IMMORTAL FITNESS MARTIAL ARTS - Latest Blog Entries

Cloud Hands & Earth Meditation|workshop taught by Master Share K. Lew

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:00:00 -0700

Cloud Hands & Earth Meditation

a workshop taught by Master Share K. Lew

The CLOUD HANDS is the beginning exercise of the Tao Ahn Pai nuigung (internal-cultivation). Cloud Hands practice supports great health, increases vitality, and builds a strong foundation for further nuigung training. The exercise includes a series of five non-strenuous movements and a quiet, seated meditation. The time required for practice will fit into anyone’s schedule.

Master SHARE K. LEW is the 23rd generation lineage holder of the Tao Ahn Pai, a school of Taoist healing and martial arts recognizing Taoist Immortal, Lu Dongbin, as the founder. In 1934, at the age of 16, Master Lew entered the Yellow Dragon Monastery, located at the summit of Mt. Luofu, Guangdong Province, China. Master Lew lived and studied thirteen years within the Monastery’s serene atmosphere, receiving training in the full range of Taoist healing and martial arts. In August 1948, Master Lew immigrated to the U.S., and in 1970 he began teaching the American public. Master Lew, a youthful 93 years of age, continues teaching the Tao Ahn Pai nuigung exercises privately in San Diego and in public workshops throughout the U.S.

DATE: June 23-24, 2012, 10:00am till 12:00pm and 2:00pm till 4:00pm both days.
Class will begin at 10:00am (please arrive 10-15 minutes early). We will have a break for lunch 12:00-2:00pm, resuming class at 2:00pm and concluding at 4:00pm.

LOCATION: San Diego, California.

TUITION: $225.
Class size is limited, and registration is required.

NOTES:

This class is open to people of any age. No previous experience is required. Wear comfortable

clothes, and bring a blanket and a cushion or pillow for meditation. Bring a notebook and pen.

Master Lew will provide ample time for questions and note taking during the workshop. Audio or

video recording is not permitted.

CONTACT:

For information and registration, contact Juanita Lew via email: sharelew@aim.com.

呂祖弟子李少陽道丹派內功

(English) Lu the Progenitor, disciple Li Xiaoyang, Taoist Elixir School inner-work.

Romanization: (Cantonese Jyutping) Leoi Zou, daizi Lei Siujoeng, Doudaanpaai noigung; (Cantonese Yale) Leuih Jou, daihji Leih Siuyeuhng, Douh Daan Paai noihgung; (Mandarin Pinyin) Lu Zu, dizi Li Xiaoyang, Daodanpai neigong.

螳螂拳 Mantis Kung Fu Class Notes from 2008

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:49:00 -0700

螳螂拳 Mantis Kung Fu Class Note from a Dilligent 2008 Student

Fri Sep 19, 2008 @ 08:44PM

During my lesson on Friday, Shifu broke down how one would go about engaging a threat/opponent into three main phases. Those three phases being Gravitate, Levitate, and Obliterate. Each phase, levitate and obliterate, depends on the former in order to be successful... 99% of the time, since nothing is absolute. Also, each of the three phases use principles from both Mantis and Tai Chi.

Phase 1 is Gravitate. Here's some terms essential to this part of the phase: Zhan (to stick), Nian (to adhere), Lian (to link), Sui (to follow), Diao (to intercept), Jin (to go forward/advance), and Pung (expansive). Some of these terms have similar meanings but have subtle differences; such as Zhan and Nian. Both are similar in description but Zhan is passive while Nian is active; an example of this would be in the exercise "Seal, Steal, Lift" where you are Nian on the initiating side of the exercise attacking and the other side is Zhan defending (which at higher levels could be used to draw an opponent in). There's also a subtle difference between Lian and Sui. Lian is when you set a certain distance that you want to maintain and control with your opponent; such as moving forward to close distance and moving backward to set your opponent up for an attack (Mirror Drill). Sui is taking away your opponents escape route by following. The terms Diao and Jin can be used together (Diao Jin) which in simplest terms would be delineating an attack and immediately following up with a punch or other attack.. Pung acts like an atmosphere by either warding off oncoming attacks or engulfing your opponent into a set up or other proactive attack (Battle Pung, patent pending Mr. Winfield).

The second phase is Levitate, where you are basically uprooting your opponent setting them up for either a knockdown, throw, or takedown depending on circumstance and preference. A couple of terms associated with this phase are Tie (to tag/contact with) and Kao (lean/bump). 99.9% of the time Tie is affecting the lower body and Kao is affecting the upper body. You are manipulating your opponent at their fulcrum points in the upper and lower halfs of the body. This can be achieved by doing a slight push, pull, or combination of the two. Think of the throws in the Yang 24 Short Form such as "Parting the Wild Horse's Mane" and "Brush the Knee".

The third phase is Obliterate. Just as it sound this is where you deliver the crushing, debilitating blow to your adversary. This can be done by using mutiple principle such as striking, joint manipultion, throws, and kicks; or even a combination of techniques like a strike paired with a throw. This phase is basically the culmination of all of your bridging, striking, traps, and every other principle you can think of that can end a threat.

G.L.O - gravitate in, levitate your opponent, then obliterate them.

(Hopefully this info is useful to everyone, and if anyone has corrections or wishes to add anything please do so).

- Happy Training

Mr. Alexander

Learn how to Learn Martial Arts

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:43:00 -0700

Falling Up | Threshold Martial Arts Training

The key to progress is learning how to fail productively. Much like Martial Arts, failing productively is a craft that each individual has to customize for themselves. Fail too much, and you are only proving incompetence. If you don’t fail at all you will never reach your true potential.

This is true for Self Defense, Martial Arts, and fitness training. The mind and body must be stressed within healthy limits but outside of comfort zones for progress to occur.

Here is a sample progression to failing up:

1. Take it slow. Allow the mind and body to digest the new stimulus. If you are learning a new technique, practice slow to insure proper form. If you are cutting or adding calories, take 2-3 days of acclimating the metabolism to the caloric change. If you are changing your fitness routine, prepare the muscles and heart for the new challenge by breaking down elements of the new exercise or routine into smaller isolated pieces.

2. Ramp it up and Rep it up: Once you are performing consistently well, start to execute your diet, workout, or martial arts technique with high frequency. If you are changing caloric intake, consume up to 6 times/day for at least 21 days straight. For your fitness routine, piece your workout or exercise back together and train 4-5 times/week for up to 21 days. For your martial arts training, start practicing your technique at higher speeds and at least 100 reps. per technique.

3. Fast as you Can, Slow as you Must: This is where we test the threshold of our success. The key here is to push outside of your comfort zone and attempt to fail once out of every five attempts. If you are reducing calories, try one day to reduce even more either through training or caloric intake. Assess your energy levels and how well you recover from your workouts. Continue doing so each day until you find the slump. The productive caloric intake may be the conditions that you allowed yourself from the day before, which is normally lower than what we imagined. The same remains true for working out . Attempt maximal effort either by increasing reps, speed, resistance, or all three. The key is to push you’re your maximal heart rate a little bit more each time. Martial Arts training is unique in that perceived stress effects the integrity of the technique. Pressure testing as fast as you can without compromising technique is what measures your effectiveness. If integrity is compromised, than take it down a notch until you get your success rates back up.

Remember, the key ratio of success to failure is 5:1. If you are failing more than one time for every five attempts, you may put your health and training habits at risk. If you aren’t failing at all, then you aren’t improving.

Keep it moving. Keep failing up.

Call or Text Now for a Complimentary Guest Pass (619) 917-9017

Need more information? You can reach us anytime by calling (619) 917 – 9017.

Immortal Fitness Martial Arts

Train Hard. Live Long

Learn Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

Call (619) 917 - 9017 to get started.

Related Links:

Consolidating Motion Part 1: Mantis Kung Fu Double Tap Quickness

Consolidating Motion Part 2: Tiger Gate Variation in Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Mantis Kung Fu Notes: Attacking on the Half Beat

Praying Mantis Kung Fu Counter Punching Techniques

螳螂拳 Mantis Kung Fu Class Notes | Close Quarter Drill

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:53:00 -0700

螳螂拳 Mantis Kung Fu Class Notes | Close Quarter Drill

Trapping is a term used to describe Kung Fu striking techniques that manipulate the opponents defenses and includes trapping counter-measures. The term trapping may be very misleading as it suggests a measure of controlling the opponents defenses resulting in the opponent being compeltely "trapped". While this may occur where the opponent has no room to evade, trapping techniques are predominately utiized to manipulate the opponents defenses to free up the striking lanes.

Using the logic of completely trapping the opponent, clinch controls provide maximal control of the opponents posture, balance, and extremeties. However, clinch techniques exclusively occupy the upper body with the task of control requiring the options to abort half the clinch to strike, clinch and throw, or clinch and utilize knee strikes. It should be noted that knee strikes from the clinch compromise your own stability which is considered high risk in personal defense environements.

Trapping is closest to what is known as clinch fighting, where there is some measure of manipulating the opponents defense, posture, and balance. Trapping and clinch fighting are great personal defense tools in that you establish skill sets that include some measure of controlling the opponent; a necessary skill set in fighting armed assailants. This consistency of clear, control, counter techniques habituates skills that apply to both armed and unarmed scenarios as well as the abiltiy to remain relatively mobile in the case of multiple assailants.

In Mantis Boxing specifically, techniques are sequenced to tenderize with clinch striking coupled with clinch-strike-knockdown combinations. Quick and direct.

At Immortal Fitness Martial Arts, we formulate our training methods to reflect the progression from primal fighting to tactical and strategic fighting methods indicative of advanced Chinese Martial Arts. Note the evolutions from cover defense, to natural "push away" style elbow control, to the trapping/clinch fighting tactics.

Call or Text Now for a Complimentary Guest Pass (619) 917-9017

Need more information? You can reach us anytime by calling (619) 917 – 9017.

Immortal Fitness Martial Arts

Train Hard. Live Long

Learn Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

Call (619) 917 - 9017 to get started.

Related Links:

Consolidating Motion Part 1: Mantis Kung Fu Double Tap Quickness

Consolidating Motion Part 2: Tiger Gate Variation in Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Mantis Kung Fu Notes: Attacking on the Half Beat

Praying Mantis Kung Fu Counter Punching Techniques

Weekend Warrior Workout | The Dub Tre

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 04:39:00 -0700

W3 Weekend Warrior Workout

The Dub Tre is a task specific weekend warrior workout program designed to be fun, functional, and challenging. The workouts include simulated martial arts techinques and tactical firearm movement.

The first Weekend Warrior Workout will focus on Team Tactics. Military, Private Security, and Law Enforcement will find direct translation to the fitness demands unique to the job, while civilians will have fun exploring life-like "Call of Duty" training. The first Dub Tre workout will be:

April 7th, 2012

Saturday Morning 0800-1000

$25 per person

Location TBA

The workout simulates 5 possible combat scenario's concluded with a timed challenge course. 2-5 lb. dumbells and weighted sticks may be used to simulate the use of rifles and add the element isometric endurance training.

10 rep. heel kicker-burpee push up warm ups
Stage 1 "Reflex" = 3 sets of 10 reps. lateral 3 yard sprint-squats
Stage 2 "Advance" = 10 reps of 10 yard Sprint-lunge cover
Stage 3 "Fall Back" = 10 reps of 10 yard Sprint-1 hand burpee cover
Stage 4 "Extract" = 3 sets of 15 yard man-down extraction
Stage 5 "Avenge" = 10 alternating reps of: 10 yard sprint-lunge 2 shots-burpee 2 shots-lunge 2shots/10 yard sprint-lunge 2shots-roll back and sit up/crunch up left 2 shots, right 2 shots-sit up to lunge 2 shots
Final Stage = combat calisthenic challenge course: 1 set of each exercise for time.
Range of Motion Flexibity Training

April 7th, 2012

Saturday Morning 0800-1000

$25 per person

Location TBA

Mantis Kung Fu Secrets to Quickness| Attack on the Half Beat

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:04:00 -0700

Mantis Kung Fu Secrets to Quickness

Norman Tom, student of the late Brendan Lai, described the cadence of Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu as "the rude person who cuts you off mid-sentence". While Mantis Kung Fu has a reputation of being "fast", the more appropriate description is that it is "quick".

Fast is a matter of fast twitch muscle fibers limited by genetics, training, and youth.

Quick is a matter of bio-mechanical efficiency limited by technique and fighting experience.While fast speed can be acquired through explosive repetitions, quickness is acquired through combat attributes including timing, range manipulation, and economy of motion.

For sake of simplicity, quickness can be consolidated to two essential principles. They are:

Economy of Motion: If you travel a shorter distance than you're opponent and traveling at the same rate of speed, you will arrive first. Trim the excessive motion while maintaining optimal power and protective posture.
Attack on the Half Beat: Attack while the opponent is in reactive transit. This principle is similar to being at the start of the race line, but pushing off your opponent at the go signal.

Attacking on the half beat while the opponent is in the middle of reacting to movement insures that you bridge the gap while the opponent is physically and psychologically pre-occupied. Attacking on the half beat may work versus aggressive and counter-fighters as well, but requires the practitioner to recognize the critical distance and have the ability to telegraph the opponent.

This principle may still be applied in personal defense scenario's where posturing and pre-contact cues are indicated. It only takes a few motions to read and mislead the opponent to safely and effectively engage the opponent.

Call or Text Now for a Complimentary Guest Pass (619) 917-9017

Need more information? You can reach us anytime by calling (619) 917 – 9017.

Immortal Fitness Martial Arts

Train Hard. Live Long

Learn Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

Call (619) 917 - 9017 to get started.

Related Links:

Consolidating Motion Part 1: Mantis Kung Fu Double Tap Quickness

Consolidating Motion Part 2: Tiger Gate Variation in Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Core Principles of Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

Praying Mantis Kung Fu Counter Punching Techniques

Traditional Kung Fu and the Mixed Martial Arts Evolution Part 2

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 03:00:00 -0700

Traditional Kung Fu and the Mixed Martial Arts Evolution Part 2

Mixed Martial Arts, as most people know it, is associated with a combat sport in a controlled environement. An authentic Mixed Martial Arts gym is commonly associated with a boxing ring, a full or half cage, heavy bags, and a grappling room.

Many traditionalist criticize MMA for the lack of dirty fighting techniques such as biting, eye gouges, and nut shots.

Interestingly enough, Hawaiins created a mixed martial arts style that DID include such techniques designed specifically for personal defense. That style is called Kajukenbo, a pidgeon word for Karate, Judo, Kenpo, Kung Fu, and Boxing. Unfortunately, that style also became relatively static in their training methods resulting in certain limitations. Ironically, many advanced Kajukenbo practicioners move on to learn traditional Chinese Martial Arts.

Coach Tim Cartmell explained it to me the clearest by defining the difference between practical and practiceable. One reason why Kajukenbo has reduced number of practitioners is because they practice the street practical, often resulting in high rate of injuries. Some include long term.

Practice creates consistency in technique. If you are injured, you are unable to practice. If you can't practice the street practical, then you won't have consistency in habits and technique. The middle path is allowing for a body of techniques to be practiced at high volume and at various levels of intensity. While this eliminates many street practical techniques, this does optimize training and combat effectiveness. Thus, practice-able techniques allows the practitioner to habituate a body of techniques in high volume repititions against varying levels of resisitance.

This is wear combat sports have high value. Never before in modern martial arts history has martial arts evolved to the level that it has today. The free flow of information coupled with the dissolution of cutlural barriers have allowed martial arts to have a distellery of techniques and tactics in the context of a one on one fight.

The keyword here, is context.

For all practioners, we should understand the context of our training methods. Combat sports are great for allowing us to become physically and psychologically prepared to test our skill sets versus an opponent of similar weight and skill level. This paradigm can improve the practioner greatly. However, that is just one circumstance with specific parameters to keep the fighters relatively healthy.

While there is no style that trains you to effectively engage two opponents simultaneously, there is little doubt that the time and control it takes to maim a threat utlizing grappling skills reduces the effectiveness in fighting multiple assailants and/or in defense of others. It should also be noted that grappling experts consider striking a roll of the dice as anyone can get knocked out.

There are simple solutions. If personal defense is the context for which you are training martial arts, then the methods are simply adjusted to meet the demands of such paradigm. Note that a key difference between combat sports and personal defense is the psychological consent to combat. In combat sports, we are consenting to fight on a given day. In personal defense, we are often caught in the most inconvenient times.

In my experience, techniques that include some level of controlling the threat increases the effectiveness and safety of striking, while grappling may allow humane measures of neutralzing a threat thus reducing litigation problems.

This is why Chinese Martial Arts are of great interest to me. A majority of the striking techniques include a form of "trapping" or clinch striking. This allows a measure of control without disabling mobility to address other potential threats sequentially. Mantis Boxing specifically includes "knockdown" throws that allows a free flow of striking without deviating from the neutral position as required by throws such as the uchi mata or hip throws. The ability to maintain an upright position following a knockdown increases the effectiveness of fighting sequential opponents through efficiency of movemeent. Clinch striking coupled with knockdowns makes Mantis Boxing highly combat effective.

To be fair, the issues that I've had with CMA is similar to the challenges of Abu Dhabi BJJ practioners; the training methods are designed to fight someone of similar skill levels and are largely absent of todays primary initiation attacks in common modern day personal defense scenarios.

I've had challenges explaining what we do as the cultural expectations of Traditional Kung Fu is inconsistent with our training psychology. While we do have a ranking system, we don't wear our sashes in class to prevent expected successes and failures due to rank color.

We are not a Mixed Martial Arts gym as most people expect a cage fighting record, and agents. Both of which we do not have.

This is why I've created a label for how we train, and not what we train at IFMA.

That label is

Dasargo's Adaptive Combat Solutions

Know what you are training for, and train accordingly.

-M.Dasargo

Click here for Traditional Kung Fu and the Mixed Martial Arts Evolution part 1

Need more information? You can reach us anytime by calling (619) 917 – 9017.

Immortal Fitness Martial Arts

Train Hard. Live Long

Learn Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

Call (619) 917 - 9017 to get started.

Related Links:

Consolidating Motion Part 1: Mantis Kung Fu Double Tap Quickness

Consolidating Motion Part 2: Tiger Gate Variation in Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Core Principles of Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

Bridging the Gap in Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Traditional Kung Fu and the Mixed Martial Arts Evolution Part 1

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:14:00 -0700

Traditional Kung Fu and the Mixed Martial Arts Evolution

Far too often I hear mispoken claims about both traditional kung fu and mixed martial arts. It is increasingly difficult for the fighting arts of both genre's to thrive in a personal defense environment because of the branding associated with each.

Traditionalist consider MMA to be unrealistic sport fighting, while MMA practitioners consider traditional Martial Arts to be antiquated.

First let's examine what Traditional Kung Fu means to the masses.

For the most part, Traditional Kung Fu is commonly associated with a renassaince of Chinese culture, acrobatic feats, and complex Hong Kong movie fight choreography.

For a Chinese Martial Art style to be qualified as traditional, as opposed to modern acrobatic wushu or Mixed Martial Arts, the Chinese Martial Art must include some type of partner drills and represent elements of Chinese heritage including Chinese calligraphy on the walls and t-shirts, Chinese anitquity in the studio, and use of Cantonese commands (mandarin is associated with the national language of the post-cultural revolution of the communist era) and associated Confucian hierachy.

Unfortunately, over the years traditional has become dogmatic, and the preservation of culture has inadvertently lead to the degradation of the advanced fighting arts of China.

People have mistaken culture for traditional, rather than honoring the traditional fighting spirit. Those who utilize training methods outside of Chinese culture are not considered authentic by traditionalist and are often criticized for not remaining true to CMA.

The warrior spirit cares less about reputation, and more about survivablity. In fact, one of China's most celebrated military figures General Qi Jiguang was a Mixed Martial Artist himself. History shows him adapting the swordsmanship of Japanese Pirates to improve his groups combat effectiveness. He has authored books documenting his studies of various Martial Arts and utlizing what he considered effective for the context of his application.

When you examine the history of almost all Chinese Martial Arts, they are all evolved by adapting techniques and tactics from other fighting styles. Why then do modern day traditionalist want to remain static?

This is not to say you should make things up. Krishnamurti, the man who inspired Bruce Lee to create Jeet Kune Do, does specify acheiving a level of understanding before disolving social constructs of labels and barriers.

The warriors of the past have done it. We should continue their fighting tradition.

Click here for Part 2 Mixed Martial Arts to be published on March 20, 2012

Need more information? You can reach us anytime by calling (619) 917 – 9017.

Immortal Fitness Martial Arts

Train Hard. Live Long

Learn Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

Call (619) 917 - 9017 to get started.

Related Links:

Consolidating Motion Part 1: Mantis Kung Fu Double Tap Quickness

Consolidating Motion Part 2: Tiger Gate Variation in Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Core Principles of Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

Bridging the Gap in Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Sifu Share K. Lew 94th Birthday!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 12:29:00 -0700

Master Share K. Lew Celebrates his 94th Birthday in San Diego

Sifu Share K. Lew celebrated his 94th birthday in San Diego this year on February 25th, 2012. His actual birthday is based on the lunar calender, which shifts the birthday celebration dates on our Gregorian calender.

Master Lew was taken in by a traveling Taoist monk during the World War II era. After years in the Yellow Dragon Temple located in Guangdong Province, LuofaShan Mountain, Master Lew immigrated to San Francisco, L.A., and ultimately settled in San Diego, CA.

Many students old and new appeared to celebrate Sifu's life and continued adventures in the Taoist Elixir Style teachings. Doctors, Martial Artists, Acupuncturist, and people from all walks of life have practiced and continue to celebrate Master Lew and the Taoist Elixir Style system of health and longevity.

If you would like to learn more about the Taoist Elixir Style of seated, standing, and moving meditation,

please contact us at JuanitaLew@gmail.com

for approved teachers of the Taoist Elixir Style system (aka Tao Ahn Pai).

Sifu will also be teaching the Cloud Hands and Shen Chi Kung meditation at Eselen in September, 2012. Click http://webapp.esalen.org/leaders/1625 for more information.

Tai Chi Push Hands Workshop in San Diego

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0800

Tai Chi Push Hands Workshop in San Diego

Saturday February 25th
1:00 PM -3:00 PM

Jiai Aikido

980 Buenos Ave #C, San Diego, CA 92110

$35 Pre-register
$45 At the Door

Push Hands is an isolation drill that develops kinesthetic and proprioreceptive awareness. The series of training drills will enhance your balance and stability, quicken your reflexes, and maximize power efficiency.

The attributes that you will learn in this workshop is transferable to striking, grappling, and will improve your ability to apply your fighting art.

Topics
-Kinetic Chain (Threading the 9 pearls) for increased power and quickness
-Spherical stability in 8 standing positions
-Stability and Agility: The avalanche is more dangerous than the mountain.
-Tactile Feedback Development: From close clinch positions to arm-arm contact.
-Yin/Yang Flow Motion: When to issue force and when to piggy back
-Letting Go: The non-competitive and opportunistic Tai Chi mindset.
-Progressions: From successive to simultaneous reciperical force
-Translating the skill sets to combat effective techniques.

Presented by:

Immortal Fitness Martial Arts
Train Hard. Live Long.

Shifu Michael Dasargo has been training 7 Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu since 1992. In 2001, he began learning Yang Taijiquan (Abraham Liu lineage) with Sifu Steve Martin, and later with Sifu Jim Keefner.

Upon exploring the commonalities and unique characteristics of Chen, Wu, Hao, Yang, and Sun Taiji, Shifu Dasargo concluded that the changes are based on tactical preferences as determined by the physical characteristics of the creators, as well as the political-social pressures for the associated time period.

Although he pays homage to his lineage, Shifu Dasargo teaches the whole of Taijiquan as a martial art founded on principles and training methods that are based on the unique physical characteristics of the students.

https://www.facebook.com/events/367651976596148/

Bridging the Gap

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:01:00 -0800

Bridging the Gap

Notes on how to safely and effectively engage the opponent. To effectively engage the opponent you must be protected while simultaneously making the opponent vulnerable. There are 3 components to keeping you protected as well as 3 components to making your opponent vulnerable.

3 Components to keeping yourself protected

Obstruct the Striking Lanes: Your guard inhibits your opponents ability to have a direct trajectory from their shoulder to your vulnerable areas of the head and body.
Control critical distance: The distance should close on your consent, whether you move forward or you allow your opponent to move closer to you.
Maintain off-set angle: You should not stand directly in front of the opponent. The off-set angle position should inhibit their ability to strike effectively with either the front or rear hand due to the cross body requirement.

3 Components to make the opponent vulnerable

Manipulate Distance: Change levels and subtley play with the push/pull effect of distancing with the opponent
Manipulate Angle/Position: Changing angles assist with manipulating distance and setting the striking lanes.
Set the striking lane to a clear and unobstructed path to the target: the linear and angular frees the shoulders to line up with the opponents vulnerable targets.

Call or Text Now for a Complimentary Guest Pass (619) 917-9017

Need more information? You can reach us anytime by calling (619) 917 – 9017.

Immortal Fitness Martial Arts

Train Hard. Live Long

Learn Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

Call (619) 917 - 9017 to get started.

Related Links:

Consolidating Motion Part 1: Mantis Kung Fu Double Tap Quickness

Consolidating Motion Part 2: Tiger Gate Variation in Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Core Principles of Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

Praying Mantis Kung Fu Counter Punching Techniques

Mantis Kung Fu Counter Punching Techniques

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:51:00 -0800

Mantis Kung Fu Counter Punching Techniques

The video below expands on how the Mantis Kung Fu system approaches counter-punching. It is important to note that we define counter punching as a technique that simultaneoulsy defends and attacks the opponents 2nd or last punch of the combination.

The best oppurtunity to counter-punch is during the opponents 2nd and last punch. The last punch is oppurtune because people often over extend and trail their hands after the last commited punch. The 2nd punch is oppurtune because it is either the opponents last and commited punch in the combination, or a filler punch where the opponents mind is often pre-occupied by where the 3rd pucn is going to be.

The video below demonstrates and explains the following counter-punches as they are found in the Mantis Kung Fu system and taught at our San Diego Kung Fu school:

Alternating Hook Punch-Backfist
Filing/Shaving Punch
Black Tiger Steals Heart
Heaven Uplifting Canon
Supplementary Punch
Dragging Arm Whipping Fist
Wedge

Call or Text Now for a Complimentary Guest Pass (619) 917-9017

Need more information? You can reach us anytime by calling (619) 917 – 9017.

Immortal Fitness Martial Arts

Train Hard. Live Long

Learn Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

Call (619) 917 - 9017 to get started.

Related Links:

Consolidating Motion Part 1: Mantis Kung Fu Double Tap Quickness

Consolidating Motion Part 2: Tiger Gate Variation in Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Core Principles of Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

Bridging the Gap in Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Do NOT Let the Bad Guy be a Better Fighter Than You|Osama Bin Laden was a Judo Black Belt

Mon, 09 May 2011 14:19:00 -0700

Not All Bad Guys are Unskilled Fighters

Osama Bin Laden was a Judo Black Belt

Although self-defense workshops help you prepare for the common unskilled criminal, ongoing martial arts training prepares you to fight criminals who have training in martial arts and experience in real world violence. In fact, the worlds most wanted criminal, Osama Bin Laden, trained martial arts from 1981 to 1991 and received his Judo Black Belt. Osama Bin Laden was part of the Saudi Arabian national Judo team and trained with Taiwan's top Judo coach Jimmy Wu.

In a perfect world, martial arts training would include warrior honor code known as Wu De in China and Bushido in Japan. In the days of old, martial arts of maiming and killing required character development to insure that proper decisions are made under stress and that the fighting arts are not abused by the emotionally impulsive. However, with the development of combat sports comes the competitive spirit to win above all else. Character development takes a back seat while customer satisfaction becomes first and foremost. Martial Arts skills and training are readily available to anyone who has the time, money, effort, and patience.

Think about it. There are rapist, pedofiles, theives, murderers, AND TERRORIST who are out there and chose to train martial arts and prepare for violence.

Do NOT let the bad guys be better prepared than you!

There are plenty of martial arts and self-defense classes in San Diego. Start with a self-defense class, then continue training martial arts to improve your skills and abilities amoungst the top tier. Remember, self-defense training prepares you to fight the common unskilled criminal when you are mentally, physically, and psychologically unprepared. Martial Arts training habituates awareness, proper mindset and composure under stress, and advanced skill sets that utilize leverage that increase your fighting effectiveness with reduced effort.

Read about our Self-Defense class in San Diego

The Truth about Self-Defense training in San Diego

Click here to get started with our
FREE 2 Week Sanda Guest Pass

Want to try out all the martial arts styles at our San Diego Martial Arts school? Then get started with our $99 introductory course of 5 personal training sessions PLUS 4 weeks of group classes. Not only will you get personal attention, you’ll also have unlimited access to all of our martial arts classes! Need more information? You can reach us anytime by calling (619) 917 – 9017.

Personal Defense Readiness | Blauer Tactical Systems

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:25:00 -0700

San Diego Self-Defense Workshop

Saturday June 25th

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Personal Defense Readiness^TM is a state of the art personal protection and life enhancing system offered exclusively in San Diego at Immortal Fitness Martial Arts.

It is one of the most comprehensive conflict management programs in the world.

Developed by world-renowned expert Tony Blauer, it is a comprehensive behaviorally based system.

PDR^TM provides our staff with a powerful tool to address not only physical protection but also the more common emotional & psychological attacks we and our children face. The skills taught allow our students to peacefully detect, defuse, and resolve most everyday conflicts.

Our P.D.R. Courses are offered as: Custom group Sessions, Private Tutorials, and a part of our traditional martial arts classes.

PDR^TM Preload Reading Material

The following downloadable matierials should be read before, during, and after attending our PDR course. The preload material is a thourough explanation of PDR key concepts that will provide a clear understanding of the S.P.E.A.R. system as a whole.

SPEAR system combatives philosphy

Law & Order

The Three Fights

Emotional Climate Training

Presumed Compliance

Live Action Response Drills

Be a Good Bad Guy

Non-Violent Postures

Blauer Tactical Systems Glossary

Pre-registration:

$80 single participant
$100 for two participants

Same Day Registration
$100 single participant
$120 for two participants

Register Now!
online event registration
by Regonline

七星螳螂 - 7 Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu 十八叟拳

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 08:56:00 -0700

七星螳螂 - 7 Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu: 18 Elders Boxing 十八叟拳

Class notes from our San Diego Kung Fu class

San Diego Praying Mantis Kung Fu Class Notes 3/28/11

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:45:00 -0700

San Diego Praying Mantis Kung Fu Class Notes 3/28/11

Praying Mantis Kung Fu: Leaking Hand Technique

This past weekend we watched Phil Davis setup his takedowns with a parry-jab setup versus Lil Nog. As awesome as Lil Nog's takedown defense was, the overload of angle changes, level changes, and strike-takedown attacks ultimately resulted in a victory for the San Diego based MMA fighter Phil Davis.

Tonight's Mantis Kung Fu class in San Diego is a breakdown of the "skipping stones" entry, as well as the defense and counter attack for the technique.

The technique in Mantis Kung Fu is known as Lou Shou, or Leaking Arm.

Some key pointers:

use distance and angle as determined by your counter attack
the arm should have the buoyancy of being filled with helium so that it reciprocates the receiving energy rather than becoming hyper-reflexive.
spin from the elbow with minimal deviation of your elbow position

Click here to get started with our
FREE 2 Week Sanda Guest Pass

Want to try out all the martial arts styles at our San Diego kung fu school? Then get started with our $99 introductory course of 5 personal training sessions PLUS 4 weeks of group classes. Not only will you get personal attention, you’ll also have unlimited access to all of our martial arts classes! Need more information? You can reach us anytime by calling (619) 917 – 9017.

Immortal Fitness Martial Arts

Adding years to your life through fitness and martial arts training.

Learn Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

Call (619) 917 - 9017 to get started.

Related Links:

Cosolidating Motion Part 1: Developing Mantis Boxing Quickness

Consolidating Motion Part 2: Tiger Gate Variation

Core Principles oF Traditional Praying Mantis Kung

Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

The Truth about Learning Self-Defense

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:30:00 -0700

The Truth about Learning Self-Defense

You will not rise to the occasion, you will fall to your lowest level of training. How far will you fall?

Martial Arts training prepares you to fight when you are at your best. Self-Defense training should prepare you to fight when you are at your worst.

The key difference between Mixed Martial Arts fights and other combat sports is the physical and mental preparation for a specified fight date and often times specified opponents that can be studied. The combat athlete consents to the violence and hostility and plans accordingly.

Street self-defense, however, often happens when you are "in the wrong place at the wrong time". You're mind is elsewhere, you are wearing day to day clothing and shoes, and you did not plan for violence.

We can all take a good beating if we consent to it, but no one enjoys being a victim of abuse. This simple principle of psychology is what can make or break your ability to learn how to effectively learn self-defense. Since training is only as effective as the accuracy of simulation, the intent and state of mind you are in during training drills must closely resemble the psychological feel of a violent confrontation.

Furthermore, violence is a two way street. Not only should you be able to apply violence, you should also be prepared to receive violence.

Applying Violence

Red man suits are tools to assess an individual's performance at higher physical and psychological intensities, which should be reserved for martial arts, intermediate and on-going self-defense training.

Red man suits are a detrimental tool to utilize for self-defense workshops in San Diego or for any beginner who is new to learning self-defense.

The REALITY is that beginners are experiencing a cathartic moment that creates a false sense of competance and a false sense of confidence.

This is because the perception of a padded up bad guy makes you feel like you can hit without repercussion. If your training partner is not padded up, then you may not consent to apply violence out of fear of harming your partner.

The REALITY is that the human body is more resilient than what most people give it credit for. Furthermore, it neglects THE FACT that punching, kneeing, and elbowing without protection has a high potential to hurt the bones and joints of the person applying the technique. The shock of this impact can be psychologically crippling for those who have never punched a skull with their bare fist.

Receiving Violence

If you are attending a self-defense workshop for beginners, receiving violence should be limited to an accurate simulation of the most frequent types of unskilled attacks including haymakers and tackles. It is less likely that you will be attacked by a combat athlete or skilled martial artist, so training for various technical attacks reduces the effectiveness of your training.

Training to effectively apply violence should include components of receiving violence. This is a more advanced component of learning self-defense that should be reserved for intermediate and on-going self-defense training. Training should have both the student and the bad guy in full protective gear.

Aggression and Survival Instinct Training

If you are an unskilled person attending a self-defense workshop for beginners, then an aggression driven workshop focusing on bare-bones technical training should be the focus. The defender should expect fatigue to set in quickly.

If you are generally lighter, shorter, and weaker than most of society, then it is highly recommended continuing martial arts training. Martial Arts training develops your ability to produce more power while conserving energy.

When the bad guy is bigger, faster, and stronger, going ballistic may not be enough. Martial Arts training will develop your ability to fight more intelligently allowing the opponents to exhaust their strengths.

Conclusion

If you are planning to attend a 1 or 2 day self-defense workshop in San Diego, be sure that you assess the training method. For beginners, the techniques should be bare minimal and include both physical and psychological progressions.

Our self-defense classes and workshops in San Diego include various training phases that account for both physical and psychological stimulus, stress, and effective responses.

Our Martial Arts classes in San Diego are designed to progress from unskilled opponents to skilled, and basic movement to complex.

Click here to get started with our
FREE 2 Week Sanda Guest Pass

Want to try out all the martial arts styles at our San Diego kung fu school? Then get started with our $99 introductory course of 5 personal training sessions PLUS 4 weeks of group classes. Not only will you get personal attention, you’ll also have unlimited access to all of our martial arts classes! Need more information? You can reach us anytime by calling (619) 917 – 9017.

Immortal Fitness Martial Arts

Adding years to your life through fitness and martial arts training.

螳螂拳 Mantis Kung Fu: Solutions for Rigid Defenses

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:54:00 -0700

螳螂拳 Mantis Kung Fu: Solutions for Rigid Defenses

Here are the latest notes from our Praying Mantis Kung Fu class in San Diego

Most traditional martial arts schools in San Diego train to fight skilled opponents in their own art. However, training for skilled responses leaves gaps for the most common unskilled behaviors, which results in reduced ability to defend against common attacks.

Many of our Praying Mantis Kung Fu classes in San Diego account for the variance in opponent behavior pattern and progress from unskilled to skilled responses.

Mantis Kung Fu classes in San Diego

One of the most common defensive responses are flexed arms with push or pull kinetic energy. Praying Mantis Kung Fu solves the issue of excessive force defense by a principle known as "Chiao Men".

Chiao Men: Knocking on Door. This principle piggy backs on hyper-reflexive defenses that open gaps in the opponents guard. Excessive force defense can either be an excessive push (blocking) or contraction (covering). The key to exploiting this behavior is recognizing the over-compensation and attacking the openings.

Since this is a common defensive response, Mantis Boxers need to train the solution.

The solution is to relax the arms and block with structure (stacking/framing your bones) rather than pushing the arms out. This allows the streamline motion to economize defensive motions resulting in quick defenses with minimal exposure.

Click here to get started with our
FREE 2 Week Sanda Guest Pass

Immortal Fitness Martial Arts

Adding years to your life through fitness and martial arts training.

Learn Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

Call (619) 917 - 9017 to get started.

Related Links:

Cosolidating Motion Part 1: Developing Mantis Boxing Quickness

Consolidating Motion Part 2: Tiger Gate Variation

Core Principles oF Traditional Praying Mantis Kung

Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

螳螂拳 Mantis Kung Fu: Tiger Gate Attack

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 19:08:00 -0700

螳螂拳 Mantis Kung Fu: Tiger Gate Attack

Here is the latest notes from our Praying Mantis Kung Fu class in San Diego

This video is a continuation of the previous kung fu lesson entitled: Consolidating Motion for Mantis Boxing Quickness. In this variation, we are redirecting our offenses to the tiger gate, also known as the outside of the opponents rear hand. The indicator is that the opponent parry's and punches simultaneously rather than sequentially, providing no room or time to convert your lead jab to a deflecting defense (Gua Shou).

Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

Some key points to remember:

Reduce the number of movements required to complete your objective.
Open palms transition to trapping quicker than a closed fist. However, closed fist variations may use forearms to trap.
Produce power from stacking/structuring your bones to provide striking density, rather than pushing with arm muscles.
This hip, or more technically the Tan Tien and Ming Men, cast the arms forward and reels the arms back for quickness and power.
The indicator for the tiger gate variation is that the opponent simultaneously parry's and counter jabs.

Here is a breakdown of the drills and progressions:

Jab-Hook, or Saucer Palm-Plum Blossom Palm
Pick up opponents guard: Jab-Leak-Pluck-punch or seal and reverse punch
Opponent Counter Jabs: Parry Jab-Leak-Pluck-punch or seal and reverse punch

Click here to get started with our
FREE 2 Week Sanda Guest Pass

Immortal Fitness Martial Arts

Adding years to your life through fitness and martial arts training.

Learn Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

Call (619) 917 - 9017 to get started.

Related Links:

Consolidating Motion to Develop Mantis Boxing Quickness Part 1

Core Principles oF Traditional Praying Mantis Kung

Traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu in San Diego

Ralek Gracie San Diego Fight Breakdwon vs. Kazushi "Gracie Hunter" Sakuraba

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:27:00 -0700

The Hunter Becomes the Hunted

Ralek Gracie Seminar focuses on fight breakdown vs. Kazushi "The Gracie Hunter" Sakuraba

August 1st, 2010
La Jolla, CA

Gracie Jiu Jitsu La Jolla a.k.a. The La Jolla Academy of Martial Arts hosted Ralek Gracie for a post-fight seminar on August 1st, 2010. Ralek Gracie fought the Gracie Hunter known as Kazushi Sakuraba on May 29th, 2010. The fight took place in Japan at Dream 14 just three months before the seminar.

Kazushi Sakuraba earned the nickname "The Gracie Hunter" by defeating some of the most notable Gracie family members.

Ralek Gracie received the privilege of fighting the man who dominated the Gracie family for 10 years. Below are the highlights of the fight:

Three months after the fight, Ralek Gracie discussed his thoughts before, during, and after the fight with The Gracie Hunter. Above all else, Ralek was gracious for the oppurutnity and grateful to Sakuraba's skill and achievements that made this victory significant.

Ralek Gracie narrated the fight play by play including the controversial shorts adjustment break by the referee. The following is a list of techniques coverd in the workshop

front stomp kick
clinch control
armbar counters
rear leg takedown
double ankle sweep
knee on belly control
mount control
roll controls
closed guard pass

The seminar was conluded with fight simulation training progressing from striking-clinch-takedown-positional control-submission.

Ralek Gracie proved to be a humble and knowledgable fighter and jiu jitsu coach. His kindness and passion for spreading Gracie Jiu Jitsu shined through the narrative walk through of his fight with Sakuraba and the ensuing training drills.

IMMORTAL FITNESS MARTIAL ARTS - Latest Blog Entries

Cloud Hands & Earth Meditation|workshop taught by Master Share K. Lew

Cloud Hands & Earth Meditation

a workshop taught by Master Share K. Lew

DATE: June 23-24, 2012, 10:00am till 12:00pm and 2:00pm till 4:00pm both days. Class will begin at 10:00am (please arrive 10-15 minutes early). We will have a break for lunch 12:00-2:00pm, resuming class at 2:00pm and concluding at 4:00pm.

LOCATION: San Diego, California.

TUITION: $225. Class size is limited, and registration is required.

CONTACT:

For information and registration, contact Juanita Lew via email: sharelew@aim.com.

呂祖弟子李少陽道丹派內功

螳螂拳 Mantis Kung Fu Class Notes from 2008

螳螂拳 Mantis Kung Fu Class Note from a Dilligent 2008 Student

Learn how to Learn Martial Arts

Falling Up | Threshold Martial Arts Training

螳螂拳 Mantis Kung Fu Class Notes | Close Quarter Drill

螳螂拳 Mantis Kung Fu Class Notes | Close Quarter Drill

Weekend Warrior Workout | The Dub Tre

W3 Weekend Warrior Workout

April 7th, 2012

Saturday Morning 0800-1000

$25 per person

Location TBA

April 7th, 2012

Saturday Morning 0800-1000

$25 per person

Location TBA

Mantis Kung Fu Secrets to Quickness| Attack on the Half Beat

Mantis Kung Fu Secrets to Quickness

Traditional Kung Fu and the Mixed Martial Arts Evolution Part 2

Traditional Kung Fu and the Mixed Martial Arts Evolution Part 2

Dasargo's Adaptive Combat Solutions

Traditional Kung Fu and the Mixed Martial Arts Evolution Part 1

Traditional Kung Fu and the Mixed Martial Arts Evolution

Sifu Share K. Lew 94th Birthday!

Master Share K. Lew Celebrates his 94th Birthday in San Diego

Tai Chi Push Hands Workshop in San Diego

Tai Chi Push Hands Workshop in San Diego

Saturday February 25th 1:00 PM -3:00 PM

Bridging the Gap

Bridging the Gap

3 Components to keeping yourself protected

3 Components to make the opponent vulnerable

Mantis Kung Fu Counter Punching Techniques

Mantis Kung Fu Counter Punching Techniques

Do NOT Let the Bad Guy be a Better Fighter Than You|Osama Bin Laden was a Judo Black Belt

Not All Bad Guys are Unskilled Fighters

Osama Bin Laden was a Judo Black Belt

Think about it. There are rapist, pedofiles, theives, murderers, AND TERRORIST who are out there and chose to train martial arts and prepare for violence.

Do NOT let the bad guys be better prepared than you!

Personal Defense Readiness | Blauer Tactical Systems

San Diego Self-Defense Workshop

Saturday June 25th

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

PDRTM Preload Reading Material

Pre-registration: $80 single participant $100 for two participants

Same Day Registration $100 single participant $120 for two participants

Register Now!online event registrationby Regonline

七星螳螂 - 7 Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu 十八叟拳

七星螳螂 - 7 Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu: 18 Elders Boxing 十八叟拳

Class notes from our San Diego Kung Fu class

San Diego Praying Mantis Kung Fu Class Notes 3/28/11

San Diego Praying Mantis Kung Fu Class Notes 3/28/11

Praying Mantis Kung Fu: Leaking Hand Technique

The Truth about Learning Self-Defense

The Truth about Learning Self-Defense

You will not rise to the occasion, you will fall to your lowest level of training. How far will you fall?

Martial Arts training prepares you to fight when you are at your best. Self-Defense training should prepare you to fight when you are at your worst.

螳螂拳 Mantis Kung Fu: Solutions for Rigid Defenses

螳螂拳 Mantis Kung Fu: Solutions for Rigid Defenses

Here are the latest notes from our Praying Mantis Kung Fu class in San Diego

螳螂拳 Mantis Kung Fu: Tiger Gate Attack

螳螂拳 Mantis Kung Fu: Tiger Gate Attack

Here is the latest notes from our Praying Mantis Kung Fu class in San Diego

Ralek Gracie San Diego Fight Breakdwon vs. Kazushi "Gracie Hunter" Sakuraba

The Hunter Becomes the Hunted

Ralek Gracie Seminar focuses on fight breakdown vs. Kazushi "The Gracie Hunter" Sakuraba

Want to find out more about Gracie Jiu Jitsu classes in San Diego?

7598 Eads Ave. La Jolla, CA 92037 Tel: (858) 454-5345

DATE: June 23-24, 2012, 10:00am till 12:00pm and 2:00pm till 4:00pm both days.
Class will begin at 10:00am (please arrive 10-15 minutes early). We will have a break for lunch 12:00-2:00pm, resuming class at 2:00pm and concluding at 4:00pm.

TUITION: $225.
Class size is limited, and registration is required.

Saturday February 25th
1:00 PM -3:00 PM

PDR^TM Preload Reading Material

Pre-registration:

$80 single participant
$100 for two participants

Same Day Registration
$100 single participant
$120 for two participants

Register Now!
online event registration
by Regonline