Theory of Taijiquan and Health
May 20, 2024
Though the martial side of Tà ijÃquán is for strengthening the physical body and for defense, the scholarly side of Tà ijÃquán is for understanding human nature and comprehending the meaning of life. Only if (you) can cultivate these, both internally and externally, can you reach the Dà o of balancing physical body and mind, and (also) the dual cultivation of human nature and physical body.
8 Min Read
Five Regulators of Taijiquan
April 8, 2024
What is Tà ijÃquán? It is a martial QìgÅng study. Its training procedures are not different from those of other general QìgÅng (practice) and must follow the (same training) theory. These training procedures are nothing else but: regulating the body, regulating the breathing, regulating the mind, regulating the Qì, and regulating the spiritâfive regulatings.
7 Min Read
Kumiteâs Changed Role and Purpose in Sports Karate
March 4, 2024
These new techniques, footwork, steps, mindsets, strategies, tactics, and positions used in todayâs sports-karateâs kumite illustrate best the disciplineâs far-reaching separation from karate-jutsuâs kata: there is no kata anymore in sports-karateâs kumite.
7 Min. Read
Advanced Level of Knowledge and Understanding in Combat
February 19, 2024
Advanced level karateka understand concepts, including all their hidden options, and realize all the big pictures in combat where these concepts may be applied, whereas beginners narrowly see a technique to be used for only one specific application.
9 Min. Read
Meet the Author: Hermann Bayer discusses Karate origins and misconceptions with Gene Ching (video)
February 7, 2024
YMAA Staff Writer Gene Ching chats with Dr. Hermann Bayer, author of two books: Analysis of Genuine Karate: Misconceptions, Origins, Development, and True Purpose and Analysis of Genuine Karate 2: Sociocultural Development, Commercialization, and Loss of Essential Knowledge
Quelling War - Ceasing Aggression
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February 5, 2024
Those leaders who have followed the Dao will not deploy armed forces unless it is absolutely necessary. 5 Min. Read
Yin-Yang Theory of Movement and Stillness in Taijiquan
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January 22, 2024
If you are able to understand the theory of calmness, then you can comprehend the applications of Jìng (i.e., martial power).
Reading Time 6 minutes
Okinawa is more than the Birthplace of Karate - Okinawa is a Mindset
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December 4, 2023
Reflections from Dr. Hermann Bayer and his attendance at âDay of Karateâ October 25, 2023 Naha, Okinawa, Japan.
Good Retribution of a Kind Heart
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November 20, 2023
Itâs easy to talk about righteousness. Living it is difficult.
Reaching Enlightenment
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November 6, 2023
When you practice Tà ijÃquán skills to a high level and have reached the state of âfight of no fightâ (i.e., regulating without regulating), then every action is ultimately natural, comfortable, skillful, and effective. This is the stage of âfighting with enlightenment.â
Inductive vs. Deductive Learning in Karate
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September 11, 2023
âIt is a common factâand mistakeâthat someone, who supposes his/her knowledge being insufficient, chooses to study âbroadly,â i.e. to study another related subject, instead of deeper penetrating the subject at hand.â
Importance of Regulating the Emotional Mind in Taijiquan
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August 28, 2023
In the last seven centuries many songs and poems have been composed about Tà ijÃquán. These have played a major role in preserving the knowledge and wisdom of the masters, although in many cases the identity of the authors and the dates of origin have been lost. From these songs and poems, Tà ijÃquán practitioners have had a guideline or a map which continues to lead them to the correct path of practice. Most of these documents were considered secrets in every Tà ijÃquán style. It was not until the last few decades that these secrets were gradually revealed to the general public. In the last twenty years, Dr. Yang has translated and made commentary on many of these documents.
Commercialization Turned Karate-Do Into a Commodity
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August 21, 2023
In the early 1980s the unique selling position of Japanized Karate-Do (with Shotokan as its prototype) was well established and further initiatives focused on stabilizing its market position and its organizational structure which was remarkably successful in both preserving its Japanese identity and protecting copyrights and financial interests.
Learning to Bite: Karate-jutsu and Karatedo in Women's Self-Defense Training
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August 7, 2023
Unless in military combat, it looks like males have game-like rules of engagement that ultimately dictate dominance, but, in contrast, women fight male attackers not to dominate but to survive.
Feed Your XiÌn-Monkey Mind a Banana
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July 10, 2023
If the emotional mind continues to bother you, then you should pay attention to your breathing. Breathing is the banana. It is a treat for the body, and itâs a way to calm down the emotional monkey mind.
Your Sensei Corrects Your Errors and Blunders-Your Mistakes You Need to Correct Yourself
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July 3, 2023
To correct mistakes, something has not just to be modified, but habits have to be completely unlearned before something new can be learned.
Theory of Using the Yi to Lead the Qi
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June 26, 2023
The key is in the uniformity and fluidity of the breathing, the bodyâs relaxation, and softness, the YiÌâs peace and calmness, and the spiritâs condensation and upraising.
The Modern Misconception of Karateâs âNot to Attack Firstâ Principle
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June 19, 2023
Karateâs sacred principle should be rephrased into âkarateka aim at not to attack first, but they may move firstâ, when a not yet physical attack is underway as a clear indicator for an immediately following use of physical force.
Practicing Procedures of Taijiquan
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May 15, 2023
What is TaÌijiÌquaÌn? It is a martial QiÌgoÌng study. These training procedures are nothing else but regulating the body, regulating the breathing, regulating the mind, regulating the QiÌ, and regulating the spiritâfive regulatings.
What are the Two Major Categories in Qigong Practice?
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March 20, 2023
The physical body is like a machine and QiÌ is like electricity. Only when the machine is in good condition and the power supply is sufficient will the machine be able to perform at peak potential.
What is Muscle/Tendon Changing Grand Circulation Qigong?
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February 13, 2023
Once you have accomplished your Small Circulation, the QiÌ circulating in the Twelve Primary Channels (Meridians) will be abundant and smooth, and then you can extend the QiÌ from the meridians outward to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, skin, and beyond. For example, through Grand Circulation you will be able to lead the QiÌ to the joints to condition and improve the strength and endurance of muscles and tendons.
The Greatest Achievements of Chinese Culture-Buddhist and Daoist Qigong
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January 2, 2023
The emphasis on the spiritual life, rather than the material, is one of the major differences between Eastern and the Western cultures. An example of this is in the maintenance of health, where the West emphasizes the physical body more, while the East tends to also treat the personâs spiritual and mental health.
The Dao of Heaven-Balance
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December 26, 2022
Those sages or rulers who have the Dao conduct their actions without conceit and achieve their goals without claiming credit. They remain humble without displaying their superiority.
What is Iron Shirt and Golden Bell Cover?
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December 19, 2022
There are many Chinese people, especially martial artists, who mistakenly believe that the YiÌjiÌnjiÌng is Iron Shirt and Golden Bell Cover training. I will try to clear up the confusion.
Scope of Qigong Practice
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December 12, 2022
Any activity that is able to improve the qi circulation in our body can be called qigong.