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Fight Lab #3 Double Tiger

admin — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:17:39 +0000

Our new Fight Lab series is generating enthusiasm. Many of you are probing deeper, beyond the obvious techniques, especially the idea of hardness and softness in Fight Lab #2. In this week’s Fight Lab we examine the double tiger claw thrust and focus on precision targeting. As a defense against a two-hand grab to the throat or shoulders, we increase effectiveness by hitting the attacker’s collarbone instead of chest. Simple and obvious. But there is another variation.

Did you know that you would increase the effectiveness of a kick with this same technique? Our video depicts a fighting combination that ends with a double tiger claw thrust to the opponent’s chest followed by a kick. Can you find another lesson underlying this push – kick combination? There is an advanced kung fu tactic reflected in this technique that can be applied to other situations. Look beyond the obvious.

Our intention is for the TanDao Fight Lab videos to be repeatedly watched and studied. Aware of the tradition of hidden knowledge, Evolving Martial Artists learn critical thinking to see techniques with new eyes.

Take a good look at the video – what is the main principle behind this technique?

Lawrence Tan
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Universal Form – Tiger Claw

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:04:51 +0000

The Universal Form is not an obvious fighting form, but it is a powerful foundation for all martial art styles and general wellness. Some of you have been asking us to show a tiger form. Students of TanDao Tiger may use this variation of the Universal Form to aid in their development of a powerful tiger claw. Use dynamic tension and focus on fingers and hand tensing and feel the “burn.” Do you have specific questions on learning this form or on tiger? Ask us!

We’re pleased with your responses to our new TanDao Fight Lab Series. The idea of hardness and softness has stimulated responses from several TanDao Web Warriors. Thanks for your comments and questions, including Sifu Lloyd Fridenburg and our forum members Advance One, Arnuld, and the Karate Kid. An application of hardness and softness is for understanding different ways of generating power. A goju karate punch, boxer’s right cross, wing chun punch or a tai ji punch use different biomechanics.

The Evolving Martial Artist seeks to develop the appropriate hardness and softness, or muscular tension and relaxation to maximize power for a particular technique rather than mixing up different methods of creating power. There is a different fighting distance and tactics behind the hard palm and the soft palm strikes on Fight Lab 2. Do you know the difference against a real partner? Keep the comments coming — we love your intelligent responses and your questions!

Lawrence Tan
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TanDao Fight Lab #2

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:38:16 +0000

Fight Lab and The Shaolin Salutation
This week’s TanDao Fight Lab begins with the traditional Shaolin Salutation, an open hand, symbolizing the moon, and a fist, the sun. How quaint. For modern martial artists this is relegated to an arcane gesture to preserve tradition. Otherwise what relevance does it have to a modern fighter?

Actually, this salutation uses body language to communicate primal actions. The open hand represents no weapon and peace, in contrast to the clenched fist that communicates potential aggression. Next to each other, it shows the capacity to express our energy either as the peaceful monk or as a prepared warrior.

Yet for traditionalists initiated into the secrets of form and postures, such a gesture has layers of meaning with practical significance for combat, provided one knows the keys to the hidden language of forms. We are introducing the notion of hard and soft, a major theoretical principle for understanding fighting techniques and tactics.

Do not dismiss it so readily. A different mindset is required to understand these hand symbols, but they can enhance our appreciation of the intellectual depths of the martial way. And, of course, increase our power. Evolving Martial Artists use the principle of hard and soft to understanding the true nature of power. We’ll explore further in the future.
Lawrence Tan

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TanDao Fight Lab

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:32:50 +0000

It’s here! We have been busy and are happy to announce our TanDao Fight Lab Video series. Many web warriors browse the sea of martial arts videos, ranging from laughable “what were they thinking,” to dazzling, or mediocre wannabe experts, to the occasional genuine expressions of mastery. Thumbs up or thumbs down. Next. Rarely do we stay to analyze the movements and study deeper meaning underlying the throw, punch or locking technique. Sometimes we are unaware of vital knowledge simply because we are not looking beyond the obvious. Or ask questions.

We will address those questions. You might ask: What is the difference between a boxer’s right cross, a wing chun straight or a karate reverse punch? Is the defense against a tae kwon do round kick or muay thai round kick the same? Why should we fight differently at different ages? Is this sparring technique practical for real combat? Our TanDao Fight Lab video series for Evolving Martial Artists explores three themes:

1. Comparative Combat to discover universal principles behind different styles and systems.
2. Secret Knowledge to refine your techniques with tips from masters I’ve encountered in Asia and the States.
3. Traditional Form and Modern Fighting to enhance your power and efficiency by analyzing realistic function hidden in stylized techniques.

Join us! Explore techniques, tactics and strategies from a deeper perspective to enhance our power and skills. We’d love to hear from you. What would you like to see?

A special note of thanks to John Duval for appearing in the videos. John – thank you for your time, effort, patience and talent!

Happy Birthday Sophia!

Lawrence & Toni

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Bodhidharma and True Power

admin — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 22:14:58 +0000

Fighting? Bodhidharma? What does kicking ass have to do with sitting on your ass?

Today martial artists acknowledge Bruce Lee as the force for popularizing the art of kicking ass rooted in China’s Shaolin Temple, source of Far East fighting arts. Yet the original force behind the Shaolin legacy is Bodhidharma. The blue eyed, bearded monk from India founded Shaolin kung fu. He was a monk, not a warrior. More importantly, Bodhidharma is the founder of Zen (Chan in Chinese) – a way of awakening based on sitting meditation.

Meditation improves our martial skills. The focused mind, emotionally calm, and mentally clear liberates our fighting responses; they become natural, spontaneous and efficient. This is especially important during a fearful situation. True power is rooted in the mind not the body. The old masters teach meditation as a potent way to help control our body’s reactions. We learn to recover from panic. Breathe. We become more intuitive. If we think of the mind as a muscle, then meditation is push ups for the mind. After consistent practice, the mind gets stronger, flexible and concentrated. And we discover secrets of the body, subtleties in executing technique that we once thought we knew.

Beyond Bruce Lee and kicking ass, the true value of regularly sitting cross legged will enhance our daily lives by reducing stress and finding a discipline of stillness. There are further benefits for those who delve deeper into Bodhidharma’s teachings to become inner warriors who seek awakening.

The Evolving Martial Artist works to get the edge. You want it? Meditate.

Lawrence Tan

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Is Kung Fu A Dying Art?

admin — Fri, 28 May 2010 19:10:34 +0000

Is Kung Fu A Dying Art?

Thanks to our forum member, Seeker, for recommending a Kung fu documentary on Hulu, Needle Through Brick. The film interviews traditional Chinese masters living in Borneo who lament that kung fu is a dying art.

What??? Kung fu is alive and kicking. Right? Look at the proliferation of Wing Chun, Hung Gar, Shaolin worldwide. Jackie and Jet still thrill on screen. And of course the growing number of kung fu schools in shopping malls to babysit the kids on weekends.

Well, this film examines how traditional systems are losing their authenticity. Why?

Our modern lifestyle. Lack of time and money. And China’s sponsorship of modern wu shu as a performance art is overshadowing the arts as a way of life. The importance of the master/disciple relationship, patience, moral character and training over time to reveal true knowledge – philosophical, spiritual and healing – has given way to a modern high tech mentality and loss of cultural identity.

Prior to the 1970’s kung fu was secret. Kung fu was difficult to learn. Training was arduous. The mindset of a practitioner was vastly different. Therefore there was a reverence towards the knowledge and the art was precious. More than that, the masters in this film represent those who fled China during the cultural revolution. Not only was the art surpressed, but its teachers were killed. These are the people who managed to stay alive themselves, and in doing so, keep their art alive.

This is an important realization. Unfortunately, today there are many practitioners who lock in on the mindless thrills and kills of pop martial arts films and combat sport, and may find this documentary slow moving — perhaps uninteresting. But for Evolving Martial Artists – who bridge old and new – this is an earnest and thoughtful examination of kung fu that reflects a rich cultural heritage diminished by our modern world.

These old masters clearly articulate the loss of the old ways.

So – is kung fu a dying art? There is a stark reality — traditional kung fu must evolve or die.

What do you think? What must be preserved so modern students are linked to the deeper spirit of the arts? What must be discarded in order to keep up with today’s world? Tell us.

Lawrence Tan

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Nature’s Dojo

admin — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:50:31 +0000

With the advent of spring, especially after this harsh winter, we are eager to get outside to train. Like early Daoists practicing tai ji by a stream or Shaolin monks kicking boulders in the misty mountains, practicing in nature is a time honored tradition.

It is common to all martial arts: gi clad karateka punching into crashing waves, krav maga practitioners fighting on sandy beaches or capoeira experts flipping and whirling on grass. In addition to the fresh air and being in the outdoors, it is the opportunity to use the natural surroundings as a training partner. In this week’s video, I use a fallen tree branch at the seashore as a natural Wing Chun wooden dummy to hone my tiger claw and animal techniques. (Sign up to our newsletter for secret tips hidden in our videos)

Spring is here. Let’s go out to train in nature’s dojo. Whether the backyard, park or garden, practicing your kata, sparring and meditating in nature is invigorating. It is a way to reconnect with the roots. Energize. Feel the qi! How do you use nature as a creative means of training?

Lawrence Tan

Check out our premium downloads – TanDao TIGER COMBAT ebook and video to learn realistic animal fighting.

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Lion Dance In the Village

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:03:32 +0000

This awesome Lion Dance ushering in the New Year is spectacular, performed at Pearl River Mart in New York City’s Soho district by the Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute troupe. Toni filmed this ceremonial lion dance performed for centuries throughout southern Chinese villages. And here we are in our global village!
Learn more about the history and mythology of the Lion Dance.

Some may be unaware that it is the most skillful practitioners of traditional kung fu schools that perform the acrobatic lion dance. In China, the study of kung fu is more than self defense; the physical skills are employed in the lion dance, a ritual vital for establishing harmony and ushering good luck for the community. Modern martial artists may be unfamiliar with this cultural component of Chinese kung fu.

Martial artists with an eye for classical stances will see concealed behind the lion movements are horse, cat, bow and arrow, and twisted stances, the basis for fighting. Modern martial artists criticize these stances as static and unrealistic. Watching the agile lion movements attests to the claims that these stances can be employed in a natural and fluid manner.

In China, kung fu is more than a science of fighting, it is also, as the lion dance exemplifies, an art. Enjoy the performance!

Lawrence Tan
Check out our Tiger Combat Series

Year Of The Tiger

admin — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 08:07:31 +0000

Kung Hey Fat Choy! Happy New Year!

It’s a tiger year—rrrrROAR! http://www.tandao.com/premium-videos/

Hung Gar Tiger and Crane Today

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:58:05 +0000

We are implementing a new feature. Each week we will select a question from our forum or social media network: facebook, twitter, etc., and answer it on our blog.

This week’s question is from twurman on our TanDao forum:

Regarding the 1982 Tiger and Crane Shaolin Kung Fu Lawrence choreographed, wrote, directed and was featured in: “In a similar street situation, which of those techniques featured in the video would you still use today? Which did you stop using and why?”

Great question! These applications are still valid since I made sure that over stylized techniques were modified for street realism and adhered to economy of motion borrowed from Wing Chun. Note: the purpose of this video was to teach Hung Gar, it does not fully reflect my personal style. The applications are effective – absolutely – but they can be more efficient. Today, I would focus on three points:

1) I would make sure the attacker was incapacitated, not just stunned. For example, in the first situation against three attackers, I kick the first, then incapacitate the other two. Against the second attacker I target a crane head to the jaw, then a knockout tiger claw palm heel strike to the attacker’s jaw followed by an elbow smash to the sternum. With the third, I strike the attacker’s groin and follow up with a double punch, just in case. Today, before taking off, I would also finish off the first attacker (stunned, though not incapacitated) with another kick rendering him unable to chase after me.

2) Hung Gar employs simple, direct and powerful techniques (fine for those who have big, tough and muscular physiques). Since my body type favors speed and deception, I would augment the same hand attacks by adding subtle half beat kicks to the knees and shins or quick knee bumps to the thighs to overwhelm the attacker. This reflects TanDao’s deceptive strategy.

3) Most significantly, I would amplify the destructiveness by aggressively disrupting the attacker’s balance as I simultaneously executed the same hand attacks. This adheres to TanDao’s Progressive Destruction of Balance, which is the single strategic principle that distinguishes from other styles. In short, I am not just hitting (which is universal to all striking systems), I am simultaneously focusing on using my body mass to destroy the opponent’s center.

Keep your questions coming!

Lawrence Tan
TanDao Kung Fu