Horse riding squats

Take three deep breaths.

Begin by placing your feet as wide apart as you can comfortably balance. Relax your neck and shoulders.

Place your hands on your waist and slowly bend your knees to drop into a 'horse riding' stance. Aim for squatting as close to the ground as you can. Hold the squat for 1-2 seconds then slowly return to standing straight.

Repeat the squat 20-30 times, or as your strength will allow. It is better and more challenging the more slowly you do this exercise.

Eventually you will build up leg muscles and increase your stamina to the point where you can hold the squat position for ten seconds or more.

Tai chi chuan instructors

A tai chi chuan instructor needs at least 10 years of experience and a serious commitment to home practice.
Martial instructors must show clear evidence of ability in all 8 areas of skill.

An expert has 20 years study and 10,000 hours of practice.

A master should have 30-40 years martial arts experience, with at least 30,000 hours of tai chi practice.
They are capable of teaching other instructors.

A grandmaster must have taught an extensive number of high-level instructors.
They would be in a position of significant responsibility within a school and have influence within the wider tai chi/martial arts community.

Adapt, change & improvise

Our school motto is simple: Adapt, change & improvise.

It captures the essence of (applied) tai chi and baguazhang, and encourages an open, flexible attitude to life.

Sport?

Self defence is not a sport.

In a sport, losing is unfortunate. In real life, losing may mean dying.

Baguazhang

Is it really vegetarian?

A lot of food that may appear suitable for vegetarians actually contains meat or was produced using animal products.
It is necessary to read the label carefully.
Unless the items explicitly says "suitable for vegetarians" or carries a V symbol, avoid it.

Internal attitude

The aim is to train every day.
There is no need push yourself, strain your body or perform high repetitions.
Train gently.

What is needed is presence and mindfulness.
Have your mind on what you are doing and train slowly and carefully.

The Unquestionable Truth

David Fincher directed three excellent films in the 1990's: Seven, The Game and Fight Club. They all questioned the way in which we live and our relationship with those around us. Only a person lacking in compassion could leave the cinema feeling comfortable with their lives.

The films had a significant influence on many people. Limp Bizkit referred to Fight Club in the last two CD's. Their latest release "The Unquestionable Truth" shows a maturing of the sensibilities provoked by Fincher.

http://www.limpbizkit.com

What are boundaries?

Boundaries are limits. How far you can go. What is acceptable. What is not acceptable.

Society is filled with boundaries.
Some are formal and clear, others are informal and unspoken.

Although laws and rules may seem restrictive, studies have found that people like boundaries.
It helps them to know where they stand.
Once the rules have been established, you are free to relax.

Learn from everything

There is a time in the study of all great systems and theories when the student understands the ideas, but experiences them as external to herself; and then there is a time when one internalises the ideas and principles.

They become absorbed into the psyche, a part of one's everyday understanding. When this happens the system begins to grow and expand, as the student applies it to other areas of life.

(Glen Park)