Thanks to the hard work of Ian Venter, Tom Herbstritt, Bryce Widom, Clinton Carpenter, Daniel Costantini and Rocco D’Ordine!

Check the new class times, upcoming events will be posted soon; in the meantime… check it out!

You might try this: whilst floating on your back, making sure your core is afloat or buoyant, the legs glide in the hipcage & stretch through the toes; the hands fan & the spine lifts through the top of the head or crown point… and you “listen to the joints”.

Having trouble hearing? Too much noise in your life? Check in with the root joints.

Hips & shoulders, these caverns or chambers of energy play an integral role in the surfacing of our internal energy, they are the root; allow the joint to announce it’s ‘state of Chi’. Understanding the exchange of energy in the joints & how the flow of Chi is an absolute essential for Life, will surely help the practitioner comprehend how the Chi moves through us ~ but does not belong to us!

“Be gentle
express the virtue
of Life!”

Following some excellent Whiskey Beef, we sunk into street-side talk ~ I asked of such high level concepts as the Governor & Conception vessels in Shaolin Kung Fu, Yan Lei was quite insistent on the origin of this language of Chi being one of Shaolin descent. I have to be honest here, I never expected to meet a ‘Shaolin Monk’. I’ve always held ultimate respect for this tradition and have incorporated many of their practices within my development – particularly their practical honesty. However, I could not help but lapse into the deeper realms of Wing Chun.

The discussion then centered on such powerful concepts as: the true tan tien, lat sau jik chung, tam ging… the division in language – Sifu to Shifu, became rapidly apparent and so we took off to the Shambala Center. I had decided it imperative to show Yan Lei the meditation room, and to crown the affair ~ on the staircase up, we came across the framed message:

“all dharma, should be considered as dreams!”

and for some : “a picture, tells a thousand words!”

Some years ago in Manila, Philippines I remember falling into conversation with Mandala Tim Waid of the Pekiti Tirsia Kali system; we discussed how empowering the training methods we were involved in are, and how students coming to the path had an ever increasing number of distractions which held them on the surface of self-discovery. We also talked over the dilution of training comprehension, as a direct consequence of distortion in the field of human relationships.

The choice to live life by the central comprehension – that it is man’s lust for life that drives him on – is a ground breaking realization for any practitioner and surely this is the choice that must first be Mastered. To put this in concise language, I offer a clip from an old clinical anatomy book of mine: “Its great importance means no excuse need be offered for dealing with the heart in considerable detail.”.

To imagine the Ancient Warriors have placed the gift of their training Wisdom before us, and all to often these gems of Wisdom are relegated to the level of mere physical or psychological function. Here, I recall my original Thai Boxing Master drumming into me: “Experience is Knowledge, Knowledge is Wisdom, and Wisdom is Power!” In turning to the simple honesty and practicality of martial art training, we step onto that path of no return ~ the pursuit of skill in Life.

“Take heart.”

Looking into the depths of China’s past and back across the broad span of time leading us to the contemporary world, one can see a vast and murky expanse; to which, I’m sure we all struggle to attach ourselves. I think it can be safely said that “a history, of no history” has been given us by China, and this from the purely practical standpoint of a Kung Fu practitioner.

It is my opinion that Wing Chun is unique amongst Chinese martial art, a southern style of Kung Fu based on tung kiu or the short arm bridge; it is a product of a tumultuous cultural upheaval spanning thousands of years and surfacing for our use as intelligent beings. As Wong Shun Leung might have put it: “beyond civilized conversation, how is it that human beings interface?”, here an understanding of the Chi in China is all important. The mere mention of China draws a huge blank on most peoples screens, what if this disguise has been in place purposefully? Guiding theorists and academics into the netherworld of abstraction, or what if martial art has come to you…

In this regard, it is important people understand – what it is, that you get from the practice of Wing Chun Kung Fu; you get: the ability to be present, always. This is implied in the name Wing Chun, which can be literally translated as “Everlasting Springtime” or everlasting life. Wing Chun specifically trains the practitioner in an ability to express ‘lat sau jik chung‘ or constant forward springlike energy.

This central principle within the training method of Wing Chun Kung Fu, is surely the dividing line between outward form and inner virtue. It is all too easy to see how outward form invites conceited and easily corruptible people. Kung Fu as a system of personal honesty, offers a vital opportunity to embrace an awareness of Chi, or life energy.

Many would agree that in the field of dynamic action, reputation like history is worthless; we can all learn to lean on the Chi of Wing Chun “it it is light and lively, Wing Chun demonstrates the creative principle in action”. The benefits of practice are manifold, to the un-initiated it might be inspiring to understand the true path of Kung Fu, which can be neatly captured in the powerful understanding of how the emotions rise to determine the thinking, and if trained correctly these can be expressed in a manner harmonious with your life-path.

Did you know?

The meaning of Kung Fu is: “time spent in practice.”

For the uncontrolled there is no wisdom,
nor for the uncontrolled is there the power of
concentration; and for him without concentration
there is no peace. And for the unpeaceful,
how can there be happiness?

- BHAGAVAD GITA

& another great one:

Flow with whatever may happen
and let your mind be free: Stay centred
by accepting whatever you are doing.
This is the ultimate.

- CHUANG TZU

If you have any great quotes or interesting stories that you think are worth posting please send them in by clicking here.

The book is worn, even with years of careful preservation – it is still one of my favorite books. What lies below is a small sample from the introduction to this work; the book was published 1977, try to hold this in mind as you read. I hope it inspires those in search of learning connected to the martial path.

“A book, even a film, cannot accurately portray a life lived. Rather, they provide an invitation to cross the threshold of visible techniques and definitions, for every practical experience in life leads to spiritual unity, or a simplification and clarity unifying the person, his knowledge and his power.

By that very fact, one can only speak of such unity in terms of its expression in the form of revelation and a gift from within, all the more unfailing because the ego has been effaced and the essence of the being has become in a way eclipsed, freed from fear, constraint, reason, all the average mans’ many restraints.

Budo, like all wise things, constitutes the application of the basic energy of the universe. This energy is one and knows no bounds. To be part of it, even a very small part, enables one to understand this energy is also an alchemy, transforming, and transmuting everything it touches.

It is well known that Westerners have always needed to understand, reason and analyze things with a critical approach. Qualities which quickly become unyielding obstacles when one is restricted by them. How can a man who is always agitated inside, hear the silence? What is there left to learn if one believes a certain discipline is in itself the finality of everything, or if one’s body and soul, the practical and the spiritual are opposed, if one believes in keeping for oneself all that is given, if an idea received is like a wall obscuring the horizon?

All teaching presupposes a gradual progression by degrees and stages, but it leads nowhere. The object is to reach the point where the mutation occurs, where movement generates movement, where man becomes his own master. That is why all traditional education puts the emphasis on the practical, avoiding verbal explanation for quite understandable reasons.

In this case, what is the meaning of the search for efficiency at all costs? Such debates in which black and white are opposed – overlook the fact that, the body is one and that one cannot speak of real efficiency without true mastership of body and soul. As soon as this mastership is more or less achieved, the person realizes for himself the sense of the journey and the search. All discussions are superfluous.

Modern myths about superman, the invincible wrecker, constitute a dangerous temptation to stretch the energy bow to the point at which the string snaps, where the being literally explodes within. Even if such beings become commercial idols, objects of public acclaim, they are nevertheless still inarticulate puppets brought to light with artificial power and energy, who inevitably turn on each other because they have not been assimilated in real terms.

Energy is what one makes of it. It can be a source of life or death, of creation or destruction. There is no wisdom exclusive to budo and budo does not escape universal wisdom, which in finality is neither retraction nor the drying up of the intellect but its totality and harmony. To be in this sense means to know, and to know is to add energy to energy, life to life, love to love. Such is the way of the universe.”

“ my hands are shaking! I have just enjoyed my first fencing bout.
You know! I want to be a Swordsman.”

Jose Rizal age 18

Jose began espousing original ideas at an early age, his poetry, plays and writing are largely concerned with the national identity of the Filipino and modern nationhood; at the turn of the century the success of the interface between Colonial and Asian cultures, hinged upon this. Rizal understood or felt that a Europe emerging from the dark and industrial ages, had an offering to the East that was limited, and that if the current were allowed to continue in the vein of exceeding common humanity – denying the Filipino people their own human dignity, special capacities and honor as human beings; the false campaign was doomed to failure.

Gandhi gave Rizal credit as a founding forefather within the Asian freedom movement; his patriotism and intellect have inspired many toward the extreme importance of nation building. Influenced in no small part by Zen, Rizal has remained a controversial figure; to this day, he is a true martial artist displaying the many virtues of practice: discipline, loyalty, valor, justice, compassion… Jose Rizal was arrested by the Spaniards for his inciting of revolution during the era of the Katipunan, where the Filipino sought to re-establish his rightful claim to the heritage of an ancient and valuable culture; he faced death unflinchingly and left us a fine example, to quote some lines from the author Laurens van der Post:

“There can be only one end, and that is the search which brings man to the threshold of the task that life demands of him, something greater than happiness and unhappiness: meaning. To serve this vision of life, to protect it against all plausible substitutes, reasonable approximation and cowardly compromise – is the knightly duty of contemporary man, if he shirks it – I believe he shall never know inner peace.”

“The Flamingo Feather”

I moved away from the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu School and embarked on a new chapter within my martial path; I had always read books with a voracious appetite and came across a small book by James MacRitchie on cultivating personal energy, Chi Kung or Qigong. This book I never read, but I did clip Jim’s contact info and promptly gave him a call.

The initial contact with Jim was excellent, he was in the throes of publishing his book Chi Kung: energy for life. In addition to my acupuncture treatment with Jim, I entered the training programs he had on offer: ‘Everything you learn in Acupuncture School, without the needles!’ this was a course in Oriental Medical Theory – here, we we’re taken on a whirlwind tour of the broad and deep history of this ancient tradition; we mapped out the entire human energy system, including the deep pathways; I was taught the reading of the pulses; clinical diagnosis and procedure – the lessons were of unparalleled detail.

Sitting in meditation on the practices leading to a visualization of the root structures of the human energy system, during the ‘Eight Extraordinary Meridian Chi Kung’ training was true internal practice or Nei Gung at the highest level; early mornings, a group of well versed practitioners gathered and entered into the experience of our root energetic structures – the quality of participants and caliber of teaching, made for serious learning.

I served a three year apprenticeship under James MacRitchie, and in my final year often assisted in teaching, I was also introduced to some of the more advanced parameters of clinical operations. Over the past decade I’ve grown quite close with Jim, he has added to my teaching ‘an infinite source of interest’; and in terms of the efficacy of treatment, his method is well rooted – one could even say: all powerful.

I now have a considerable grasp of the transference phenomena, and understand that if we are ever to attain realization on the martial path, then Chi training is absolutely necessary and especially for martial artists, because: one only versed in the fighting arts and not the chi kung or healing dimension; can never truly understand and master the arts, and so become a fully evolved being. The preservation of these legacies for future generations, make the pursuit of Chi intelligence of critical importance.

“People may talk of energy, but this is external to themselves; herein lies man’s future!”

The tried and tested method has been delivered by Guro Stephen Joffe to Philippine National Police, Philippine Military and Marine Corps; under the careful scrutiny and guidance of Tuhon Leo Gaje and Mandala Tim Waid. The MADT program is technically flawless, the entire spectrum for close quarter combat is given account.

The past six months of training, have seen a group of dedicated Kalista or practitioners of Kali gathering on the high desert environment – front range Rocky Mountains and at our indoor facility Colorado Sports Training; here, to undergo intensive and practical training in MADT. Trainings are staged every second Sunday of the month, and this like clockwork; during our practice sessions we have enjoyed the presence of Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters, in search of the most effective of Defensive Tactics methods and our particular ‘piece de resistance’ Edge Weapon Counter Tactics. The increasing importance of this facet within preparation for all emergency actions, is not only because it makes more sense or feels better, but – primarily because it meets operational parameters within the ‘real world’. Liability issues in the line of duty and force reduction across the board, now demand genuine training methods and the absolute necessity for “most accurate language” clearly outweighs all conjecture.

Our Military, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services are involved in commendable work, however when it comes to training – why make an already difficult job, complicated? When you can lean on simplicity. The information is to hand! For some the prospect of gaining skill might be daunting, however nine times out of ten the response is one of re-kindled training motivation and positive reinforcement through the development of a notable increase in the efficiency of action.

Topics covered in the Basic Level I training:

• Combative ground fighting
• Range control & exercise in application
• Impact weapon manipulations
• Introduction to knife
• Quartering tactics

Topics covered in the Intermediate Level II training:

• Application of force
• Weapon and Footwork
• Skill in contact & non-contact
• The bridging and entry methods
• Dis-arms, restraints & reversals

The MADT Advanced Levels III & IV trainings, are for participants that have tested and been certified in MADT Levels I & II.

These well prepared students, embark upon education addressing the more intensive parameters of combat:

• Knife tapping
• Multiple opponents
• Survival techniques
• Field maintenance

Martialworks has delivered to our training participants the dawning realization that:

“you can’t fit all the clothes in your closet, into one suitcase!”

It is in this way that practitioners have been drawn into the all important pursuit of Mastery, for as many of us are now aware “you can’t put the cart, before the horse!” and in a World of increasingly realistic demands, the last thing anyone needs is extra hand luggage – such outdated behavior is guaranteed to result in a stiff neck. On this closing note, a pointer:

“Respect the legacy, befriend the Filipino Warrior – he owns the blade.”

Our new flyer is great, within this informational card lies the broad range of classes we teach continuously; Class size is limited, please ensure you sign-up early. Consider a Private Training program as a means of accomplishing Martialworks education.We are stoked on the flyer that Anthem Branding did for us, Ted and Michael ~ you guys made the process effortless. Big Thanks!