Official Blog Of The Kung Fu Underground

Holiday Madness!

2009-10-28T09:23:00.001-07:00

The holidays are coming! And since we can’t stop the madness, let’s try to make the best of it. This year, why wait until New Year’s to make a commitment to a personal training goal? Let’s start right now!

Ask yourself:
1. What is my personal fitness goal?
2. What can I do specifically, TODAY, to achieve this goal?
3. What is my timeframe for this goal (hint: use an upcoming even as a benchmark)?

Now explore your options. Do you need to go to a personal trainer? Can you just go to the gym? Or can you accomplish it all at home?

If you chose the latter, congratulations! You have taken matters into your own hands, and you should be proud of yourself! Check out some workout ideas on the internet to jumpstart your at-home training. A great place to start is www.atlasmartialarts.com, which features easy-to-learn kung fu training that you can do in the comfort of your own home.

Good luck!

I've Got Claws!

2009-08-19T08:11:00.001-07:00

We've just added our newest product to our online offerings!

I've Got Claws! is a distance learning tool that gives women instruction in the art of self defense. Not just about technique, I've Got Claws also teaches self defense awareness, preparedness and empowerment.

Makes a great gift! Check it out here.

We're on facebook!

2009-06-11T08:02:00.000-07:00

We have created a group on facebook that you will love to join! Follow the link!

Check out our facebook group

Build a foundation first!

2009-05-30T08:02:00.001-07:00

I was teaching a new student last night, and it was her first experience in a martial arts class. No pressure, right??

Here's a bit of advice that will help your new students immensely: build the foundation. Start with their feet and work your way up the body when instructing alignments. This will help them to literally and figuratively stay rooted as they learn new techniques.

New web features

2009-05-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Added some new design elements and features to our homepage. Enjoy!

New exercise set...Tiger-inspired!

2009-05-27T08:39:00.001-07:00

I just wrapped up filming a new Tiger-inspired exercise set for our online academy. I call it "Ted", after Ted Molina, one of my favorite no-nonsense instructors from years ago. Ted was direct and practical, yet a challenging instructor.

The "Ted" workout involves the five basic stances combined with basic hand strikes.

Super effective to develop strength and connective tissue conditioning.

Movie moves

2009-05-26T09:57:00.000-07:00

A great exercise that I give my instructor trainees is to pick a move from their favorite martial arts movie. Now take that move, and break it down to the point where you could teach it to a new student. A great exercise, and they love it!

Book recommendation

2009-05-24T10:09:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share a great book with you that is a perfect companion to your martial arts training. It is "The I-Ching: The Book Of Changes". There are many translations, so you will have to find one that resonates with you. But it should definately be given a place in your bookcase.

Stay sharp in your self defense...and share!

2009-05-23T10:06:00.000-07:00

Lately I have noticed that there is an increase in news stories of home invasions. As martial artists, it is our duty to pass along our self defense knowledge to others so that we can stay safe as a community.

It reminded me that we all need to practice self defense. Not just techniques, but the concepts of self defense, such as "Environment" and "Body Shape". Last year I developed a self defense program for a group of female attorneys that outlined these concepts. If you would like some more information about these concepts, you can download it free by clicking here.

Use "tools" when applying self defense techniques

2009-05-22T13:10:00.001-07:00

Students sometimes forget that there are many tools readily available in a self defense situation. It is really a matter of keeping your mind clear and being aware of your surroundings.

For example, the attacker may have glasses, facial piercings, long hair, necklaces or a watch that can be used as tool against them. By forcefully pressing or pulling these "tools", you can cause discomfort or pain to the attacker. This translates to more time for you to respond to the self defense situation.

What is self defense?

2009-05-21T07:34:00.000-07:00

Do you think of only the physical applications of kung fu when you hear self defense? Then you are limiting your knowledge base!

At my school in Arizona, we teach our students that self defense is waged on four fronts:

1. Defense against a physical attack.
2. Defense against the aging process.
3. Defense against stress.
4. Defense against depression.

Every day we are using our kung fu training to defend ourselves from an "attack" on one of these fronts. By understanding this concept, you can maximize your kung fu training.

A new look at the art of kung fu

2009-05-20T09:23:00.000-07:00

I was teaching a class yesterday to a group of adult students, and we were working on "flash palms" from Northern Long Fist. After teaching the technique empty-handed, I had the students practice with a partner.

I showed them how to use the technique in the 3 harmonies of self defense. When it came time to practice "deflect & take-down", they were all surprised at how aggressive and effective the technique was.

It was a perfect teaching moment!

I spoke into the concept of responding to an attack, rather than reacting, and how important it was to have a calm mind to be successful. I talked about how we spend 70% of our training time developing our mental strength, and 30% of our training time developing physical conditioning. Kung Fu practice does not create "thugs". It allows space for the practicioner to grow as an individual who can give back positively to their environment (family, friends, community).

But let's not forget how deadly this art really is. That is why we train our minds so vigorously, so that do not have to resort to violence as a response.

Thread The Needle

2009-05-19T08:24:00.000-07:00

I was working on a technique from Northern Long Fist called "Thread The Needle" with a student yesterday, and noticed something new.

If you bring your arms through the technique and come to rest on the back of the neck of your opponent, you can turn this move from a takedown to a joint lock (control) technique.

A fun deviation from the traditional over-the-hip throw that is usually the end result of this technique.

Hip Shifting...great fundamentals!

2009-05-18T08:04:00.000-07:00

A great exercise that I use in my classes to develop power is "hip shifting". For those of you that practice kung fu (and there are LOTS of you!), hip shifting is a great way to condition the body and develop power for technique.

I will have the class start off with some light right-to-left hip shifting. Just single reps to get started. After 20 reps, we start adding hands. Hidden Sleeve Fist, Crane's Wing and Throw A Ball Through The Waves are some of the hand techniques that I add to intensify the exercise.

The class will perform between 60 and 100 reps total, depending on the warm-up. They love it! It's a good, fundamental exercise that has maximum results. Check out our online academy page where you can purchase tutorials on this and other kung fu exercises.

Post a comment if you have used this exercise, or if you would like some more information on how it is done.

Summer heat is here

2009-05-17T09:18:00.000-07:00

The heat has finally hit here (106 degrees today), and that means a change in the way I train and teach my classes.

Keep in mind that with each new season, our body is adapting to the climate changes. By changing up our daily practice, we can maximize this adaptation and achieve great results.

How do you change up your daily practice and keep things fresh?

What is a Black Belt?

2009-05-16T05:20:00.000-07:00

What is your definition of a “Black Belt”?

As a martial arts school owner, this has to be a quantifiable goal that is clearly defined to our beginner student (customer).

Atlas Martial Arts defines a Black Belt as the following: "An individual who has achieved their greatest success by reaching their full potential." (Feel free to post your definition)

Obviously, there is room for interpretation here! Such as, HOW do I achieve that goal and WHAT is my full potential.

These are thinking questions that only the student can answer.

After all, isn’t that what a Black Belt does everyday…think?

Unity

2009-05-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

I was reflecting on how there is a paradox in martial arts training in the United States. The spirit of our art is to self-discovery through physical and mental training, and then to share that knowledge with others in order to maintain our lineage.

However, if the teaching of others is our means to earning our income, we are hesitant to share with others our "trade secrets". I am guilty of this everytime I receive a flier announcing a new tournament or guest speaker that is outside of my art.

Imagine unity in our industry. What great things we could accomplish in our community! I find myself visualizing how iinteresting it would be if I could learn new arts/share my art without the fear of loss (financial/students/etc.).

Maybe what is missing is an important piece of history in our art. It is integral to the success of self-discovery and preserving our lineage. We say the word whenever we teach, but struggle when the opportunity arises to live by it. It is a code among martial artists, regardless of their style or system, that is worth bringing back. It is one word that conjures up so many images in our mind that it drives us to be better at what we do and who we are.

Honor.

Fish?

2009-05-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share with you an interesting thought I heard from one of my teachers, Master Jerry Cook.

"If happiness is like water, sometimes it doesn't rain in the desert, while othertimes fish swim in it! Happiness depends on what you do".

Send in your profile and bio!

2009-05-13T08:36:00.000-07:00

Attention all kung fu enthusiasts!

Send in your profile and bio info. Let's start building the underground movement!

Comment with your profile info...our website is forthcoming...

Thanks in advance.

Welcome

2009-05-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Kung Fu Underground, a revolution in the martial arts industry. This blog will be a place where kung fu enthusiasts can come together in unity, and share their experiences as they journey along their path.

Let's participate in the spirit of sharing!