December’s Classes Cancelled
Given the holiday season and the pressures that school and other
seasonal commitments are putting on everyone,
I have decided to cancel classes for December.
We will resume in early January.
For those of you who have been training throughout
November, you should have more than enough material
to keep you occupied until we resume training again.
Thank you for your understanding.
If you would like to discuss anything, we can dialogue
on the site.
Best Regards,
Troy Marquis, B.A., A.Sc.
Sifu
Tai Mar Kung Fu Self-Defense
Montreal, Quebec
Canada
Welcome to New Subscribers and General News
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
I would like to welcome our new subscribers to TheSelfDefenseCoach site. Thanks for signing up.
To all our friends and students,
Please feel free to comment or ask questions about previous training posts or comments. Just because a post is a bit older does not mean we cannot return to the topic for a deeper discussion.
Moving on to other subjects…
Location
The self defense courses in Montreal are going well, but I am looking for a new and more central locations. Many people have expressed a desire to participate in the self-defense classes but the distance of the training location is a factor. I recognize this, and in fact I knew that it would be an issue - but rest assured that it is only for the short term so I encourage those who were hesitating to come out to train to hesitate no longer.
There is something precious in making the extra effort to travel a bit to attend self-defense courses. Ironically, it has an added value component that reinforces commitment and dedication. In any event, the public transit system in Montreal is very efficient and classes have been times to coincide with bus schedules.
To that end, if anyone knows of a dance studio or other similar location that would be interested hosting Tai-Mar Kung Fu, I would appreciate you letting me know. Nevertheless, the classes will continue and are progressing very well.
Video
I have taken a few short video clips and will upload them in the near future. Actually, the climate of secrecy I have grown up with in the martial arts is what is really causing me to delay uploading the clips. However, the ice is slowly melting and they will be up shortly.
Class Summaries
As you can see, I am a few class summaries behind. I will get them updated in the immediate future, but as any university student will tell you - busy, busy, busy…
Other Projects
In mid-December I plan to introduce some literature on specific self-defense topics so this would be the time to send me your wish list. With some advance notice, I might be able to upload some video on suggested topics. What comes first and foremost to mind is to write some gender specific self-defense course material (i.e. Women’s self-defense / women’s martial arts training).
I had started a martial philosophy pamphlet and I hope to return to it in the near future.
Finally, I am testing out some health supplements - protein supplements with a company called Nutrig. I know the vendor and trust his ethics. I cannot stress enough how maintaining a proper diet is important to your self-defense training. Martial arts does not require a special diet, but it does require you to pay attention to your diet as well as your overall physical well-being. Self-defense is more than just fighting. I will keep you updated as to how I find Nutrig’s products. At least Nutrig can be bought online - which makes my life much easier.
Well that is it. Please spread the word about our classes and even though we are looking for a new, more central location, please come out and train. Being there in the beginning adds nostalgia to your long martial arts training career. My self-defense classes / courses are safe, effective and fun. Work hard, have fun.
Best Regards,
Troy Marquis, B.A., A Sc.
Sifu
Tai-Mar Kung Fu Self-Defense/Autodefense
Montreal, Quebec
Canada
Self-Defense Training Summary 25 and 26 October 2008
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Along with our regular training, we looked at a classical series that is designed to build strength, balance, and the ability to rapidly advance towards and opponent. The series of movements, Basic Series Two, goes as follows:
1- Horse Stance
2- Raise the lead leg (with a downward block variation)
3- Step down with the raised leg and advance with the other rear leg.
I also introduced a swinging fist variation to Basic Series Two and then explained the difference between hand leads body and body leads hand insofar as generating an attack and the delivery of power is concerned. Furthermore, we discussed various targeting techniques as well as a power thigh attack designed to send a tremor through the opponent and destabilize his/her stance.
Tiger
With regards to the Tiger Movements, we looked at:
1- Advancing Tiger - Double
2 -Advancing Tiger - Inward and Outward
3- Tiger Parry and Palm Strike (parry with outward block in Cat Stance, then step forward into horse stance and effect a Tiger Palm Heel strike).
Series Training
1- Side Straight Punch
2- Longfist
3- Front Kick
-then-
1- Side Straight Punch
2- Longfist
3- Upper Cut
4- Front Kick
Movement
1- Practiced angular advancing and retreating
Remember to spread the word and encourage your friends and others whom you think would be interested to come out and try a class.
Troy Marquis, BA, A Sc.
Sifu
Tai-Mar Kung Fu Self-Defense/Autodefense
Montreal, Quebec
Canada
Montreal Self-Defense Class Schedule For This Weekend
Montreal, Canada
Just a reminder that there will be classes on Saturday, 18 October, 2008, but there will NOT be classes on Sunday the 19th of October.
Next weekend, the 25 and 26th classes will resume according to schedule.
Best Regards,
Troy Marquis, BA, A Sc.
Sifu
Tai-Mar Kung Fu Self-Defense/Autodefense
Montreal, Quebec
Canada
Self-Defense Training Summary 12 and 13 October 2008
Montreal, Canada
Summary
This weekend we continued our training, but with a whole new program. After teaching specialized courses for a year, and a summer intensive that was short and sweet, I decided to set out a program for continuous training that was not as exclusive as my past sessions were.
Without a doubt, there is a need for people to study self-defense without the “cultish” mentality that normally accompanies martial arts training. That is not to say that I am not a traditionalist when it comes to teaching fundamentals, but rather that I recognize that students need to be taught how to learn a martial art as well how to defend themselves. To that end, I will continue my theory based training and will supplement the practical exercises with exercises I developed to reinforce practical self-defense concepts.
New students are welcome to drop in at the times listed for beginner training. The first class is given without any obligation to continue.
This weekend was especially pleasant for me in that I got to train with some old students that had taken the summer off.
A few of the skills we went over were:
- basic and strength building leg stretches
- straight punch
- advancing stretch kicks in three variations
- jumping retreat and counter attack scenarios
- basic series one - long fist, back fist, front kick
- the first part of the flying fist routine
- and -
I began an introduction to Animal Style self-defense starting with some basic Tiger.
Tiger:
- bone and muscle strengthening techniques
- downward blocks
- outward and inward Tiger circle blocks in Lady Stance.
My intention this weekend was to snap everyone out of their lethargy after a months break and return to the core values that characterize my teaching style.
I look forward to meeting new students and encourage my old students to bring their friends to the self-defense classes.
If there are any questions regarding any of the training we did this weekend, please do not hesitate to comment.
Best Regards,
Troy Marquis, BA, A Sc.
Sifu
Tai-Mar Kung-Fu Self-Defense/Autodefense
Montreal, Quebec
Canada