Wen Hsiu Quan

You probably know how many bricks it took to start building the skyscraper- and with how many steps a journey begins. This simple rule explains how we can solve some of the largest problems you may face. By taking care of them before the get that big! If you don't like getting chased out of the ring in a sparring match- or getting beaten to a pulp then your training should focus on forestalling attacks. This pass/block, backfist, uppercut combo may seem incredibly simple. I have heard my fair share of wise-cracking members of the laity saying that block/counter drills are useless as your opponent will never attack with just one blow/kick. Maybe- but his attack has to start with one move. :) Forestalling does not have to be limited with blocking the first punch/ kick. Intercepting at the turn of a hip, the movement of a shoulder or the raising of a foot can also help you diffuse a confrontation before it gets out of hand. The highest order (does not make nice videos or even sk...

So... We all watched Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, right? If you have you will remember Chu Yan's (Michelle Yeoh) subtle, ingenious test to confirm her suspicion that the unassuming Xiao Long (Zhang Ziyi) actually had martial arts training. She dropped a tea cup. Now- we all know that Wudang has never taught anyone how to save their fine china from getting shattered on the floor. So- why was Xiaolong able to do it? Those who are used to me by now will know what my point is here. Xiao Long's alertness and quick reflexes were a benefit of her study of martial art. You don't need to search very far for people to tell you that traditional martial arts are full of fixed positions and form- and then there are the moves with the poetic names... All these things seem to hinder one more than helping in an actual fight. But don't believe for a second that it's useless! I have noticed that, despite how the world's knowledge of mar...

 76 pages later I am finally done! This is the last book on the technique and fighting method of Wenhsiuquan. Now- I have to get this baby printed! The next book- before I write a comprehensive summary of the principles of Wenhsiuquan- I have to write a book that focuses on training and conditioning. Now- before I get to all that I want to thank everybody who reads this blog- to those who follow me and to those who have taught me.  So- here goes: Thank you! Dankie! Xie Xie Nimen! Arigato! The last page! YAY! Have a great week and train hard!

Today's post is about an exercise in Wenhsiuquan to train the reflexes as well as posture and technique. I am not entirely against one step sparring, but I also don't feel the need to cover lots of ground to practice harmonising. This exercise is very simple, but effective in teaching beginners to blend their movements with that of their opponents. It also cultivates the much-needed sensitivity one needs in sparring. It will start with one partner in forward stance- fist out in reverse punch position while the other is in back stance arm in blocking position. The one in back stance then shifts weight forward to punch while the other shifts back and rotate his hips into back stance to block the punch inward. Then- immediately the roles are reversed. If done correctly the partners will move back and forth- punching and blocking. One can start slowly at first to work on technique and posture and then increase speed and power to condition the arms and to cultivate the habit of...

I am particularly glad about this long weekend. I have finished taking all the photos needed for the chapter on basics in my book. The next set of photos- if they are going to get taken- will feature one of my friends who have helped out with the book on grappling.  After the books have been completed I shall post some more about the actual experience of learning Wenhsiuquan. Sure- we get a lot of info on a style's ideals and values- even its techniques, but what about the stuff you actually experience when you are at the dojo? Thank you, everybody who has been reading my blog up to now. I hope you enjoy what is to come. 

One of the main reasons why we can't rely on just basic drills and form practice is that we need to develop quick reflexes. I invented this method back in my Shotokan days to help me develop my blocks.  What you see in the photo are two favourite rubber balls. I use only one of them at a time. It already helps a lot if you bounce the ball against a smooth wall and catch it. What I have done to help me with my blocks however is to intercept the ball on its way back with in inward slapping block combined with a grab to catch it. Outward blocks can't be done in this exercise with much success, but I also intercept the ball with an outward circling movement at times before I catch it. The better you get at this the harder you can throw the ball to get more speed.  I also catch the ball with my eyes closed at times, but the success rate in that is far less than 100%. The effect this exercise has on your actual sparring is almost immediately visible- plus: you ...

If you can't hear me so well in the video- I was telling you about my new shurikens and how shuriken-jutsu (or in my case " shuriken-do" ) ties in with my Wenhsiuquan training. I don't actually practice much with shurikens. Biggest reason for it is most likely that shuriken throwing does not make me tired, sweaty and out of breath and also does not make my muscles ache (I mean ache in that way that tells you that you are on your way to getting more buff). What shuriken throwing does, however, is calm your mind. The actual technique requires focus that leaves no room for thought, worry or doubt. There is only room for technique. In other words- to me it's a form of meditation. Ninjas had to be able to deploy these projectiles on the run, during a fight or in any other situation that left little time for taking aim and calming yourself. In actual fighting a thrown shuriken is often deployed as a distraction to allow the shinobi...