Don't pull your punches!

A well-practiced student hits comfortably and easily, with their hands finding their own way to the targets. They are also used to being hit and do not flinch from fear.

When a punch is pulled, both the attacker and the defender suffer:

1. Inability to assess range accurately
2. No sense of commitment
3. Unaccustomed to the threat of actually being hit
4. Unfamiliar with impact
5. Inability to counter-attack effectively

An unskilled striker will often hurt their own hand when they hit their opponent because they are not accustomed to impact.

The bite...

Upon impact, your hand/elbow/knee sinks slightly into the opponent before bouncing back off again. This process occurs naturally and need not be contrived.

If you pull off too soon, 4 ounces of pressure has not been established and the power will diminish.

 

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction

Do not push on impact. That way, the kinetic energy will travel out of your body instead of just bouncing back. Your intention goes through the opponent. Your punch does not go through your opponent. The effect goes inside your opponent.

How much of the force you are delivering is actually going into your opponent?

If you are tense, then much of it will bang off your attacker's body and back into you. There is a concussive shockwave that travels along your arm, into your spine and throughout your body.

This is not good for your health. This is why 4 ounces of pressure is fundamental. The moment of contact must be heavy, soft and penetrating. Do not push.

Biofeedback

You need to feel what happens when you physically strike somebody.

Do you feel a jarring, unpleasant jolt upon impact? Adverse feedback up your arm and into your neck? Did the blow have the intended effect? Were you hurt yourself? Hitting another person skilfully may not be as easy as you imagine.

 Ideally, you should end by actually hitting something. When you practice explosive technique just by doing taijiquan, your own antagonistic muscles stop your fist or foot.

(Frederic Delavier)

Effect?

Performing applications in thin air is no good. It proves nothing.

Striking target pads and bags - whilst useful - are also unrepresentative. Nothing compares to striking an actual person.

You may appear to have wonderful form and effective-seeming combat skills but it will all fall to pieces if your strikes are worthless. 

Inducton course - Monday 12th October

The next induction course starts Monday 12th October. Places must be booked on-line in advance (Covid-19 guidelines).

There are a limited number of places available. If you want to book a place, please send us an e-mail.

sifuwaller@outlook.com

Induction course Monday 14th September

The next induction course starts Monday 14th September. Places must be booked on-line in advance (Covid-19 guidelines).

There are a limited number of places available. If you want to book a place, please send us an e-mail.

sifuwaller@outlook.com

Intelligent exercise

In the longevity book The Blue Zones, Dr Robert Kane emphasised the fact that many forms of exercise - especially sport - often have adverse side effects that impede long-term practice. 
By contrast, as a milder form of exercise, tai chi can be practiced throughout your entire lifespan, making it a safer, sustainable choice. Tai chi is a fun, balanced way to exercise. 

Isn't tai chi just slow motion exercise?

No. Some of the training methods are slow, and some are not. As the student gains greater skill, their movements become fluid and dynamic. They move at whatever speed the situation demands.
Slow motion movement, chilled out exercise or dance cannot be considered tai chi. Tai chi is more than this. It adheres to certain parameters, guidelines and rules of practice.

What is tai chi?

When most people say 'tai chi' they mean tai chi for health. Tai chi for health is a simplified, movement-based exercise adapted from taijiquan (a Chinese martial art). 

Tai chi is intended to improve health and wellbeing through frequent, regular practice using low effort. 

Male oriented?

In martial arts, men usually have a distinct advantage.
Most systems were designed with the male physique in mind and often rely upon innate strength and aggression. 

Women may succeed with any martial art, but why train an art that doesn't favour the female body? 
Why not train an art that prioritises use of the legs, buttocks and torso?
Where composure is encouraged rather than machismo?

Wanting something more?

Students seeking to explore our full curriculum are required to apply for school membership.
A school member can study either:

1. Kung fu
2. Taijiquan
3. Tai chi for health

Members gain a deeper comprehension and discover the proven benefits of the art for themselves.
On-going tuition ensures consistent improvement. 

Quietude

A taijiquan person does not seek success and recognition. They have no use for such things.
Life is complex enough and riddled with hardships without inviting the scrutiny of others or indulging our own weaknesses and vanities.

The simple life is the preferred one. No fuss. No bother. No fame. No authority.

We do not live such a life because it is expected of us. That would be false. A conceit.
The decision to be this way occurs naturally and spontaneously.
No other way would seem appropriate.

Kung fu in our school

Master Waller offers: 

• Chin na
• Shuai jiao
• Baguazhang
• Taijiquan
• Hard qigong
• Self defence
• Neigong• Jing
• Weapons
• San sau
• San da

Students work through a detailed syllabus.

Hard qigong

'Hard qigong' refers to qigong exercises that are martial in nature. They are specifically intended to augment the kung fu syllabus.
The main purpose of hard qigong is strength.
Unlike gym work or weight lifting, nothing is forced.

Many hard qigong exponents train this way in order to perform feats of strength and endurance. This is not really our focus.

A young boy travelled across Japan to the school of a famous martial artist.
When he arrived at the dojo he was given an audience by the sensei.

"What do you wish from me?" the master asked.

"I wish to be your student and become the finest karateka in the land," the boy replied.
"How long must I study?"

"Ten years at least," the master answered.

"Ten years is a long time," said the boy.
"What if I studied twice as hard as all your other students?"

"Twenty years," replied the master.

"Twenty years! What if I practice day and night with all my effort?"

"Thirty years," was the master's reply.

"How is it that each time I say I will work harder, you tell me that it will take longer?" the boy asked.

"The answer is clear. When one eye is fixed upon your destination, there is only one eye left with which to find the way."

(Joe Hyams)

Kung fu master

A kung fu master has made a lifelong commitment to the furtherance of the art.
His skills are an embodiment of the principles outlined in the Tai Chi Classics. He can apply these qualities in every situation with absolute ease and certainty.
The master has in-depth understanding of every facet of every exercise/form/drill/application. He possesses the ability to dismantle and explain how and why the different components operate.

The main test of mastery is his unselfconscious, skilled and utterly effective application of the art in combat; employing chin na, shuai jiao and jing.
Grace, ease, subtlety, sensitivity, nimbleness, appropriateness and simplicity are all a given for the master.
He has comprehensive theoretical knowledge and the ability to discuss and explain how taoism, martial theory and actual application all tie together.

The master has the ability to train other people to become instructors.
And the willingness to train disciples to acquire every aspect of the teaching in order to perpetuate the art themselves.