YMAA News #47, September 1998 (168Kb)

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EDITOR’S CORNER By Phil Goldman The Training Wheel What makes us want to learn Kung Fu What gives us the discipline to continue training when we’d rather be doing something else What turns our practice into a Way of Life as opposed to a flash-in-the-pan hobby For most people, before anything real is learned about Kung Fu, the bulk of the knowledge comes from the media: television, movies, and books. The media fills heads with notions of attaining almost supernatural abilities of awareness and concentration; philosophical depth; and of course the ability to kick butt and look good doing it. With these notions in hand, the prospective martial artist enrolls in a school and begins training. There are many new concepts and exercises that capture the imagination, but after a while, the inevitable happens: the romance fades and the truth becomes clear. Learning Kung Fu is a lot of hard work. Years and years of hard work, requiring more perseverance, trust, and humility than most people have. Beyond all this, perhaps the hardest work of all to do: to honestly face one’s limitations and weaknesses, and then to do something about them. Certainly the abilities described in the media, to a certain degree, can be attained, but only through this work. And if they are attained, they are not viewed with a mystical awe, they are seen as simply the logical outcome of the training. A truly dedicated martial artist would not, in all likelihood, be satisfied with whatever level of these abilities attained. He would continue to assess his limitations and then do something about them, i.e. more long years of hard work. If one trains Kung Fu to live up to ideals that are externally planted in him, whether it is the media or what one thinks will impress others, that person will not last. Motivation must come from within, not for or against someone e l s e . Training out of a competitive instinct can be a powerful short-term motivator, but it has its limitations. What does one do after one wins Kung Fu training is not a race. There is no finish line. Perhaps an apt analogy would be that of a hamster wheel and the martial artist is the hamster. There’s no end to it, the wheel just keeps going round and round, as long as the hamster keeps running. The hamster is not going anywhere. It is running in place. The hamster in the next wheel over may be running faster, but it is in the same place as well. So what makes the hamster run For the enjoyment of the act of running. The satisfaction of the run itself and seeing how well one runs. The more one runs, the better one runs; the better one runs, the more enjoyable the run. This is why we hamsters train Kung Fu. 4
NEW BOOKS FROM <strong>YMAA</strong> THE ESSENCE OF TAIJI QIGONG, 2nd. ed. The Internal Foundation of Taijiquan Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming • ISBN: 1-886969-63-9 176 pgs. 7.25 x 9.375 15 illus. 194 photos Soft Cover The Serious Student’s Book for Better Taiji For students who have learned a Taiji form and want to reach new levels of skill and ability. This book includes three complete Taiji Qigong exercises and more than two hundred photographs and illustrations to help you learn. Taiji Qigong prepares your body and mind for great Taiji practice by loosening your joints, warming your muscles, stimulating your Qi flow and sharpening your concentration. • Increase your vitality. • Improve your Taiji skills. • Discover the key to internal power. Available Now! Retail $19.95 Member Price $15.96 THE MARTIAL ARTS ATHLETE Mental and Physical Conditioning for Peak Performance Tom Seabourne, Ph.D. • ISBN: 1-886969-65-5 160 pgs. 7x10 250 photos Soft Cover Hit Harder, Kick Faster, and Jump Higher! The Martial Arts Athleteanswers questions that today’s competitors must know to succeed—should you do push-ups or lift weights Are energy bars and sports drinks any good Are traditional forms a waste of your time How do you eat to win Discover Powerful Mind/Body Training for Peak Performance: • Imagery for better strikes, kicks, & takedowns. • Meditations for a sharper mind. • Mental skills to manage pain, improve discipline, and feel great! Incredible Physical Conditioning to Get in the Best Shape of Your Life: • Step-by-step strength training for powerful arms & shoulders. • Killer ab-work for a lean torso and washboard stomach. • Simple breathing techniques to power you up. • Tips, Techniques, and Tactics for Winning Competitions. Discover the most effective workouts, nutrition secrets and mind/body training for peak martial arts performance in competition and daily practice! Available Now! Retail $19.95 Member Price $15.96 Read an excerpt from The Martial Arts Athlete in this newsletter! THE TAI CHI BOOK Refining and Enjoying a Lifetime of Practice Robert Chuckrow, Ph.D.• ISBN: 1-886969-64-7 208 pgs 7.25x9.375 17 illus. 109 photos Soft Cover How to Get the Most from Your Tai Chi Practice A detailed guide for students who’ve learned a Tai Chi form and want to know more, introducing beginners to the principles behind great Tai Chi, and answering common questions that all of us have. The Tai Chi Book shows you how to use Tai Chi to gain strength in your bones, muscles and vital organs, how to improve your balance and flexibility, and how to achieve remarkable vitality. The Tai Chi Book is your guide to the fullest health benefits of Tai Chi and to higher levels of skill and ability. • Like two books in one—basic and advanced Tai Chi training. • Find out how to choose and relate to a teacher. • Includes the Cheng Man-ch’ing short form. Available Now! Retail $19.95 Member Price $15.96 Want to order Just call or write: <strong>YMAA</strong> Publications, 4354 Washington St. Roslindale, MA USA 02131 • (800)669-8892 5
Page 1 and 2: YMAA NEWS Issue 47 • September 15
Page 3: BOOK REVIEW Reviewed by Jeff Pratt,
Page 7 and 8: YMAA SCHOOLS AND QUALIFIED INSTRUCT

YMAA News #47, September 1998 (168Kb)

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