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If it isn't fun you won't feel like doing it, right?



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Tai Chi Movement #3- Wave Hands like Clouds

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I have just started searching for examples of this movement on the internet and realised that among all the people doing Tai Chi out there I might just be the only one who would apply Cloud Hands the way I do. I have found different variations of the movement itself as well. This makes my writing about my version and its application a bit unfair as you will be missing out on some really elaborate applications. Now- how I always did this movement is starting from a posture like the Lute Playing posture like the picture below- or the Spread Wings posture like this: From either one of these ready postures I then rotate my front foot and let my body follow while my leading hand makes contact with an imaginary thrust and I then complete the rotation by passing the attack while I guide its force past me with minimal effort and my free hand follows the blocking hand to wind up for an outward strike. When the rotation and step is complete I shift weight ...
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Point Fighting Tip #1: Don't stop until the ref stops the fight

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If you already have a couple of Karate matches behind you you may already have realsed what I am writing here. Some karateka who have been suffering at tournaments may actually find their lives a bit easier after reading this. Here it is- many of us get hurt at tournaments, because we landed a blow, but the referee and the judges just ignore it (because they are assholes- or got instructed by an asshole to do so- which would still make them assholes, I guess...) so the bout goes on longer and you end up getting hit. Any Karate sensei worth his salt will tell you to go into any bout with zanshin (continuing spirit) and that you should not let your alertness waver. This is very true and good advice. On top of that I can add- Do not trust anyone at a tournament. Not the referees and definitely not the other competitors... If you do land a blow do not relax and think your job is done. Stay alert and be ready for counters and keep attacking until the referee stops you. The refer...
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Blindfold training

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Now here's something I have not yet written about. :D I have been interested in the Zen side of Japanese martial arts since the age of 16. It was about at this age when I began with Qigong as well. As a young karateka back then I did not have the confidence, strength or aggression of my classmates and looking back- I think it was a good thing. Because of that classes scared me. Now- had it not been to exposure to the mental training techniques provided to me by Zen- I would not have seen this hostile dojo environment as the ideal testing grounds for the things I have read. This is one major factor to which I attribute my development as a martial artist. One very important training tool that has always served me well and that continues to do so to this dat is Zen Meditation. This, in itself, has provided me with a number of benefits about which I can write in detail. One of those- was the development of intuition and sensory acuity. It is actually wonderfu...
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