Tag: gongfu

Masterful Ma Baogou!

China: Ma Baoguo [马保国] – Latest Hot Dance in Nightclubs🤣! (16.12.2024)

I previously wrote about “The Antics of ‘Master’ Ma Baoguo (马保国)!” on our family martial arts blog! When I first saw his comic movement – I thought he was the “Chinese” Charlie Chaplin! Of course, at the peak of his income, Mr Ma could generate alot of income – trading-off the idea that he was a “Qigong Master”! Even the Chinese government has been forced to intercede on the grounds that this lovable fool might be doing himself “harm” will all the strange and exotic things he does for publicity. Why on earth a man well into his 60s would voluntarily attend a stage in a bustling Nightclub is beyond me! Whatever the reason9s) – his comic genius is once again on full display!

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Old Ch'an Dao Gongfu

Ch’an Dao: Confucian Lineage! (8.11.2024)

Of course, the modern world is a very different place to the ancient (feudal) world from which Confucius lived, but nevertheless, so much of modern Chinese culture is premised on just this type of social organisation and spiritual coordination. This is true even when gongfu Styles are accessed through “money” – rather than through “virtue”. This attitude of “Respect” and “Harmony” has permeated the culture of Korea, Japan, and Okinawa – with the latter once being a distant part of the Chinese Empire. By issuing his “Hamon” – Sensei Higaonna is proving that his Style of Goju Ryu Karate-Do is “Chinese” in origination – as indeed it is (premised upon the White Crane gongfu of Fujian province).

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Master Ti Guang - Patchwork Robe

The Pure Behaviour of Ch’an Master Ti Guang [体光] (1924-2005)! [22.10.2024]

This is why Master Ti Guang had perfected the realisation of “stillness” (emptiness) and “movement” (function) – and was able to express this through a martial technique free of greed, hatred, and delusion. All year roung, Master Ti Guang wore a tattered, patchwork robe – following the Buddha’s original example of only wearing a robe constructed out of tattered clothing taken from the rotting corpses lying around in the charnel grounds of ancient India. Master Ti Guang never ate any food after noon each day. Master Ti Guang understood (and followed) all the rules and regulations governing the strict discipline of the Meditation hall. As a consequence, Master Ti Guang had stilled and expanded his mind, and manifested endless degrees of insightul wisdom throughout his life!

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Working in the Rice Fields!

Hakka Farming & Gongfu! (16.2.2024)

A post regarding the link between the farming environment, keep fit and Hakka martial arts. Of course, this is not ordinary keep fit – but body and mind conditioning linked to feudal and medieval warfare – primarily for self-defence as far as Hakka communities are concerned. The use of farming implements developed the strength of body and mind to fight-off oppression and tyranny throughout the ages! We develop the strength of the Bear and quiet endurance of the Ox!

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Daoism and Okinawan Karate-Do! (1.11.2023)

Although these styles were diverse in expression – the underlying and underpinning Daoist worldview remained essentially the same. Although distinct from modern medical knowledge – Daoist thinking represents the height of human endeavour from a far earlier age. Indeed, even today elements of Daoist thinking and methodology appear to overlap with that of modern medicine – and contribute extensively toward the functioning of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

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1986: Video of Me Attending a Shukokai ‘Karate-Do’ Course! (7.9.2023)

Hereford is the place where the (professional) 22nd Special Air Service (SAS) has its military base and airfield. Many men in this area either have been in the British Army – or are members of the ‘V’ (‘Volunteer’) Squadron of the SAS. This is a ‘Territorial Army’ (TA) Unit in the 22nd SAS that allows local men to try ‘Selection’ and if successful – join this highly elite group of men. Believe or not – there are individuals out there who are not in the British Army (and have never been in the military) and yet are physically and psychologically tough enough to meet this challenge!

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