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Category Archives: Articles
Adam Hsu on Chen Style Taijiquan
It is no secret that we at Plum greatly admire Adam Hsu (Hsu Ji) and his teachings. We have published some of his books and DVDs, excerpted and reprinted articles, and referenced his many principles and theories. He is also … Continue reading
Posted in Articles, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Training
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Sanshou: Partner Practice in the Age of Quarantine
Why is partner practice so different from solo practice? In my daily Taijiquan practice in a time of sheltering-in-place, the answer of course is quite obvious. As a martial artist, I find I am missing the feedback I feel, the … Continue reading
Posted in Articles, Tai Chi, Training
Tagged sanshou, tai chi sanshou, tai chi training, tai chi two person set
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Practiced Intent
Internal martial practice is an important step to deepening and improving your kung fu. In this video, Sifu Ted demonstrates and teaches a short exercise learned decades earlier from Sifu Wing Lam, for developing and incorporating intent into movement. Following … Continue reading
Telescoping
This guy has a huge jaw! A damned big jaw. By far, the largest jaw Iāve ever seen. At least, thatās what twirling around my brain as I face my sparring partner. Of course, the truth is that his jawāin … Continue reading
Posted in Articles, Kung Fu, Principles, Training
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Xingyi Sheltering
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 (1829ā1898 éé²ę·±) was imprisoned for accidentally killing an opponent … Continue reading
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Reflections of a Changeling
As I sit in reflection over the last two months I am impressed by the power exchanged through change and adaptation.Ā Surfing during this time has also informed my impressions on these subjects.Ā Many of these lessons are also transferable … Continue reading
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Kung Fu Training: You Always Hurt the One You Love
Over my years of teaching martial arts, Iāve had quite a good time explaining some of the more obscure switches of Kung Fuās winding pathway: the splits, front and side; gyrating and rolling children, long past their bedtimes; and the … Continue reading
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Shaolin sheltering: Weird Weapons
Among the first commandments for stifling COVID-19 is ādo not touch your faceā. 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
What Are We All Up to, Part 2
Thanks to Travis for sending us a small part of his daily training routine. We’d love to see yours, too….
Posted in Articles, Bagua, School Business
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Copper Whiskers
This is an article about one of the great weapons, a weapon that has been employed in real combat but which is also considered an instrument of beauty and style. People react variously to a two-edged straight sword; some see … Continue reading
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Shaolin Sheltering
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 (åø«å ) in Cantonese. We both trained in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu (Bak Sil … Continue reading
What Are We All Up To?
Hello all, We’ve been getting nice emails from some of you, letting us know how you are doing. Some tales even include pictures and videos! Woohoo! We love that. Below is a taste of what we have received. If you … Continue reading
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A Martial Artist Washes His Hands
Right now we’re all awash in the best methods of sanitizing our hands, so why not have some fun with it? We did! Get down and dirty (um, I mean clean) with a kung fu teacher who knows his hand … Continue reading
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Academy Class Suspension (Update)
Update, March 26: Hello dear friends, Well, we thought we would check in with you, see how you all are faring, and update you on our classes.Ā Ā These last couple of weeks have been difficult for so many peopleāreally, … Continue reading
Posted in Articles, Classes, News, Qigong, School Business
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Life Is Too Short For Bad Kung Fu
Yes, it’s true! A new book in English by Adam Hsu. If this were Hollywood, Sifu Adam Hsuās new book, āLife Is Too Short For Bad Kung Fu,ā would be the tell-all on everyoneās reading list; not because it is … Continue reading
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