Tag Archives: martial arts santa cruz

Tomb Sweeping

The Academy of Martial and Internal Arts Posted on by 2

On Friday, April 4th, 2025, the Qingming Festival is celebrated around the world, wherever Chinese are buried. Pronounced ‘Ching Ming’ (the letter ‘q’ is used for the ‘ch’ sound in Mandarin pinyin romanization, as in Qigong), the festival is conventionally translated as Tomb Sweeping day. However, Qing means ‘clear, pure, clean or peaceful’ and Ming means ‘bright or brilliant’ so it is alternatively known as the Clear Brightness or Pure Brightness festival. Such is the nature of translating Chinese to English: X does not always equal X. Usually X = Y + Z. Qingming rituals date back more than 2500 … Continue reading →

Bagua and the Pandemic Pivot

The Academy of Martial and Internal Arts Posted on by 2

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. Many cling to a hope for the ‘return to normal’ but that’s backwards thinking in so many ways. Change is normal and we’re undergoing global change right now. Others talk about ‘the pivot’. Here at the Academy, it has me thinking about the Bagua. Perhaps it’s because Sifu Ted has been working on a Bagua book, one that I’m sure … Continue reading →

Longfist Kung Fu Fundamentals: 12 Wk Class Starts Sept 28

The Academy of Martial and Internal Arts Posted on by 1

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 Fundamentals, taught by Nick Hancock. Nick is a professionally trained teacher in both Chinese medicine and traditional martial arts, bringing his particular expertise and talents to training movement as well as principles and theory. The fundamentals of Longfist Kung Fu establish the basics  of Northern Chinese martial arts. This series of classes will not only introduce you to moves, health … Continue reading →

Workshop Report: The Fine Art of Choking

The Academy of Martial and Internal Arts Posted on by  

A demonstration and workshop on the fine art of choking was a change in schedule for the Saturday morning Kung Fu class last week. Black sash instructor, Mike Gruber—highly knowledgeable about Kung Fu, and an expert Judo player—opened the class, demonstrating basic chokes and strangles (not the same thing). He explained that knowing how to execute chokes would render them much less worrisome for the recipient. At first everyone looked around, nervously, to see who would volunteer to be the first victim. But, once we started practicing the clear and safe instruction offered by Mike, everyone breathed easier. Next we … Continue reading →

What Do We Mean By “Martial”?

The Academy of Martial and Internal Arts Posted on by 1

People get the wrong idea: when they hear “martial arts” they assume tournaments and grudge matches in caged environments. By the same token, they look quizzically at the ninety year old lady who proudly proclaims that she studies a martial art. But true martial arts range through a spectrum of skills and practices.

Continue reading →