Chin Na
On Sunday January 13, 2008 we were treated to a workshop in Chin Na that was guest instructed by a former student of our teacher we called Sifu Yusuf.We were exposed to some of the basic theoretical principles and practical techniques of seizing and grappling (we didn’t have time to get into techniques that render an opponent unconscious or exploitation of pressure points).Among the things that struck me the most during the workshop was the realization that it only takes about 6 pounds of pressure to break the average elbow and about 8 pounds of pressure to break the average knee. This suggests that all we need to do is be able to correctly employ mass roughly equivalent to the weight of a small infant against our opponent (or even less if we are able to use our opponents force against themselves). One of the things Sifu Yusuf emphasized was that Chin Na is not about striking, muscles and linearity but about pressure, joints and circularity.The techniques we practiced with Sifu Yusuf challenged our imaginations. They were so simple, beautiful and actually humane when you thought about them. Much gratitude to Sifu Yusuf for guest instructing the workshop and for Sifu Troy for exposing us to Chin Na and making the workshop possible.I hope that between now and the Spring, we can have follow up workshops in “sealing the breath” and pressure points. If we are able to have a mini-manual of essential Chin Na techniques and counter techniques by the Spring time, I think that would be ideal.I want to say that this post is not meant to be informative so much as to serve as a marker from which further discussion about Chin Na can proceed.Peace.
Fist of Legend
This fantastic martial arts film starring Jet Li was screened by our class with Sifu Troy and Sifu Yusuf on Sunday January 13, 2008 as the first of a series of films we are going to review in 2008 to help develop our martial imagination.The sequences involving Chin Na in this film were particularly enjoyable to review given that we had just participated in a workshop on Chin Na that morning. There was also a very interesting tension the film explored between preserving traditional methods of training and modern innovative practices. One of the points that impressed me the most about the film was the necessity to adapt to one’s opponent and not to be blindly dedicated to fighting with one style or technique as opposed to another.I loved every single fight scene but one of my favourite sequences involved Jet Li improvising during a fight by employing his belt against a larger adversary armed with a sword. The film also featured some much appreciated humour–especially between Jet Li and the older Japanese master.Peace.
Add the Film to your Collection
The Plan for 2008 - Tai Mar Kung Fu Self-Defense / Kung Fu Auto-Defense, Montreal, Canada
Montreal, Canada
The end of 2007 was extremely hectic for me, and as such, I was not able to post as much as I had intended. The training continues and the Montreal students are doing very well. If you have been following their progress through the weekend training updates, I am sure that you are amazed not only at how much they have learned, but also how they are able to retain all that information.
The theory has been heavy and I have trained my students to be very precise in their movements. We will pick up our training either this weekend or next and I plan to post training updates for each class. Furthermore, I encourage anyone who has any questions to post them and I will do my utmost to answer with the least possible delay.
One of my priorities for January is to finish “Flying Fist” and begin a new basic routine. Also, I intend to write a few “mini-how-to manuals” so if anyone has any requests, please let me know.
If all goes according to plan, I will streamline my kung fu self-defense classes and get into more practical application, or focused sparring, so as to stimulate the martial (kung fu) imagination. Also, I might begin looking for a permanent location in Montreal, somewhere central, so we can have more classes (perhaps even gendered classes).
I look forward to a more intensive and prosperous 2008.
Train hard and stay focused.
Troy Marquis, Sifu
Tai-Mar Kung Fu Self-Defense/ Kung Fu Auto-Defense
Montreal, Quebec, Canada