LFIAA Li Style Qin Na-Kung Fu For Self Defence. Easy To Learn, Joint Locking Methods.

Learning self defence techniques on how to escape and break free from various holds and grips that an assailant would possibly use to attack with, I believe is coming more important to learn, as not only does it help you to know methods of escaping and subduing an assailant, causing them great pain and discomfort. It also builds each individuals confidence in their ability to protect themselves.

Learning ways of how to apply fast, practical and effective joint locking methods (Qin Na Fa) can help both males & females to defend themselves from being assaulted from a standing, sitting & lying positions were the assailant attempts to attack you from the front, rear or from either side. These particular joint locking techniques also involve the ability to seal the assailants blood and air, meaning that you learn how to apply strangulations and chokes that are effect and quick.

The Li Style Qin Na-Kung Fu uses a tremendous amount of body physics, such as angles, leverage & pressure to unbalance the assailant using effective joint locking techniques that can be used to pin and immobilise an assailant on the ground in a variety of methods. As each individual becomes more proficient in their ability to apply these joint locking techniques, they will also begin to develop their tactile sensitivity skill to feel for the assailants strength and resistance, being able to re-direct the assailants strength and power and to then quickly subdue them using fast, simple joint locks.

Learning self defence can help many individuals to defuse a violent situation that could suddenly happen within their place of work, or out socially with friends or even at home. I have lost the count of how many times women have mentioned to me, that how vulnerable they feel when they are simply out taking their dog for a walk in the park or in a field and suddenly they come across a man who is innocently walking his dog or just out for a walk. This is were learning some self defence could possibly help you escape and save you from a difficult and life threatening situation.

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LFIAA The Twisting & Turning Of The Soft Tissues Of The Body Through Swimming Dragon Qigong Actions.

The Daoist Swimming Dragon Qigong Exercise involves coiling (Chan) and spiralling (Luo Xuan) actions that twist (Ning) and turn (Zhuan) the whole body to increase flexibility and mobility by releasing stuck tension from the soft tissues of the body ( skin, fascia, muscles and tendons) and expelling stiffness from the joints to promote blood, lymph and Qi circulation throughout the entire body.

The turning/rolling actions of the Swimming Dragon Qigong are much more gentle than the twisting actions. Twisting (Ning) actions have a tendency to penetrate into the body much deeper than the turning (Zhuan) actions. Twisting involves a lengthening of the tendons that has a squeezing effect that allows the soft tissue of the skin, fascia, muscles and tendons to squeeze and rub against the bones, enabling the bones to remain soft and flexible, helping to slow down the hardening of the bones as we grow older.

The twisting actions not only loosen up the tissues, it can also loosen the blood vessels and nerves, also increasing flexibility. Imagine a wet towel and you begin to wring it with your hands, this wringing is equivalent to the twisting actions used in the practice of the Swimming Dragon Qigong to effect the soft tissue. As you wring the towel more water is released ( hence more fluids are flushed through the tissues) and more Qi circulation is increased throughout the entire body.

The twisting actions employed in the practice of Swimming Dragon Qigong will roll the muscles from side to side loosening the muscles as they are fused to our bones, helping to slow down Ageing, releasing stress build up and increasing mobility. Generally twisting the soft tissues of the body is an essential part of maintaining health, allowing each individuals body to feel open, free and alive from the studying and practicing of the Daoist Swimming Dragon Qigong Exercise.

LFIAA Original Li Style Feng Shou-Kung Fu “Three Star Principle” (San Xing Yuan Li).

Within the Original Li Style Feng Shou-Kung Fu the Three Star Principle is the key to allow its students and practitioners to be able to apply a wide variety of fighting methods. These fighting methods should combine footwork (Bu Fa), defensive & offensive hand methods (Shou Fa), kicking techniques (Ti Fa), joint locking methods (Qin Na Fa) and throwing methods (Shuai Fa). Each of the Three Star Principle (San Xing Yuan Li) fighting methods should have a beginning, a middle and an ending.

The beginning should involve footwork, defensive hand methods that not only deflect in-coming strikes, punches or kicks away. But are also used to create an entry into your opponent defence, moving from the outside to inside or from inside to outside. Using a variety of soft and hard hand methods to open up your opponents defence that can also break his or her balance and disrupt their structure.

The middle is were the Feng Shou-Kung Fu practitioner uses a series of well placed accurate strikes, combined with kicking methods that target the opponents lower extremities that destabilise the opponents base, so as to continue entering into the opponents defence, causing great pain and discomfort to your opponent. As the Feng Shou-Kung Fu practitioner enters, they use a series of long and short range striking and kicking techniques.

The ending, can involve various foot and leg sweeps, joint locking methods that lead into throwing techniques or takedown methods that finishes with the opponent on the ground. Once the opponent has been thrown or taken to the ground the practitioner can use a series of follow up strikes or kicks combined with powerful joint locking techniques.

Sadly, today not many practitioners of the Original Feng Shou-Kung Fu are able to utilise the Three Star Principle, as being able to use it as a key to unlock the full potential that lays hidden for many, many students and practitioners who study and practice this unique Chinese internal martial art.

LFIAA Li Style Square Yard Tai Chi “ The Eight Energies Of The Stork Is Aroused Posture”. (Guan Xin Dong Shi).

Within the Li Style (Lishi) Square Yard Tai Chi Form (Lishi Zheng Ma Taijiquan Shi) there is the Stork is Aroused Posture (Guan Xin Dong Shi). Which is made up of four actions, the first two actions are performed with the individual standing on one leg, while the last two actions are performed with both feet back on the ground. In the very first action of the Stork is Aroused Posture, the individual performs the Rollback (Lu), Squeeze (Ji) and Ward Off (Peng) energies with the upper body and arms, whereas the raising of the front leg involves the Rollback (Lu), Ward Off (Peng) and Bump (Kao) energies of the lower extremities.

The second action of the Stork is Aroused Posture involves the Split (Lie) and Ward Off (Peng) energies of the upper extremities as the both arms expand and open in front of the body. The front foot extends forwards from the knee, pushing forwards with the heel of the foot as if to kick and then allowing the toes to dip forwards, the lower extremities involve using the Ward Off (Peng) and Bumping (Kao) energies.

The third action of the Stork is Aroused Posture involves the three energies of Rollback (Lu), Squeeze (Ji) and Ward Off (Peng). The both hands squeeze together as if holding a small ball in front of the chest as the raised foot touches the floor on its heel, with the bodyweight placed on the standing leg using a yielding, Rollback (Lu) energy. The both arms are then lowered to waist height using a Squeezing energy, they then raise back upwards again directly in front of the body to chest height using a Ward Off (Peng) energy within the both arms.

The fourth and last action of the Stork is Aroused Posture involves the Ward Off (Peng) and Pressing (An) energies. The individual takes a small step forwards with the front foot, placing their bodyweight fully onto it. The both arms raise upwards slightly using the Ward Off (Peng) energy and then fall slightly in front of the shoulders using the Pressing (An) energy of the both hands, both arms move in an arc using a vertical circle that starts in the both shoulders.

In the Li Style (Lishi) Square Yard Tai Chi Form the Stork is Aroused Posture is properly the most difficult posture to learn and master. As it involves keeping your balance with the bodyweight placed fully on the one leg, while moving the torso and arms at the same time. There are four separate actions that makes up the whole of the Stork is Aroused Posture, these four separate actions must be connected into a slow, flowing sequence were each action blends into each other, so that you cannot see were one action starts and finishes all are combined together smoothly. Obviously, within the Stork is Aroused Posture and as with all of the other postures that make up the Li Style Square Yard Tai Chi Form. There are the actions and understanding of how to employ the eight energies of Tai Chi to give each movement or action that is performed by every individual a much more deeper essence and hidden strength.

LFIAA The Energetic Hand Shape Methods Of The “Fisherman Cast’s The Net Qigong”.

As with all the many different styles that exist in the ancient practice’s of Chinese Qigong. They all use various hand methods (Shou Fa) to manipulate the environmental external Qi that we absorb from nature, such as from the trees, flowers and the sky to combine with our own internal Qi that we inherited from our parents and the food that we intake. In the study and practice of the “Fisherman Cast’s The Net Qigong Exercise” there are four hand methods that are used to harness the clean external Qi into our bodies and to then expel the negative, sickly energy (Bing Qi) out of ourselves that affects our mental and emotional health and wellbeing.

The four hand methods (Si Shou Fa) that are used in the practice of the “Fisherman Cast’s The Net Qigong Exercise”. Are used to store, gather and enter the external environmental Qi into our bodies and to exit and disperse the sickly Qi that causes imbalances in our mental and emotional states. The storing hand methods that are used when the both hands are drawn back towards the lower elixir field (Xia Dantian) which is located directly behind the navel. Gathering the Qi hand methods are when both palms face the ground and use a scooping, pulling action to absorb the external qi and allow it to enter into yourself. The dispersing, exiting hand methods are when the both hands extend further away from the body and have a flicking, shaking action in the both arms, hands and fingers to exit and disperse the stuck Qi out that can effect our emotional and mental health and wellbeing.

When we combine the rest of the body actions with our breathing alongside these energetic hand methods, the whole “Fisherman Cast’s The Net Qigong Exercise” becomes a very powerful exercise to help individuals combat various mental and emotional problems that affect their long term health and wellbeing. It can be used to promote blood and Qi circulation to increase each person’s vitality levels, lightening their spirit and bringing a light into their lives, changing their mental and emotional state from a dark, negative place into a more clear, bright, positive place.

LFIAA Original Feng Shou-Kung Fu “Hit Without Being Hit Using Skilful Footwork”.

When applying the Original Feng Shou-Kung Fu to actual defence from an aggressive and violent street attack. The evasive footwork methods that are taught and practiced by many students who practice Feng Shou-Kung Fu becomes very important in allowing themselves to dodge the opponents attacks. Especially if their opponent is much bigger in size than themselves, it no good going head to head with a guy who is much bigger and heavier than you, as this person will win every time. This is were you must control the fighting distance with skilful footwork, finding the appropriate angles to move into that allows you to land powerful, heavy strikes and kicks on your opponent, helping you to dominate and control the situation.

One of the most popular evasive footwork exercise that is taught to students of the Feng Shou-Kung Fu is the Clock Face Eight Directional Stepping Exercise (Zhong Mian Ba Fang Bu Fa). This particular footwork exercise uses a wide range of stepping methods to various angles against strikes and kicks that can come from any angle or height. It can Also be taught and used to practice against multiple attackers, which will develop each students footwork methods to a high level of skill.

In a violent situation we’re your attacker is much bigger in size, using skilful footwork to allow you to hit your opponent, while not being hit yourself takes a tremendous amount of practice time to develop. Every student has to sacrifice many hours to self practice using various training partners armed or unarmed to help each student to develop their evasive footwork skill. So that if a violent situation happens we’re you have to defend yourself against much bigger guy, then all of your hours of self practicing can greatly help you to recognise and move to the correct angles to attack your opponent from the sides or from behind. Rather than straight on using force against force.

All the evasive footwork methods that are taught and practiced within the Original Feng Shou-Kung Fu, are used to control the fighting distance between you and your opponent. Basically, each student has to learn and develop their ability to dodge their opponent punches and kicks by just being out of distance enough so that they cannot be hit. But close enough to launch their own successful counter attacks.

LFIAA Li Style (Lishi) Bodywork Massage, “The Healing Art”. (Lishi Shen Gong Zhe Zhi).

The Lee/Li Family Arts that was taught by Master Chee Soo also included the Chinese healing art of what he liked to call as Push/Pull Massage or Anmo, now known today as Tui Na Massage. Master Chee Soo was always mentioning that all of the mind & body arts that he taught as part of the Li Family Arts were all connected to each other, he would always say that each of the arts was like a finger on your hand, each finger corresponded to an art, so if you was studying and practicing the Li Style TAI CHI then that was just one finger, if you were also practicing the Feng Shou-Kung Fu alongside the TAI CHI. Then you had two fingers, to say that you were learning the whole of the Li Family Arts meant that you had to also learn the Throwing Art, the Healing Art and the Dao Yoga/Daoyin Arts this meant that you had fingers, making a whole hand.

Today many study the Li Style TAI CHI, Feng Shou-Kung Fu and the Dao Yoga/ Daoyin Arts. Sadly not many have decided to go on and learn and practice the Push/Pull Massage or as I like to call it “Medical Bodywork Massage”. I always remember Master Chee Soo saying to me that by practicing the Push/Pull Massage it would deepen my Feng Shou-Kung Fu practice, he was correct, it made me become more aware and accurate in finding certain Qi-Points as they lay on each meridian or channel, which we could use to heal or seriously hurt someone with a well directed strike (Dian Xue).

The same eight hand methods (Ba Shou Fa), that everyone uses in the practice of the Li Style TAI CHI Square Yard Form are the same hand methods used in the practice and treatment methods of the Push/Pull Bodywork Massage. In the case of treating a patient using the Pushing Method (Tui Fa) for example, the practitioner must firstly use their own Qi to connect with the patients Qi. Then by using the Pushing Method be able to guide & lead the patients blood and Qi through the length of a limb or the spinal column as seen in the photo that is attached with this blog.

Practicing and learning the Push/Pull Bodywork Massage is a great way to bring all of the related Li Family Arts alive. Combining correct body alignment, hand methods, stances and breathing together, that are also practiced within all of the other related arts for the purpose to heal and treat patients with various ailments.

LFIAA Practicing Taiji Qigong Exercises To Help Change Your Emotions.

Many individuals who attend my taiji qigong classes find it difficult to concentrate and be fully involved in our one hour taiji qigong sessions. The reason for this, is that many of these individuals, enter into our classes with their mind’s already full of mental thoughts and issues about their busy lives, which can cause them to feel mentally tense, anxious, depressed and even irritable. These mental tensions and worry’s and stresses can take some time to gradually leave and exit the individuals mind as they slowly begin to relax and connect to their taiji qigong actions, gradually slowing and calming their mind’s, so that less negative thoughts enter their head.

The mental tensions, worry’s and anxieties that individuals suffer with, while their practice their taiji qigong exercises. Can manifest themselves within each person’s physical actions, for example, some individuals can take quite a long time to gradually relax and slow down their taiji qigong actions, as many individuals who suffer with lots of mental tension and anxiety have a tendency to speed up their taiji qigong actions, as their mind is to full of thoughts. Another tendency that shows an individual is suffering with mental anxiety, tension or stress in the practice of taiji qigong, is that the individual’s timing and accuracy of their taiji qigong actions are all out of sync. Which means that mentally they are not present in the room, but their thoughts are else were.

So how can the practice of taiji qigong benefit individuals who suffer with mental issues, such as anxiety, tension etc. Firstly, each individual as to be very patient and persevere with their practice, as it can take a longtime for their mind’s to gradually become more relaxed, calm and still, before actually entering into each of the taiji qigong exercises, start by asking each individual to assume the standing post posture known as “Wuji” or Emptiness stance and ask them to take a number of deep breaths and to concentrate on the exhalation being slightly longer than the inhalation, this will place each individual into a much more calmer state mentally, ready to commence with their taiji qigong exercises.

Once each person commences with their taiji qigong practice, they must pay attention to making the breathing dictate the speed of their over-al actions. Making their breathing smooth, deep, long, slow and even, which will obviously slow and prolong each exercise, gradually slowing the thoughts that enter their head and making their mind’s become more focused and concentrated on being more in the present and to be in control of their whole body actions. Usually, after a few weeks of regular taiji qigong practice each individual begins to feel a lot more relaxed both physically and mentally, emotionally they will also gradually begin to feel much more calmer and balanced.

LFIAA Original Feng Shou-Kung Fu “Practicing The Internal Work Methods” (Feng Shou Neigong Fa)

Practicing the Internal Work (Neigong) of Feng Shou-Kung Fu involves Martial Qigong Breathing Exercises, Standing Post Qigong Exercises and Sitting Meditation Exercises that are all designed to cultivate, nourish and circulate the Qi inside of our bodies to strengthen our health and wellbeing, as without our good health we would not be able to maintain our practice of Feng Shou-Kung Fu or be able to protect ourselves or our family. Obviously with our good health through the smooth flow of Qi that we have developed from our Internal Neigong Kung Fu practice, we also strengthen the connections between our body, mind & spirit which helps us to greatly apply our Qi into our defensive and offensive fighting methods.

Practicing the Internal Neigong Kung Fu Methods within the Feng Shou-Kung Fu system should be practiced by each individual on a regular basis alongside their external striking & kicking techniques and forms. Gradually the two disciplines will transform into simply just one training discipline, but this can take a few years for many individuals to develop and begin to transform their training more towards an Internal Martial Art. Sadly there are many who practice the Li Style Feng Shou-Kung Fu but only focus on learning and practicing the external striking, kicking, wrestling and throwing techniques and pay no attention to developing the Internal side to this fascinating family martial art.

One of the practices that is good for strengthen and cultivating the Qi within us all is the Eight Standing Post Qigong Exercises (Ba Zhan Zhuang Fa), that we teach within the LFIAA Li Style Feng Shou-Kung Fu. A student will hold a certain posture for the same amount of time on both sides of the body, breathing deeply into the lower elixir field (Dantian) to store their Qi, once they have been practicing regularly for a few months they will then begin to use their mind’s intent (Yi) and Breathing (Xi) to guide & lead their Qi through the Yin & Yang meridians to circulate their Qi around the whole body, but especially into the upper & lower extremities. Gradually after a few months of practice each individual will begin to feel tangible sensations of their Qi mobilising inside themselves, such as tingling, warmth, heat, fullness etc.

As with all internal energy training it has to begin slowly over a long period of time to open up the energy pathways for a smooth flow of Qi. Then after a few years of cultivating and circulating their Qi through slow and static practices. The Student of the Feng Shou-Kung Fu must then begin to combine their external fighting techniques with their internal neigong development, strengthening their ability to use their mind’s intention (Yi) to harmonise with their Qi inside themselves, with their physical strength (Li) to produce Whole Body Power (Zheng Shen Li) into their defensive & offensive fighting methods.

Li Style (Lishi) TAI CHI “Sink The Shoulders” (Xia Chen Jian)

Another of the guiding principles within the practice and study of the Li Style TAI CHI Square Yard Form is to allow the shoulders (Jian) to sink downwards like a stone sinking to the bottom of a river. The shoulders must be kept relaxed and loose (Song) at all times and each individual must become aware of them rising upwards, while performing their tai chi movements. The sinking of the shoulders allows for more blood and Qi to flow through the arms and into the palms and fingers, were it can be emitted out as it travels up from the both feet through the legs, guided by the waist as it travels up the spinal column and into the both hands.

For those who are just beginning their journey in the practice of the Li Style TAI CHI. The rising upwards of the shoulders is something that they will need to watch, as it can affect their ability to remain relaxed and grounded, as the aim is to allow your centre of gravity to sink downwards, so that your bodyweight is placed into your both legs. Which will help to strengthen your leg muscles and bones, as they bear the weight of your body while slowly moving around in various directions. The sinking of the shoulders allows your bodyweight to sink, so that the upper body becomes light, while the lower body becomes heavier a Yin & Yang balance.

Even thou the shoulders must sink downwards within the practice of the Li Style TAI CHI. Still does not mean that they are not allowed to move in a circular, opening and closing action. Each individual must make sure that at the end of every movement the both shoulders sink downwards and remain soft and relaxed. It’s surprising how many individuals still allow their shoulders to rise upwards while practicing their square yard form, which can sometimes develop into a bad habit that can then be carried on into their Sticking/pushing hands exercise which means that they can be easily uprooted.