I've been finally getting around to reading Breathe by Rickson Gracie, which I got for Christmas last year, just before Christmas, this year 🙂 I found this paragraph near the start that resonated with me. Over on the Heretics podcast Damon frequently talks about one of his great loves, Mongolian wrestling, and how they create … Continue reading Teaching children
Japan
Shorinji Kempo – Way of the Warrior episode
The classic BBC TV series, Way of the Warrior's episode on Shorinji Kempo just appeared online, and it still holds up today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h4zzsTrmpk The BBC seem to have complete access to the style to film this, which at the time they say had a million followers and was floating on that 'cult' borderline, and it's … Continue reading Shorinji Kempo – Way of the Warrior episode
Fixing Aikido
The world is full, or so it seems, of marital artists trying to fix Aikido by making it more practical/better/not as weird. I'm proud to say that my Xing Yi teacher, Damon Smith, (who studied Aikido himself for years) is joining the fray with a new podcast called (wait for it) Fixing Aikido! It's a … Continue reading Fixing Aikido
Episode 18: Warriorship and martial arts with Matthew Kreuger
Our new podcast is out! I talk warriorship with the esteemed Matthew Kreuger of the Walking with the Tengu podcast, as part of the #warriorshipconversing project started by Kung Fu Conversations podcast. We also talk about Shuai Jiao, Iaido, BJJ and professional wrestling. You'll find us on iTunes and Spotify. Search for The Tai Chi … Continue reading Episode 18: Warriorship and martial arts with Matthew Kreuger
Wang Xiang Zhai doesn’t like Tai Chi
Somebody posted a quote by (founder of Yi Quan) Wang Xiang Zhai from his 1940s interview containing his thoughts on Tai Chi. It is pretty clear, unambiguous and to the point. Have a read: Wang Xiang Zhai on Taijiquan (from an early 1940’s interview):As masters of the original Taijiquan, I should recommend the Yang brothers … Continue reading Wang Xiang Zhai doesn’t like Tai Chi
Podcast Ep 4: Discover the link between martial arts and Shamanism with Damon Smith
What is Shamanism? And how does it relate to martial arts? In this episode I catch up with my old, friend and teacher Damon Smith to answer some of these questions. Damon is an incredibly experienced martial artist with a background in various Japanese and Chinese arts including Karate, Kempo, Xing Yi, Baji and Choy … Continue reading Podcast Ep 4: Discover the link between martial arts and Shamanism with Damon Smith
The Azure Dragon and Shuai Jiao
There's a new episode of the Heretics podcast out. In this chat, Damon and I discuss Shuai Jiao, the popular modern Chinese wrestling style and try and separate fact from fiction. We discuss what martial arts it is related to and also if there is a connection to Japanese Kempo. The best thing about this … Continue reading The Azure Dragon and Shuai Jiao
Opinion: Judo is not dumbed-down jujutsu
Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels.com I really enjoyed watching the judo at this year’s Olympics. I thought the technical level on display was simply electrifying, which is why I find it odd that people sometimes refer to judo as dumbed-down jujutsu. I’m a practitioner of Brazilian jiujitsu (which could be described as an offshoot … Continue reading Opinion: Judo is not dumbed-down jujutsu
Is Chinese wrestling the root of all Chinese martial arts?
An interesting video has surfaced that links the guard postures used in Shuai Jiao (Chinese Wrestling) with postures in various Chinese martial arts. The premise of the video is that Shuai Jiao is the root of all the Chinese martial styles. The text accompanying the video says: "Guards in traditional Chinese wrestling are meant to … Continue reading Is Chinese wrestling the root of all Chinese martial arts?
Reiki and the Suicide Monks
I made a special guest star appearence on the Woven Energy podcast last week to join Damon Smith for a chat about Reiki and suicide monks. Continuing our examination of the spiritual traditions that gave rise to modern Reiki, this episode looks at the Buddhist tradition of Mount Kurama. The tradition of Mount Kurama is … Continue reading Reiki and the Suicide Monks
The Tai Chi Notebook 