Posts Tagged ‘kungfu’
Brown Belt Weapons Test – Intergrative Arts
Brown Belt test under Coach Peter Hill happens on February 1st 2024. Video not taken. Next on February 15th, 2024 we record the same test. Lucky for me I was able to make it through both. I paid an adrenaline rush price that taught me quite a bit. Although I was able to keep composure for test, after filming I was buzzing with energy for three days. Managing energy flow is the next phase for me.
So the backstory. The short version. I studied Chinese and Kenpo for about 5 years, pivoted to Xing Yi and in 2019 I’m introduced to Coach Peter Hill. Coach Hill helps me expand on my Tai Chi and Kenpo. But with more ‘add ins’. Peter integrates Balintawak ( see Filipino stick arts for more) , Shaolin Chi Gung and Kung Fu hence the name Integrative Arts. For me, my journey has come full circle. My original Kenpo /Tai Chi teacher Master Ray Fisher is Coach Hill’s student and we share many peers. This is all very exciting for me.
I can’t forget John and Karen Burns. They own and operate Fluid Martial Arts. Thanks to them and the great dedication and energy they bring, I was able to meet Coach Hill. Ever since then I am excited to train consistently and regularly. I have a few students in which I see their improvement over time. This blog entry and video is for documenting and education.
Keep in mind, these forms contain obvious movements. When you watch martial arts what is sometimes hard to see is the hidden aspects. The adrenalin. The breath. Internal control. The hours of practice . That is to say mind, body, spirit connection. Many can see obvious body movements. The mind and spirit is not as obvious.
Xing Yi / Hsing I
There are three main Chinese Internal arts. Shing Yi (AKA Hsing Yi , Xing Yi) . In order to have simplicity, lets consider this is the art that powers or drives the others that I train. If you want to know more specifically then reach out.
When thinking of Hsing I and relation to other internal Chinese based martial arts ; of all three it is the hardest of the soft. It’s the closest to the externals. The externals are the martial arts like Kenpo, Krav Maga, Muay Thai , various karate styles etc. So one may think of more explosive, muscle based power or actions being linked to the external arts (mostly , at least) . The internals focus on relaxing and using the breath to aid us in achieving the goal we set. Of course if one achieves balance and proficiency in any style, internal, external, the lines beome more blurred. I strive for the ability to blend the internal concepts with the external. Moreover to shift back and forth with these energies when appropriate.
The other two main Chinese “soft” or internal styles are Tai Chi and Ba Gua. There are more soft styles or disciplines that borrow heavily from the internals, but for simplicity I focus on the three mentioned most frequently. Often you see all three taught with Shaolin based Kung Fu of some kind.
Gong Style Hsing I Chuan is based on traditional Chinese medicine and the Five Elements Cycles. It is a powerful self purifying system. Although it’s rooted in healing, it is a powerful defense system. So you can build your physical and energetic system up with this or , if you know how to direct energy, break down someone else’s energy. It depends on the situation, your intent, and goal from moment to moment.
More coming soon