Sep
13
Time to move! Try our signature exercise — the Universal Form, tiger style. GRRRRRRR…
Tags: health, kung fu, lawrence tan, Martial Arts, shaolin, shaolin animals, tiger, toni josephson, universal form, Wellness
Hi M.Tan and Toni,
Back when I was traveling through my cancer fun-and-games I practiced tiger/crane qigong in addition to standing post. The tiger aspects were in “grabbing air” claw exercises–dynamic tension movements in different postures–discrete exercises with a mental focus: relax, open the thousands of pores in every bone in your body; tense and claw, draw energy from the earth/atmosphere through those pores into your bone marrow.
In addition, these exercises strengthened me at a time when I was too sick and banged up to lift weights–the UF in its Tiger aspect would be an excellent core exercise for those undergoing chemo/radiation for those reasons. Not to mention others, including the elderly.
And, I noticed an immediate practical effect: During those times my two sons were small and typically pounding the shit out of each other every five minutes (yes, normal boys). I was more referee than father–but the strength in my hands from the tiger claws allowed me to “Mr. Spock pinch” them apart; controlling them without resorting to violence when just talking didn’t work.
Now where’s one of those old-style Coke bottles with thick glass? I feel like shattering one with my grip. Well, better make it a cardboard juice box–I don’t want to show off!
We’re pleased to hear about your experiencing the wellness benefits of the Universal Form Tiger Claw. Often the obvious martial application of this exercise – dynamic tension for muscle strengthening and development of the hand weapon – overshadows the health benefits.
And for martial artists, many miss the martial value because they are looking for overt tiger fighting applications. The benefits of this tiger claw exercise, both martial and health are not apparent, but are subtle and profound like much of Chinese martial art forms.
Of course, tiger claw for child rearing – that is a novel approach that you can write a book about!
“Effective Parenting–With Tiger Claw Kung Fu.” I think that book has tremendous potential. Might even be a better idea than my “Three Stooges Kung Fu” (eye pokes, ear slaps and instep stomps). The ideas keep coming. But are they good ideas? Or am I just a man ahead of his time?