Every man and woman travels through the martial arts by himself or herself. The journey is nothing if not personal and often intimate. For Jim Mullen, one of our top teachers, the journey has been a long one and, as you will read, a fascinating one…
Read More →
Stone Tablet
The Record of Traditional Chinese Martial Arts
Instructor Profile: Jim Mullen
About Chinese Astrology
All astrological systems are symbolic languages for describing the character and nature of a particular time and place. Human beings, full participants in the energetic mix, are individual and unique manifestations of the astrological moment. Chinese astrology shares this fundamental view with other astrological systems. However, it differs in several important ways.
Read More →
Event: Benefit for St. Jude Childrens Hospital
Two schools, under teachers Luke Gelin and Ted Mancuso, held a benefit on Saturday, June 28th. The money collected will go to research to find cures for children with catastrophic diseases—a special mission of this fine organization.
Click to see some photos from the exhibition.
Read More →
RAT Year : 2008
Though a tendency to be secretive is part of the Rat’s nature, gullibility is not…. Rat energy would have read the fine print and considered the long view.
Event: Grandmaster Willy Lin at the Academy
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.
Read More →
Events: Bagua Seminar, Sacramento
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.
Read More →
PIG Year: 2007
February 18, marks the beginning of the Fire Pig Year. Each animal in the Chinese calendar is emblematic of a particular type of Qi, and gives that year its special energetic qualities. The Pig is a sign of congeniality, family, and home. In fact, the Chinese character for home shows a roof with a pig under it. The Pig is known for its friendly, trustworthy nature, its sensitivity and sensuality. It is also the twelfth in a twelve year cycle, so it has a comprehensive and often spiritual view—an understanding of the cyclical nature of life that gives it an accepting and peaceful nature. This is a good year to consolidate the hard work of the Dog Year, and to enjoy life with good friends and fine food. The Pig is at its best in a convivial atmosphere. Relax and stop worrying this year. If you find yourself indulging a bit, go right ahead. You can rely on the ambitious Rat to pay off the debt next year.
Resistance to Practice
It never fails the palpable feeling of dread and trepidation mixed with fear that surfaces in the minutes before I am to begin my practice.
Getting Out of Your Own [Wu] Wei
It’s probably happened to all of us at least once. That unsettling moment when you look at a word you’ve just written and then question its spelling – even though you’ve used it countless times before – because now it appears entirely foreign. Perhaps you’ve had the experience of, upon becoming suddenly aware of being observed walking down the street, watching helplessly as your gait becomes stilted until you feel as though you’re no longer in control of your own limbs. How is it that in this split second we’re reduced to a third grade literacy level or made strangers to our own two feet? Somehow, we must have gotten in our own way.
Read More →