Archive for November 2006
The Peach
Posted on Thursday, November 30, 2006 at 7:02 AM by Sifu Smith
The peach is symbolic of longevity in Chinese Culture and said to have
been eaten by immortals due it ability to pass this virtue to those who
ate them. The queen would hold special events for the immortals to
feast upon the peaches. There is a Buddhist Monastary located in a
magnificent area referrered to as "Longevity Hill"; the whole area fills
with peach blossoms.
Posted in Stories
Push Hands Workshop
Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 6:40 AM by Sifu Smith
Pushhands is a two man exercise that develops understanding and
listening skills. At the most basic levels we learn to listen to
quickness & slowness, and hardness & softness, at advanced levels we
learn to create and seize opportunity. All while maintaining a calm and
attentive mindset.
Posted in Kung Fu, Raleigh, Students
The Lion, Fox and The Ass
Posted on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at 7:02 AM by Sifu Smith
The Lion, the Fox and the Ass entered into an agreement to assist each
other in the chase. Having secured a large booty, the Lion on their
return from the forest asked the Ass to allot his due portion to each of
the three partners in the treaty. The Ass carefully divided the spoil
into three equal shares and modestly requested the two others to make
the first choice. The Lion, bursting out into a great rage, devoured the
Ass. Then he requested the Fox to do him the favor to make a division.
The Fox accumulated all that they had killed into one large heap and
left to himself the smallest possible morsel. The Lion said, "Who has
taught you, my very excellent fellow, the art of division? You are
perfect to a fraction." He replied, "I learned it from the Ass, by
witnessing his fate."
Posted in Stories
Success - Chinese Character
Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 6:54 AM by Sifu Smith
"cheng gong" Made of several characters, the first 'cheng' represents
'accomplish or complete'. The second 'gong' or 'kung' represents two
other words: 'work' and 'strength'.
Learning the Principles - Part One
Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 6:30 AM by Sifu Smith
When students first begin, we often spend more time in relearning how to learn:1) Empty your mind
2) Pay attention to the Drivers, less attention to the expressions and hands
3) Relax your body so that we can observe what happens naturally with you and adjust from there.
4) NO Guilt practice - guilt and self-analyzation causes tension and frustration, not to our advantage when we are trying to learn something new.
5) Smile more - it makes for a happier self and a more pleasant environment for others.
Posted in Kung Fu
Monks imprisoned for discussing lack of freedom in Tibet
Posted on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at 12:18 PM by Sifu Smith
A Tibetan monk who told a gathering of students that Tibetans have no freedom of expression has been sentenced to four years in prison and accused of "doing great harm to society". The Tibetan, Gedun, who is also a teacher of traditional monastic dance (Cham), was charged together with another monk, Jamphel Gyatso, with "the crime of incitement to split the state", according to official Chinese information about the case obtained by ICT. Jamphel Gyatso (Chinese name: Jiahua Jiancuo) was sentenced to three years for speaking with Gedun on issues such as the Tibetan national flag and loyalty to the Dalai Lama - described as "a poisonous speech" in the sentencing document - to Tibetan students in Tsolho (Chinese: Hainan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai province (Amdo).
Monks imprisoned for discussing lack of freedom in Tibet
European Parliament wants full investigation of Tibetan shootings
Posted on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at 12:17 PM by Sifu Smith
Amsterdam - The European Parliament has called on the Chinese authorities to conduct a full investigation into the events at Nangpa Pass in Tibet on 30 September and to ensure that those responsible for any crimes committed are brought to justice.
European Parliament wants full investigation of Tibetan shootings
Students Working
Posted on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at 11:34 AM by Sifu Smith
Last nights class was very good. To all the students who worked so hard, the beginning group who worked Back-Walking Monkey diligently with their classmate really improved by the end of class. To the more experienced group, your working of the Backhand - Intercept - Center Punch was excellent. Continue to improve using the waist to direct the movements, and the trigger timing necessary to be successful with the application. One touch = One Trigger.
Raleigh Class Updates
Posted on Saturday, November 11, 2006 at 8:04 AM by Sifu Smith
We have a wonderful group of students that are training diligently and assisting one another to improve. During the winter, on Saturday's that the weather is bitter, we will train inside the school.
We want to welcome Dwight, Karen, and Edward into the school. The mid-afternoon class is gaining interest and we will limit class size to keep it individually focused.