Archive for May 2007
Progressing with our Training (Part 2)
Posted on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 5:00 AM by Sifu Smith
Recently we discussed training progress, and blending into our current responsibilities. Certainly there is no one grand formula for everyone. Actually what worked for me 10 years ago, doesn't work right now, but what does work is just fine.
When the discussion led into the priority for "Health" for example, we gave the example of putting Tai Chi Practice in that train-car. Reaching our health goals through Tai Chi practice. Using Chi Kung to support our health and improve circulation, to cultivate Chi. This was my mind-set over 15 years ago. To also support my health, I would go to the gym, push iron, etc. Sifu Chin continued to demonstrate to us tools to improve ourselves through Tai Chi, but like most youngsters, you do it 30 times, whats next. There was no real soaking in it at the time. Along the way, things changed. I found myself no longer trying to support my health through Tai Chi and Kung Fu, but my want to practice and pursue Chi was my driving force to practice.
I just finished practice this morning at 4:30 am and after a good set of chi kung, zham zhuang and yi chuan work, I worked Old Style Tai Chi Chuan. After several rounds of walking through the form, the focus turned to "grasping the birds tail". That was half hour of work. It occurred to me when I came in that some long time ago, I don't practice for my health; I practice because of the great feeling I get, while and after I practice. The fact that it helps my health is secondary to how I feel when I gain.
This has always been a point Master Chin would effort to teach us, yet we were too busy trying to figure out how to make it work. Now that nearly a couple of decades have passed, some things have sinked in, thank goodness. I encourage my students to come in and practice, no guilt, just practice. If you finish and feel better than when you started that is already a great day of practice, if you make real strides in a pursuit or skill, even better.
When I think about improving my spirit, improving my health, increasing my stamina, or any other component of myself it turns back into the practice of my Tai Chi and Kung Fu. I don't need another frying pan to cook in, I just need to use the one I have already.
Practice Every Day, Miss One, Lose Ten
Posted in Health, Kung Fu, Raleigh, Tai Chi
Tai Chi at Springmoor Survey
Posted on Friday, May 25, 2007 at 9:38 AM by Sifu Smith
We recently shared with everyone that we had a wonderful time practicing Tai Chi at Springmoor in Raleigh. Some of the group had practiced Tai Chi before, others were completely new. Here are the results of their post survey:
"I recently sent out a survey to our residents to see what they thought of the recent tai chi session they had with you. and this was the general concensus...
The participants..
Enjoyed the class as a whole
Thought the length of the class was appropriate as well as the contents.
Were suprised at the way they moved, many thought they would not have the balance for it, but did.
Would be interested in a class here at Springmoor.
Are split between perferring morning or afternoon classes?
Think this (tai chi) class could be very beneficial to them considering balance, strength and inner calming."
We look forward to talking with the group more in the future.
Progressing with your Training in Tai Chi and Kung Fu!
Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 4:24 PM by Sifu Smith
Being a Kung Fu Prince. I have heard that term thousands of times if I have heard it once from Master Chin. Those of us who have been around martial arts can picture the Kung Fu Prince, without much verbage. Those of you can't, good for you, and I am not going to assist, stay on your path. We have lives outside of the kungfu, some with priorities that are important to our lives, family, school, a career, children, and so on. So how can we train and gain, yet not alienate the rest.
Sifu Chin in his wonderful simplistic way would say, lifes priorities are like cars on the train track, the life-locomotive pulls and directs these cars. It is up to us what the order of the cars are and to look at it from time to time. We have a no guilt guideline. practice each day, leave guilt at the door (guilt about I didn't get to do this, this wasn't just right, etc and so on). Just practice with a good attitude and move on.
So if you recognize 5-7 main priorities in your life, where do you slip it in? Perhaps we pull the intellectual, Cultivating Chi and Kung Fu is a section of my Health Train Car, and gets subdivided by my weighttraining and jogging. Perhaps we take our Meditation and Three Treasure Work and slip into the Spiritual and/or Self-Development Train-Car; again subdividing with church, or book reading. We divide into Posting/Meditation (Spiritual Train-Car) and Forms/Walking Hands/Silk Reeling (Health Train Car).
In my younger days I went through all of that. Trying to gain and not sure when to let go. Sifu Chin was wonderful about never forcing us to do something like stop lifting weights hard; because it really works against getting the mind to do the work, but he would gently make a statement from time to time of how certain things will interfere with our gains. With that tone:
Step One: Identify life habits that may interfere with our development. Not as a Kung Fu Prince or Princess, but as who we want to be. Adjust those life habits and replace the vacuum with something beneficial. It is highly regarded a much better technique to replace something than to eliminate it.
Step Two: Identify why you want to learn kung fu. What are you looking for? Perhaps it is several things, perhaps it is the combination of the unique activity with the touching into the culture philosophy. Embrace what you are looking for and share it with Sifu.
Step Three: Listen and Learn to where you need the highest priority of work. For most beginners it is calming the mind down, and then integrating the body with heart-mind. However, you may also need much work in the area's of softening, fluidiness, balance, grace, stamina, flexibility, health concerns, etc.
Step Four: Dedicate your time. Schedule the most important of every day, the one with you. Keep it and don't be late. Someday you may have longer times, some days shorter times. Whatever is, follow the Tao, and make the most of it. We use the term 'little cheater set' on shorter days, just to keep the links together. Short days are great days for a light set of posting and some light Chi Work
Step Five: What am I going to practice? Here we go, nuts and bolts. Use the following guidelines (those are different than rules for you hard-liners); when I worked as Strength Coach at UNCW and Asst. Strength Coach at ASU, we would use the following:
Maintance - You are comfortable (right now) with where you are in a particular area or skill - Twice week (once a week may hold some forms if you post regularly)
Need to Improve a Delicate or Subtle Skills of grace or understanding (ie. reeling silk exercises, Tui Shou (pushhands) or if a quarterback reading a blitz in a 3-4 defense) practice 4-7 days per week.
Need to Improve a Physical Skill (learn a form, walking hands, an application) 3 days per week.
Trying to calm down the mind and keep the chaos from taking us away - EVERY DAY
We must consider our other responsibilities, or those responsibilities may easily become part of the chaos.
Edited on: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 4:58 PMPosted in Kung Fu, Students, Tai Chi
Fearless-Jet Li
Posted on Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 4:12 PM by Sifu Smith
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If you have upgraded to the best video codec out there Divx, then you should consider it. We will be moving in that direction. The format gives us best quality, better security, and subtibles. This trialor of Jet Li: Fearless is great. Also, do a search for chin, tai chi. Master Chin video is in great quality here on Stage 6. Sifu Watch Jet Li Movie |
Tai Chi - Pa Qua Practice at the Park
Posted on Friday, May 18, 2007 at 6:21 AM by Sifu Smith
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Each Saturday and often visited during the week we practice at a park less than a mile from the kwoon (school). Often it is a great afternoon lunch break area, practice, walk, have a bite and then get back in the game. The students really enjoy our saturday practice and the lunch afterwards. In the second image you can see one of our Pa Qua trees. As the students walk and practice, we create a path. Many of the monks will practice their pa qua walking around the rim of a huge wooden water-bowl, where the lip is the width about the width of a brick. |
Posted in Raleigh
Powerful Tai Chi Chuan Demonstration with Master Chin
Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 10:05 PM by Sifu Smith
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Master David Chin demonstrates the Original Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan, sometimes referred to as the Quang Ping or Yang Ban Ho style. With Sifu Heintzmann a demonstration of the Eight Gate Fa Jing Power is shown. The presentation allows one to see the timing and togetherness as discoursed in the ancient Tai Chi kungfu classics. Master Kuo Lien Ying taught Master Chin privately on the rooftop of the Sam Wang Hotel in the early 1960's. The power through the Zham Zhuang (posting), Yi Chuan and Fa Jing is very impressive. |
Tai Chi Workshop at Raleigh Springmoor
Posted on Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 1:05 PM by Sifu Smith
Last week Sifu Smith went to the Springmoor Living Center and led a hour
Tai Chi introduction to the wonderful people living there. The wonderful
facility located in Raleigh had several requests to have Tai Chi, and
the response was great. There were 15 people on a beautiful morning and
they followed through sets of Chi Kung and Tai Chi practice. Using the
Yang Style, they worked their balance, coordination, and stamina. Many
of the participants ranged from 60-92 years of age and expressed a good
workout when done.
The Wellness Activity Coordinator had this to say, "I just wanted to say thank you for coming last Wednesday. I thought the class went very well, and I got nothing but positive feedback from the residents about it." There is a possibility that the facility will secure regular visits for Tai Chi practice.
We also wanted to thank Springmoor for the opportunity to meet with and work with their staff and residents. It was a pleasure to meet you and look forward to future meetings.
Buddha Paintings and more found
Posted on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 4:44 PM by Sifu Smith
Recently, a sheep herder tipped a group about artifacts. The group
climbed very steep mountains in Nepal to discover a treasure of
Buddhist. They found a 55 panel mural of Buddha's life, the images and
many others are dated back to the 12th century and older. The mountains
were in the sheer 14,000ft cliffs in Nepal's remote Himalayan north.
The question of who lived there and how they possibly got there is an
incredible mystery as well. For
the full story
Posted in Buddhist
Student Profile JT
Posted on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 3:59 PM by Sifu Smith
We get many questions about the training we provide. Many are regarding if the training we provide would be suitable. We thought it enlightening personal to share our about students and their achievements, with their permission of course.
Jeff is in his early 30's and has been with us since the fall of 2006. He shared with us about his experience:
"I have formally studied shito ryu karate, shotokan karate, tae kwon do, 5-animals kung fu, praying mantis kung fu, wing chun kung fu, jeet kune do, modern arnis, pekiti-tirsia kali, LaCoste/Inosanto kali, muay thai, and t'ai chi before coming to your school.
I was an assistant instructor in wing chun, kali, muay thai, and jeet kune do at the last school I trained at, but did not train for personal reasons for close to five years prior to coming to our school."
When Jeff began his understanding of mechanical movement was excellent. However there were the problems of snapiness, over-extention, and most notably difficulty in having the whole body move as one unit. Even with his previous training, as Jeff put it, "no one has put the emphasis of training in the mind and meditation" as we do with our all Tai Chi and kungfu. In his relatively shorttime with us, Jeff on many days will come to practice at 9:30 am and at 10:45 he is still posting. All of his movement and power has changed. When he moves now, there is showing of one power, one intention, and the waist being director of the movement, rather than the hand.
Also Jeff has shared that in many cases the zham zhuang and yi chuan training has made a greater impact that any of the forms he has learned in the past.
Quangping Style in Japan
Posted on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 8:39 PM by Sifu Smith
We recently added 8 new members this past week, most are here in the Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Fayetteville area, however, we got a note from a gentleman in Tokyo Japan that has been practicing the Yang Pan Ho Quangping style and wants to stay in touch through our site.
We would also like to welcome our new members from California.
Posted in Tai Chi
Our Family Atmosphere
Posted on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 6:10 AM by Sifu Smith
Master Chin always did and continues to instill the Kung Fu Family tone with his students. He would often tell us how Sifu Mat Sik, Sifu Ng, Sifu Kuo, would also promote this enviroment. Whether you visit us in Fayetteville, Pinehurst, Raleigh or Chapel Hill you will find that same environment. One of the students in Raleigh recently wrote me an email to share some NFL history, and then he went on to say:
"By the way, thanks for providing such a non-commercial atmosphere to train. As you know, I have trained at various places and seen some different ways of doing things.
I have seen 12 year olds getting black belts and praised as instructors, people charged $ to get pieces of colored electrical tape added to their belts as "stripes," people having to pay to get names stenciled on the backs of their uniforms, and other sorts of money making schemes in schools.
I'm not sure most of the student know how lucky they are to find a place where $ is not such a big distraction and impediment to training.
No contracts. No uniforms..."
J.
Edited on: Friday, May 11, 2007 6:12 AMSpiderman got me up this morning
Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 10:23 AM by Sifu Smith
Last night we had a great practice at the tai chi school in Raleigh. I
got home at 8:30 pm, had a light dinner, read books with my 3 year old
son, and then we hit the rack. This morning at 4:15 a.m. there was a
tapping on my back, 'Dad, get up, it's time for me to be Spiderman.' We
suited up (let me rephrase, 'he suited up') and I got coffee. I knew
there would be no traditional morning practice, except with him.
After a few minutes of hard play, he says, 'Dad, go practice tai chi'. So you know about my 3 year old, that is his code for "Dad, I don't want you watching me, I have something to do." I usually bargain out a few minutes of tai chi and posting with him and cut him loose.
All before 5 a.m. this morning. Cooked breakfast, and started our day. No, he didn't go back to sleep, never cried and was full blast at the day care by 8 am. "I'll get you Spiderman"
Edited on: Wednesday, May 09, 2007 10:43 AMDit Da Jow Coming
Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 10:03 AM by Sifu Smith
Dit Da Jow, we have two excellent versions available, and they are coming online in the next couple of weeks. One is a limited amount of 18 year old Dit Da Jow that Master Chin made almost 2 decades ago. It is very powerful and has been and continues to soak in its herbs. The other version is also excellent, it is 8 years old and continues to soak in its herbs. This batch is what is used primarily at the school now for bruising and other applications.
We are waiting for the bottles to come in. By the way, these bottles are specialy designed with eyedroppers so that you can apply it with a mess or loss of your Dit Da Jow. We looked around and finally found a physician who had what we needed, now the supplier is getting our order ready.
If you have an interest, let us know, it is anticipated that this will go fast and there is only a LIMITED SUPPLY.
Posted in Raleigh
New Products Coming Online
Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2007 at 10:46 PM by Sifu Smith
Several of our more popular meditation beads are coming onboard. The products are put together by hand, and include necklaces, prayer beads, wrist beads, jade, and several others. We have began putting these products online by demand. The prices include shipping so there isn't these monsterous costs behind them. They can be customized to fit your desire with natural beads, add mother pearl to another.
A "Customized Form" is also coming so you can directly send us what you want, and if you have a picture of it, send us that too. Some things are just hard to replace, but we can try to build you another one.
Posted in Meditation, Raleigh
New Addition to the Blog
Posted on Saturday, May 05, 2007 at 2:12 AM by Sifu Smith
Several of you have been wonderful in sharing stories and experiences. To promote this interaction, there is now a feedback short-form located on the Main Front Page, Category and Entry pages, right column. If you have a picture or file you want to send, you may attach it.
Edited on: Monday, May 07, 2007 10:13 AMMy Meditation Practice Today
Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 6:14 PM by Sifu Smith
I went to our favorite park today to practice. It was a warm 90 degrees when I got there at 1 pm. Nearly 18 years of nearly daily Zham Zhuang and Yi Chuan practice their have been many excellent experiences, and some not so. Today was a funny one. I was about 30 minutes into my meditation practice, between two oaks and near the creekbed. The sweat was pouring, and it felt great to be circulating, the chi was strong. All was calm, when within just a split second I felt something run up my leg. Yikes. I bounced instinctively and was startled.
It was a 5 inch chameleon lizard, that was apparently running from shade tree to shade tree and thought I was the next trunk. I was laughing as the little bugger just scooted off under the next shade and relaxed and I managed not to break my position. After that the next 15 minutes my mind went back to other exciting and learning experiences.
Once while watching Wild Discovery, they were reporting how most bees do not want to perish, so when they sting you, if you are still, they will pull their stinger back out and take off. If you practice Zham Zhuang long enough outside, their will be a spring morning where a pollinating bee will come by to visit. It is good to report that the TV report was correct. At least two are three time, I have watched on land on my hand, deliver, remove, and take off.
One cool fall morning, in the woods, I heard this hopping, and pretty soon a rabbit was withing just 2 feet. Its little nose was twitching, as if he was smelling the air. I knew he was looking for me, but with my brown coat and black pants, and complete stillness, he was quite making me out. So when I gave a little "pssst", he bounced a good foot in the air and was gone.
Three years ago, one fall afternoon, I heard this big rumbling in the woods about 30 feet away. I was a little concerned because I knew their was plenty of wildlife in the area. I held in their, and this beautiful young deer put her head through the brush and was looking right at me. Neither of us moved, then another rumble, she turned her head, and then there was a very good size buck standing beside her. Having grown-up in the country and seeing what a buck can and will do during mating season; I pulled that practice in and moved to higher ground.
I have learned that most people fear what they don't understand. Countless instances where parents are walking their kids through the park and they see me practicing. The kids will ask their mom, "is that a statue", "is he real"? The parents will come up with some kind of answer and just tell the kids to keep on going. We were practicing one day and one child was sneaking up behind one of my classmates with a stick, preparing to poke him to see if he was real. Then a bellow, "hey kid, go find your mother" came out. Sifu Chin had caught the activity and adjusted it. My classmate never moved.
And the last one for today. Ten years ago, in Fayetteville, I was practicing standing meditation on a summer morning. I had been there for almost 45 minutes and in that time I heard a couple voices yelling "hey you", "what are doing"? That had happened so many times before I just ignored them and stayed with practice. Then a rumble, 10 feet away, then another, and this time I saw what it was, they were throwing stones down at me. I took a breath and pulled practice in. When I turned there were three men on the hill above. They said "what in the *x*$" are you doing?" I told them "this ain't going to happen" as I walked toward them, one said, "are you crazy, there are three of us". "We will find out" I responded, and they scattered.
This was one of the strongest realizations I had that it is the unknowing that spook people. If I would have doing jumping jacks or pushups, like many others out there that morning, they would have had no problem. However, since I was still, and not responding to their verbal probing, it made them nervous.
Master Chin always says, "the real kungfu is invisible". It is not in the technique that one practices but the integration and chi that makes it work. It also that invisibility that leave people wondering; "what is he doing" and "how did he do that?"
Edited on: Thursday, May 03, 2007 11:54 AMPosted in Chi Kung, Meditation, Raleigh
On the Lookout
Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 5:39 PM by Sifu Smith
A friend recently directed me to a website to review what they had written about Chi Kung and Meditation. Over the years, with Master Chin's living example, Sifu Kuo's history, their guidance and encouragement, and my hardwork, I found that Zham Zhuang and Yi Chuan practice are the most rewarding and challenging.
As I read this webpage the author writes about Zham Zhuang and Chi Kung; "They are a series of easy exercises. The most important thing is the pleasure and fun of the training. If you aren't having it, just stop."
These statements are quite misleading. Practicing to become aware of ourselves is far from easy. If it was easy, everyone would do it. It has been my observation and experience that many people will talk about Zham Zhuang, Chi Kung, and Yi Chuan and minister how important these components are in improving health and self, yet an exceptional few will actually practice. Why do you ask? Because its not easy. The rewards on the other side are better health, integration of the heart - mind - body, and a confidence that is sturdy. You see, when we go to practice our standing meditation, we go with an effort to gain, to calm down, and feel better. This requires focus, attention, and spirit.
Regarding the statement of "just stop", I would encourage you not to "just stop". We teach and demonstrate to our students how to rest without losing the chi circulation, and how to ease oneself from this portion of the practice. For optimal results we must ease ourselves out, just like you require a cooldown period from a brisk walk, or workout. It just makes sense.
Be on the lookout for these types of teachings. Not that you need to come to us, but be prepared and aware of what you should expect from yourself and from your teacher. Each of our students will tell that they really begin to see results from all their practice, including their tai chi, paqua, and tui shou (pushhands) as they learn a sound technique of practice.
As one of our students said last night; "Simple does not mean Easy"
Edited on: Friday, May 04, 2007 10:13 AMPosted in Chi Kung, Meditation