A core TanDao self defense technique. Realistic and effective. This is NOT a sparring technique. It is only for use in a life and death situation!

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One of the intentions of TanDao Fight Lab is comparative combat. A characteristic of Evolving Martial Artists is the ability to intelligently compare techniques from different styles. Our purpose is not to diss one technique over another, but to develop critical thinking to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a technique or system. In doing so, we seek the Way of Movement – the natural laws and patterns Daoist or modern scientist seek – rooted behind all systems even as diverse as krav maga, jujitsu, and tai ji. JKD pioneered the importance of conceptualizing martial arts. At TanDao, we strive to carry this torch forward.

TanDao’s intercepting claw was inspired by combining JKD’s straight lead punch (the intercepting fist) and the Shaolin tiger claw. By substituting a tiger claw as the weapon, we expand the variations and efficiency that go beyond JKD’s intercepting fist. As we’ve demonstrated in Fight Lab #5, the intercepting claw is a simultaneous strike to the chin and eye jab – not just a punch.

Which technique is superior? Wrong question. The “my dog is bigger than your dog” mindset is a hindrance to discovering the Way of Movement because this attitude severs the open mindedness to explore beyond the superficial conclusions, this weapon is more powerful or direct. Perhaps more insightful questions are: in what situation, strategy, tactic or way of maneuvering would each technique be more appropriate? What are the hidden weaknesses of each technique? What is the original reasoning behind the technique?

Evolving Martial Artists, realizing that there is no ultimate style or technique, learn how to scientifically compare styles and systems to discover universal principles of movement. If you want to go deeper, check out our vbook, TanDao for Evolving Martial Artists and ebook that introduce these ideas.

What do you think about comparative combat and ideas in our TanDao Fight Lab?
Let us know.

Lawrence Tan

Tiger Claw download — 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.

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TanDao Fight Lab: Where Art & Science Converge

Bruce Lee revolutionized martial arts by westernizing the eastern tradition. How? By creating a science of combat. Traditional kung fu and karate until the seventies were secret arts. The deliberate obfuscation of knowledge has today’s traditionalists sometimes teaching overly stylized techniques that are not practical. Or, excess emphasis on forms and ritual training impedes learning.

Modern fight science accelerates progress. Through analysis and experimentation guided by strategic, technical and tactical principles, we have tools to intelligently discern between the unexamined dogma behind styles and secret techniques best left for film fantasy – not reality.

In keeping with that spirit, our TanDao Fight Lab series aspires to revitalize the arcane aspects of classical martial arts. With a scientific attitude we can discover the biomechanics, kinesiology, anatomy, physics and psychology behind the shadowless kick, invisible power or vibrating palms.  Fight science keeps our martial arts honest.

At the same time, our TanDao System rooted in Shaolin and Wu Dang tradition, avoids “throwing out the baby with the bathwater.” Fight science penetrates to the heart of reality combat by stripping away irrelevant dogma and ritual. Unfortunately, at the same time, the health, philosophical and artistic dimensions of tradition are often diminished or eliminated.  Let’s be honest, self defense and fighting are the starting point for the martial  journey.  But these initial goals, after being achieved, should not over shadow the higher dimensions of tradition.

At TanDao, we teach the necessity of reality combat, yet we seek to preserve the lofty ideals of the martial path. As martial warriors mature, they may discover the scholar and monk side of the arts and a deeper meaning to forms beyond flowery fighting techniques.

The Evolving Martial Artist realizes that the fight science is concealed in a spiritual art.

In Fight Lab #4 we discover how to increase the effectiveness of a double palm strike by discovering a hidden technique from TanDao’s Tiger Form.  Sign up for our newsletter and find some of the science and secrets behind all martial arts.

Lawrence Tan

Don’t forget to 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.

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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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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

Lawrence wrote, directed, choreographed and was featured in this 1982 video, Tiger and Crane Shaolin Kung Fu. We were surprised to find a few of these on You Tube. The Hung Gar tiger and crane forms are demonstrated by Master Chiu Chi Lin, a descendant of the style’s originator, who is recognized today for his role in the film Kung Fu Hustle. In this video, Lawrence seems to find trouble wherever he goes…from ascending a staircase  (above) to strolling through the park — employing kung fu techniques for effective self defense.

Tiger and Crane Shaolin Kung Fu was made in the early days of video production. Today, we continue the tradition of exploring practical application of martial art techniques to protect and defend.  Check out our latest videos ~ including tiger and crane combat: http://www.tandao.com/videos/

1982 was a good year ~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT!

The crime clock is ticking. In the US one person is murdered every 31 minutes. On the road, drunk drivers are responsible for a death occurring every 40.4 minutes. A rape occurs every 1.9 minutes. Assaults are happening every 39.9 seconds. Hate crimes, every 69 minutes. There are the crimes that happen within families as well…elder abuse: every 4.2 minutes, child abuse & neglect: every 34.9 seconds. A woman is victimized by an intimate partner every 52 seconds. And there are also crimes of theft/ larceny: every 4.8 seconds, and identity fraud: every 4.9 seconds. Have you noticed these crimes are measured in seconds and minutes? In the time it took you to read this, many of these crimes have taken place. Once a crime is committed, there is the aftermath to deal with.

This is the 25th anniversary of the Victims of Crime Act. It is a celebratory event because it ushered in a time of change. Previously, the criminal system focused on the criminal, the attorneys and the judges, not the victim. The Victims of Crime Act established a statutory basis for victims rights and crime victim funding. The funding provides services to enable people impacted by a crime to receive the necessary help and support to move from being a victim to becoming a survivor.

Our hearts go out to those individuals, families and communities who have been touched by crime. We also encourage everyone to develop an awareness and proactive approach to diminish the likelihood of  a crime being committed, or becoming a victim. If you suspect child, elder, or spousal abuse, please alert authorities. If there is abuse or violence in your home, or in your life, make that call. Same if you witness a crime in progress. That’s all you need to do. You will find links and an online resource guide below.

You can also take preventive measures to protect yourself. Remain alert. For identity fraud: Don’t ever give out your social security number, credit card information or personal information to a request made from someone who calls or emails you. Even if they tell you they are the police, the IRS, or your credit card company, do not do it. It is a scam.

Learn some practical self defense – there are many classes, books, videos, and online resources available to you.  Use good judgment and common sense:

Proactive Self Defense Tips
Awareness: Pay attention to your surroundings. Avoid distraction.
Body Language: Walk with confidence and a purpose. Avoid a distracted look.
Follow your instincts: If something seems odd, it probably is. Don’t take chances – get away.
If danger is imminent: Make noise. Attract attention. Yell 911. Do not be embarrassed.

Talk with your kids. Talk with members of your home, in your dorm, and at work. Don’t be afraid! But be aware, be careful, be safe. Help stop the clock.

www.crimevictims.gov

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/help/welcome.html

Toni Josephson