New blog, odds and ends

I've created a new blog for the Yin Style Baguazhang, Knoxville, study group specifically, so I can turn this blog back toward being one about my personal journey instead of one about our group. Follow the linked words to check it out.

That said, I can give some little updates on my own training, specifically on my circle-turning goal, which has occupied my attention far more than it has space on my blog! Details after the fold.

First ever video, applications practice clips from a class

So... we finally got around to making a video of ourselves practicing applications. Other similar material will probably find its way onto our new YouTube channel and Facebook page over time, and it will make its way here too.

Check it out...

Four huge reasons you need to be sprinting if you practice martial arts like Yin Style Bagua

Yin Style Baguazhang is effective. It, in fact, might be the most effective martial art on the planet for those that have what it takes to develop proficiency in it. The title of this blog post seems to imply otherwise, but if trained well, Yin Style can and will provide hardworking, dedicated people with what it takes to defend themselves practically in real fights. Part of that development requires some conditioning, and while Yin Style is a complete art, in that it offers everything one needs to become healthy and proficient, it is foolish to think that other supplemental practices won't help your development. Thus, if you practice a martial art like Yin Style, or any other martial art for that matter, you need to be sprinting.

The six characteristic terms of Yin Style Baguazhang

Yin Style Baguazhang is a formidable martial art. This is partly due to its deep theoretical underpinning and strict adherence to that in practical training. As is frequent with Chinese arts, there is a list of six terms that define how to practice Yin Style Baguazhang correctly. These, of course, are more broadly applicable to any martial art, if the practitioner wants to do it well. From my perspective, making these ideas explicit has been instrumental in taking my own training to new heights. These terms define how Yin Style Baguazhang should be practiced at all times.
The six terms are: stable, accurate, vicious, cold, crisp, and fast.

Accountability in turning, February style

I've really got to set aside more time for this... the only posts I've had a chance to get to this year are boring ones about my turning goal. I'll try to create a couple of good content posts in the next week or two, so stay tuned! There's a fair amount worth talking about.

In the meantime, let me keep myself accountable and put up some details about how my efforts toward my turning goal played out in February.

A little accountability: January's progress report on turning goal

For those of you that have been following along with my training, you know I'm doing a project this year involving turning the circle. Specifically, I'm aiming to get 200 hours on the circle in 2012. This post is a short report on how I did with the project through January. For those of you that aren't interested in my personal training, this post isn't probably worth much to you, so you can skip it.

Mental discipline, turning the circle and other grinding

Because of my desire to improve that aspect of my Yin Style Bagua training and the resultant new year's resolution to turn more, I've been on the circle this week far more than what has (shamefully) been average in the last while. That, of course, has me thinking about turning more, and, for the purposes of this blog, that has me thinking about the challenges related to turning. Of course, these lessons are far more broadly applicable than this particular useful, if esoteric, practice.

New Year's Turning Resolution, 2012

I know, it's been a long (read: looooooooong) time since I've posted. Frankly, I haven't been training much. I actually really hurt myself this time, and so I haven't been doing a whole lot since the start of November when I took my right shoulder from aggravated to "doesn't work without LOTS of pain." I'm finally getting a handle on that, mostly. In any case, I decided it's well enough, and it's high time that I start doing something right. Since He Jinbao didn't seem particularly pleased with my turning this year at our workshop, I figure I need a lot more attention on that aspect of training. Thus, my New Year's resolution for 2012 is to turn... a lot... and consistently (details below!).

Sam Harris weighs in on self-defense in an excellent article

I almost never do this. In fact, I don't think I've ever done this on this blog before, but this blog post by Sam Harris (of The End of Faith, Letter to a Christian Nation, The Moral Landscape, all New York Times bestselling books, and being one of the so-called "four horsemen" of the New Atheist movement fame) is about practical self-defense. It is very good, and anyone interested in martial arts or self-defense owes it to himself to read it, as should their family members. Anyone stumbling upon this site looking for something to do with African cats should probably read it too.

Knoxville, Tennessee, Yin Style Bagua seminar with He Jinbao, Success!

This is just a quick post to follow up with the rest of the commentary on the Yin Style Bagua Facebook page regarding the Fall Tour workshop in Knoxville this year. More details on a personal level are to come. In the meantime, interested parties should check out the Facebook page and see the photos from our awesome workshop.

Knoxville, TN Workshop - Day 2

First circle walking was trained to improve footwork and agility. Three foundational direction changes - or strikes carried out while circling around an opponent for position - were taught. The moving with the force chopping and enfolding hooking strike combination forms were taught; the objective being to combine various types of body movement and footwork with strikes. These combinations were then applied in partner drills to reinforce accuracy and gaining advantageous position when fighting. Kicks and their setups were trained to finish out the day.

Knoxville, TN Workshop - Day 3

Six foundational attacks from the Lion system seizing and grasping grappling attack methods were taught. Each technique was drilled to develop body coordination, waist power, and tight integration with strikes during use. Partnered applications of the holds and locks were then trained to develop accuracy and smoothness in technique during combat. We finished out the day with a variety of kicking drills.

Knoxville, TN Workshop - Day 4

First circle walking was trained to improve footwork and agility. Three foundational direction changes - or strikes carried out while circling around an opponent - were reviewed. The holding & lifting seizing and turning the back grasping attack combination forms were taught; the objective being to combine various types of body movement and footwork with grappling attacks. These techniques were then applied in partner drills to reinforce accuracy. A form showing set ups for knee attacks was trained then applied in partner drills to finish out the day.

As always, I'd like to extend a huge thank you to He Jinbao and Matt Bild for making it happen and doing such a great job with it.

For everyone out there that wasn't here, you really missed out. You need to make your plans now to attend next year and see to making it happen.