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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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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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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After this week’s Deadliest Warrior, D’Artagnan and his three buddies Athos, Porthos and Aramis, are safe to continue their dueling, carousing and skirt chasing. The defeat of the Ming infantry by the French musketeers was not surprising, since, as time and again the program bears out, superior technology reigns supreme. Despite the variety of ingenious Chinese weaponry, they simply could not penetrate the French armor.

These computer duels provide perspective on imaginary encounter between history’s warriors from the point of view of battlefield heroics. From a historical perspective, however, it is interesting that the mightiest warrior empires – Sparta, Rome, Mongolia and Aztecs – have not survived. Think about it.

China, though conquered by the Mongolians and Manchus, were able to overcome their conquerors by absorbing them culturally. The Mongols were quickly overthrown, but the Manchurians – who ruled three centuries – adapted the Chinese culture. That is why the importance of culture, the arts, sciences and learning – not just technological weaponry –are vital for the preservation of a civilization.

For the Evolving Martial Artist the fist guided by higher principles is true power.

For more on the show, read our friend and Deadliest Warrior host Geoff Desmoulin’s post on Spike: http://www.spike.com/blog/blood-on-sand/97453

Thanks for your favorable responses to our first Fight Lab video. One of our online students studying the TanDao tiger, posed a question: why are these palm strikes considered advanced? His answer is insightful. Check it out in our TanDao Forum.

Lawrence Tan

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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. 1. Comparative Combat to discover universal principles behind different styles and systems.
2. 2. Secret Knowledge to refine your techniques with tips from masters I’ve encountered in Asia and the States.
3. 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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In the Karate Kid, Mr. Han, an aging building superintendent, and as we soon learn, martial artist, saves the young underdog outsider from continued ass kicking by school bullies. Faithful to the classic remake, he reluctantly teaches the young boy, whose brash behavior covers childhood fears and anger, eager for revenge.

While the audience naturally identifies with Dre the young underdog, the old master – with a quiet, nuanced performance from a usually upbeat Jackie Chan – is haunting. Of course this remake is fun popcorn melodrama. It’s upbeat. Han transmits kung fu’s physical and mental powers. Dre eventually triumphs over his tormentors, attesting to the transformative aspect of kung fu. Especially highlighted is the exotic Wu Dang Monastery, with spectacular aerial shots of monks serenely practicing flowing martial forms in the mountain mist. David Carradine’s Kwai Chang Cain would be envious. It’s the hub of the inner mysteries of martial arts.

Still, there was something disturbing about the old martial artist. Sadly, it seems the sorrowful old master, though physically skilled, is disconnected from the deeper spiritual side of the art. Although he is never shown practicing, from Chan’s portrayal of the emotionally wounded character, it seems that he has not found solace in kung fu’s meditative side or internal qi training.

Though he reveals himself as a healer, he himself is not healed. The message of the film might have a deeper meaning if it also depicted how the path continues beyond youthful combat. Some mention of martial arts as a life long pursuit, and as a path to master life in all its pain and glory. Maybe the spiritual philosophy of the martial arts doesn’t make for exciting chop socky scripts. As Evolving Martial Artists mature, we are compelled to also seek the quiet, obscure aspects of the martial way and its power of inner peace. That is real kung fu.

Lawrence Tan

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The Karate Kid’s Mr. Miyagi and Mr. Han are film heroes who show up at the precise moment when we must evolve or die. It seems odd to remake a classic…though we are always up for anything with Jackie Chan in it. The bully theme never gets old, and, unfortunately, it remains a part of our life.

There is the deliberate bully, the unwitting bully, the school yard bully, the office bully, and the bullying that goes on behind closed doors. Since the original Karate Kid we now add cyber bullying and electronic bullying to the pain roster. Of particular concern in the teen community, this type of bullying can be done without ever laying a hand on the victim. It can even be done anonymously. The damage can be so far reaching that it is sometimes unbearable, with lethal consequences for our children, who may see suicide as the only escape.

In the real world, how many of us have Mr. Miyagi or Mr. Han step in to block an attack with their stunning karate or kung fu, and then guide us along our path to inner power? We have to tap into that core strength on our own. Self defense gives physical confidence. But it is soul defense that protects our spirit. Bullying weighs heavy on the heart and soul of who we are. Bullies rely on our  helplessness, our alienation, isolation and our silence. These are their weapons, and the goal is to shame us. Don’t let them.  The Evolving Martial Artist goes beyond the warrior’s physical techniques to deal with bullies. There are also the ways of the scholar and the monk to empower us to diffuse or even avoid bullying. By all means – get strong. Learn self defense. And here is some soul defense:

Turn On A Light In A Dark Place:
Bullies live in the shadows. They flourish where there is no authority or watchdog.
Communicate. There are compassionate and helpful people. Talk!

Know Thy Self:
It’s inscribed at Apollo’s Temple at Delphi. Don’t internalize the attacks. We all make mistakes, we all have vulnerabilities. It’s not the core of who we are. Our being is much richer and more complex. Remember this.

Don’t Rationalize Irrational Behavior:
Benjamin Disraeli said, “Courage is fire, and bullying is smoke.” Bad behavior is bad behavior. It belongs to the bully. Our focus is to manage our own behavior. Stay calm, don’t engage, and get help. 

Toni Josephson

http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/
http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/bullying
http://www.safehorizon.org/
http://www.workplacebullying.org/

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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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We are honored to have Sifu Lloyd Fridenburg, senior instructor at Waterloo Kung Fu Academy, and writer, as our guest blogger answering the question: is kung fu a dying art?

As always Master Tan you spark some interesting thoughts and discussion.
This is a dilemma that all traditional martial arts schools must confront. I had the privilege of being taught by Sigung Bob Schneider who founded the Waterloo Kung Fu Academy. Our Canadian lineage began with Grandmaster David Chong and his cousin Tony who studied Shaolin 5 Animal Kung Fu in China but switched to Okinawan Karate when they moved to Canada because there were no Kung Fu schools in their city at that time. Thus there was a blend of Karate and Kung Fu when they began teaching Kung Fu in the 1970’s. Hence the formation of the CKKA (Canadian Karate Kung Fu Association) because some schools in our lineage evolved in the direction of Okinawan Karate and others towards Kung Fu, while others show are a blend of the two where out soft flowing Kung Forms are performed in a very rigid Karate-like manner.

Sigung Schneider not only followed the Kung Fu path but was determined to develop a school that was deeply rooted in the Chinese Kung Fu traditions of dedication, perseverance, loyalty, and respect. To attain a black sash students must be determined, dedicated, and knowledgeable. Over the 23 year history of the school we have averaged only one promotion to black sash per year. About a dozen black sash instructors are still very active in the school. We have 4 second degree, two third degree, and one fourth degree (me).

Thanks to our association with Grandmaster Pan Qing Fu (Chief Senior Coach of the Chinese National Wushu team during the 1980’s and self-defense instructor to some of the elite Chinese Special Forces) who moved to Canada and lived with Sigung for a couple of years, our school actually regressed into a very traditional format. Even though he excelled in the performing art of Wushu Master Pan retained his traditional skills and taught them selectively in China and in great detail to Sigung Schneider who brought many of the traditional skills and customs into our curriculum.

After Sigung’s untimely death in 2006 the school was bought by Sifu David Moylan who was a student of WKFA from the time he was 12 years old. He gave up a promising career as a Chartered Accountant and continues to run the school in a very traditional manner. Although much of the tradition has been retained we are now less rigid and more accommodating of older students and tolerant of input from students and parents. Hence a further evolution.

I have personally evolved a unique program that is designed specifically for adults over 45. It is more informal and I restrict it to the teaching of simple practical skills. Yet another evolution.

Is traditional Kung Fu dead? It think that, with the exception of some dedicated remote pockets, the answer is yes. Modern society, even in China, will not be bound by rigid tradition. We had some students that attended a Shaolin retreat in the Wudang Mountains of China. Although the level of martial arts skills was exceptional they were appalled when the “monks” would step out for a cigarette break or answer their cell phone while teaching. Hardly traditional.

There is however a balance that will accommodate a blend of old and new while still maintaining the essence of the art. You can become a business and a belt factory or you can put the art first and seek out that balance.

Sifu Lloyd
Visit Sifu Lloyd’s Waterloo Fit site

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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