I began to teach martial arts when I was a students in high school, but, it was not very formal, because that just for some friends in school. Then, It became better when I was in university. That was formal teaching(every day during week day). Firstly, I taught Xing Yi, then, Ba Gua and Qi Gong. The Chen Tai Chi was the last one which I taught in my teaching experience.

Well, it is hard to say. When I was young, I just did it without any reason which I could know. But, maybe the only reason is that I was born in a martial art family and I had to studied it in order to transfer it from my elder generation to younger generation in my family. Now, I understand it. Because I got the beneficial effect after I did it. First, people can get self-discipline through doing it. When I was very young, I had to get up very early in the morning no matter how sleepy I was.

Qigong is a self-healing art that combines movement and meditation. "Qi" is a Chinese word that means vital energy or life force. In different cultures it has different names such as "prana". The concept of Qi is an important part of Chinese culture and underlies much of traditional Chinese medicine which believes in balancing or unblocking Qi in order to create or maintain good health. "Gong" is the physical manifestation of Qi through special movements.

In my opinion, martial arts and Qi Gong is only a kind of sport or exercise which has special effect. Although they are practiced by monk, or priest, they are not religion. Originally, people used etiquette in martial art training. But, that's only for respect , not for religion. And, in Chinese internal style, we study philosophy in order to make our martial arts' practice better. Because internal style has very closed relation with Chinese philosophy, such as Yin Yang and the nature.

Ueshiba Morihei: At about the age of 14 or 15. First I learned Tenshin shin'yo ryu jujutsu from Tokusaburo Tozawa sensei, then Kito ryu, Yagyu ryu, Aioi ryu and Shinkage ryu, all of them jujutsu forms. However, I thought there might be a true budo form elsewhere. I tried Hozoin ryu sojutsu and kendo. But all of these arts are concerned with one-to-one combat forms and they could not satisfy me. So I visited many parts of the country seeking the Way and training, but all in vain.

Our style is called Shudokan. Shudokan is considered classical Okinawan in nature; which means it emphasizes and balances both the beauty and precision of the Japanese styles and the functionality and power of the Okinanwan styles. At the upper levels of training it also includes fundamental judo, ju-jitsu and grappling skills. For those who are looking for something other than traditional martial arts the ESK also offers a cardio-fitness program we call Extreme Kickboxing.

We teach American Freestyle. Forms are ITF based as well as Jhoon Rhee Taekwondo. Self-Defense and Sparring is a combination of many disciplines ranging from Kenpo, Hopkido, Shotokan, Jui-Jitsu, Grappling, and Muey Thai.

Although most new students are sponsored by current members, many people still enroll through our introductory program. Simply call the office at 281-403-KICK (5425) and make an appointment for your introductory program.

Teaching from a Christian perspective means that we use Biblical truths and explore God's gift of rudimentary physics and body mechanics to explain techniques and principles. Part of loving your neighbor, is defending the weak, the orphans, and the widows. "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

If you have already trained in martial arts, there is still more you can learn. One of the great things about martial arts is that there is always more to teach Ñ new techniques, concepts, and philosophies designee to enhance your abilities and knowledge.

There are dozens, but essentially only two. One is the most common form, the "Moving Qi Gong," which is slow and soft stretching orientated movements, such as the Five Animal Plays, or the Eight Length Brocades etc., while the other form is more meditative, sitting in cross-legged posture to meditate without much body movements but mental concentration, visualization, and breathing.

From my personal experience in my public teaching, I find that Qi Gong treats Chronic Fatigue Syndrome effectively, and it is also one of the most effective ways of dealing with anxiety, depression, PMS, and other stress related symptoms. I find that people become much more calm, relaxed, and happier after only a short time of practice. Qi Gong is well known for treating common headaches, bodily pains, high blood pressure, arthritis, and other degenerative physical conditions.

It depends on one's expectations and needs. For the purpose of improving one's ailments, one should practice it as long as one sees the progress. For the purpose of enhancing health and physical performance, Qi Gong should be practiced as a part of daily routines. Each Qi Gong practice session should only take 20 minutes to an hour.

Traditional martial arts emphasize a holistic view to training both the body and the mind. Philosophy and ideals are just as important to traditional martial arts as physical prowess (see the Dojo Kun). Traditional martial arts are based on time-honored techniques and systems. Classes are more disciplined and place more emphasis on etiquette than the typical street-corner karate school.

I ran into an interesting website About.com (a career planning site) and have linked to a few of their pages. Martial Arts.About.Com has an interesting series of articles on the martial arts. (Some pretty funny) This next one is how to choose a school. Martial Arts Choosing a Style

Chinese farmers refined those breathing and movement techniques. They noted an increase in vitality and mental acuity; these practices continued to evolve and the ancient masters began to observe a sense of well-being and relaxation while exercising. These movements were precursors to Taoist meditation practices, Taiji Quan and Qi Gong. Qi Gong means 'qi exercise'; it is also known as 'longevity method'. Those were the very early discoveries of how qi influenced health and well-being.

Gong Teacher/Master uses his/her Qi (mental and physical concentration) to heal illness or reduce physical pains, without using any medium and without touching the person. A Qi Gong practitioner heals or reduces his/her own illness/physical pains by practicing such concentration. In this case, it is a Magical Work. This Magical Power can be obtained by correct and regular discipline. Like everything else, it is all about the work, one has to earn it.

It is very possible and easy to reflect and understand (see through) other people's minds after a prolonged practicing of Meditative Qi Gong. However, there is a great distinction between reading other people's minds for a profitable or self-interested purpose, versus reflecting and understanding other people's minds for the purpose of a better understanding based on the idea of peace and compassion.

It should not take more than two months for people to notice the obvious changes within their body and mind. In my practice, people often experience changes within the first few weeks.

All people can practice Qi Gong regardless age or fitness levels. But the question is always universal: it is not what one does, but how one does it! The key again is to practice it correctly and regularly. Thus, finding a good Teacher/Master and making a commitment become the most important part of one's approach. Not true. Qi Gong practice has always been somewhat esoteric in the Chinese history; the majority of people don't practice it.

A practice like Qi Gong is not about teaching information, knowledge, and techniques, but transmitting a living wisdom, the way to fully realize one's life and potentials physically and mentally. In other words, the Teacher/Master is always to be the best example of what he/she can offer to the students.

Yes, unless one's Teacher/Master specifically teaches one with the specific methods, one should do the following: Practice Qi Gong everyday or at least five times a week (once a day, not two or three times in one day, then stop for the rest of the week), at the same place and the same hour, unless there is an emergency, or trip. Remember the practice is a work of the accumulation of doing. Do not rely on any sense of miracles.

No, most of our new members have no previous experience. If you have experience in karate or some other martial art, of course you're also welcome.

All martial arts have their specialties and unique character. Shotokan is traditional Japanese karate that specializes in punching, striking, kicking and blocking techniques. However, there is much overlap in technique among martial arts styles. For example, we also do sweeping, throwing and joint-locking techniques. In Shotokan, you won't see much of the flashy spinning and jumping about that is popular in martial arts movies - just techniques that are powerful and effective.

The Olympic sport of fencing is comprised of three weapons: foil, epee, and sabre. All are fenced on a long rectangular strip, and electronic scoring aids are normally used to assist in the detection of touches. The rules governing these three weapons are determined by the FIE (Federation Internationale d'Escrime).

For all that C&H Fencing are not very widely practiced right now, the movement is definately growing. As a result, many great resources are becoming available on the internet for those of us who spend too much on books for our classes to buy books on fencing as well. I would start by checking out our articles and links pages.