Shaolin: Since I've done a little chi sao and Uechi sticky hands too, I can say that Uechi's is a less prominent study than in WC. The emphasis is not so much in getting the center or sweeping, but these can happen. Rather its a more basic lesson in the give and take of energy with your uke while to...

It seems as though the similarities of Uechi "sticky hands"; Wing Chun chi sao and Tai Chi push hands have similarities. You can also find some of these principles in Aikido and Judo as well, though not as clustered in such as specific exercise. The principles of rootedness, sinking your c...

Just some random thoughts on VSD - why it does and doesn't work, etc. There exists a neurolinguistic organic brain phenomenon among us humans since we value communication and rapport linking, that an autonomic response occurs that matches our voice modulation response to the person we are speaking w...

Another thought: If soft means relaxed, then it also means fast. Hard means slow. That's the challenge to balance soft and hard. Fast and relaxed/soft until the moment of impact, then a flash of hard, packed, rooted, dense power. Like whipping a wet towel with a hammer at the end. Soft/relaxed also ...

Dana: I think those of us priviliged to study Uechi, can still discover the 1/2 soft Chinese treasures buried within the harder Okinawan theme that has grown since Kanbun's death, and the brilliant transitional katas and exercises developed by Kanei that added to the Okinawan flavor, who wisely did ...

Some additional safety traveling tips would include: * Attempt to make your travel plans with safety in mind. Arrive as soon after check in and before dark if possible. Traveling late, after dark and when exhausted leaves an opening of vulnerability, even if you are with business associates. * If yo...

Dana: How so? Uechi is to be 1/2 hard and 1/2 soft. Power is to be generated through sanchin and not brute muscle force alone. Or do you mean in the sense that most stand-up ma styles do not typically emphasize the grappling, tackling, clinching strategies, counters and escapes? How to use your knuc...

This is an old martial folk tale found in the writing of Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, embellished a little by me. Dr. Yang's publications are rich in the history, folk tales and stories of kung fu, along with very detailed work on Shaolin White Crane Kung-Fu, Tai Chi and Qigong. His work has dozens of thes...

There was once a Samurai who came to visit an old Zen master, said to be at least a hundred or more years old. The warrior said, "Respectable master! I have been a Samurai for some years and served my lord faithfully. Yet, I am confounded by something. I have heard that you are a very wise mast...

Actually, we're looking at the wrong, small end of the telescope in that we'll use verbal self-defense far more with family, friends, coworkers, clients, etc. than stangers in an "encounter". Pleasant greetings, smiles, honest and direct comments, objectivity, active listening, aren't thes...

Somehow, its important to introduce the unpredictable into the dojo in a way that is safe and yet alarming or a bit surprising. It reminds me of a creative writing teacher in high school, who was a former Colonel in Air Force Intelligence who would routinely spring the unpredictable upon us in class...

It seems to me that the 3 issues to be taught include: 1) The physical waza/kata/spar/bunkai of the MA. 2) The nonverbal manner of bearing and an unspoken vibe that the martial artist exudes and carries. In Uechi it should be a balance of 1/2 hard and 1/2 soft, which seems to indicate the balance be...

Test post

Central heat and air, carpeted floor, black belt class looks like the 3 stooges, teacher talks alot of smack but rarely spars, teacher says you need a lot of private lessons, more than 8-10 levels til black and lots of stripes, rank promotion costs more than nominal fee for cost of belt and certific...

Dana: Hmmm... this seems like an area a man should take heed that ... angels fear to tread, but what the heck. I think healthy, playful wrestling and tumbling is a common early childhood experience for boys and girls. But, there seems to be an unwritten rule about this having age limitations. You'll...