Wen Hsiu Quan

Hi, guys and girls! :) I have realised this week that for a person running a blog about his own style of martial arts I write a lot about other styles. Sure- I have reasons to do so, but I think it's time that we focus on my style- the style of Wenhsiuquan (Wen Hsiu's Fist) for a change. Even if it is just to discuss one kick... The idea to write today's post came from a video that got shared on my Facebook timeline. The video explained how the reverse roundhouse kick (I notice that in the US it is called a "Hook Kick") is done. When this Saturday came around the video itself was no longer to be found on my timeline. Fortunately- Jesse Sensei knows very well about what kick I am talking about since he has his own video showing how it is done. This is also the first species of this kick that I have learnt as a white belt in Shukokai (yes- I was a white belt, but karate people will tell you that 14 year old white belts get taught cool stuff quicker if...

Some years ago, back when I was a kid, I thought just like a lot of people do today that I just had to get that black belt to have all the skills I have ever wanted in martial arts. Nowadays- we know that this is not how it works, of course... I have long since forsaken the quest for any kind of belt. While I respect the wishes of those who still works towards getting their next belt- I'd like to tell you a bit about the other side of the coin. A side which seems to be silenced on social media in this day and age. This morning I have designed this short form using Shaolin's Snake Fist. I have created forms using the Leopard Fist and Tiger Claw as well some time ago, but the Snake Fist actually came to take up much of my mind this week. The reason for this is that it has finally begun to get strong enough to hurt more than just the eyes and larynx. You see- since I have started working out with this punching bag I developed the habit of practicing the...

I was bullied a lot in my early years of high school. One of the things I have learnt about bullies is that they thrive in those dark corners where no teachers or other adults are present. Later on in life you quickly learn who rules the workplace when the boss is away. Well- now it seems we live in a country where the Deputy President's bodyguards and the police have learnt that they can get away with a lot as long as they can't be identified. All of it is just another variation of cowards feeling safe in an environment where what they do cannot come to light. Recently the story told in the newspaper clipping took place near my home town. The offenders here went through all this trouble of threatening innocent people at gunpoint because they did not want to their wrong doing to be on video. A couple of years ago a large group of uniformed pigs wanted to confiscate my phone because I have photographed their vehicles' licence plates and themselves while they we...

As you already know- I train and practice on a regular basis- I meditate daily- And it does not cost me a cent! To be honest- I have never realised that people would actually be willing to pay to have someone teach them to meditate. Unlike martial arts that have layers upon layers of techniques meditation is something in which you can get far by sticking to what you have been taught at the beginning. Sure- I paid  money for the magazine from which I have learnt my first meditation exercises and also for the books, but after that practice was free of charge. Still- I see lots of people paying month after month for going to this or that class... And people tend to think I am crazy... Umm... well... I guess people can spend their money as they see fit, but it looks like many of these people believe that whatever benefits they seek from meditation can only be obtained by attending that particular class on a regular basis- for which they hav...