Wen Hsiu Quan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_j1-xQA_ufE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWPJO-W2Vbw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rw1iZnkGyU Life is often serious enough. I have shared these links so that those who have not yet seen these videos can laugh a bit. Yes- for us who practice a form of fighting that seems obsolete in an age of firearms and MMA our dedication is a given- something we don't think about. Now what would happen if that same dedication- and the conviction that our way is the correct way- get applied to utter rubbish like this guys "ninjin'"? Well- now I am getting serious again... Just watch and laugh a little.

I have not yet sat down to write down a specific code of ethics for Wenhsiuquan. This does not in any way mean that I do not view ethics as important. I rather view a sound code of conduct to be of paramount importance in any martial art. I am not going to discuss at legth as WHY we need ethics. Anyone can tell you that. What I do want to let you know is that correct practice of a martial art like Wen Hsiu Quan actually cultivates a calm, compassionate heart that is at the same time courageous. Yes- Martial Arts can actually change the psychological make-up of a person. This is because we as humans all have the capacity to attain enlightenment- or to come pretty damn close. :) Martial arts training- I mean REAL martial arts training- unlocks that part of us. To find out how exactly you are welcome to email me at boshoffm3@gmail.com 

A year after taking up Shukokai- when I was 16- our sensei once asked me to open up the top of my gi. What he wanted to show the class was how my abdominal and pectoral muscles have toned and developed since I started. This- he said- meant that I have been doing it right. I remember hearing the saying "nan quan bei tui". It means "Southern fists Northern legs." It referred to the fact that Southern Chinese martial artists relied relatively more on upper body strength than Northern martial artists. Naturally- the style you would practice would influence whether you have strong legs or strong upper body. The difference between a martial artist and one with knowledge of fighting techniques (or someone who has attended a self defense course) is training. We train to be stronger, faster- to hit harder to kick higher. In the fire of that training our bodies get forged.