self defense

Jul 31 2023

July 2023 Updates

Here is an overview of the new videos that are available as of July 2023:

Long Form: “24 Step up to punch the groin to Single Whip” This section is the last of the short ones before we get to the end of the Long Form. Step up to punch the groin has similarities to a previously learned technique, but the difference is significant and throws many students off at first.
Self-Defense – Flying oblique low: The low part of FLyinf Oblique can be used effectively against a front kick. Interestingly, the form and application are relatively close to each other.
Q&A 35 – The value of pushing hands competitions?: There are varying opinions on this topic and in this video I share mine. In short, yes there is value, but there are a few caveats to consider.

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Jul 03 2023

Here is an overview of the new videos that are available as of June 2023:

Long Form: “23 Slap the face to Brush knee twist step” I showed a smaller section this time because many students struggle in the beginning to differentiate between Double hand sweep and Single hand sweep lotus leg. So instead of rushing through it, I spent some time showing more detail on Single hand sweep.
Self-Defense – Grasping bird’s tail close-range drill: We typically start practicing self-defense techniques under idealized conditions: you get to see the attack coming and have ample time to react. That is fine for learning the basic technique but far removed from the realities of violence, which often mean less-than-ideal conditions and close-range attacks. So in this drill, we add some pressure by using continuous attacks from closer by.
Q&A 34 – Train as if submerged in water: I often use this analogy to improve the body mechanics when training the forms. In this video, I explain in-depth what this means.

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May 30 2023

Here is an overview of the new videos that are available as of April 2023:

Long Form: “22 Step aside flying oblique to Single whip” Another big section, with some repetition but also a few significant differences that are easy to get wrong. In this video, I show the first and second variation separately so you can clearly see how the second time we do this sequence is different from the first.
Self-Defense – “Separate hands to Twist the body and kick”: Separate hands is an aggressive entry that allows for many different follow-up techniques. In this video, I demonstrate how to perform the striking and takedown hidden in Twist the body and kick after the entry.
Q&A 33 – “Do you have to become an aggressive person to effectively defend yourself”: This is a common question and the short answer is “no”. The long answer needs more nuance and background, which is what I explain there.

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Apr 30 2023

Here is an overview of the new videos that are available as of April 2023:

Long Form: “21 – Step back and repulse monkey to flying oblique low” This sequence also offers both something old and new. We did it once before already, but now I add a variation to the first part, to prepare you for the more advanced levels of the form.
Self-Defense – Self-Defense – Rolling thunder hand – Parry and punch – Stroke the lute: Our style is versatile in many ways and one of them is how techniques can be combined. this video shows just that: combining techniques in a tactical manner that makes sense for a specific situation.
Q&A 32 “Every touch is an attack?”: My students often hear me say this but what does it mean? There are several interpretations and levels to this concept and I explain them all here.

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Mar 05 2023

Here is an overview of the new videos that are available as of February 2023:

Long Form: “19: Seven stars to Single whip” This is where the labyrinth comparison comes up again. You need to keep the segments clear in your head or you’ll end up doing the same part over and over…
Exercises 10 – Hip mobility: As requested, a video on how to improve your hip mobility. If you have trouble sinking into a horse stance or doing movements like Snake creeps down, this is for you.
Q&A 30: “Training Tai Chi without Chuan”: Most practitioners do Tai Chi and not Tai Chi Chuan. But what does the absence of the “fist” mean for the practice of the art? I cover that in this video.

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