A unique free seminar with admission to the MMA Expo.
No experience necessary. Street clothing is suitable.
Register on site at Booth 116. Space is limited

• Tai Chi - Martial Applications

• • Sneaking up on trees is one thing. But what do you do when you catch one? Learn some of the martial applications of tai chi.

• Tai Chi Tuishou (Pushing Hands) Clinic

• • Many of the most useful “techniques” for mixed martial artists are found in the mid-range grappling skills of tai chi tuishou (Pushing Hands). Come and learn skills that can help you control your range, your mind, and your opponent.

• Tai chi Internal Power Exercises. - Root, agility and instantaneous power.

• • Sometimes it is not what you do but how you are. Internal martial arts like Tai Chi, Xingyiquan and Baguazhang, have a unique way of looking at body structure, and bio-energetics. This clinic will address some simple but effective exercises for improving your ability to generate power spontaneously from any position.

• Tai Chi - Neutralizing skills

• • Overcoming 1000 pounds with 4 ounces.

• Xingyiquan five elements for MMA

• • For nearly 1000 years, xingyiquan has been a preferred method for training soldiers quickly and effectively. It has also been well represented in full-contact matches throughout the past century. Learn the five punches that are at the core of xingyiquan training. Learn the solo and two person drills that helped made xingyiquan famous as a combat system.
• • Click here to go to the official website.

Tags: tai chi, taijiquan, martial arts, mma

I find myself doing a lot of contemplating these days, as I anticipate the arrival of my first child. Even though work has never been more hectic, I find that I am provoked into philosophical musings more and more easily. This week I found myself particularly distracted by three little birds.

I was working on a lesson plan for an upcoming tai chi seminar when a nest of hummingbirds drew my attention. How could it not? I have never had such a clear view of a hummingbird nest, and have never had the opportunity to observe one feed its young.

This nest is not exactly conspicuous. In fact, it took several minutes for my wife to explain the exact location to me, in spite me looking directly at it and belonging to one of the few species who can see colour. No one had seen this nest before yesterday, although the young are about 3 or four days old.

The hummingbird demonstrates the power of being small and inconspicuous, an example of the yang within the yin. The yang aspect of extreme yin is also shown whenever one observes a fragile baby of any species. Human infants, through their very extreme vulnerability exert an irresistible power over adults of their own species, and often over adults of other species as well. What we often find insufferable in teens and adults will prove absolutely endearing in an infant. Also, an infant crying alone at the side of a road will elicit a very different response from the one evoked by a 45-year-old football player having a tantrum in the same place. This is how we grow less powerful by being stronger.

The hummingbird seems to exhibit some tai chi principles in reverse. For, while tai chi teaches us to cultivate slowness in order to achieve speed; it is the incredible speed of the hummingbird's wings that allows it to sit still in mid air, and even to fly backwards.

When we say that tai chi teaches us to use slowness to achieve speed, this can have two meanings. In one respect this refers to the profound efficiency of movement that is cultivated by the slow conscious practice of tai chi routines. Slow practice teaches us to move the body without resistance. This slow movement cultivates the potential for lightning fast reflexes and the pure expression of natural instinct. But in another respect, the use of slowness to achieve speed refers to the awareness of efficient structure and position. One learns through practice to recognise the most appropriate position and alignment of body and mind, thus eliminating unnecessary or irrelevant movement. "The fastest way to get somewhere is to already be there."

Watch the pure, effortless movement of the hummingbird, which seems to transcend space and time. The wings move faster than the eye can follow, yet the hummingbird seems constantly at ease. Ever still, ever moving, ever hidden, ever watchful; the hummingbird is quick to take action against intruders whether they be other hummingbirds at the feeder or nosey human paparazzi. (You learn that when you try to get close to a mother and her nest.)

Perhaps I am trying too hard to find tai chi lessons in a hummingbird nest. But as a tai chi teacher and student, it is both in our tradition and in my natural instinct to seek lessons in nature. And with my first child due in a few weeks, I will be taking notes as we watch these two chicks develop over the next two to three weeks.

Tags: tai chi, hummingbirds

"Bully Beatdown" show is a disgrace to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Martial Arts in General

I have said it before and I will say it again, “Reality Television” is an oxymoron. The latest example is a recent import from the U.S. called "Bully Beatdown" in which apparent victims of bullying are avenged by professional mixed martial artists. The bullies are supposedly challenged to a martial arts bout against a seasoned pro. If the bully is offered ten thousand dollars if they win the fight. Of course, they don't stand a chance. The bully is beaten, the ten thousand dollars goes to the initial "victim" and sometimes the bully even apologises. It is predictable but not realistic.

The show presents a parody of justice. It teaches the victim and the viewer to feel more powerful through the suffering of others.  In other words, it aims to make bullies of us all.

As a martial arts instructor with thirty years experience in a variety of martial arts, and as a fan of MMA athletes such as George St. Pierre and Carlos Newton, I must say that I was quite disturbed to hear about this show, and only slightly relieved to discover that the show itself is a farce.

I will be participating in the Mixed Martial Arts Expo in Toronto next month, and I expect to hear nearly unanimous condemnation of the MTV show from fellow instructors and competitors. The concept of the show has apparently invoked a gag reflex in those to whom I have spoken to, so far. 

The concept of a martial artist stepping in like Charles Bronson to avenge the bullied (essentially to "bully the bully") does not represent the spirit of Mixed Martial Arts, nor does it reflect the philosophy of martial artists in general. UFC and MMA organisations should take immediate legal action in order to stop this disgrace, and save the credibility of Mixed Martial Arts Franchises.

Fortunately, after watching several excerpts of the “Bully Beatdown” episodes via the world wide web, I can say with absolute certainty that the show is not real at all. The dialogue is clearly scripted. Each episode clearly features several actors and at least one stunt double. It is more WWF than MMA.

Nevertheless, I believe the show must be stopped, as it serves to invoke hatred and ignorance, and has the potential to to terrible harm to young people. It is also promotes an inaccurate view of traditional and modern martial arts.

Martial arts are terribly misunderstood. I should know. One of my favourite martial arts is tai chi (taijiquan), which most people think of as “old people sneaking up on trees.” Explaining the true nature of the art has taken up a large part of my life.

There are many reasons why people start learning martial arts. Most learn martial arts for the broad range of benefits for mind, body and spirit.

But one of those reasons is, admittedly, for the defence or reinforcement of ego. Some boys and immature men do start training in martial arts in order to “beat other men.” They may say that it is for self defence, but the truth is that some want to experience the sense of power and confidence that comes from defeating another person in combat. Years ago, one aspiring sixteen-year-old actually wrote on his application form that his reason for wanting to learn from me was, as he said, “So I can break people.” It read, to me, like a cry for help and I immediately knew that I had to teach him. Through proper training, one learns to transcend the immaturity that leads to such primitive emotional impulses. Students learn instead that true fulfillment and self-worth is found in what you can do for people, not in what you can do to them.

Elite fighting skill depends on far more than martial techniques and physical conditioning. Just like any elite sport, there is a great deal of mental, emotional, and “spiritual” cultivation involved.

Violence of some sort exists everywhere. Martial arts are a means of skillfully seeking peace and security in an inherently violent world. This starts with self-cultivation of mind, body and spirit. Trained martial artists, in the process of learning to defeat external opponents, must learn to conquer the internal enemies. Fear, anger, hatred, worry, and bitterness fall away as one discovers the toxic and self-destructive nature of the ego.

Non-martial artists are victims of violence that comes from within as well as from external sources. While the skilled martial artist uses superior skill and awareness to avoid conflict, the untrained person often falls victim to egotistical and fearful responses that lead them into increasingly dangerous situations. Ego impairs awareness and judgement, and interferes with the cultivation of high-level martial skill.

As martial artists, we must learn to know our enemy and know ourselves. We do not learn much about anyone by hating them. We will also never be able to know their mind without first understanding our own.

I cannot accept that any trained martial artist of any style would see vengeance as an effective means of ending the cycle of violence. I am sure that the overall trends in history, martial arts, sociology, and court systems would support me on this.

A show like Bully Beatdown is, at best, junk-food for the untrained mind. It is a disgrace to martial artists everywhere, and an insult to the intelligence of the viewer. Those who watch it will learn nothing about martial arts, and risk becoming worse people for having done so. As a martial artist, I would like the show wiped from the face of the earth in order to prevent any further damage to the martial arts.

At worst, I see Bully Beatdown as a vehicle for promoting hatred and stupidity. It has the potential to do real harm to young people who watch it. As a caring citizen, I believe the show should be banned, for the damage it can do to our society.

It has been suggested that the show could be banned for violation of hate laws. But such action may prove unnecessary. I cannot imagine that the show will sell well once people realize its true nature. If it does continue to sell, however, then society may already be in worse shape than I thought.

Ian Sinclair
- Instructor, Cloud Mountain Martial Arts
- Vice President,  Canadian Taijiquan Federation

Tags: martial arts, tai chi