Formosa Neijia

Everything moving along according to schedule. I signed up on Friday, last day as is typical for me, for the 99 CPL taiji form and moving push hands comp. I had to forgo performing our version of traditional taiji straight sword. I have been practicing it a lot and it is completely linear. I measured […]

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A while back, I was paired up with a timid high school kid to practice with. He just didn’t want to engage and actually throw me, even if I was as soft and non-resistant as I could be. I put up with it for quite a while and then my teacher came over to give […]

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There’s a big split in every martial art between those who believe in some picture perfect technique that fell straight out of heaven and those who know that applying your art is more difficult than it looks. As you can tell, I’m definitely in the latter camp.
If people would even bother getting out […]

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A while back, I got in a email disagreement with a taiji teacher. He informed me that if we ever met up, we could spar to settle the disagreement. But he was also quick to inform me that could include anything except going to the ground. He said he was no good at that. Now […]

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Not that what I want to personally practice needs any defending, but what is all this stuff about judo, aikido, etc. doing on the blog anyway?
I’m just following my path. I’m doing my thing. If that’s different from other people, then that’s okay. Different strokes and all that.
In learning taijiquan, bagauzhang, xingyiquan, etc. I’ve noticed […]

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“Jon Smith” goes to philosophy class one day and the professor says something that resonates with Jon. Jon raises his hand and speaks form his heart about the subject. After he speaks, a small group in the back of the class applauds and voices their approval. After class, the group approaches Jon and asks him […]

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I wish the following dialog was more fictional than it is. B is practicing in the park when A comes up to him.
A: Hey, it looks like you’re doing Chinese martial arts.
B: Yeah, I been practicing for a few years now. I’m doing a style called xingyiquan.
A: Cool. Yeah, I thought so. I was looking […]

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The reviewer is you. After all, who is “best” will be subjective. I would go dojo hopping and see everyone there is to see. Then you can make a decision. Start with the yellow pages and make a list of what interests you. Call them up and you’ll find out you can eliminate a few […]

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