Category Archives: Training

Stretching For the Art

Posted on June 6, 2020 by Ted Mancuso

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 … Continue reading →

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Adam Hsu on Chen Style Taijiquan

Posted on May 26, 2020 by school

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 →

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Sanshou: Partner Practice in the Age of Quarantine

Posted on May 22, 2020 by Karl Forest

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 →

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Practiced Intent

Posted on May 20, 2020 by Ted Mancuso

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 →

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Telescoping

Posted on May 17, 2020 by Ted Mancuso

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 … 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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Kung Fu Training: You Always Hurt the One You Love

Posted on April 24, 2020 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 … Continue reading →

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Copper Whiskers

Posted on April 12, 2020 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 … Continue reading →

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Beng Jin: Kung Fu’s Hidden Skill

Posted on March 30, 2020 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 … Continue reading →

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Playing Around with the Rattan Ring

Posted on March 22, 2020 by school

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, … Continue reading →

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The Teacher’s Teacher

Posted on November 30, 2017 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 … Continue reading →

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Adam Hsu Linking Fist

Posted on July 17, 2016 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 … Continue reading →

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Slow Learner

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Ted Mancuso

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 … Continue reading →

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Martial Basics: Not What You Think

Posted on September 14, 2015 by school

Everything starts with basics. And when you are young and/or just beginning a long term study of expertise, whether your taste runs to the piano or the basketball hoop, there is always a sentinel line of basics to be crossed … Continue reading →

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How to Memorize a Kung Fu Form

Posted on June 21, 2015 by school

Forms are pre-arranged sequences of martial movements. The trouble is that you may not have any experience memorizing sequenced actions. Here are a few tips for making this a pleasant learning experience.

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