A discussion on kung fu

[InfiniteNow]

... and other martial arts.


I have studied martial arts for many years. Kung fu, tai chi, judo, etc... and love it. A recent addition to the Hypography community mentioned an academic interest in such arts so here's the thread to discuss it.

Pressure points
Joint locks
Sweeps
Throws
Animal systems
Philosophy
Energy
Balance...


Bring it here, and enjoy.


Being a Martial Painter,

[orbsycli]

ah, I LOVE martial arts.

I studied tae kwon do since i was 5 (which is ridiculous, but iwas fun)
up until I was about 13.

I'm a black belt, even though I feel like I shouldn't be.
I learned much discipline,
and my balance is amazing.
Whenever I fall I fall like a cat,
they tought me korean instincts and i didn't even realize it.
SOMETHING else important that i learned,
MEDITATION.
I'm actually sitting in their meditative position right now, I didn't even realize it.

After doing LSD I harnessed my energy in different positions of my body, with different motion. This made me want to learn Tai Chi-
So that's my next adventure.

Yay I love this thread.

[orbsycli]

if you drive around San Francisco in the morning you can find a lot of people doing Tai Chi at sunrise.

[Turtle]

I have never studied the fighting formally, however as these arts come primarilly from monks & monestaries I have some familiarity with that side of things. Of the many people I've met who practice Kung Fu, very few have any understanding of...shall I say 'peaceful' aspects of the subject.
I always have wondered if this is because instructors don't teach the history and/or peaceful aspect, or is it the students don't care & just want to kick someone's ass.

[orbsycli]

Yeah I LOVED Sparring,
but I knew it was more for the defense, and the fun.

I don't want to fight,
but If i have to I could DESTROY that human.
No one would expect it, i'm such a skinny human.
Peaceful too.

Lotus,

[InfiniteNow]

Originally Posted by Turtle

Of the many people I've met who practice Kung Fu, very few have any understanding of...shall I say 'peaceful' aspects of the subject.

I've oft found myself exploring this seeming contradiction. Here's what I came up with... while it may only apply to me, perchance it has greater application.


Working out reduces much tension and stress, and working out with martial arts, complete with it's history and ways of connecting the mind and body, tends to allow the release of this tension more completely and more efficiently. Also, there come greater feelings of self-confidence with this type of training. No longer walking the streets at night am I ridden with concern and fear, but calm and presence... ready. I no longer feel the need to vent my frustration and anger at every opportunity. I do not go searching for a fight, but rest comfortably in the knowledge that if unavoidable cirucumstances started one, I'd be okay.

The student is only as good as their intention.
The teacher is only as good as their intention.
Putting two poorly intentioned people together causes the trouble you mention.
However, if even one of them has a gentle spirit and a desire to find peace, then it will spread as if contagious.

Now, I haven't worked out in a while and I'm ready to explode! No wonder stupid posts have been bothering me... That's my body telling me to go do a couple hundred situps and pushups!


Cheers.

[orbsycli]

Man,
If I don't play guitar
i get physically sick
and severely depressed.

I laid in my bed all day yesterday unable to eat,
just so negative.
and i could NOT figure out why.
I then realized I hadn't played guitar in 2 days!!!!!!!

It is my ultimate release,
as you have yours.

It's so good to acknowledge the energy flowing thru you,
'cause then you know when it's backed up.

[orbsycli]

and walking around at night is one of my favorite things to do.
I'm waiting for summer like a 30-minutes-or-it's-free pizza.

[orbsycli]

infinitenow if i'm ever in texas let's Spar.

[Buffy]

Originally Posted by orbsycli

I studied tae kwon do since i was 5 (which is ridiculous, but iwas fun) up until I was about 13.

I'm a black belt, even though I feel like I shouldn't be.

Don't be so bashful Orby (although it is very cute!)! I'll have to tell my kid: she's an orange-advanced right now, and I'm just getting started. Its amazing to see how good some of these little kids are: I would not want to meet them in a dark alley!

Its the discipline/respect thing that I like most about it: she and the others who do TKD are so much more polite and sophisticated socially than their peers.

Hyah!
Buffy