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Category Archives: Training
Bagua and the Pandemic Pivot
The unprecedented changes triggered by the pandemic are ongoing. Like every school all around the world, the Academy of Martial and Internal Arts is adjusting to the changes. We struggle onward despite these challenges, but there are surely more ahead. … Continue reading
Longfist Kung Fu Fundamentals: 12 Wk Class Starts Sept 28
Wow, it has been a loooong time since we have been able to add a class to our schedule and welcome new students to our school. So, we are excited to introduce our newest 12 week series, Longfist Kung Fu … Continue reading
Posted in Classes, Seminars, Training
Tagged chinese martial arts, martial arts santa cruz, santa cruz kung fu
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Tai Chi Training Secrets: How Do You Practice Martially, When You Are By Yourself?
A recent letter from one of our favorite correspondents, Gary Shapiro, put the question: “We spoke about how practicing taiji with the martial aspects in mind enhances it’s health effects. So— how does that work? Can one practice “martially” solo? … Continue reading
Posted in Articles, Tai Chi, Training
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Chang Gong
Whether you are the ancient hermit of the Dark Forest or a week-in week-out practitioner, martial training always rewards perseverance with increased skills you have gathered and accumulated like rain. Skills like these come mostly from just hanging in there … Continue reading
Posted in Articles, Training
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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 … 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 … 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 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
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 (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
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
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
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
Posted in Kung Fu, Principles, Tai Chi, Training
Tagged beng energy, jings, kung fu energy, kung fu qualities, kung fu throwing, tai chi energies, tai chi jing, tai chi throwing
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Playing Around with the Rattan Ring
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
The Teacher’s Teacher
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
Posted in Articles, Events, Kung Fu, Seminars, Training
Tagged academy of martial & internal arts, Adam Hsu, santa cruz kung fu, teaching kung fu, ted mancuso
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