feel like we’ve been able to do our whole lives. Balling up our hand into a solid object to hit with seems simple, yet it’s easy to get wrong.
Read MoreQigong 氣功 is a term which is used to describe a large number of skills from across China, all of which are related to strengthening our health and our bodies. Some have roots in Buddhism, some in Daoism, some in both. They all share a common root in that they teach us through movement and meditation how to understand our bodies and minds and to develop our internal health.
Read MoreThe one thing that stood out for me more than anything was that during the seminar, Grandmaster Ip Chun did some Chi Sau (Sticking Hands) training with every one of us. At this time, he was in his 80’s and in some cases he was doing Chi Sau with people twice his size and less than half his age, while allowing us to attack any way we wanted.
Read MoreWhen someone asks ‘Is Kung Fu effective in a fight?’ or ‘Is Kung Fu good for self-defence?’ they have to make one big assumption if they expect an answer: that the quality of the skill is always the same, regardless of the person practicing/teaching it.
Read MoreWhen we are in pain, our instinct is to go straight to the problem and try to fix it. If we stub our toe, we immediately grab our foot and maybe rub it or put ice on it. In Qigong, we sometimes find that the site of the pain is not necessarily the area that needs treating.
Read MoreQigong exercises work to let go of tension that builds up around the site of musculoskeletal injuries as this can slow the recovery time. By then exercising the muscles, tendons, ligaments or joints, we begin to create heat and draw blood and Qi to the injury to begin repairing the damaged tissue.
Read MoreThe longer you practice Siu Lim Tao ,the stronger the muscles become and the stronger your structure is. Any martial skill has to begin with a strong structure, and this is how we train this in Wing Chun.
Read MoreBy the time we finished the form, there was a little sweat forming on my brow. For a form where you didn’t even have to step, I was amazed how much effort it had taken to form and hold the positions. And what we had just done was basically the ‘quick’ version.
Read MoreWhen thinking about how to train our bodies, we should remember that physical fitness and health are linked, but are not the same thing. We can be fast, strong and flexible, but can still have serious health problems. While physical fitness can help to improve our health, it isn’t a guaranteed route to fixing our health issues.
Read More…I had not really understood the difference between the two skills. Understanding the difference between the two skills helps explain the value and application of each…
Read More… As I had only read a little about Tai Chi, I had no idea what to ask or expect. Thankfully, my Sifu took the time to explain to me about the skill and what I would be learning. This was followed by teaching me the first few movements of the first form on the Chen Taijiquan syllabus.
Read More… Eventually I came across a book that talked about the martial art of Tai Chi Chuan. I had heard of Tai Chi, but just thought it was some sort of Chinese health exercise. Finding that it was also a powerful martial art and the skill and history behind it led me to become fascinated by it
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