Shkar Sharif - KFZ

I’ve long held the view that anyone who wants to truly excel at something eventually needs to rebel against the established format.

“Because that’s how it’s always been done” has never been a convincing argument to me.

We should question the assumptions behind the things we do. Why is it done this way? What purpose did it originally serve? Does that purpose still exist? Is there a better way?

Of course, there’s a difference between breaking convention because you don’t understand it and breaking convention because you understand it deeply enough to see beyond it. You need to know the rules before you can intelligently question them.

Not many people have the mental agility to think outside the frameworks they’ve inherited. Fewer still have the courage to go against the grain and put their alternative out into the world.

But throughout human history, those are often the people who have driven innovation and evolution.

Discernment is knowing which rules are fundamental principles and which are simply conventions we’ve stopped questioning.

Sometimes I get fellow White Crane, Taizuquan, Wuzuquan and Tiger Crane practitioners come to see me. Some have trained for years but feel stuck or plateaued and aren’t really sure what they should be working on next.

My diagnosis method is simple. I watch them perform their San Zhan.

From that minute and a half to two minutes of movement, I can usually see exactly what needs attention and give them enough direction to open up the next 6 to 12 months of their training.

It’s super cool seeing that spark come back into someone’s eyes after they’ve felt plateaued and jaded with their training for so long. Suddenly they have direction again and something meaningful to work on.

As I’ve recently opened up some time for private lessons, this is one of the things I’m particularly happy to help people with. If you’ve been practising White Crane, Taizuquan, Wuzuquan or a related system for a while and feel like you’ve hit a wall, come and see me. Bring your San Zhan and we’ll start there.

DM me if you want to arrange something 🙂

I have been asked a few times if Iron Body conditioning makes your arms and hands less sensitive to contact and listening to an opponent.

It doesn’t. If anything, it allows you to become more sensitive to an opponent’s force and movement.

When an unconditioned forearm gets hit, the nervous system is overwhelmed by the impact. The nerve endings are screaming at you, the body tenses and your attention gets pulled towards your own pain and panic. You can’t feel much beyond that.

Conditioning reduces that reactive noise. You’re no longer overwhelmed by the contact, so you can actually listen through it, feeling the opponent’s pressure, direction, structure and changes in force.

Check this out for some free content and if you are interested in my more philosophical takes on these arts. 🙂

start.shaolintaichi.online The strange movements, repeated shapes and system-specific exercises are supposed to reorganise the body—changing how it connects, moves and carries power.

New episode of Notes on Practise is out.

This one is a deep dive into Taizuquan — the Emperor’s Fist.

Rather than going over the history of the system, I wanted to look at the practice itself: how Taizuquan develops the body, organises the waist and spine, trains whole-body power, shapes the mind of the practitioner, and approaches bridging and combat.

I also explore why I increasingly see Taizuquan as one of the hidden foundations of Southern Shaolin, and why White Crane, in my view, is built on top of it.

Taizuquan: The Hidden Foundation of Southern Shaolin

Available now on YouTube and Podcast Apps. Link in comments.

Out now!

Ep 10 - Taizuquan: The Hidden Foundation of Southern Shaolin

Ep 10 - Taizuquan: The Hidden Foundation of Southern Shaolin Taizuquan: The Hidden Foundation of Southern Shaolin (Episode 10)...

After a wonderful week surrounded by the beauty and enchantment of Somerset, we’re finally back home in London.

It’s been a much-needed week of slowing down, recharging, long walks, ancient woods, good food and family time. We’ve come back feeling rested and eager to get back to what we love doing most.

A huge thank you to our amazing instructors for holding down the fort so expertly while we’ve been away. Knowing the school is in such capable hands means we can actually switch off and rest… without them, we’d never get to!

And it doesn’t seem to matter where I go in the world or how beautiful it is… after about a week away, I always start missing London and my people.

It’s good to be home. ❤️

Many of you have asked over the years about private lessons, but I’ve never really had the time to offer them.

As my teaching load at Kung Fu Zone is gradually reducing and we’re bringing more coaches into the academy, I’ve finally got a bit of availability.

So, if you’d like some one-to-one training, let me know. This is probably more suited to those who already have a foundation rather than complete beginners. I can help refine your practice, troubleshoot sticking points, and give direction in White Crane, Taizuquan and Five Ancestor Fist, as well as weapons and internal training where appropriate.

If you’re currently training under another teacher, I’d just ask that you get their permission first. I think it’s the respectful thing to do.

If that’s something you’re interested in, just drop me a message. 🙂 - Zoom sessions available too!