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: Principles
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 →Edgy
I have to admit that I’ve spent many years standing around just… standing around. Standing practice entered my life in the late Sixties. I experimented from that point on with sessions of continued standing and then modifications. You should know that there was not a lot of information in English on the subject and it was generally agreed that the practice took care of itself, it educated you as you went on. What does standing do? I am not here to convince you of its esoteric qualities. There are many levels of this from the sublime to the silly. My … 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 →
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 →
Beng Jin: Kung Fu’s Hidden Skill
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.
Continue reading →Intent
This is maybe not entirely martial, but is a beautiful demonstration of Intent. I think it will also take your mind off of your worries for a few minutes! Enjoy.
Continue reading →Seven Experiences of Martial Training
Nowadays, everyone seems to want a practice. But the fact that martial arts practice has a path all its own may result in some disappointment to those seeking a casual gym-style experience. Such deep practice can render unexpected results. The art establishes a special relation to the body, leading to some confused feelings. I thought that it might be a benefit for students to recognize some signposts on the journey. Phases like those below do not follow a given sequence but, with the proper amount of practice, they will come. 1.Great Expectations You may find that in the first few … Continue reading →
Interview with Grandteacher Adam Hsu (Added parts 4 & 5)
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
Continue reading →Slow Learner
Next October, I will celebrate my 50th 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 self-defense moves I’d … Continue reading →
The Profile of Long Fist
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.
Continue reading →Reeling Silk: What is it?
Reeling silk is one of the core principles of authentic Kung Fu practice… ALL authentic Kung Fu practice…
Continue reading →10 Reasons You Don't Want to Study Kung Fu
They call it the mother of martial arts, Kung Fu. Considering its age and the powerful influence it has had on all other martial arts on the planet, this is probably true. On the other hand, as we all know, the designation “mother” isn’t always positive as in “That’s a mother of a problem.” And Kung Fu IS a problem because, over a period of thousands of years, it has taken on so much more than the average person can even imagine. It’s like the difference between studying math (ugh!) and learning just enough numbers to make change.
Continue reading →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 … Continue reading →