On several occasions in my adult life, I have suffered back problems. The back problems have been severe enough, that I would have to crawl on the floor to get to a chair or table to help me stand. Being active all my life, I am not sure if it was football or competitive weight lifting or a combination of both that would lead to the diagnosis of a bulging disc in my lower back. Acupuncture , massage therapy , chiropractic, stretching are some … [Read more...]
Wing Chun Full Contact With the Bullet Man
Sifu Wayde's "Full Contact" Training, featuring an almost fully padded gear. The goal is to allow the Wing Chun students to get a feel of how it is to really strike someone. See more videos. … [Read more...]
The Ego and Progress
I find it funny that many of the lessons that I learned in martial arts came from my years of competing at Olympic weightlifting. Although I was far from the best, many people who surrounded me where Masters in their own right. Olympic Champions, World Champions and National Champions ,what a great impression it all made on me. To clean the weight means to approach the bar, squat down with two arms gripping the bar, keeping your back tight , … [Read more...]
Parallel Swings with the Indian Clubs
Indian Clubs were used to train for combat sports because it's many swings follow the pathways used by a variety of martial arts. This installment will present the parallel swing. The parallel swing uses the motion of turning from one side to the other. Toes, knees hip can be locked forward when performing one version of this swing. Performed in this manner, the work is placed on the core and shoulders. A less formal or rigid version … [Read more...]
For the Love of Training
As a young weightlifter many years ago, I remember injuring my knee. I announced to everyone that I will not be seeing them in the gym until my knee had recovered. Although a long time has passed I can still hear their voices telling me, that just because I was injured, it didn't mean that I couldn't train.Getting injured meant working out light and training on my form and technique. The object was to keep training, there was always a way to work … [Read more...]
A Look To The Future
In the previous installments, I have introduced inner and outer heart shaped swings. The lead up movements to the swings were simple straight arm swings that travelled on the same pathway. All of the traditional club swings are done working the upper body. I will introduce combination moves that utilize lower body movements, thus creating an opportunity for total body work. A quote from the " Art of War" states " When the officers are too … [Read more...]
Balance In Training and Living
Last installment introduced you to the outer heart shaped swing. My contribution is at a bi-monthly rate so an adequate amount of practice time has passed. The inner heart shaped swing travels in the opposite direction and works the engaged muscles in the opposite way. Balancing the muscle work makes it easier on the muscles and skeletal structure to perform optimally and safely. Easiest way to start is at the cross chest position you are … [Read more...]
We Go Round In Circles
Gyrotonics is a relatively new system of physical fitness. Juliu Horvath created the system in the late 1970's. He combined the dance and gymnastic training of his youth with a passion for woodworking. The end result was a machine that allowed the body to move resistance in circles, arcs and angles not available with conventional equipment. Exercise could now move in the more natural range of motion. A newer and yet another application of … [Read more...]
Practice Makes Permanent
The old axiom " practice makes perfect" was altered over the last decades to a more correct "practice makes permanent." You must practice using the correct motor pathway and technique repeatedly to make permanent the learning. When learning how to swing traditional Indian Clubs you have a formal stance with your heels together and toes pointing out at a 45 degree angle. When doing techniques from this stance, the pull on the back and hips tax … [Read more...]
DragonTail Form
The DragonTail form is a Slow, Moving Meditation practiced with a 36" wooden, magnetic cane, also used for massage. The form was passed on to me by a great, second generation teacher from Taiwan; Ann Thomas. The form, originally taken from the tai chi 13 form is still analogous to it but not identical. I have been practicing and teaching the form for about 12 years. It consists of very simple movements and the basic form is easy to learn. Like … [Read more...]