I love this picture. This is Gary Clyman after he supposedly bragged about how great his “golden bell” training was to Chang Dong-sheng. As in all training of that type, there was a weakness, which Chang demonstrated quite clearly. I love the grins in the background.
9 responses so far ↓
1 Q // Apr 22, 2007 at 1:17 pm
I looked up Gary Clyman to see who he is and found this
http://www.chikung.com/taichi.html
Is there any more detail regarding the incident? Like what’s his relationship w/ Chang anyway?
2 chessman71 // Apr 22, 2007 at 2:43 pm
He studied with several different people, including Chang.
3 Q // Apr 23, 2007 at 10:19 am
Who would brag about their skills in front of their teacher? That’s like asking for an uppercut to the chin…
4 taijiquestion // Apr 23, 2007 at 11:26 am
FM, this is a pretty mind-blowing post, short and sweet. It’s interesting to me because I’ve looked into Gary Clyman before to see what he might have going on. Some interesting-sounding concepts, but the braggadocio was so thick that I got turned off almost immediately. And what’s with this plethora of trademarked product-names that now constitute his system and teachings? Selling “Internal Martial Arts Secrets, New Miracle Teaching Method”, now with 68% more internal power granules in every lesson?
This bugs me because beginners like me are so tempted to cast about the mediasphere for a leg-up on MA training, and hucksterism like this may rope some people in. What happened to humility, purposeful resolve, and dignified reserve? A master should exemplify personal uprightness and calm attitude; not tout himself. I went to the Chikung website and it was pitiful. Moreso, if this man actually has a valuable system to teach.
I can’t help but think that your last two posts are closely linked. Mr. Clyman has probably receieved some great teachings and walked a seeker’s path, in the past. But now that he’s declared himself a three-ring circus, what of the true art that others labored to transmit to him?
5 chessman71 // Apr 23, 2007 at 3:10 pm
I think it’s a matter of marketing, to some degree. Some teachers don’t seem to realize that their business and the way they conduct themselves tells the customer everything they need to know. When someone comes across as a huckster (not necessarily referring to Clyman, just a general comment) then that will push most people away. In the end, some people who don’t know much about CMA will be attracted by the three-ring circus, but in the end I think everyone loses.
6 chessman71 // Apr 23, 2007 at 3:12 pm
Q,
It gets worse. The golden bell stuff came from a different teacher — Waysun Liao. So he was bragging to one teacher about what another teacher taught him. Yes, asking for it is correct.
7 taijiquestion // Oct 31, 2007 at 11:36 am
I just looked at this pic again months later, and what caught my eye this time was the fist that Master is using. Quite open, yes? Looks like it was pretty effective.
8 Gary J. Clyman // Dec 4, 2007 at 12:37 am
Gold Bell Training worked then, and works now. Of course, I took the hits. I asked for them. I wanted to feel his vibration. It did not effect me. I have been hit by many, many others since 1980 when this happened.
I teach it, but my Tidal Wave Chi Kung Program is the place to start training. I’ve been taking punches voluntarily since the late 1970’s. Ask me your questions directly at http://www.chikung.com. Gary J. Clyman
9 Dave Chesser // Dec 4, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Thanks for chiming in on this post. I’ll send anyone with questions your way.
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