September 18, 2007: It's 12:25 a.m. and we just finished our GRANDMASTER WILLY LIN SEMINAR a few hours ago. We had thirty participants and to say it was a success would be an understatement. Instructor Ted Mancuso started with a little background on Willy (as he likes to be called) mentioning that he was the first person to bring BajiQuan to the United States; the first person to write an English language book on the art of Chin Nah; the first to introduce the Rope Dart in demonstration and, of course, the carrier who introduced T'ien Shan P'ai to the Western world.
Next Willy demonstrated his version of Push Hands making many great comments on the way to practice, the usefulness of Tai Chi in relaxing and repairing the body, the strategies and technical aspects of the exercise. Everyone paired up and attempted the intricate and complex actions of "four hand" pushing. People were laughing at finding themselves unable to distinguish between their own hands and those of their partners. No one, we think, would claim to have mastered the motions but it was fun, frustrating and educational. Next Willy showed a number of Chin Nah techniques demonstrated on Mike Gruber the very versatile methods of using joint locks and controls. People then spent a good amount of time hurting one another, though gracefully. Grunting and laughing were intermixed as the participants attempted to mimic Willy's "soft and relaxed" methods. He told how he posed for Inside Kung Fu magazine and the photographer wanted him to grit his teeth and look mean when he performed Chin Nah and he kept trying to tell the guy that if Chin Nah is really good then he should be grinning since he was winning.
Finally, Willy showed the Ba Duan Jin, one of the oldest Chi Kung (Qigong) exercises in the world. These eight methods are constructed along the lines of Chinese medicine and are a perfect regimen, particularly for people as they get older.
The entire school applauded Willy and his great presentation, especially for his open and friendly manner and his homey observations on Kung Fu, right thoughts, honor and respect. After the meeting a few members took Willy to dinner and then Instructor Mancuso, Debbie Shayne and Willy had a long and interesting discussion on true Feng Shui and some amazing applications of this folk method to life and discovering one's fate. All in one session people had a wonderful time and reunited with their teacher's teacher, always an important event in martial careers.
September 07/08, 2007: Sacramento: Inner Circle Tai Chi, a group headed by Sifu Robert Nakashima hosted Plum (that is to say Debbie and Ted) to present information on the arts of Bagua and Xing Yi. Saturday introduced and reiterated the basics of Bagua Zhang practice including Circle Walking, Threading, Bagua Qigong, Partner Practice and all those lovely movements which so challenge the nervous system at first. Everyone put in a valiant effort, practicing hard on the hot day and keeping up the constant movement required for an understanding of Bagua. This was followed by a feast—there's no other word—where much food, laughter and serious discussion mixed together in an exceptionally welcoming family atmosphere.
Next day a somewhat slower moving (at first) group gathered together to review and improve the Kai Men form, a special Bagua set based on four animals, and the Single and Double Change patterns: essentials of Bagua practice. After this a complete change occurred as everyone learned a series of what could only be called Xing Yi Push Hands derived from Chen Pan Ling's version of the art. This complex but extremely useful series allows a real feeling of connection with the partner while retaining the taste of Xing Yi itself. Next was general discussion on Xing Yi principles and how to apply them. And then more eating!
Sifu Nakashima's group is not only a hard working and dedicated community but they exhibit one of the most important traits developed by the martial arts: a sense of comradeship and family. It was an honor and a great pleasure to work with them and we unreservedly recommend the instruction in Tai Chi, Xing Yi and Bagua to any in the are who might be able to avail themselves of this tight knit association.
September 18, 2007:
No one, we think, would claim to have mastered the motions but it was fun, frustrating and educational. Next Willy showed a number of Chin Nah techniques demonstrated on Mike Gruber the very versatile methods of using joint locks and controls. People then spent a good amount of 
time hurting one another, though gracefully. Grunting and laughing were intermixed as the participants attempted to mimic Willy's "soft and relaxed" methods. He told how he posed for Inside Kung Fu magazine and the photographer wanted him to grit his teeth and look mean when he performed Chin Nah and he kept trying to tell the guy that if Chin Nah is really good then he should be grinning since he was winning.
The entire school applauded Willy and his great presentation, especially for his open and friendly manner and his homey observations on Kung Fu, right thoughts, honor and respect. After the meeting a few members took Willy to dinner and then Instructor Mancuso, Debbie Shayne and Willy had a long and interesting discussion on true Feng Shui and some amazing applications of this folk method to life and discovering one's fate. All in one session people had a wonderful time and reunited with their teacher's teacher, always an important event in martial careers. 
September 07/08, 2007:
Next day a somewhat slower moving (at first) group gathered together to review and improve the Kai Men form, a special Bagua set based on four animals, and the Single and Double Change patterns: essentials of Bagua practice. After this a complete change occurred as everyone learned a series of what could only be called Xing Yi Push Hands derived from Chen Pan Ling's version of the art. This complex but extremely useful series allows a real feeling of connection with the partner while retaining the taste of Xing Yi itself. Next was general discussion on Xing Yi principles and how to apply them. And then more eating! 
Sifu Nakashima's group is not only a hard working and dedicated community but they exhibit one of the most important traits developed by the martial arts: a sense of comradeship and family. It was an honor and a great pleasure to work with them and we unreservedly recommend the instruction in Tai Chi, Xing Yi and Bagua to any in the are who might be able to avail themselves of this tight knit association.