The Academy of Martial and Internal ArtsPosted on 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 in a duel. By some accounts, he was shackled in handcuffs and leg irons, limiting his ability to practice. He resolved to focus on a short Xingyi technique that his fetters would allow, a powerful basic attack called Beng Quan or crushing fist (崩拳). He allegedly used a half step to accommodate his leg shackles. After three years, he was …Continue reading →
The Academy of Martial and Internal ArtsPosted on by Ted Mancuso
Over my years of teaching martial arts, I’ve had quite a good time explaining some of the more obscure switches of Kung Fu’s winding pathway: the splits, front and side; gyrating and rolling children, long past their bedtimes; and the fine art of setting things on small altar stacks, then crushing them. And that is not even considering my favorite: the technique of slamming your own body with your own limbs. Seeing this for the first time may bring the reaction; “Boy, my teacher is so powerful he can hit himself and scare attackers off.” The art of striking yourself …Continue reading →
The Academy of Martial and Internal ArtsPosted on by school
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 its performance as art. This is rare. Traditionally, scholars wore a straight sword to blend the literary with the martial. It is said, that Confucius wore a sword for just this reason. It is not typically a battlefield weapon, but those who protected their villages commonly wielded the two-edged blade with authority. Today, most who pick up this weapon say …Continue reading →
The Academy of Martial and Internal ArtsPosted on by Ted Mancuso
Here’s a new video on Beng Energy. If you’re one of our Tai Chi students you have probably heard me lecture on this special quality, and are undoubtedly practicing this right now! But Beng Jin exists in all styles of Kung Fu, and is worth exploring, especially when your temporary opponent might be that nice fig tree in your backyard.
The Academy of Martial and Internal ArtsPosted on by school1
Our first video for you at home utilizes a training tool called the Rattan Ring. Actually, there are several alternatives you can substitute if you don’t have one of these hanging around! Please stay safe, and keep in touch! Ted, Linda and Debbie Since we are not able to hold in-person classes at our studio, we are creating some online training for our dear students. May all be well and healthy. The rattan ring is an unusual training device originally geared for martial artists. Its possibilities are almost unlimited; the ring entices participation, rolling defensively, uncovering tremendously tactile information. The …Continue reading →
The Academy of Martial and Internal ArtsPosted on by school
Happy New Year to all of our dear students. We treasure and appreciate your continued study and community at the Academy. We would not be here without you. We open this year with a small gift, a performance by Sifu Linda Darrigo. We filmed her performance during a class in Taiwan. We all—Ted, Debbie and Linda— send our warmest wishes to you and yours, for great peace, health and happiness in the New Year.
The Academy of Martial and Internal ArtsPosted on by Ted Mancuso
Last Sunday, I got a double-treat: my teacher, Adam Hsu, is in town for a couple of weeks and I had the opportunity to not only see and spend time with him, but to make his Long Fist Kung Fu class available to my own students, most of whom had never met him. Of course, there is always a bit of trepidation presenting your students to your teacher: will they look good to another and more experienced eye? Will my teacher take me aside and, without sarcasm, ask what the hell I have been teaching them? Will my students look …Continue reading →
The Academy of Martial and Internal ArtsPosted on by school
We are happy and proud to teach one of the best beginning Kung Fu forms: Sifu Adam Hsu’s Linking Fist. This combines elements of traditional practice with modern methods of instruction. The entire form is 16 movements with not one repeated. These take you through kicks, punching patterns and crucial stance training. A great beginner’s form! For a glimpse of the set, go to Sifu Marie Anthony’s Cupertino Kung Fu school.
The Academy of Martial and Internal ArtsPosted on by Ted Mancuso
We couldn’t resist posting this clip here for a number of reasons: Here, at the biggest Baji Quan (Baji style Kung Fu) convocation in the world, your great-grand teacher, Liu Yun Chiao, is honored with everyone in the hall doing the same exercise we do here at the Academy The teacher chosen to lead all these students and instructors, many generations of practice, is your grand teacher, Adam Hsu (Hsu Ji). The front line of this grop is crowded with famous instuctors of this art. Here, at the Academy, you are part of a hands-on tradition from many generations.
The Academy of Martial and Internal ArtsPosted on by school
If you have always wondered what authentic Kung Fu feels like, this is a great place to find out. This workshop, will teach you a Kung Fu Linked Form designed by one of the world’s top teachers, Adam Hsu. An extraordinary practice, the Linking Fist comes out of Long Fist Kung Fu, the mother of such styles as Shaolin and Xing Yi. This form is simple to learn, fun to practice, and it is geared toward modern practitioners with no moves repeated, adaptable to either side of the body, or alterable into a form twice its initial size. After learning …Continue reading →
The Academy of Martial and Internal ArtsPosted on by school
Adam Hsu is one of the top Kung Fu teachers in the world. He is also one of the “grandparent” teachers at the Academy, having taught both sifus Linda and Ted. In this series—the first THREE parts now posted—he begins an in-depth conversation on the meaning of true Kung Fu. Update: Parts 4 & 5 Now available Want to watch on youtube? Click HERE Want to watch on our affiliate site (plumpub.com?) Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5
The Academy of Martial and Internal ArtsPosted on by school
The Core of Long FistThe types of material we teach here—Tai Chi, Bagua and Long Fist Kung Fu—all belong to a large family of Kung Fu style from middle and northern China. Tested in war and refined in peace, this huge family of Kung Fu styles has many unifying principles. Most of the principles here were rarely spoken in ancient days.
The Academy of Martial and Internal ArtsPosted on by school
Click image above to open (short) movie in new window. Read below for class info, then fill out the form at the bottom of the page to contact us with your interest. Thanks! Tai Chi Chuan We offer three levels of Tai Chi Chuan. A three-month introduction class, Tai Chi Short Set: Martial Structure for Health (open to all) Beginning/Intermediate Yang Style Long Form (Requires approval or invitation of instructor) Intermediate/Advanced Yang Style Long Form (Requires approval or invitation of instructor) Class Times Beginning Tai Chi Yang Style Short Form (open to all) Monday & Wednesday 6:30-7:30 pm April 20 …Continue reading →
