GreytoWhite

I was attracted to the arts at a very young age, perhaps the first time I saw Big Trouble in Little China. My mother put me in aikido class at about 10. I always felt the kihon dosa were of greater importance than letting my fellow classmates throw me. I read Andrew Weil's books on healing and explored different mystical traditions in secret. Our family was strict fundamentalist Baptist and I was attacked quite a bit when my interests in esoteric subjects such as meditation and quantum physics was discovered. I was forced to read Christian oriented fiction and instructional material, finding nothing of value. I did not return to the arts until I suffered a minor heart attack and several small strokes. When I was offered free instruction I took the opportunity and did not look back. Practice, the benefits and troubles with it, have been the focus of my life for 5 years now.

Aye, regardless of lineage if you learn from a skilled person you will be gaining knowledge. It cracks me up how much "medicine" is in the Chen lineages whilst almost every other lineage seems to emphasize that aspect. After my teacher started learning the martial side at an indoor level from Chen Xiaowang's group he started inquiring about the healing side of the art. He was told rather emphatically that taijiquan is a martial art and that any healing benefit gained is secondary and their art never has had it integrated well. Chen Xin's efforts were amateur at best in explaining the theory of the art and the book seems to have been edited by the publisher. The Chens eventually sent my teacher elsewhere to learn the medicine but from personal experience I can say that the chansigong exercises are quite helpful in physical rehabilitation when done CORRECTLY.

NotVoid you may want to read Sal Canzonieri's works on taijiquan research. He makes a convincing case that the majority of Chen family arts originated from Shaolin. More advanced sets which came about through Daoist knowledge exchanges at Shaolin most likely made up the "Daoist" origin of taijiquan. There are various sets from Shaolin that pretty much contain taijiquan. The 18 Arhat Hands, Taizu Chang Quan, the Soft (Rou) Boxing, and Mixed Circle (Chan Yuan) Boxing all allude to what could be integrated into the art we now call taijiquan. Much of the "internals" come from more advanced lineages that Qi Ji Guang recommended in the 1500s. There is usually very little mysticism in some of the older arts such as Dai Family Xinyi. I see much "taijiquan" in the basics of Dai xinyi. Also if you look at one of the "lost" sets from the Chen family you can see a greater Shaolin influence. I would recommend to anyone wishing to truly study these arts to not to place too much faith into the stories of origin for many arts. Chinese culture is quite different from Western thought and much of the actual lineages are obscured by stories of heroes and families wishing to cement a future for their art. EDIT: Edited for proper formatting and spoilers for videos.

It's better to focus on turning yourself into the person you want to be than to acquire these "skills" to attract women. I know the internal struggle and loneliness that comes from being alone, sometimes for years at a time. I was friends with many in the Scottsdale, AZ PUA fellows and found the lifestyle to be hollow and lacking. When it comes down to it, being the man you should be will bring a partner of worth your way far more effectively than trying to act, acquire certain interpersonal skills, or thinking badly of yourself for being alone. If you want to acquire skills that your future lover will appreciate learn massage, how to cook, how to be kind, how to argue logically and with well represented emotion, learn how to speak plainly and openly without any fronts, learn some sort of non-martial movement discipline. All of these things will enrich your life in and out of love.

Ben Hill Bey is in Syracuse but I can't find contact info for him. I know there is a Chen style group in Rochester that has Tim Cartmell out for bagua seminars as well. http://taichiworkout.net/ Although if you're looking for "teh real neigong" you can also learn from the Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu guys. The Rochester Aikido group has been bringing Howard Popkin in for seminars. If you can learn from Howard or Dan Harden you will be a lucky martial artist. http://www.rochesteraikidoclub.com/

Eh? Doesn't look like wushu-ey stuff to me, that's just decent Chen shi from a very flexible performer.

BKA, as to step two and read the poetry, I have a hard time stepping out of the performance poetry voice I've created over the years. Romance is not something I really excel at initiating and I'm quite anxious and sometimes agitated in the beginning stages. Although my last girlfriend did say I set the standard for her future relationships and how she expects them to be. As to what's up with that... I'm currently pining for just such a one as you describe. In my case she's been a great friend for years, has been supportive, is incredibly intelligent, and quite exuberant about her pursuits. A little skinnier than I normally prefer but I'd rather be on that side than the other. I hope it goes well and that I can arse up enough ganas to tell her how I feel. I've seen her twice in the past few months and feel as if there is a growing connection but life has been such for both of us lately that it would not be fair to add another burden of a long distance relationship to her life or mine. EDIT: Corrected for grammar.

You know, I've tried this book gifting idea, doesn't really work... well I can't get a date from anyone I meet in person honestly. OK Cupid seems to be the only site that works for some reason, well since I stopped using craigslist but that's another story. I've probably given away 5 copies of this and I usually hear, "It's amazing poetry" but little else after. http://www.amazon.com/The-Essential-Rumi-Expanded-Edition/dp/0062509594/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388720909&sr=8-1&keywords=coleman+barks+essential+rumi

http://www.plumpub.com/kaimen/2012/style-feeding-crane-kung-fu/

This is from Kevin Wallbridge who is a martial arts instructor at the Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences in Nelson, BC, Canada. It was originally posted on the Rum Soaked Fist community. I thought I'd share it here as I'm sure our members could benefit as well.

I'm not fully on board with hybridization for all Europeans and Asians. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120813155521.htm

Yes this is true, there was a limited population for genetic diversity at some times and places. Also inbreeding is important for certain distinctive features to "cement" into the genome of a group. Look at the modern Amish who are so isolated that they produce offspring which have rare genetic disorders such as maple syrup urine disease. Wars and trade introduce new genetics to groups. The 50/500 rule to ensure genetic diversity is quite apt and in the past many smaller communities failed over time due to becoming less evolutionarily fit. Look at the Appalachians or the clan in Turkey whose children aren't even able to walk. However, genetic evidence suggests that the current Homo sapiens sapiens species has various hominid species mixed in. Africa is one of the most genetically diverse places in the world and it is most likely that many of the ethnic groups are products of interbreeding with other hominids. There is evidence that some Caucasians are mixed with Neanderthals and some East Asians are mixed with Denisovans. Considering that there is new archaeological evidence of humanoid settlements nearly as old as 400,000 years ago our current historical records and what we know of prehistory is so lacking we cannot yet begin to wonder at the diversity of the human genome and its various influences.

Ha, it was new in package, I'd just run out of my own condoms. Those things are so expensive.

Latex allergy is horrible. Borrowed a condrom from a friend one time and felt like my dick was on fire the whole next day. They do have latex free condoms but they're even worse than the regular ones for sensation.

Aye there definitely is an energy difference with a group versus individual, it's an amplification effect and a matter of synchronous entrainment toward a specific frequency. Other members of my church and family were outraged with me as a teen for trying to explain the difference I saw in energy in my church during intense worship because I was sure it was something that could happen away from the church as well. Worship would always produce a deep red miasma about 5 feet above our heads and I could see the red streamers coming off people. It was rather interesting but I couldn't explore it further at that time.

Ayup, the Holy Spirit is a helluva drug.

Ah then you should focus on your left leg as rear in santi.

I never hear this discussed much but I can remember when I was growing up that the Vietnamese kids would sit on their back patio and their parents would run a coin over them. I just found a gua sha stone in the office supply drawer. Someone must have thought it was a paper weight.

I agree cat. It's also possible to "marry" without the piece of paper. My ex is 2,000 miles away and she still calls to me at times, I wish she'd leave me be.

I'd rather not discuss my personal training in this topic.

At least have her be like your third or fourth cousin if there is really no one else in proximity. First cousin inbreeding leads to genetic defects like crazy. I plan on finding a woman that's of a completely different ethnicity and skin color if I can, trying to dilute the genetics for autoimmune disease in my family.

I don't put much stock in Christian healers from my personal experience. As a child I was taken to all kinds of different healing sessions and called forth to the altar etc. Even if we were energetically forced to pass out (I once was unconscious for about 4 hours), not a single one of us had a lasting positive effect other than some intense euphoria for about 2 hours. I saw so many asthmatics, diabetics, and people whose vision had been restored using inhalers, syringes, and donning their glasses not 30 minutes after. My sister on the other hand received some much needed assistance with a broken arm from some Venezuelan brujas while she was there. I just haven't encountered a legitimate Christian healer. It's all been like this so far.

baiqi you may want to focus on one legged zhan zhuang stances for a moment until your left knee is stronger. I've blown out both knees but my left is considerably weaker. I've noticed significant improvement not only in my knee but also my ankle, hip, and lower back.