A YouTube viewer commented on our Dragon Knockout video: “…why not just step into a twisted horse stance and then unwind rather than jump into a twisted horse stance. I call this Steal-A-Step, by keeping your hands still in space and stepping into a twisted horse stance your opponent will never know you’ve moved if you do it correctly.”

First, thanks for this observant insight. Our viewer is describing the idealized form execution of kung fu’s steal-a-step technique, which I demonstrated in the video. Yet when I demonstrate function or practical application I seem to jump into it. Why this break with correct form?

Within a traditional fighting context (both fighters maneuvering in horse, cat, twisted stance, etc.), the formal dragon stepping is effective. However, against a modern fighter on balls of his feet, using broken rhythm and erratic motions, traditional footwork, though more stable, is inefficient. Too slow. It has a low probability of connecting.

It may appear that my jump is a wasted motion but it is actually a skip from a JKD stance. Skipping is faster and more deceptive than stepping. At TanDao we preserve traditional form because “form is the heart and soul” of true martial arts that transcends fighting. But for real fighting in today’s world of MMA and street brawling, form must adapt to be totally efficient.

At TanDao we urge modern fighters to learn the secrets of how to decode the hidden science hidden in form and realize that there are tactics and strategies that will enhance their practical kick ass approach. At the same time, we encourage traditional martial artists to adapt stylized form to modern situations. Evolving Martial Artists explore and practice to go beyond their present truths.

Check out how I use this spinning hammer fist during the gang rumble I choreographed at 3:05 in the film The Wanderers. It was the first time this technique was used in a Hollywood film. Though over thirty years ago, somethings stand the test of time.

Lawrence Tan

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Hi All,

Evolving Martial Artists battle for liberation from the tyranny of limiting beliefs that shackle us from going deeper into the martial way. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the secret keys to expand your own martial skills and power.

Lawrence Tan

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A thank you to Iain Abernethy, the prominent karate author and teacher, for an insightful observation about martial arts. Woke me up. It’s a truth many martial artists discover, but rarely talk about. This secret is obscured by the obvious focus on self defense training and perfecting technical skills. When we think of martial arts we think of grueling discipline, repetitious drilling of side kicks or elbow strikes, tense sparring, and mental toughness in preparation for conflict. Yet behind this grimness and serious intentions is a hidden benefit. What is this big secret that Sensei Abernethy revealed? “Martial Arts Is Fun.”

Keep practicing and exploring,
Lawrence Tan

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In Enter the Dragon, a karateka (Bob Wall) shatters a wooden board with his punch to intimidate Bruce Lee before a fight. Lee gives his famous retort, “Boards don’t hit back.” A somewhat similar comment was made regarding the animal and TDH strikes on our loyal training dummy, Big Wang, who endures punishment without complaint each week. “The dummy has no arms. A real opponent has arms and will be trying to hit you back.”

Evolving Martial Artists also realize that utilizing training equipment does not replace two man training and sparring. The fast, powerful and accurate expression of their fighting techniques against dummies, heavy bags, punching mitts, or bricks is never equivalent to hitting a living, moving, thinking opponent. Sure, Big Wang is tough and takes your most lethal blows, but remember: boards and Big Wang don’t hit back.

Lawrence Tan

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Do you know this guy? If you are a student of Okinawan, Japanese, Korean or Chinese martial arts, you recognize him as Bodhidharma or Damo. Legend says he was a Buddhist monk from India who taught moving meditation exercises (Yi Jin Jing) to strengthen the bodies of the monks. These yoga-like mind/ body postures became seeds from which Shaolin warrior monk fighting styles evolved.

Apart from being the founder of Shaolin kung fu and zen meditation which profoundly influenced karate, tae kwon do and kung fu systems, we don’t know the true significance of this enigmatic figure. Does this bulging eyed monk have any relevance to training on TanDao Fight Lab or surviving on the streets or ring?

True, Damo’s martial connection is obscure. Lets face it: there are no tales of him unleashing his martial skills. Not even against bandits that roamed the land. Yet his power is alluded to in the tale that he crossed the Yangtze River floating on a leaf. Spiderman couldn’t have done it without his webbing. Another tale: while sitting in meditation for nine years in a cave he could hear the ants scream. But how does this relate to side kicks, hip throws and wrist locks?

Zen and kung fu teachings are always subtle. Underlying these two stories are basic keys to power: balance and awareness. Standing poised on a reed adrift on the river’s tumultuous currents implies the importance of balance taught in stance training. A stable and maneuverable stance is the basis for powerful and efficient techniques. Consider how supreme physical balance and body control is vital for combat.

The second tale points to the power of the mind. Zen meditation develops heightened intuitive awareness that augments all physical techniques. With a heightened development of the senses and mental perception, you can detect an opponent’s intentions before they manifest in a technique. Who knew that mental and physical principles of power could be concealed in Damo’s exploits?

Balance and awareness are principles underlying martial arts mastery be it mma, tang soo do or capoeira. Evolving Martial Artists awaken to practical meaning veiled in traditional tales. Review our TanDao Fight Lab videos. How will Damo’s hidden principles of balance and awareness maximize the power behind the techniques? Think about it.

Keep practicing and pondering,
Lawrence Tan

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As a zealous young martial artist, though uncomfortable with this extreme approach, I rationalized with the  notion that “to cry in training is to laugh in battle.” After all, the legendary ferocity of samurai and Spartan warriors was due to brutal discipline. I am no longer young.  I realize now: he was a bully. He is one of those “bad” teachers, as depicted in the Karate Kid, who abuse their authority to control and bully others. Of course, many of us  have trained with great teachers who seemed like sadistic bastards when pushing us past our limitations. Tough? Yes. Bully? No. What is the difference?

Both the bully and the tough military instructor are found in martial arts. Their actions seem similar. But they are different. Under the guise of martial training, the bullying teacher uses sadistic discipline to control others. This is often an unconscious expression of inner impotence, anger, insecurity, ego issues and unresolved psychological stuff that motivated taking up the arts in the first place. The other, the tough SOB is a mature warrior and teacher who recognizes that in order to teach possible life and death self defense, the student must experience as best as possible the reality of violence.  But his motivation is pure and he teaches with what Buddha called “ruthless compassion.” As Evolving Martial Artists we distinguish between being taught or teaching — martial arts to confront bullying and bullying itself in the martial arts.

Lawrence Tan

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Our Tiger Claw download is now available in DVD! Check out our TanDao Fight Labs and our ebooks and videos

TanDao For Evolving Martial Artists is the first martial art vbook ever! Watch a book

Now with the launch of our new vbook, TanDao for Evolving Martial Artists, we can begin discussing Jeet Kune Do (JKD), Shaolin Five Animals and Tan’s Dazzling Hands more freely. Prior to this, our videos and posts have focused on general ideas of martial arts, with an emphasis on kung fu.

As a new system – one that integrates fight science and traditional art – it is challenging to explain TanDao in a brief post or newsletter. TanDao for Evolving Martial Artists gives a short overview of hard, soft and internal systems as exemplified by JKD, Shaolin and Dazzling Hands, respectively. Our vbook is technology at its best — text with video clips, and it is a basic reference for examining hard, soft and internal techniques and strategies from a comprehensive perspective. So, techniques as diverse as a classical crane beak, a wrestling take down or internal palm strike, can be understood as different stages of expressing martial power.

In our TanDao videos we will be using JKD terminology (five angles of attack, economy of motion, etc.) as well as traditional Shaolin and Daoist ideas yin and yang, dantien, qi) to enrich the spectrum of Evolving Martial Artists. A goal for TanDao Evolving Martial Artists is to compare different fighting arts and to explore traditional secrets with a scientific eye.

Don’t forget to check out our TanDao Fight Labs and our ebooks and videos
Lawrence Tan
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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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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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