... a mostly random collection of thoughts that range over 40 years of practice, teaching, and learning
Honesty, integrity, honor, and courage are required. They are not optional. Normally, I keep my personal views here focused on my teaching and insights that may be useful to others. Recent events crossed a boundary and brought to the forefront…
Who we are is a process of becoming ourselves, of making choices that determine who we are. We each have a background, a history, a culture, and sub-culture that has shaped us. The trips to the park to play ball…
Today, I reached several milestones. I have: Completed (and redone) a set of videos - BIG rock All the equipment necessary to keep going Video goals for the next 2 weeks And a plan for 3 months It's taken 2…
Today is Sunday. My 'trip' started on Friday. I've been home mostly. But it's felt as if I had traveled back in time to the days when I was competing in tournaments. Still does. I know why. But it still…
In Taiji as well as in Xingyi, we pay attention to the 5 elements: metal, water, wood, fire, earth. They combine with the 8 directions to form the 13 postures of taiji. Among the elements, earth is the most pervasive…
Today, so many of us are staying home and keeping away from others. Most of us aren't used to that. We're used to being out, meeting friends, sitting with family for Sunday dinners. Staying home, especially if you are home…
Being mindful is about being present, now. here. In this second. It’s also about turning down the noise. If you engage in “battle” to do this, you cannot succeed. Why not? Because you are fighting yourself. You have to acknowledge…
What we give away merges into who we are. I just sent away some comic books from the 1960's. DC Comics. Superman. Batman. Legion of Super Heroes. Wonder Woman. Detective. And more.... They were mine. I didn't plan to give…
What is qi (气)? Literally, it means air. It also means breath, not the act of breathing (呼吸), the breath itself. But that's not quite accurate either. Qi is pervasive. Every living thing and some that once were living and…
In practice and in basic self-defense, it's important to trust your intuition - about your surroundings, about your circumstances, about those you meet. When we are in a familiar place, we tend to not be quite so alert. We have…
