Author Archives: Gene Ching

Mat of Asphalt

Posted on December 4, 2022 by Gene Ching

The pandemic shifted everything, even our martial arts practice. Here at the Academy of Martial and Internal Arts in Santa Cruz, the most prominent change has been that we now train outside in parking lot. I know we’re not the … Continue reading →

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Bagua and the Pandemic Pivot

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Gene Ching

The unprecedented changes triggered by the pandemic are ongoing. Like every school all around the world, the Academy of Martial and Internal Arts is adjusting to the changes. We struggle onward despite these challenges, but there are surely more ahead. … Continue reading →

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Becoming A Sifu

Posted on November 11, 2020 by Gene Ching

When do you become a Sifu? The simple answer is you become a Sifu when other people start calling you a Sifu. A more legitimate answer is you become a Sifu when your Sifu says you’re a Sifu. However, like … Continue reading →

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Xingyi Sheltering

Posted on May 9, 2020 by Gene Ching

Practicing in isolation due to Shelter in Place orders has me reflecting on the time-honored tales of incarcerated Kung Fu masters. There is a story of when Xingyi Grandmaster Guo Yunshen (1829–1898 郭雲深) was imprisoned for accidentally killing an opponent … Continue reading →

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Shaolin sheltering: Weird Weapons

Posted on April 23, 2020 by Gene Ching

Among the first commandments for stifling COVID-19 is ‘do not touch your face’. This was extremely difficult for me. Spring is allergy season. It makes me cough and sneeze, and the last thing I want to be right now is … Continue reading →

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Shaolin Sheltering

Posted on April 10, 2020 by Gene Ching

Master Ted Mancuso, the proprietor of Plum Publications and founder of the Academy of Martial and Internal Arts, is my elder Kung Fu brother, or my Sihing (師兄) in Cantonese. We both trained in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu (Bak Sil … Continue reading →

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