Why a Daily Practice Part II – in a recent newsletter I talked about the importance of practising daily to reap the ultimate rewards of the arts we practice – Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Qigong, Stretch Therapy, etc. This is all well and good when...
When we are young we take the mobility, energy levels, strength and flexibility of our body for granted. We don't think much about it and often feel we are immortal. But after 40 (and maybe before that in modern lifestyles) we certainly notice losses in...
When our physical body dies what happens to our lifetime of learning, our experiences and discoveries, our intelligence? I have had two teachers from different vocations describe very similar beliefs on this question. The first was Masakazu Ikeda Sensei, a Japanese acupuncturist. In 1997, when...
I was recently asked to take part in an event for the Bleach Festival where I would perform Tai Chi. We were to arrive at 4pm, the event would start at 5:30pm and I was 9th out of 12 performers. So I had a wait...
Travelling away by car for Easter gives me a rare opportunity to do something I did a lot of while growing up - reading. I read for knowledge and for pleasure. Now that past reading time is invested in teaching, training, and family. And probably...
With the goals of self improvement and the development of our physical skills, mental strength and clarity, emotional stability, and spiritual growth, there are stepping stones of progression available in both systems. For Kung Fu we have the belt levels - beginner, white, yellow, orange, green,...
This year we smashed our Chinese New Year records with a total of 52 lion performances and 10 martial demonstrations. Our previous record was 38 and 4. We did 44 of those performances and 9 of those demos in 13 days! The preparation, planning, and...
Last month I talked about what a Sifu is and how this traditional figure from martial lore is relevant in modern times. (You can see that article here). This time I want to talk about the bonds that form between a Sifu and his Disciple...
"We grow through discomfort or insight. But never through apathy." - Vishen Lakhiani 2016 The regularity of training in Kung Fu and Tai Chi is like the blacksmithing that creates the sharpest swords. The steel is heated in the forge, or crucible, then pounded and folded,...