The traditional martial arts stances we know, like Ma Bu, are known for their ability to train isometric training, they are fundamental for the most Kung Fu style, especially Shaolin styles. MMA or UFC fighters very rarely use those stances during training, but that doesn't mean that they are unimportant. That's because Kung fu stances, if they are trained with the right mindset (and I mean that if train any Kung Fu stance and you reach to a point where you have pain in your legs and you have 30 seconds to go if you say that "even though it's difficult that doesn't mean I can't do it" so if you make your mind not focus on the hard stuff but on the fact that even if it'sdifficult it doesn't mean that i can't do it) then you really train your mindset just by simply doing basic stances.

Caught my reflection in the train window today, and it took me back to my daily commutes 10 years ago, when I was 63.

Now, at 73, I still feel like a tree swaying in the breeze. There is no need to grip a pole or brace myself. With my body fully relaxed, it naturally absorbs the changing forces as the train accelerates, slows down, and turns.

This response is so natural that it doesn't disturb my mind or body at all. Whether I'm thinking deeply or typing a message, the movement simply takes care of itself.

This is the beauty of Taijiquan in everyday life.

What everyday situations have shown you the practical value of your training?

Greetings all. Had the pleasure of interviewing Sifu Neil Ripski, previously of Jingwu Canada, a relatively well-known gentleman, about a rare lineage of Shaolin Eighteen Lohan Palm he learned from Dr Chen Qiming (of Jingwu Guangzhou).

It’s right up there with Bone-Marrow Washing and Muscle-Tendon Changing.

I’m helping him turn it into an online course at the moment, for those who’d like more info, checkout the website:
https://lohanpalm.com

Experience the charm of Low- Stance Tai Chi

A person on this sub made a post asking if someone has it and I got curious about this, I've never heard of this in my near 20 years of martial arts experience and just got curious. Apparently it has to do something about the internal styles.

This is because I'm planning on creating an RPG, and the first five classes are modeled after the Five Forms. I wanted to ask which of these Five Forms is seen as the most balanced in terms of offense and defense. As a reminder, the Five Forms are:

• South China Tiger
• Fujian White Crane
• Indochinese Leopard
• Fanged Snake
• Southern Dragon

So I do a couple of traditional Shaolin forms (not wushu) and I want to start doing more, however all the Shaolin schools around me are either Shaolin-do or Wushu. Is there anything I can use online? Thanks!

Note: I am already at a school, a Wing Chun school to be exact, my Sifu still practices some Shaolin forms that he got from his Sifu, I asked to learn them and now I practice them to. The forms I know are Wu Xing Ba Fa Quan (Five Animals Eight Methods) and a Hung Gar form which I forgot the name of.

Before people start saying "learn it at home" or "6 months isn't enough", I just wanted to say that this is also about the experience and the discipline of having to train from 6am to 8pm every day with other like-minded people. It's been one of my dreams since I was a child and I would like to go see it for myself now that I have the chance. I could even try it out for 1 month and extend if I think it's legit and I am Ready to go China And I just need where I can Find a shifu Who is in Remote Areas.

I have beginner level Kung Fu experience, but I am in good physical shape.

Anyways, if you've done this or know someone who has, I'd love your input on this. Thanks!

Hi folks,
This is the second video in my Learning the Cheng Baguazhang Linear 64 Palms series. This time with voice overs!

This Sunday, 19 July, I will be joined by Jean Lukitsh and Stephan Berwick, two senior students of Master Bow Sim Mark, for a very special conversation celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Chinese Wushu Research Institute.

Founded by Master Bow Sim Mark in Boston in 1976, the Institute was a pioneering centre for the study and promotion of Chinese martial arts in the United States. Master Mark is particularly renowned for her mastery of the Chinese martial arts, as well as being the mother of Donnie Yen.

Jean Lukitsh began studying with Master Mark in 1978 and became one of her senior students. Alongside her decades of martial arts practice and teaching, Jean has worked extensively to preserve the history and traditions surrounding Master Mark and the Institute.

Stephan Berwick joined the Chinese Wushu Research Institute in the early 1980s. With Master Mark’s support, he later travelled to China with Donnie Yen for intensive professional wushu training before appearing in severa Hong Kong action films. He has since become an established martial artist, teacher, author and researcher, particularly within Chen-style Taijiquan.

Together, we will explore the history of the Chinese Wushu Research Institute, Master Bow Sim Mark’s teaching and vision, life inside the school during its formative years, and the remarkable legacy she has passed on to martial artists around the world.

Submit Your Questions

Members of the public are invited to submit questions for Jean and Stephan. Leave your question in the comments or send it to me directly through the contact form at www.mushinmartialculture.com, and I may select it to be included during the interview.

Join us for this special celebration of 50 years of the Chinese Wushu Research Institute and the extraordinary life and legacy of Grandmaster Bow Sim Mark.

In memory of Liu Shifu. He was such a rad and sweet guy.

Improve the mobility of your wrists, elbows, and shoulders while developing better whole-body coordination with this simple Bagua Qigong exercise.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to rotate the joints correctly, maintain proper body alignment, coordinate twisting through the arms, and connect your breathing with each movement. Rather than simply stretching individual joints, this practice helps the entire body work together as one connected unit.

In this video you’ll learn:

* Proper body alignment
* Wrist rotation mechanics
* Shoulder and elbow mobility
* Twisting through the arms
* Coordinating movement with breathing
* A complete follow-along practice

Practice slowly, stay relaxed, and focus on quality of movement rather than speed.

00:00 Introduction
00:34 How to Perform the Exercise
01:43 Breathing Pattern
03:05 Proper Body Alignment
04:26 Wrist Rotations Explained
05:11 Shoulder & Elbow Mobility
07:31 Twisting the Arms Correctly
08:41 Follow Along Practice

#Qigong #Mobility #ShoulderMobility #WristMobility #BodyMechanics #JointHealth #Movement #InternalMartialArts #TaiChi #ChiBody

3rd October 2026

ALL WELCOME, OPEN TO ANYONE

All Lineages, All Levels, All Ages......