Official Home of Pai Lum Tao

Category: Dragons Pulse

Exclusive articles that are just available for members of the White Dragon Warrior Society.

  • Don’t Let Fear Stop You

    Fear keeps us from our full potential. If we can identify our fear and understand why we have the fear, we have a chance at overcoming it. Most fears are learned, meaning something happened to us or we reflected upon something and that has made us afraid.

    Recently, my fearless baby girl became afraid of bees. It didn’t happen immediately. In fact, she wasn’t even conscious those pesky things were flying around her until one decided to bite her… in the face.

    Oh the tears were flowing. But even worse than seeing her face puff up was to watch her afterwards. Now, all flying bugs were evil and out to get her. If even a fly landed on or near her, she’s start up in a panic. My fearless girl had become afraid.

    In her case, it was easy to see and identify the point at which she was afraid. Many times, we don’t know exactly when we became afraid or what changed our perspective. The key to understand, everyone fears something (even SiTaiGung). It is natural and a way of life.

    Fear is actually a good thing. It’s the body and mind’s defense mechanism to help prevent it from injury. Obviously in my baby’s case, she was injured the bug bite and it wasn’t something very positive. Now, her fear and desire to run away from any flying bugs is a defense mechanism to try to prevent that unpleasant event again.

    Overcoming your fears is not forgetting you have them. On the contrary, it’s acknowledging them and allowing yourself to fear. But it also involves a level of self-awareness that you must practice. When you know you’re about to do something you fear, try these steps:

    1. Acknowledge your fear (at least to yourself). Don’t be afraid to admit to yourself that you’re afraid. The worst thing you can do is ignore your body’s own defense mechanism. It can lead to greater issues in the future.
    2. Calm yourself. Normally when we start to become afraid, our heart races and our breathing shortens. The key to being able to overcome our fear is to being able to calm ourselves and let our minds think again. Use your meditation techniques and bring some level of peace back to your system.
    3. Seek to understand the source of your fear. What exactly are you afraid of? If you take a moment to reflect deeper on what is the driving force of the fear you will be able to overcome it. For instance, with my baby the fear is in the sting not the fly. Properly placing the source of your fear is the key to getting an understanding of it.
    4. Establish the right precautions. Once you’ve established what you’re afraid of exactly, you can establish some precautions to prevent that exact action. Make sure the precautions make sense and are reasonable to obtain. So, in my baby girl’s instance, I can’t simply put her into a bubble and never let a bug touch her again. That would be impracticable and hurt her in other ways. What I can do is teach her the difference in the bugs and try to help her understand how to avoid the ones that hurt her. Will she get stung again? More than likely; but she will also start to realize that the sting isn’t as bad as her fears are now.
    5. Repeat the process and evaluate how you feel. Did your precautions help lessen your fear? You will still fear what you’re doing. Don’t run from it or assume it will magically go away. But be honest with yourself if what you’ve done is enough to get you through your fear and allow you to move forward.

    Fears aren’t necessarily a bad thing. It is possible to overcome your fears. The steps outlined above may seem at first quite lengthy but as you become more aware of yourself, you will be able to do these things quicker and with better results.

    Taking a quote from one of my favorite books, Dune.

    I must not fear.
    Fear is the mind-killer.
    Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
    I will face my fear.
    I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
    And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
    Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
    ~Litany Against Fear

  • Best Medicine Ball Exercises for San Shou

    Best Medicine Ball Exercises for San Shou

    Russian Twists: Take a seat on the floor, as if you were in the up position of a completed sit-up. Hold a medicine ball with both hands in front of your body, and then elevate your feet several inches off the ground. Also lean back so you’re upper body is at a 45 degree angle to the ground. Twist your body and swing the medicine ball as far to the right as you can, then repeat the movement to the other side. Do your best to maintain your balance, and complete 20 repetitions on each side per set. If your feet touch the ground or you fall back just resume the position and continue on.

    Lying Toe Touches: Lie on your back and hold a medicine ball with both hands, with your arms stretched out behind your head. Raise your legs so they are at a 90 degree angle to the floor. Raise the medicine ball overhead and touch your toes with it, lowering the ball slowly and keeping your arms extended straight the whole time. Complete 12-20 repetitions per set.

    Medicine Ball Crunches: These are simply crunches done while holding a medicine ball for added weight and resistance. Hold the ball with both hands at chest level, but don’t rest it on your body. From the starting position with your back on the floor you only need to raise yourself about six to 12 inches off the ground.

    Lopsided Push Ups: Assume a standard push up position, and have a medicine ball in between your two hands. Now push it to your right, and place your right hand on top of it. Perform five pushups in this style, then push the ball to your other hand and perform another five. Complete as many repetitions as possible.

    This is one of the best medicine ball exercises for upper body strength, and it adds a lot of difficulty to a standard push up. It will also help with your body’s coordination and stability.

    Squats into Shoulder Presses: Hold the medicine ball at chest level in front of your body, standing straight up. Squats all the way down to the ground, pause for a second and then return to an upright position. As you do so, press the medicine ball over head to move into a shoulder press exercise. Complete 20 repetitions of the entire movement per set.

    360 Degrees of Medicine Ball: Stand straight up and hold a medicine ball with both hands, with your arms hanging straight. Tighten up your core, and then begin forming a giant circle with the medicine ball in front of your body, always keeping your arms fully extended and straight. Complete 10 repetitions clockwise, and then complete another 10 repetitions counterclockwise. It’s a very effective medicine ball routine for hitting all of those hard to reach abdominal and core muscles.

    We generally recommend opting for a 10 or 12 lb medicine ball for San Shou training. This provides you with enough resistance to really build some functional strength, but it’s also not too heavy so you can utilize your tool for a greater variety of workouts, and you can build stamina as well.

  • Who inspires you?

    It’s never too young or old to be inspiring.  All it requires is for you to open your eyes and truly want to help.

    Today I am highlighting an 18-year-old young man, Mitchell Allen, who will be representing Martial Arts as he runs the torch for the upcoming summer Olympics.  While he isn’t a Pai Lum Tao student, his story is inspiring nonetheless and well worth highlighting.

    At the age of 14, Mitchell Allen coached a five-year-old boy with spina bifida in judo.  He went on to do over 2000 community hours and started up 2 judo clubs in his area to coach men, women and children both with and without disabilities.  He has received many local and national forms of recognition for community work.

    This Saturday, young Mitchell and his sister will receive one of the highest honors a non-competitor can, carrying the Olympic torch towards its final destination in London, England.  His sister, who battles with a crippling form of childhood arthritis, has also pushed through her limitations to become an accomplished judo student and dancer.

    But what makes both of them so great is that neither started their efforts because they wanted to get recognized.  Rather, the saw others around them that needed their help.  They gave from the heart and made a difference in the lives of those around them.  They helped to inspire the community to reach out and are role models for those around them.

    So as we go into Memorial Day weekend, take a moment to think about those in your lives that have inspired you.  How did they do it and what did they do for you?  Thank them, if you can.  And then consider how you might inspire others to greatness.

    We are each but one person, but together with a warrior’s heart, we can all make a difference in the world.

    Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone!

  • How the Avengers are like Pai Lum Tao

    avengersHave you seen the Avengers movie yet? Are you a fan of their comics?

    The one thing I love about this movie and the characters is the fact that all the heroes are some of the most unlikely heroic figures you can get. But they all have one thing in common… (say it with me) hanna.

    That’s right, their heart is what set them apart and made them the heroes they became.

    Thor

    Thor started out with a desire for glory, to win the honor of his father. But even with this selfish pursuit, he had a loyal heart, loving his fellow warriors like they were his own brothers and sisters. “… forgetting all categories…”

    Iron Man

    Iron Man is the playboy of the team. He had the money and the influence but not the direction. His heart wasn’t into anything until he realized how precious life was and how he had squandered it away. “The warrior is a man who dedicates his life to the cause which Made him what he is.”

    Captain America

    Captain America was the smallest and weakest man. But that didn’t stop him from wanting to join the army and help his country. Despite all obstacles, he never gave up trying and kept on wanting to be better and to help. He got his chance and never gave up on his fellow men. “… dedicated to defend the honor, the creed, the pride, and the self-respect for what he wishes to be called…”

    Hulk

    Hulk our beloved big, green guy was a brilliant man and scientist who never thought of becoming a superhero. Yet, circumstances were forced upon him and have changed his life forever. Now, he must struggle and find balance in his emotions or risk losing control all together. “… letting energy that wishes to exist, exist… go forth to seek the Tao and the void. Understanding myself and finding peace within.

    What do you think? Do you agree? I’d love to hear your thoughts below.

  • Fighting styles

    There are three generally accepted Fighting styles that are used to define fighters. These are the inside-fighter, the outside-fighter and the brawler.

    Inside-fighter

    This style favors closing inside an opponent, overwhelming them with intensity and flurries of hooks and uppercuts. They tend to be fast on their feet which can make them difficult to evade for a slower fighter. They also tend to have a rock for a chin, because sometimes this usually involves being hit with many jabs before they can maneuver inside where they are more effective.

    Outside-fighter

    Outside-fighters are the opposite of the inside-fighter. Where the inside-fighter tries to close the gap between himself and his opponent, the outside-fighter seeks to maintain that gap and fight with faster, longer range punches. Since they rely on the weaker jabs and straights (as opposed to hooks and uppercuts), they tend to win by points decisions rather than by knockout, although some outside-fighters have notable knock-out punches, outside fighters are known for being extremely quick on their feet, which often makes up for their relative lack of power. Outside-fighters are often regarded as the best style of fighter on account of their desire to win a fight by wearing an opponent down and outclassing an opponent by strategy, rather than simply knocking him out.

    Brawler

    If the outside-fighter represents everything classy about boxing, the brawler (also known as the ‘slugger’, ‘hard hitter’ or ‘one puncher’) often stands for everything that’s brutal in the sport. Sluggers tend to lack finesse in the ring, but make up for it in raw power, often able to knock almost any opponent out with a single punch. This ability makes them exciting to watch. Also makes their fights unpredictable. Many brawlers tend to lack mobility in the ring and have difficulty pursuing fighters who are fast on their feet. They prefer the harder, slower punches (such as hooks and uppercuts) and tend to ignore combination punching. Their slowness and predictable punching patterns (single punches with obvious leads) often leaves them open for counterpunching.

    There are three other Fighting styles that you may see, that can define a fighter. These are the Hybrid Fighters, The Swarmer, and the Peek-a-Boo.

    Hybrid Fighters

    These styles are merely archetypes that many Fighters fall into. However, some fighters can transcend any one category. To say Fighter A…Although known primarily as a brawler, he/she can also have a very intense inside-fighter game. He/ she would have the strength of a brawler, but the combos, agility and ferocity of an inside-fighter.

    The Swarmer

    A less common style of Fighting, the swarmer is a fighter who attempts to overwhelm his opponent by applying constant pressure. Swarmers tend to have a very good bob and weave, good power, a good chin, and a tremendous punch output (resulting in a great need for stamina and conditioning). Fighters who use the Swarmer style tend to have shorter careers than the other styles. Sustaining the adequate amount of training required to execute this style is nearly impossible throughout an entire fight career, so most Swarmers can only maintain it for a relatively brief period of time. This inevitably leads to the gradual degradation of the sheer ability to perform the style, leaving them open to increasing amounts of punishment.

    Peek-a-Boo

    Peek-a-Boo is a fighting style where the hands are placed in front of the fighter’s face, like in the babies game of the same name. It offers extra protection to the face and makes it easier to jab the opponent’s face. A Peek-a-Boo fighter utilizes relaxed hands with the forearms in front of the face and the fist at nose-eye level. Other unique features, includes side to side head movements, bobbing, weaving and blind siding your opponent. The Body-head-body or Body-Body-head is drilled with the stationary dummy and on the bag until the fighter is able to punch by rapid combinations with “bad intentions”. The style allows swift neck movements as well quick ducking and bad returning damage, usually by rising uppercuts or even rising hooks..

    There is a commonly accepted theory about the success each of these Fighting styles has against the others. Each fighting style has advantages over one, but disadvantages against the other. Brawlers tend to overcome inside-fighters, because the inside-fighter likes to be on the inside, where the hard-hitting brawler is most effective. The inside-fighters flurries tend to be less effective than the power punches of the slugger, who quickly overwhelms his opponents.

    The inside-fighter tends to succeed against outside-fighters. Outside-fighters prefer a slower fight, with some distance between themselves and the opponent. The inside-fighter tries to close that gap and unleash furious flurries. On the inside, the outside-fighter loses a lot of his combat effectiveness, because he cannot throw the hard punches. The inside-fighter is generally successful in this case, due to his intensity in advancing on his opponent and his good agility, which makes him difficult to evade.

    The outside-fighter tends to be most successful against the brawler, whose slow speed (both hand and foot) and poor technique make them an easy target to hit for the faster outside-fighter. The outside-fighter’s main key is to stay alert, as the brawler only needs to land one good punch to finish the fight. If the outside-fighter can avoid those power punches, he can often wear the brawler down with fast jabs, tiring the slugger out. If he is successful enough, he may even apply extra pressure in the later rounds in an attempt to achieve a knockout.

    Hybrid boxers tend to be the most successful in the ring, because they often have advantages against most opponents. He/she may be able to overwhelm any inside-fighter with his tremendous power of a slugger, also able to use his inside-fighting foot speed to close in and knock out many outside-fighters who tried to stay out of his range.

    Be a student of full contact fighting. Look for these styles in your opponent. Talk this, and all tips-up with your Coaches and Instructors.

    Quote of the Month:

    When written in Chinese, the word “crisis” is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity. — John F. Kennedy

  • Make sure to hydrate!

    Make sure to hydrate!

    The weather is starting to get warmer again. While it’s always good to be hydrated when you do any sort of physical activity, it is particularly important when temperatures rise. As you practice your Martial Arts, make sure to keep your hydration levels in mind.

    drinkwaterOur bodies are made up 70% water. It is a key that keeps our bodies running. Fluids help to regulate our body’s temperature, lubricate joints, and remove waste. Without water, our bodies would cease to function.

    When we do any sort of physical activity, we naturally sweat as a means for the body shed heat. The more intense the workout, the higher the level of fluid loss. Sweat is the body’s natural way of shedding harmful toxins. But even a loss of as little as 2% of the body’s fluids through sweat can cause your blood to thicken and your heart to work harder to circulate.

    Not properly hydrating can also affect your performance. Dehydration can cause a reduction in your ability to concentrate and increase your chances of cramping and injury.

    What you sweat out isn’t just water either. Contained within the sweat are normally a lot of salts, referred to as “electrolytes”. These salts are what allow your cells to carry electrical impulses that move muscles and send signals to the brain.

    Electrolytes naturally occur in the body through the kidneys. If you lose too much fluid too quickly, your kidneys have a harder time trying to catch up. This is why many athletes will drink special sports drinks that provide a boost to the sodium and potassium in their bodies. However, it’s important to remember that the body works on a balance. Too many electrolytes in the body can be just as bad as too little.

    Signs of dehydration

    You will often feel dehydration long before others notice it. Here are some signs that you need to stop and take a drink break:

    • Dry mouth and/or eyes
    • muscle cramps
    • headaches
    • decreased sweating despite increase in activity
    • darker color urine
    • trouble urinating
    • nausea or vomiting
    • heart palpitations
    • light-headedness
    • confusion and blackouts

    How much should I drink?

    Every person and situation is different. Ideally, one should try to replace the same amount of fluids they lost during exercise. While it is not always possible to figure this out, the general rule of thumb used is a before-during-after regiment.

    Before

    Make sure to drink at least 15-20 fl oz around 2-3 hours before you exercise. About 15 minutes before you exercise, try to drink another glass of water.

    During

    As you exercise, make sure to drink a glass of fluid every 10-15 minutes of exercise. If you’re planning to exercise more than an hour, consider introducing a drink with electrolyte replaces every other drink break.

    After

    Drink at least another 20-24 fl oz of water. The best is if you can determine how much weight you lost during your routine. You should drink at least 20 fl oz for every pound you lose.

    Don’t forget to also eat afterwards to replenish the other nutrients of the body.

  • Eating at the Castle

    Eating at the Castle

    Everyone knows that Dragons must eat!

    While we’re at the Castle, there are a number of restaurants to select from within walking distance.

    Café Tu Tu Tango

    It’s like stepping into an art gallery for lunch. Their menu offers a fusion mix of foods, all with a Spanish flair. The food is considered “tapas”, which means they are smaller portions meant to be shareable about the table. Expect to have to order a couple dishes to be filled. There’s a lot of side shows that happen while you eat, like artists in the hallway and entertainers walking around.

    Vito’s Chop House

    Their menu reads fine dining and top notch food. They ONLY serve dinner, so don’t try to go there for lunch. While they advertise primarily their steaks, they do offer a menu of other Italian foods and seafood. Overall , it receives high ratings. However, I would not go here if you have to rush off to a seminar shortly as the main complaint has been slower service. Those who are Entourage fans, this restaurant appeared in the first episode of the season.

    Pizza Aroma

    Across International Drive (I-Drive) is a small plaza with Pizza Aroma. It’s your local pizzeria that will no doubt appeal to the younger crowd who are on a lower budget. Nothing fancy here but just good comfort food pizzas, calzones, etc. And they have Ice Cream!

    Pondarosa Steakhouse

    This classic chain serves up big portions and descent steak dishes without the flair of more expensive places. Their menu has some great steaks, hamburgers, chicken and shrimp dishes that are sure to fill a dragon’s appetite.

    Tony Roma’s Ribs, Seafood, and Steaks

    Classic comfort foods served in this chain are sure to please the casual diner. Nothing fancy about the food, just what you’d expect from a good Tony Roma’s. They are known for their ribs on theirmenu but also offer other standards like steaks, chicken, salads and sandwiches.

    Don Pablo’s

    Offering Tex-Mex food, Don Pablo’s, their menu serves up fajitas, tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and mesquite flavored meats. The atmosphere is loud and filled with neon lights. One caution is the serve is reported to sometimes be slow.

    Boston Lobster Feast

    They proclaim to be the home of “all-you-can-eat seafood and lobster feast”. And with their virtual tour of their menu, it’s not hard to believe. This is a buffet though so I wouldn’t expect the highest quality of food but there will be lots of it.

    Friendly’s Ice Cream Shop

    This traditional favorite is sure to please the younger crowd with their extensive ice cream selection. But Friendly’s also has a descent menu that can help to round out the meal. One note about most Friendly’s I’ve ever been to, serve is generally slow and sometimes hard to get. So definitely pick this restaurant if you have time at the end of the day to unwind and not care about the clock.

    These are just a sampling of the restaurants in the area of the hotel. If you’re willing to go for a walk, some of the other restaurants within walking distance are listed below:

    • Denny’s
    • Cattleman’s Steakhouse
    • Bahama Breeze
    • Olive Garden
    • Dominic’s Pizza
    • Damon’s The Place for Ribs
    • MeiAsian China Buffet

    Enjoy your stay!

  • 10 Fun Facts about Orlando and Florida

    We’re gearing up here at the Dragon’s Pulse for the upcoming Annual International Conference in beautiful Orlando, Florida. While we’re preparing for that conference, we thought it might be a good idea to expand your mind and share some fun facts about the beautiful city hosting our yearly event.

    10 Fun Facts about Orlando and Florida

    – The official nickname of the city of Orlando is “The City Beautiful,” although it is also known as “O-Town.”

    – Walt Disney World officially opened its doors in Orlando in 1971. Before Disney, Orlando was known for its cattle ranching, which you can still sometimes see along the 417.

    – The state of Florida is roughly the size of England and Wales covering an area of 58,000 square miles.

    – Gatorade was named for the University of Florida Gators where the drink was first developed.

    – Key West has the highest average temperature in the United States.

    – Florida is the only state that has 2 rivers both with the same name. There is a Withlacoochee in north central Florida (Madison County) and a Withlacoochee in central Florida. They have nothing in common except the name.

    – Orlando International Airport’s call letters is actually MCO because of the McCoy Air Force Base the airport was once part of. It is the third airport to have been built in that vicinity.

    – Orlando is home to more than 100 lakes.

    – The oldest and biggest bald cypress tree in the world grows in Central Florida – “The Senator” is more than 138 ft tall.

    – The original conference was held at the Embassy Suites Jamaican Court facility because Great Grandmaster Pai felt good energy in the location and the building shape, a triangle, is a powerful balancing symbol in Martial Arts. The conference has since out-grown this facility and this year will host its first appearance at the “Castle”.

  • Good Competition Protocol

    It’s important to have good protocol and etiquette on the competition circuit in Martial Arts. It’s a fact that seems to be forgotten a great deal and often over the claim that competitive spirit takes over. But achieving good protocol and etiquette is not only important in your development as a martial artist, it is an easy object to maintain. Below are some simple things that any competitor can do as signs of respect and honor.

    Many of the protocols in good competition form are established to show respect for the art which you participate. In many ways, one can also consider the competition floor the same as a training ground. Thus, respect the floor as you would your school or teacher.

    One must also remember the first term in Martial Arts, the word “martial”. The definition of martial is “of or related to war.” In war, there are rules of engagement that one follows. While over time the rules have changed, the concept of having them has not. Dating as far back as history extends, civilization and respected warriors followed proper codes of that time. From European knights to Japanese Samurai, these codes existed to maintain order and civility despite the brutal nature of conflict and war.

    In this day and age, for a martial artist, one of the “fields of battle” is the competition floor. As such, a warrior should follow the code of conduct on this playing field.

    Before the competition
    Even before you come to the day of the competition, take the time to review the rules and regulations on your own. Each competition has some nuance that makes their rules unique. Understand them and ask questions about them before you enter the day of the competition.

    There is always time before any event where competitors gather and prepare for the event. Do spend this time to get yourself ready. Warm up and focus your thoughts on the task head. Visualize what you plan in executing. Be it sparring or forms there are always things you can picture in your mind that will help when you are ready to perform.

    Make sure you don’t expend energy towards negative things during this time. Don’t talk disrespectfully about other competitors or judges. Don’t run around or leave the area you’ve been designated to. Have everything you need ready and with you before you get to the ringed area.

    Entering the ring
    How you enter the ring depends upon what you’re doing, be it sparring or forms. It is good to make sure before you enter the floor, to show it respect. So just as you might bow (or kowtow) when entering a school or training floor, you should show the same respect before stepping into the ring.

    For forms
    Don’t step into the ring until the judges acknowledge you somehow, normally with a nod or at a minimal eye contact. If you aren’t the first person in the ring, do not step into the ring until the previous competitor has completely left the ring.

    Move quickly. Don’t waste anyone’s time getting into the ring. When you enter, enter at the far end and then approach the judges. Most people often enter along the furthest point from the judges and move linearly to the center before making a 90 degree turn to face the judges and approach their table.

    Once you’ve approached the judge’s table, the proper procedure is to kowtow until acknowledged. Announce your name, style/school, and the form you expect to perform. If your form leaves the boxed in area, make sure to request it prior to starting so the judges know. Finally, ask for permission to begin.

    For sparring
    Enter the ring only when the center judge instructs you. Come to the starting line, normally close to the center. Bow to the judge. Bow to your opponent. It’s polite to actually take a moment to shake your opponent’s hand.

    Only go into set or ready position when the center judge instructs you to. This is normally done with a phrase or the judge lowering his hand between the two opponents. To go into this position before is disrespectful to the judge and your opponent. Plus, it shows poor sportsmanship that you are here just for the kill.

    Finishing
    As you either complete your form or finish your match, it is important to close with the same level of respect and honor as you have shown so far.

    For forms
    Return to the center position where you first announced yourself. Stand in ready position until either the judges call out your score or dismiss you. Kowtow to thank the judges and then walk backwards (not turning your back to the judges) to the edge of the ring. Face the direction which you entered the ring originally and bow to your next opponent, who should be waiting ready to go. Exit the ring quickly.

    When you’re done with the competition overall, it’s good form to both thank the judges for their time and to congratulate all the other opponents, regardless of where anyone placed.

    For sparring
    Listen for the judge’s call and break the fighting when they call it. Do not break combat before that point as you will find yourself in a weaker position. Even if you believe you have won the point, continue until the judges call it. Do not continue to fight after the judge calls break. Continuing to fight shows your lack of discipline and control, which is neither respected nor appreciated in the ring.

    If your opponent is injured during the match, you will be instructed to stay back. Do not stand there and hover around the ring. In fact, the correct protocol is to often turn to face out the ring opposite of your opponent and kneel. Take this time to refocus your thoughts and visual what your next moves will be. Do not return back to the ring until the center judge instructs you to.

    When the match is done, bow once again to your opponent and then to the judges. It is polite and nice to actually shake hands and thank your opponent, regardless of who wins. Some would say it is even better if you can hug your opponent and walk away on friendly term. After all, this may be combat but it doesn’t mean we need to continue the conflict once the battle is done.

    Competitions aren’t for everybody or every style. However, if you do participate in competitions, it is important to follow good protocols and etiquette. It is part of the foundation that has created Martial Arts in the first place. And, in general, the respect you show is good to follow even in life outside of the competition ring.

  • Stress – The Silent Killer

    5pm. Traffic and your temperature is boiling.

    That major test that you just can’t fail looms in front of you. Did they write this in a foreign language?

    A presentation you have to give to an audience.

    Stress is all around us and we each react different to that stress. One thing is certain though, stress can be killer. For years we’ve known that stress can lead to higher blood pressures. One of the latest trends is linking stress to more than just the heart. Stress affects the immune system and reduces our ability to combat diseases such as <a href=”https://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/stress”>cancer</a> and other deadly diseases.

    So what are we to do about it?

    Well, as Pai Lum Tao members, you have the keys in your hand to live a “stress-strengthened” life. None of us can live stress free. After all, nothing in life is for free. Living means you will deal with stress at some point in your life. The key is knowing how to cope with the stress to minimize the strain on your body.

    1. Recognzie when you’re stressed

    The first key to living a stress-strengthened life is to be able to identify when you’re suffering from stress. For each of us, stress manifests itself differently. It can be in the form of feeling hot or wanting to cry or tensing your hands into fists. Whatever is your physical cue of stress, it’s important you get to know yourself and can recognize those moments of high stress. This is the first step in dealing with the stress.

    2. Chi Kung

    For years, tai chi and chi kung have been touted as the way of dealing with stress. But simply doing tai chi or chi kung doesn’t make you magically able to handle stress. In fact, if all you are doing is going through the motions, you’re going to find it very hard to incorporate that into your daily lives to deal with stress. So as you train, think about a few things:

    • How am I breathing?
    • What does my mind feel like when it’s relaxed?
    • How am I relaxing the muscles in my body to perform tai chi?

    3. The Great “Sigh”

    Sound is a powerful tool that we often underestimate. If you’re in a stressful situation, try taking a deep breath and letting it out with a sigh. Still feel stressed? Do it again. Use the time to think back to the previous questions about how you were feeling during your tai chi or chi kung training. Invoke in your mind those same images.

    4. Reach out

    One of the best advise for dealing with stress is to reach out to others. Here in the Pai Lum Tao family, we have a great network with a wide range of experiences. If the stress is too much for you to handle and overcome by yourself, consider reaching out to others. After all, our theme song is “Lean on me” for a reason. As the lines of the song say,

    Lean on me, when you’re not strong
    And I’ll be your friend
    I’ll help you carry on
    For it won’t be long
    ‘Til I’m gonna need
    Somebody to lean on

    The reality of stress is that we all deal with stress. It’s a part of being alive and living. How successful we are in dealing with the stress will determine how strong we come out. Beyond the initial strain, there are health implications to letting stress rule your life. Learn to use these techniques and others to cope with stress and come out strengthened by the experience. Live “stress-strengthened”, not stress-feared.

  • Why a Lotus?

    Why a Lotus?

    Our kenpo style is Bok Leen Pai Kenpo, which translates to White Lotus Kenpo. But why a lotus?

    Any flower is such a delicate image for an art that can be so deadly. A flower is silent and still, representing gentleness whereas Martial Arts is about combat and aggression. Why then would a Martial Arts pick a lotus to represent them?

    In Chinese culture, the lotus is a very important flower. It’s depicted in many paintings, sculptures, and poems. To the Chinese, the lotus is more than just a pretty flower. From birth, the lotus grows out of the muck and mud of the earth, in the harshes and ugliest environments. Despite it’s humble beginnings, it flourishes into a beautiful plant. The stalk of the flower is easy to bend but very hard to break because of how the fibers of the plant have grown.

    Chinese poets use the lotus to symbolize perseverance, to continue to strive through difficult times and always show the world your best no matter how bad it gets. In other words, maintain your integrity and do not become bitter despite the struggles of the world around you.

    To Buddhism, the lotus represents faithfulness. It is the symbol that represents enlightenment.

    Thus, it’s not difficult to draw the analogy with Martial Arts and the characteristics which a Bok Leen Pai practionar should hold near and dear to their heart:

    • Rising above the muck. Uphold your honor by staying loyal and dedicated to what you do.
    • Be flexible, be able to bend but don’t break.
    • Strive despite difficult times.
    • Though seeded in aggression and combat, strive for beauty.
    • Use silence to your advantage to grow.
    • Beneath the beauty lies strength that is hidden (shadowed) from others until put to the test.

  • Parable – Farme and his mule

    The farmer heard the mule praying-or whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

    Initially, the old mule was hysterical. But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back he

    This he did, blow after blow of dirt hitting his back. “Shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up… shake it off and step up.”

    The mule repeated this statement over and over to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows or how distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought panic and just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up. It wasn’t long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of the well. What seemed like it would bury him, actually helped him, all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

    That’s life. If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity…the adversities that come along to bury us usually have within them the very real potential to benefit us.

    Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the Ark.