Sifu Adam Hsu on Learning Kung Fu
Adam Hsu on learning Kung Fu: “I am glad my instructors taught me in the traditional way.
Continue reading →Category Archives: Kung Fu
Sifu Mancuso’s Out of Print Classic Returns
Something long out of print has made its way back into print: Sifu Kwong Wing Lam (one of the Academy’s grandteachers) and Sifu Ted’s book, “MOI FAH:The Plum Flower Fist of Shaolin.” This was Sifu Lam’s first book on Shaolin, teaching the form, Shaolin #7, that we typically teach to beginners in the Northern Shaolin (Bak Sil Lum) system. It was also the first (and only) collaboration between Sifu Lam and Sifu Mancuso, a student of Sifu Lam’s at the time. The book has a checkered publishing history, which was actually quite common for martial arts publishing back in the … Continue reading →
Longfist Kung Fu, and the Academy: Talking with Ted Mancuso and Nick Hancock
Sifu Ted and Sifu Nick sat down a little while back to discuss the nature of Longfist Kung Fu, and how we teach and approach this treasure at the Academy. Click the image below to watch the discussion.
Continue reading →Longfist Kung Fu at the Academy: Talking with Ted Mancuso and Nick Hancock
Here is a nice sit-down between Sifu Ted Mancuso, director of the Academy, and Sifu Nick Hancock, one of our senior instructors. There is also lots of information for people considering studying at the Academy about how we approach teaching. Enjoy! (If you want to see the individual chapter breakdown, watch on our youtube channel)
Continue reading →Slow Learner
In less than two years, I will celebrate my 60th year in the martial arts. When I started studying, I had no idea or plan to make this a lifetime practice. I joined up for the same reason a lot of 16 year olds do: I was getting bullied at school and I wanted to learn some self-defense. Wait– you mean it took me 50 years to learn to defend myself? Am I just a slow learner, or did I find something else to keep my interest all these years? Honestly, the answer is “both.” I had learned all the … Continue reading →
Deep Practices
Learning Kung Fu can be a unique experience or, if you are not paying attention, it can be just another subject with the same tired educational template thrown over it. By a “unique experience” I do not mean the kind advertised on vacation posters. I mean an experience that shoots through your veins and hovers over your skin. I mean unique, not in the sense of “really good,” but “one of a kind.” I mean deep. Kung Fu is not the only tree that bears this luscious fruit. But I believe that to satisfy the idea of ‘deep,’ a practice, … Continue reading →
Bridging: Engagement in Traditional Kung Fu
Comes a moment in every martial student’s practice when their focus shifts from attaining perfect posture to one effecting meaningful transitions. Or, better to say: There SHOULD be a moment in each martial student’s practice when their intent moves from picture-perfect postures to efficiently applied transitions. Don’t get me wrong: the pre-structure of postures — from the correct weighting of the stance to the lowering of those shoulders around the ears to the intentional bend of the elbow and wrist — are all important. But I have seen teachers who put way too much emphasis on attaining these perfect mannequins … Continue reading →
Kung Fu Has No Corners
Ted performing Mizong (Back in the Day)
Mizong Kung Fu is also known as Lost Track Style. It is known for its quick changes, deceptive footwork and unusual walking patterns. Like many Northern styles, it is extended, expressive and graceful. Here’s a short clip from the early days at the Academy. [videopack id=”4699″]https://www.reelingsilk.com/academy/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ted-Performing-Mizong2.mov[/videopack]
Continue reading →Tradition Rebounds
We’re starting to open up classes to new students! Interested in trying a class at our world-recognized Academy of Martial & Internal Arts? Click HERE to let us know.
Continue reading →Instructor Nick Hancock Displays Fine Form
We found this great clip of our Nick Hancock demonstrating Northern Shaolin’s most famous form known as #6 Short Strike. Watch and enjoy.
Continue reading →Stretching For the Art
You’ve finished your workout and the idea comes to you: why not stretch a little? It can only help, right? But immediately your brain floods with questions: How important is it to stretch? If I have just worked out, is stretching necessary? Which is the best for me and, even more importantly, which should I avoid? And, as a martial artist, which stretches best fit my style? Any stretching related to Chinese martial practice could be associated with more than 300 different martial branches, consequently presenting a tremendous range of stretching and pliability options, along with related foundational interpretations. Add … Continue reading →
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 our teacher. Although many have read his works and seen his videos, it’s not exactly the same as being able to take a class with Master Hsu. So it is with happiness that we are able to share this (free) excellent video of him giving a short lesson at his regular location in Taiwan, on Chen Tai Chi Chuan applications … Continue reading →
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 the instruction is an interview with Ted, where he further elaborates on these concepts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGc4FdYOzrg?rel=0
Continue reading →Telescoping
This guy has a huge jaw! A damned big jaw. By far, the largest jaw I’ve ever seen. At least, that’s what twirling around my brain as I face my sparring partner. Of course, the truth is that his jaw—in real life—is just average size; but in my imagination, his jaw has an appetite of its own. There’s a well-known phenom that comes into play when conflict exists, whether you are sparring with an individual partner or dealing with a global virus. Some people call this “telescopic vision,” which is a pretty accurate description of the actual conflict between one’s … Continue reading →