Franklin

did anyone every get the name of the temple that master Liao trained in in Taiwan? just curious.. (i live in taiwan) Franklin

Any one practice the Five Animal Frolics? what sets do you practice? I learned these sets maybe 8 years ago or more... there seems to be a lot of variation of these sets that are available- and they seem to be getting more popular lately (i noticed more people are releasing instructional material)-the sets i learned all have multiple exercises for each animal and mimic some of the characteristics of the animals- they are a good workout targeting all areas of the body, are good foundational material for something like tai chi practice- i sometimes use the crane or the bear exercises as a warmup to my tai chi classes i wrote a book a while ago on the crane and the bear exercises because of the five sets these are the ones that give a more whole body exercise- the other three sets seem to be more specialized and some exercises might be difficult for most people- the monkey has lots of low squating, walking, and rolling the book in e-book format is available (www.animalchikung.com) with 2 videos that demonstrate the sets. some sort clips of the crane and bear exercises and the list of the exercises for each animal are below. The Crane Frolics exercises strengthen the Heart and benefit the Lungs and Circulation. Oq4jsnz1loc 1. Windmill Crane 2. Breathing Crane 3. Soaring Crane 4. Squatting Crane 5. Breathing Crane 6. Stepping Crane 7. Beak in the Mud 8. Circle Crane 9. Basic Crane 10. Crane Washing Its Wing The Bear Frolics Exercises strengthen the Kidneys and Bones and benefit all the internal organs. _Tr0MjSOBbA 1. Flopping Bear 2. Fishing Bear 3. Turning and Tipping Brear 4. Squatting Bear 5. Hibernating Bear 6. Walking Bear 7. Pushing Bear 8. Marauding Bear 9. Looking Bear The Deer Frolics exercises strengthen the Spleen and relax the muscles. 1. Pushing Deer 2. Resting Deer 3. Basic Deer 4. Tapping Deer 5. Leaping Deer The Monkey Frolics exercises strengthen the Liver and keep the tendons and ligaments subtle. 1. Monkey Flops 2. Basic Monkey 3. Monkey Squats 4. Monkey Circles 5. Monkey Walks 6. Rolling Monkey 7. Advancing Monkey 8. Crazy Monkey 9. Retreating Monkey The Tiger Frolics exercises strengthen the Lungs and develop strength. 1. Tiger Strike 2. Pouncing Tiger 3. Tiger Plays in Clouds 4. Basic Tiger 5. Tiger Opening the Fan

Is anyone here a student of Ni Hua Ching? or follow his cultivation methods? if you do which of his books would you recomend? are there any that outline his cultivation method? what is your daily practice like? thanks Franklin

Hi everyone just wanted to let everyone know that we just finished a new translation of: The Study of Xing Yi Quan: Xing Yi Quan Xue by Sun Lutang its 200 pages paperback 6x9 to celebrate finishing this project we have it at a special reduced price on our website http://shenlongpub.com/the-study-of-xing-yi-quan-xing-yi-quan-xue-detail the book will also be vailable on Amazona nd on Kindle soon I will update this post with links when it is available I know a lot of people here practice the internal styles of kung fu but for people who don't know: Xing Yi Quan translates as Form and Intention Boxing it is one of the internal styles of Kung Fu (the other internal styles are Tai Chi and Bagua) The basics of the boxing is rooted in Wuji, Taiji, Sa Cai (three powers) and the 5 Elements it also contails 12 animal forms the training is straight forward and liveley the book covers the theory, basics, boxing forms, and 2 man application sets (the five elements paired practice and An Shen Pao (advanced paired set)) Sun Lutang was a very famous practitioner he was the first one to publish books on the interal styles of chinese Kung Fu his Xing Yi book was written in 1915 he mastered all 3 of the internal styles - taiji, bagua, xing yi and was well versed in taoist cultivation which is reflected in his books Cheers Franklin

Just wanted to let you guys (and girls) know- I am running a special on some of my books through Amazon Kindle- So if you are interested you can get a copy at a big discount- but it is time sensitive- (so don't wait) Check them out HERE 3 of my Qigong Books and The Study of Bagua Quan by Sun Lu Tang (translation by me) if you decide to take advantage of the low price- please leave a review on Amazon and let other people know what you thought- Thanks Franklin

Today I am happy to let you know that I have just finished a translation of Sun Lutang's Bagua Quan Xue- The Study of Bagua Quan To celebrate- it is on special discount for the first week! After that it is regular price. click here: The Study of Bagua Quan by Sun Lutang In about a week or so it should be available through amazon in the US and in Europe as well as through Amazon's Kindle I am sure most people have heard of Sun Lutang- but for those that have not- here is a bit from the back cover: Again- To celebrate- it is on special discount for the first week! After that it is regular price. click here: The Study of Bagua Quan by Sun Lutang when its available through amazon and kindle i will post the links cheers Franklin

not really silly at all commonly styles of bagau are called bagua zhang- bagua palm but there are several styles of bagua that are called/named bagua quan- litterally bagua fist but means bagua boxing it is just a naming convention and really the two are the same thing... as to why Sun titled his book Bagua Quan Xue- The Study of Eight Trigram Boxing we can only guess as to why it was titled quan instead of zhang maybe that is what his teacher called it? maybe that is what he (Sun) called it? maybe it was marketing- other boxing styles are named Quan so maybe he used quan so that people would know what he was writiing about? and it could go on..... but in reality- i don't think there is too much to read into him using quan instead of zhang both in the context of the name of the style bagua- mostly mean just that it is a system of boxing Franklin

Hi Baiqi hope you enjoy my translation thanks Franklin

Just an update- The translation of Sun Lutang's The Study of Bagua Quan is now available on amazon.com Click Here Thanks Franklin

The translation is of Sun Lutang's book- Baguaquan Xue- The Study of Bagua Quan he does go into a bit of i ching theory and there are some chapters on what and how to train the shen to go back to void in bagua quan as well as borrowing the conditions of heaven and earth also how bagua practice is related to bagua and the i ching but the book is about bagua quan the core oft he book is describing the forms of the system single change, double change, and the eight animal changes Franklin

There are lots of great resources for San Ti- and there are also different ways to train the stance depending on what line of Xing Yi someone is practicing a lot of the subtleties of the stance will only come with time and corrections (either from a teacher or self correction) I have some instructional material up on the web (you can try the first month of training for $1) http://onlineschool....=416&Itemid=346 so this is another resource that people could use if they wanted to and its not that expensive either. San Ti is really about building the body and the connections for further Xing Yi practice of course it also builds the energy but it takes a while to be able to do the stance coirrectly to be able to get to that level traditionally xing yi practice was 6 months of santi and then the 5 elements 1 year of pi quan (metal) 6 months of zuan quan (water) 6 months of beng quan (wood) 6 months of pao quan (fire) 6 months of heng quan (earth) and each of the five element forms can be used to strengthen the internal organs related to the element and each conditions the body in a slightly different way and brings the power out.. Franklin ps- San Ti doesn't translated as 3 treasures stance (that would be san bao shi) it translates as 3 body posture but is does refer to the 3 treasures , the three divisions of the body, etc, etc....

Some people might find this interesting http://martialartsreport.com/live/?p=412 I was interviewed by MartialArtsReport.com talking about my background- differences between styles - Tai Chi- Qigong its not too long Franklin

Thanks for sharing Jess Sounds like some good stuff and good luck with your classes From reading his books I have always wondered how his system worked as a whole. Thanks for giving a little perspective to it. Franklin

Thanks for sharing Jess so the first set is opening the energy gates (wang shu jin) then spiraling energy body (Hk taoist training) then heaven and earth (mostly influenced from ??) then?? which one is the fourth? (from ??) then gods play clouds (his last teacher Liu) Franklin

Hi Jess Very interesting. Would you care to talk more about the other 4 sets the origin and what they develop? Franklin

I just wanted to let everyone know that we have finally finished the translation of my teacher's Xing Yi book. This book offers a rare and detailed view of the theories and training of an authentic and traditional Xing Yi lineage. Xing Yi is one of the Internal styles of Chinese Kung Fu - the others being Taiji Quan (Tai Chi) and Bagua Zhang (Pa Kua Chang) 314 pages paperback- 7x10 format for more information and to order: http://www.shenlongpub.com/index.php/books/xingyiquan-books?page=shop.product_details&category_id=56&flypage=flypageslp.tpl&product_id=88'>http://www.shenlongpub.com/index.php/books/xingyiquan-books?page=shop.product_details&category_id=56&flypage=flypageslp.tpl&product_id=88 or http://www.shenlongpub.com From the back cover: Xing Yi Quan is one of the Internal Styles of Chinese Kung Fu. It studies the inside and the outside, it is hard and soft communicating. It goes in accordance with our bio-rhythms and physical capabilities. It is an activity that benefits the health and in the long term can strengthen the constitution. Practice increases both the internal and external strength. It also trains the mind, boosts the spirit, increases the health of the mind and body, and is good for expelling disease and increasing longevity. In addition, the strengths of Xing Yi Quan include that the practice and application are the same. Attacking and defense strategies work together. The attacking power of Xing Yi is distinctive. The fist or palm is released with full power. The attacks are direct and fast. Defense is careful and without openings. The method of the body and stepping is quick and agile. In usage one can fully adjust the power of the whole body. Head, shoulders, elbows, hand, hips, knee, and foot are the seven fists,. Used together and directed by the Yi, power is achieved. The hands are coordinated with the shoulders. The hand lowers as the knee begin moving . The foot lands and the arm arrives. Attack before the opponent or counter and attack after the opponent. The movements are intricate so it is hard for the opponent to figure out. This is enough to defend yourself and defeat the enemy. The movements of Xing Yi Quan are moderate and solid. The hitting method has components of both soft and hard. The practice location can be big or small. Female male, elderly and children can all practice. The weak or the fragile can also practice. Chronically ill patients can choose the easier and gentler postures to practice. Gong Zhong Xiang Master Gong Zong Xiang was born in 1924 in Jiang Su Provence, Jian Yi City, Hua Shi Town. Master Gong studied martial arts from a young age and had high expectations for his teachers. He had to have the most famous teacher in the whole country, with the most authentic art. He learned Xing Yi, Taiji, and Xing Yi Ba Gua, Taiji Push Hands, Da Lu, San Shou, Long and Short Weapons, etc from Master Chu Gui Ting who was the student of the famous Xing Yi Master Li Cun Yi and also Master Yang Chen Fu's best student. Master Gong learned from Master Chu for the next 20-30 years. Master Chu knew he was a honest, straight-forward person, who respects his teacher and has great morals, and is loyal like a son. Because of this, Master Chu taught him differently than others, with more care and high expectations, so Master Gong could have all his skills accurately. Table of Contents for more information and to order: http://www.shenlongpub.com/index.php/books/xingyiquan-books?page=shop.product_details&category_id=56&flypage=flypageslp.tpl&product_id=88'>http://www.shenlongpub.com/index.php/books/xingyiquan-books?page=shop.product_details&category_id=56&flypage=flypageslp.tpl&product_id=88 or http://www.shenlongpub.com cheers Franklin

Dainan The Xing Yi DVDs cover another lineage of xingyi that I learned from the Tang Shou Tao line coming out of Taiwan Li Cun Yi Zhang Zhongfeng Hung I Xiang Hsu Hong Chi James McNeil Me This line emphasizes a larger and more overt method of using the body in training. It is very good for training and conditioning the body and a little easier to see the body method (shenfa). Then later you can make the body movements smaller but still have the method and the power. It is this body method that makes Xingyi an internal style and is the essence of the practice- otherwise you are just stuck on the external forms. My teacher Gong's method emphasizes a smaller and tighter structure. Once you learn to relax in the smaller, tighter, twisted, and stretched structure- then the body method starts to manifest. This is the progression from ming jin (obvious force) to an jin (hidden force). (My teacher Gong's lineage: Li Cun Yi - Chu Gui Ting - Teacher Gong) Franklin

It is only available through amazon.com (us site) it is also available through my site directly and the shipping to the UK is very reasonable (plus you can take 10% off your order too) check it out www.shenlongpub.com franklin

thanks zerostao I send salutations to all my cultivation and martial brothers and sisters just so there is no confusion lol franklin

Just wanted to let you know that the book is now available on amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Xing-Quan-Zhong-Xiang/dp/1456330160/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327002734&sr=8-1 the look inside feature should be working soon too. Thanks Franklin

check out healing with whole foods http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Whole-Foods-Traditions-Nutrition/dp/1556434715/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326406014&sr=8-1 and nutrition and physical degeneration http://www.amazon.com/Nutrition-Physical-Degeneration-Weston-Price/dp/0916764206/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326406021&sr=8-1

I don't know him personally but I have read some of his works I like the ones that I have read. Lot of good information- that I can relate to things that I have experienced through practice. The Hercules book was very good- I wish I would have had clear explanations like that when I was experiencing different things that he describes in the book. I would recommend it along with "Tao and Longevity" (it also describes the physical things that happen through cultivation) You can also check out Mr. Bodri's website for a ton of free articles www.meditationexpert.com Franklin

the sensation i had was not internal chills but an actual whole body shivering sort of a teeth chattering type of shivering the leg sensation was more of a internal sensation with no external movement but a feeling of (very) cold down the leg and out the foot in the book - i read it then loaned my copy to someone when i get it back i will reread it he says something like these sensations are brought about by the yang qi clearing out the channels and this yin qi is the root of different types of sickness in the body so clearing it out is good for the health also that the sensations usually come when the yang qi is activated could be from meditation (true yang) or even just sexual excitement franklin

interesting- thanks i have to re read the book again- it has been a couple of years edit- just a related thought does anyone know a source for the original chinese version of Taoist Yoga and where a copy can be obtained franklin