Tag: Tai Chi

ArticlesLeave a comment

What Is Fa Jin?

Steve Rowe

Fa Jin (發勁) in Tai Chi refers to an energy discharge and the more you study, the more you find. It’s cultivated in layers from meditation to standing exercises, to martial qigong exercises, to tai chi form, push hands, springing hands and weaponry. There is no short cut as it’s a combination of every skill we learn in the art. The problem with social media is that it’s dumbed right down into ‘body whipping’ or people hopping around like demented frogs when in fact it’s much, much more and has an incredible amount of depth. My teachers referred to it … Continue reading What Is Fa Jin?

ArticlesLeave a comment

The Truth Seers

Steve Rowe

This can be hard for a lot of people to understand. Some people didn’t want to be born. They’ve never wanted to be here. They’ve never liked life, they’ve never liked people. They’re not ‘damaged’ they’re not unhappy, the idea of happy, unhappy and persuing happiness is ridiculous to them. Life to them is like a prison sentence, stuck in a meat vehicle, they keep their head down, try to fit in and get by, they don’t want to cause harm and as long as they are left alone, they won’t bother anyone. They don’t understand the need to accumulate … Continue reading The Truth Seers

ArticlesLeave a comment

Potential And The Switch….

Steve Rowe

Potential…..When practising martial arts and for life in general, we must always have the potential for hard or soft. This is the deeper meaning of having a ‘soft front and strong back’. To have potential is a state of mindfulness, to have a mind that is aware, focused, sensitive and intense. Aware of what is going on with our own mind, emotions and body and of the situation that we’re in with everything and everyone around us. Focused on what is important inside that awareness. Sensitive to our situation and of that of others and ourselves. Intensity is the guardian … Continue reading Potential And The Switch….

ArticlesLeave a comment

Your Body & Instincts Language

Steve Rowe

Your body and instincts have their own language! Be still, be silent, breathe deep, and wait for body to calm down, then your emotions, and finally your thoughts – and then wait for your body and then your instincts to speak. They don’t use words, their language is usually drowned out by your thoughts and emotions, but when they finally calm down, you can learn the language. It’s the same that your dog, cat, all animals and nature uses. You really can learn to be at ‘one with the universe’ by listening to it. We are indoctrinated to abuse our … Continue reading Your Body & Instincts Language

ArticlesLeave a comment

Venom & Intent

Steve Rowe

Anyone that has worked or had to function in a violent environment will definitely know this and I would have thought that almost everyone would, but sometimes I wonder. Intent and venom rule above all everything else, followed by rock solid basics that produce power. I look at so many videos showing fancy shit and think that I’d walk straight through them as would any of my Kohai from back in the day. They take the p*ss out of ‘old style’ karateka practising relentless basics and using the makiwara but they have no idea of how we trained and tested … Continue reading Venom & Intent

ArticlesLeave a comment

Form/Kata Training

Steve Rowe

One of the great things about martial arts is the ability to vary the training. Forms/kata can be:Large, middle or small frameSoft, natural, or focused energy, healing or dischargingFocus on posture, breathing or balanceFast, normal or slow speedWork on snake, tiger, crane, leopard or dragon stylesWork on ‘pulling’ inwards (strangling, choking, throwing applications)With the same techniques work on ‘pushing’ outwards (striking, pushing applications)Focus on different body parts (feet, legs, hips, waist, upper torso, arms, hands, head)Change intent, focus on body, skill level, opponent, power and venomWork on mobility, rooting or ‘pulsing’ to create movement. Other forms of solo exercise training … Continue reading Form/Kata Training

ArticlesLeave a comment

The Bottom Line

Steve Rowe

When you plumb down to the bottom line of any martial art, past the dogma and politics, past the flowery hands and embroidered feet, you discover that although there are many paths, the bottom line is the same. Anyone who thinks it’s not, they haven’t got there yet. When you plumb down to the bottom line of any philosophy or religion, past the dogma, past the buildings, robes, and the rituals, you discover that although there are many paths, the bottom line is the same. Anyone who thinks it’s not, they haven’t got there yet. Truth is truth. It’s unchanging. … Continue reading The Bottom Line

ArticlesLeave a comment

Hope Less To Enlightenment

Steve Rowe

You must have hopeYou can’t live without hopeThis is not trueWhen you reach a point in lifeWhere there is nothing leftNothing in the futureNothing you can haveEverything is out of reachNothing you wantNo desiresAs the self diesThere’s nothing to hope forYou are dead insideIn that darknessIn that stillnessIn that silenceLies immortalityUniversal consciousnessThe language of wisdom and insightNormally hidden by wantsAnd not wantsDesires and addictionsWhen hope diesSo does the selfAnd enlightenment arises.By Steve Rowe Continue reading Hope Less To Enlightenment

ArticlesLeave a comment

Yang Family (Yeung Gar) Tai Chi Chuan

Steve Rowe

Historical facts about the founder of the Yang family (Yeung Gar) style of Tai Chi Yang Lu Chan are varied and often disputed, but he did teach in the Imperial Palace and also many high level dignitaries. I would speculate that this contributed to his notable skill and his ability to deal with opponents utilising the Tai Chi skills of a ‘soft front and a strong back’, often referred to as ‘a sharp needle, or iron bar wrapped in soft cotton’. He needed to be effective but retain a dignified approach, negating an opponent’s force with a blend of skill … Continue reading Yang Family (Yeung Gar) Tai Chi Chuan

ArticlesLeave a comment

3 Qualities Of A Good Martial Artist

Steve Rowe

Do you want to know whether someone has a deep understanding of their martial art? Here’s 3 things to look for: Are they ‘in’ or ‘on’ their feet and legs? If they are ‘standing on their bones’ they can be easily pushed over, a skilful practitioner is balanced and can drop their weight into the soft tissue in the legs down to the feet by softening down through the body, and push directionally from there. Are their arms driven from the waist? Flapping the arms around is weak, but if driven from the feet, legs and then the waist, it … Continue reading 3 Qualities Of A Good Martial Artist