In this video, I'm explaining the Dragonback technique of the Internal martial art of Xingyiquan. Rather than being a technique itself, this is something you can use to supercharge all your techniques. It's a way of using the entire body in a coordinated way to get develop a whipping, shocking energy in your strikes.
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DRAGONBACK!
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SLEDGE HAMMER TRAINING
There's no need to go out and buy a ton of equipment when a simple sledge hammer can get the job done! Okay. I'm not saying that conventional weight training equipment has no value. Of course it does, but there's something to be said for this type of training as well! Sledge hammer training has been adapted from Macebell training. That's an acient form of training by Indian wrestlers and athletes. It works amazingly well. In the old days Macebells were made of a concrete ball with a wooden handle, but nowadays they can be bought all steel. However, they…
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USE YOUR TRAMPOLINE LIKE THIS!
Many people own a trampoline, but might not know the best way to use it. In ttoday's video, I'll go over exactly how to do that. The first thing to know is that there are two primary ways to use the trampoline. One is by jumping for height and the other is by staying at apporximately the same height and trying to push your feet through the surface of the trampoline. The second method will actually give you a better workout, but both methods have value and both should be incorporated. I should also mention that trampoline jumping is my…
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ANCIENT STRENGTH TRAINING
There is a misconception among many people that strength training using external equipment is a modern development in fitness. Nothing could be further from the truth. Physical culture is an ancient practice. Wars were fought and there was a need for warriors to be in top shape. Of course bodyweight exercises were used. Chin ups, pushups, Squats, etc were and continue to be very important in athletics. But they realized back then just as they do now that there are benefits to using external weights and specialized strength equipment. In ancient Greece, athletes trained using weights made of stone or metal.…
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ELBOW STRIKES IN MARTIAL ARTS
One of the most effective strikes in martial arts are elbow strikes. They're excellent for close range, they're very versatile, and they're very powerful. Another advantage is they're very safe for the person throwing them. In a bare knuckle situation, it can be very easy to break or injure your hand. This is not the case with elbows. It's a very hard bone which is both safe for you and damaging to your opponent. And one more advantage is it's great for defense. Elbows can create a sort of shell around your head sllowing you to defend yourself and at the same…
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AT HOME BODYWEIGHT CIRCUIT WORKOUT
This is a workout I did recently using only bodyweight exercises. I used a Chinup bar as well as Lebert Equalizer bars and an Ab Wheel. There are alternatives to these exercises if you don't have the required equipment or if they're too difficult. However, this routine works very well as is. The exercises are arranged to have an upper body exercise followed by a leg or full body exercise and continuing that way for the entire circuit. Do three total circuits and try to take minimal rest between exercises. This is the best way to get maximum benefit from…
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XINGYIQUAN PART 2
Today we're looking at the final two elements of Xingyiquan. In the last post, we looked at the first three which are Chopping, Drilling, and Crushing. Today it's Exploding and Crossing. Together all of these elements make up the Five Element Fist which is the foundation upon which all of Xingyiquan is built. There are two different ways of looking at these elements in the Xingyiquan system. First there is a creative cycle. This shows you how to move from one element to the next. Then there is the destructive cycle which shows you how to use the elements to…
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XINGYIQUAN
Xingyiquan or Xingyi is one of the three main Internal Chinese Martial Arts. The other two being Taichichuan (Tai Chi) and Bagazhang (Bagua). Tai Chi and Bagua both have many circular movements while Xingyi is almost entirely straight direct attacks. And while there are defensive techniques taught, it's generally built into the offenive tehniques. Again this demonstrates the aggressive nature and directness of the system. These next two posts will cover the Five Elements of Xingyi. In fact, this art is often known as Five Element Fist. There are five personalities and each once of them corresponds with an element. Here…
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FUN AND SIMPLE BEGINNER WORKOUT ROUTINE AT HOME WITHOUT EQUIPMENT
Photo by Cole Keister on Unsplash THE IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISE FOR BEGINNERS Starting a workout routine as a beginner can be intimidating, but the benefits of exercise are well worth the effort. Regular physical activity can improve your overall health, boost your mood, and increase your energy levels. As a beginner, it's important to understand the significance of exercise and how it can positively impact your life. Whether your goal is to lose weight, build strength, or simply improve your well-being, incorporating exercise into your daily routine can lead to a healthier and happier lifestyle. Exercise is not only beneficial for your physical…
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MARTIAL FITNESS CIRCUIT
This is a circuit workout I did that trains strength, fitness, endurance, as well as some martial arts specific movements. It can be done at home or at a gym or even outdoors at a playground. The only equipment needed is either a chinup bar or something you can hang onto. Even two chairs with a broomstick across can work. A ton of equipment is not needed to get a good workout. Effort is all that's needed! GIve this workout a try. And if you need to modify anything, just send me a message and I'll help you out!
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400 DUMBBELL CIRCUIT WORKOUT
Here's a dumbbell circuit I came up with. I was inspired by some other trainers who do rep challenges workouts like this, but I put my own twist on it. There are 10 exercises and each one is done for 20 reps. 2 circuits of that will give you 400 reps. It's not easy, but it is very effective! HERE ARE THE EXERCISES : Bench Press Goblet Squat Bentover Row Scott Press Romanian Deadlift Bicep Curls Fist Pushups Kickouts Spiderman Mountain Climbers Bicycle Crunch
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THE MOST ADVANCED THING YOU CAN DO ARE THE BASICS!
People are often fooled into believing that the basics are only for beginners. What they don't realize is that with almost every discipline, whether it's art, music, sports, martial arts, fitness, etc, you learn the most valuable skills right at the beginning. Consistent practice of the basics is THE key to mastering any discipline. For example, in the Wing Chun system of martial arts, the concepts of centreline and economy of motion are taught the first day you walk into class. And those are the guiding principles throughout your entire Wing Chun journey. That's exactly what this video is about.…
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INCH POWER IN MARTIAL ARTS
Many people in the West were first introduced to Inch Power when Bruce Lee demonstrated it at Ed Parker's Karate tournament in 1964. He famously punched a guy in the chest from only a couple of inches away and then he went flying back into chair. This is how the power could be applied in a real situation, but developing it is entirely different. To do that, you need to go through a full range of motion. Only then will you be able to feel every inch of the movement and ensure that you're using the entire body behind your…
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TRY THIS BODYWEIGHT CIRCUIT WORKOUT!
Here's a circuit workout I did consisting of 10 exercises. The exercises are arranged in such a way as to promote blood flow back and forth from top to bottom. So that means we're alternating an upper body or core exercise with a lower body exercise. Because we're moving the bllod around, we're training our circulatory system as well as our cardiovascular system, and of course our muscular system. This is based on the original circuit workout known then as PHA (Peripheral Heart Action) as developed by Bob Gajda. 1. Pull Ups 2. Squats 3. Dips 4. Kickouts 5. Body Rows 6. Step Ups 7. Fist Pushups 8.…
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THE POWER OF SMOOTHIES!
Personally I love smoothies. From a very young age, I've always associated smoothies and various shakes with vibrant health. You can mix it up in so many ways, there's just no limit to the possibilities. In fact, it's possible to replace some of your meals with smoothies. A good protein powder mixed in with plenty of fruits and vegetables is tasty, nutritious, and it will prevent you from giving in to hunger and going for junk food. There have been many times when I knew I wouldn't have time to sit down for a meal, so I just drank a…
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STAFF EXERCISES TO IMPROVE PUNCHES
One of the best ways to improve your punches is by using a wooden staff. Watch the video to learn more and see what it's all about!
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LOADING AND RELOADING FOR BOXING!
One key technique to learn flow in Boxing and other martial arts is to practice Loading and Reloading. That means you turn the body with one side further away from your opponent. This will give you some distance to build power which is what we call Loading. Then instead of punching with the other hand, you will turn your body again and punch with the same hand. It's very easy to fall into a predictable pattern of Left, Right, Left, Right, etc. However this drill will help you break that predictability and develop flow!
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SIL LIM TAO - THE MOST IMPORTANT FORM OF WING CHUN
Wing Chun is a fantastic martial art and one which I've spent many years practicing. One of the best things about it is the fact that it's so simple. Really the concepts and principles of the system and techniques can be taught in less than an hour. Obviously that doesn't mean you'll have a deep understanding or the ability to actually pull it off, but you will know what it's all about. This is unlike some martial arts that will take forever just to learn what the techniques are. The first form which is called Sil Lim Tao (translating to "The Little…
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DO THIS ROUTINE TO STOP LOWER BACK PAIN!
This is a routine which I teach my clients and I do it regularly myself. There are four strengthening exercises followed by eight stretches. None of them are too difficult, it's quick, simple, and effective. Lower back pain has become a part of our lives. Unfortunately the majority of jobs involve long periods of sitting. This can have numerous health consequences and lower back pain is one of the most common ones. By doing this routine, it should help alleviate some of that pain. This is of course not a replacement for a proper medical exam. If you have serious…
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AN APPPE A DAY. FACT OR FICTION?
This well known phrase was first coined in 1913 and based on an old Pembrokeshire proverb from 1866. They may not have known all these things at that time, but it turns out they were right! Let's take a look at the benefits of an apple a day. APPLES ARE HIGHLY NUTRITIOUS Here's a quick breakdown of the nutrition in an average sized apples 95 calories 24 grams of carbs 4.5 grams of fiber 9% daily value of Vitamin C 5% daily value of Copper 4% daily value of Potassium 3% daily value of Vitamin K APPLES SUPPORT HEART HEALTH One study with over 20,000 adults found that eating higher amounts…
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