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TIGER SWORD SCHOOL Chinese Military Saber
The art of the sword has enjoyed a glorious past, its future is uncertain. The TIGER SWORD SCHOOL offers instruction in the rare art of Chinese Military Saber, a complete Chinese sword fighting system. Authorities on Chinese weaponry consider the Chinese...
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TIGER SWORD SCHOOL Red Sash
So, can you wear the Red Sash of the TIGER SWORD SCHOOL? In China the colors have strong associations and meanings. And that culture red corresponds with fire, symbolizing both good fortune and joy. So much so do they feel red is a joyous, happy color...
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Tribute to a martial arts master- Rick Wilmott
When we think of a martial arts master we think of an old Asian gentleman of about 150 years old who have the ancient Kung Fu secrets that we long to learn. Here in the west there are many who claim to be martial arts masters… but are they? What is a...
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Authentic Martial Arts
So what are “Authentic Martial Arts”? Ask 10 martial artists and you’ll get 10 different answers, each one with a passionate answer for why they believe the definition they do; and most likely each will strongly disagree with the other 9. Authenticity...
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The Way Tai Chi System(c);a hybrid, eclectic martial art
So you can't go wrong with doing a soft, internal style like Tai Chi or Tai Chi Chuan. Soft and internal style martial arts place the emphasis of their practice on merging the mind and body together to achieve an awakening. Instead of implementing lots...
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Why a tassel at the end of the sword?
In Chinese martial arts one can often find a tassel or scarf ties to the end of the sword. But why? There are quite a few "theories" as to why tassels/scarves are used on some swords. 1-they are for decoration 2 -they are to confuse an opponent 3 -they...
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The Warlord and the Dadao
So what is a Chinese Warlord? The history of the Dadao/Chinese Military Saber has a rich association with the warlord’s of China. A Chinese Warlord was an independent military commander in China in the early and mid-20th century. Warlords ruled various...
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Where the head goes the body will follow
Head Position: Where the head goes the body will follow During tai chi practice, the head should remain straight and upright with the neck straight, and the head should not incline in any direction. The key to this position is that it should be natural,...
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Why the TIGER SWORD SCHOOL
There is something fundamental in owning and using a sword…something historic. For almost all of human existence the sword was a tool, weapon and for some, an extension of something greater than themselves… The TIGER SWORD SCHOOL was founded in its current...
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Dadao Chinese Era Military Troops
To understand the Chinese Military Saber as we approach it at the TIGER SWORD SCHOOL we must understand the history and culture surrounding it. The time period of our study of the Dadao takes place from approximately 1911-49. Many of the Chinese troops...
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Tiger Sword School
In the Chinese martial arts, there are the Five “Animals” that carry distinct philosophies and fighting styles- Tiger, Crane, Leopard, Snake, and Dragon (An alternate selection which is also widely used is the crane, the tiger, the monkey, the snake,...
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4 ounces to move 1000 pounds
"Si liang bo qian jin" is a Chinese saying that is often poorly translated as "Four ounces can repel a thousand pounds". This saying is frequently heard in Tai Chi classes around the globe. This principle is not about one’s size or even if your opponent...
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Is Chi (qi) Real?
The work chi (ki, qi) is often sneered at by many as being mystical mumbo jumbo. This is ignorance at work. Qi is real; numerous experiments have been carried out under strict scientific conditions both inside China and outside which proved conclusively...
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Tiger Bayonet H2H Method
In battlefield conditions (close-quarters fighting) there is no more deadly a weapon than the knife or bayonet. Knife fighting is emerging as a prominent component of various martial art styles and is quickly growing as a sport, known sometimes as knife...
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The Science of Chi
In traditional Chinese culture, qi or chi, also known as ki in Japanese culture, is an active principle forming part of any living thing and is referred to as “life-force”. Qi literally translates as "breath", "air", or "gas", and figuratively as "material...
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the Chinese connection to Ninjutsu
~~Despite many popular folktales, historical accounts of the ninja are scarce. Many know the ninja (aka shinobi) as a Japanese aspect of a rich history. And yes, that would be true. But truth is ninjutsu has a strong Chinese influence. Many ninja manuals...
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The knife and tai chi
~~When people think of tai chi or tai chi chuan they often do not think about the knife or dao. But why not? Tai chi chuan is a real, legitimate and effective fighting system. Often people forget that tai chi chuan has external as well as internal techniques....
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Why add knife to your martial curriculum
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), knives are five times likely to be used in a murder than rifles. This includes assault rifles. 6 out of 10 gunshot victims die from sustained injuries 8 out of 10 knife attack victims die from sustained...
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Women should study self-defense at The Way Tai Chi System(c)
Violence and Young Women: a global reality •Worldwide, up to 50 percent of sexual assaults are committed against girls under 16. •An estimated 150 million girls under the age of 18 suffered some form of sexual violence in 2002 alone. •The first sexual...
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The most difficult and most important Tai Chi posture
Wu Chi (Void or Nothingness) - one’s goal in tai chi. And yet it is the most difficult to obtain in its truest form. The constant interaction of Yin and Yang is called Tai Chi. Tai Chi then emerges from Wu Chi, the Void or Emptiness. Wu Chi is what Taoists...
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Questioning the teacher
If you have been teaching martial arts for any length of time I am sure you have come across that occasional student, either in class or in a seminar, that that questions the instructor. Not ask questions, but actually questions the instruction being...
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Traditional Gongfu Etiquette
The Japanese martial arts are full of tradition from the bow in to verbal responses to your teacher. The Chinese martial arts also have important and rich traditions as well. There’s an ancient saying in the martial arts, “The practice begins and ends...
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The sword that saves a man also kills a man
Though only military and paramilitary men and women from the early 20th century traditionally practiced Chinese Military Saber; the tradition of the Chinese Military Saber is now open to men and women from all walks of life around the world through study...
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If we can control our breath, we can control our life
Doctors report that 90% of Americans don’t fully engage their diaphragms when breathing. Although the average adult breaths ~ 18,000-30,000x per day, most people breathe in a shallow manner and hold their breath when they are tense, angry, or fearful....
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Tactical Knife & The 21 Foot Rule
21 Foot Rule - The 21 foot rule states that the average person with a knife or sword can get to and cut a person in about the same time that the average person can draw and fire a handgun. Known as “The Tueller Drill”, it is a self-defense training exercise...