At TanDao, we say martial arts is more than fighting. When the warrior’s way of action blends with the monk’s way of stillness, the disciplining of mind, body and spirit for combat is elevated into a path of self-development. This is the legacy of the Shaolin Temple.
Yet we recognize martial arts originated for survival and expresses the human animals primal violence. As such, we watch reruns of the series, Fight Quest. Martial artists, Doug Anderson and Jimmy Smith, journey the world studying lethal methods like Israeli krav maga, Brazilian jiujitsu, Filipino kali, etc. Comparative martial arts.
Similar to Anthony Bourdain’s global trekking to experience culinary delights, but where Bourdain’s misadventures may lead to food poisoning, our dynamic duo face knockouts, bodily injury or even death. In each episode they go mano y mano with top fighters of each style.
No phony wrestling. No film fight choreography. This stuff is real. Doug and Jim are BAMoFos. It’s exciting. And brutal. Non martial artists or those who romanticize David Carradine’s Shaolin monk, may question the lofty ideals of the martial way.
As vicious and realistic as these techniques are, we find it interesting that some truly deadly movements are not depicted. Where are they? They are hidden behind the fancy Shaolin animal forms which modern martial artist’s dismiss as unrealistic. The secrets are still here.
Lawrence Tan
Check out our premium downloads – TanDao Tiger Combat ebook and video to learn more about realistic animal fighting.
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Tags: fight quest, fighting, kung fu, Martial Arts, shaolin
