Kung Fu Blog


Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa visit at Golden Dragon school (February 2, 2013)

On February 2, 2013, Golden Dragon Martial Arts School was honored to host Cary Hiroyuki-Tagawa as a visitor and esteemed guest. What started out as a short visit to a quaint yet elegant traditional Chinese tea shop in Brentwood quickly evolved into an hours-long melding of masterful minds. The topics of conversation were just what one would expect to hear from such enlightened men, from the history and applications of martial arts in life as well as cinema, to its philosophies and principles, even down to its uses in the healing arts.

Having started out as a healer before venturing to Hollywood, Tagawa bolsters the benefits of martial arts in leading a full, healthy life. His studies of Qigong have given him insight on the significance of breath in training and physical development. “You release more toxins from the body with a deep exhale than with anything else,” professes Tagawa. “I really believe that breath, in and of itself... can be the ultimate self-healing tool.” Master Valery and Mr. Tagawa got along famously, undoubtedly due in part to their shared philosophies and dedication to their art. Since Golden Dragon's grand opening on June 30, 2012, Master Valery has taught traditional Chinese kung fu with the intent of helping his students to not only become better fghters, but giving them the tools to become healthier, stronger, more focused and self-aware human beings. He teaches this way because he understands that this is the essence of true kung fu, and that the best won battles are the ones you never have to fight.

Hun Gar animals: Dragon

Power is nothing, technique is nothing, the main essence is the spirit. Dragon is a state of mind. Dragon is the suppression of enemy by spirit. Dragon never retreats.
He's like a river that never flows backwards, it flows only forward, bypassing everything on its way like water.

We are close to you! Only 8 minutes from campus.

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Chinese garden (January 28, 2013)

This is perfect place for meditation and Tai Chi practicing.

Hun Gar animals: Crane

In the form of Crane there are a lot of kicks by the upper level and in the jump. High kicks are very energy-intensive, so the main quality of this animal is endurance. All movements must be executed with a wide amplitude. Strikes are done with the outer and inner edges of the palm, with the fingers, with crane's "wing", only single punches can be done with the fist. Strikes are circular, like the flapping of wings – cutting and ripping, open and straight.

Hun Gar animals: Snake

Have you seen the Animal planet TV shows? Do you remember how snake bites its prey quickly and accurately? How it moves forward by evading movements? Snake utilizes precision and flexibility. Therefore, its strikes are precise, but not powerful. This is about punches and kicks. All strikes should be light and quick, they can be single or used in a series.

Golden Dragon video shoot for Yelp (January 22,2013)
Last Saturday we at Golden Dragon made a video shoot for Yelp advertising. Thank you all guys, who came and participated in the shooting! We love you all!
Hun Gar animals: Leopard

Key word is speed. Leopard plays with its prey, as a cat with its toy. Leopard is not as strong as a tiger, but the absence of hard, powerful strikes allow him to move much faster. Positions are long, but frequently changing. Leopard uses a counterattack, therefore it applies simultaneous block and attack, which is very effective. Levels of strikes, as well as positions, change frequently. 

That is why top level attacks can be rapidly replaced by sweeps, and after that you attack the top or medium level again. Leopard punches with fist, by “eye” of the fist and "leopard paw" - it is not as strong as a fist, but has the advantage of speed and accuracy.

Biological rhythms

Ancient people said: “If you live according to the Qi energy of the Heaven and Earth, you will live as long as Heaven and Earth live” ("Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon"). The Earth rotates around the Sun, the Moon revolves around the Earth, the high tide of the sea is followed by ebb, night comes after day, winter gives way to spring as spring to summer. It is clear, that in nature everything moves by it's own rhythm.

From a physiological point of view, the human is a highly organized, multi-cellular organism with strong life-support systems. The human body lives by it's own biological rhythm. We are awake during the day, because our blood is filled with 'daytime hormones' that support emotional and physical activity. In the evening, preceding nightfall the blood receives the 'night hormone' melatonin. This is an amazing substance that is produced only by epiphysis at night and it is released into the blood according to the time of the night. In some cases, seniors suffer from insomnia due to the lack of melatonin secretion. Melatonin medications are often used as hypnotics.

ancient tcm book image

The difference in our attitude toward children's training is in the physiological and psychological differences between a child and an adult. The child has just begun to explore the world and does not have a clear understanding of the context of training. As a result the child has little self-discipline and understanding of what is needed in any action (exercise). At first he puts his interest in the activity and puts his trust in the teacher. At this stage an important mission is assigned to parents and instructors – to maintain interest and to transform a desire into a habit.Kids2