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This page
describes the various programs that the Purple Bamboo Institute offers and
provides information about various chinese martial arts. If you are
interested in learning the Chinese Martial Arts, our door is always open.
Give us a call or stop by. Purple
Bamboo Institute – Chinese Martial Health Concepts Located
in the Ontario, Ohio Servex Center Private
Lessons / Group Sessions Are available to anyone with an interest to learn. Scheduling is discussed between the instructor and student as to time and place. These lessons are available to all students, all ages, all styles, and those who have never studied at all. Lessons can be continuous and on going, normally weekly, or just a one time lesson. The session would focus on the primary interests and goals of the student along with any requirements the instructor feels is necessary to achieve to those goals. Browse the listing below for available private classes and group sessions. |
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The
goal of a Kung-Fu class is to introduce students to the rigorous physical and
mental foundation work required to make their Kung Fu real and alive. The
instructor modifies the training to fulfill each student’s focus and goals.
This class is comprised of varying stages of training, starting first with
strengthening, conditioning and flexibility.
Then the focus shifts to balance, co-ordination and a relaxed
generation of power. After this stage, the student begins to specialize their
training. From that point the student reaches a stage where harmony with life
becomes the goal. Kung Fu stresses whole body movement, and uses the body in
a way that exercise and strengthen all muscles, tendons and ligaments. Kung
Fu works on harmonizing the external and internal to bring about a
well-balanced individual. A Kung Fu practitioner is balanced in Mind, Body
and Spirit. He or she is an Open-Minded, Confident, Respectful, Courteous,
and Disciplined person. The topics taught within this class consist of whole
body strengthening exercises, animal forms, classical internal system
exercises, Tai Chi Chuan, Pa-Kua Chang, Hsing-I Chuan, Tan-Tui, energy work
and self-defense. This school employs a ranking system developed primarily
for internal uses only. Such ranking serves no purpose should the student
study at another school. The Instructor would be more interested in the
students’ abilities verses rank. The Chinese Martial Arts
encompass a whole array of different styles. From the animal systems to the Internal styles, they have been
misunderstood, shrouded in mystery, and clouded by individuals who believe
other arts are similiar. The Chinese martial arts are believed to be the
original and oldest system used for health enhancement, inner freedom and
self-defense. Scholars have evidence that one sophisticated Chinese Art,
Shuai-Chiao was established prior to the year 2698 B.C. The following information is paraphrased from Master Adam
Hsu’s book, “The Sword Polishers Record”. It is presented here for
informational purposes only, and to credit a very good Kung Fu teacher. For
more information about Master Adam Hsu, click here: Adam Hsu Kung Fu Kung Fu depends on unbroken, coordinated movement
throughout the entire body. The whole body is utilized together as one unit.
Movement is not straight but circular, curved or involving a twisting action.
This creates an approach right into the opponent’s space where close in
fighting takes place. A good Kung-Fu fighter engages the entire body as an
essential contributor to the technique, with each part of the body lending
mutual support and cooperating with all the others to administer a complete
attack. Thus, a Kung-Fu practitioner must be able to manage different areas
of the body simultaneously rather than focusing on a single area or part.
Ones Awareness must extend beyond the arms and legs to include the entire
body. Kung-Fu training requires
positioning parts of the body in specific positions. This type of training
isn’t easy, but teaches proper body control. The Kung-Fu practitioner is aware of the surrounding
space, standing in the middle of a globe ready to exert energy in any
direction. Good Kung Fu is incomplete unless it trains the mind, and enlarges
the practitioners mental capacity to include the space around them. This
awareness, when it is present, can be very clearly seen in the postures. Real Kung-Fu training must enrich the entire human being,
improve one’s health, develop physical and mental abilities, and expand one’s
philosophical outlook and worldview. To do otherwise would demean the art of
Kung Fu. The Kung-Fu way to fight truly embodies the meaning of “Kung-Fu.”
Hard work and patience over a long period of time are required to internalize
these principles. Those who are honest and dedicated enough to face the
sweat, pain and frustrations necessary to learn the Kung-Fu way of fighting
will be greatly rewarded. Forms Training
The forms of the longfist system while full of beautiful
and flowing artistic movements, are quite dynamic, and structured while
teaching specific skills unique to the Chinese Arts. There are animal style
forms, which train the person to utilize the characteristics of a particular
animal like a tiger, preying mantis or crane. There are also training forms
that teach power issuance, trapping and chin-na techniques, basic and
advanced kicking and movement concepts along with typical fitness,
flexibility and endurance training. Weapons Training
Weapons training is normally reserved for advance students
with a strong grasp of the fundamentals. The weapons covered are Broadsword,
Straight Sword, Tai Chi Sword, and Staff. Various other unique weapons such
as daggers, rings, whip chains and fans are investigated and studied after
the basics weapons sets are learned. |
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Courtesy
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Respect
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Discipline
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Self Confidence
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Children can
study Kung Fu. There are many fundamental exercises and basic forms that will
teach a young child necessary skills, while still maintaining an atmosphere
of fun and interest. Classes would normally consist of stance training and
simple exercises along with unique drills designed to teach fundamentals such
as falling, rolling, kicking and jumping.
The Martial Arts are very beneficial for kids. Thru
Chinese Kung-Fu, kids will learn self-confidence, respect, discipline,
etiquette, proper morals and values. And those are just the mental aspects.
Physically, their strength and flexibility increase, their bodies will become
healthier, they will be less apt to get sick, and when they do, it won't last
as long. The truth is, Chinese Kung-Fu will create a well-balanced
individual; one who becomes an example to society and to their peers of what
truth, honesty, courtesy, friendship, loyalty, and respect are all about. These
traits will bleed over into other aspects of your children’s lives. In school
they will study harder and learn faster, they will be smarter and more
knowledgeable of the dangers of society, and they will learn that fighting
isn’t the answer. Thru Chinese Kung-Fu, children will learn that size doesn’t
matter, quantity doesn't matter; that it’s not what you do so much as how you
do it. Look around, today’s youth are sick, weak, close-minded,
undisciplined, disrespectful, lost kids lacking self-confidence. |
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The goal of the Tai Chi Chuan class is to develop a proper Tai Chi Foundation. Thru the use of Tai-Chi Principles of posture, structural alignment, Chi Kung relaxation, proper breathing, balance and co-ordination, a Tai Chi state of mind will be reached. This is an informal class where relaxation and stress reduction are the main concerns. Thru the use of specialized exercises such as The 13 Kinetic Movements of the Secret Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan, Swimming Dragon Chi Kung, 8 Piece Brocade, Pa-Kua Change and Chi Kung principles, the student achieves whole body awareness, better health, and a relaxed state of mind. Although self-defense aspects of the Internal Arts may be touched upon from time to time, health remains the primary concern. Form more information, click here PBI Tai Chi |
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Tai Chi is very beneficial for
senior citizens. Tai Chi will help them with their balance, coordination,
strength and endurance levels. Tai
Chi is based upon the Yin and Yang
philosophy of opposing yet complementary forces, which create harmony in
Nature. So its principles of graceful stepping, derived from the movements of
animals, follows a natural relaxed pattern, flowing together like a river.
Perfect for senior citizens with balance and coordination issues. The
University of Texas Aging Study concluded: That one (1) out of every three (3) citizens over the age
of 65 fall each year. In 1995, 7,700 people over 65 died from a fall. They
concluded that falls are the cause of 87% of all fractures and that 60% of
all fall related deaths occurred in those 75 and older. The same university concluded
that improved balance reduces the amount of falls, and that regular exercise
would reduce the severity of the falls. Also, calming the mind created a
stronger awareness of surrounding, thus reducing the occurrence of falls. And
finally, all of the above helped increase ones confidence, which assisted in
stopping the fear cycle. Institute of Chicago, and
Emory University: Participants with moderate balance problems, taking part
in a 2 month course in Tai Chi Chuan actually Improved their balance 10% or greater! Harvard, Yale and Emory
University: A 10 year aging study determined
not only that Tai Chi was superior to more technological balance therapies,
but that Tai Chi reduced the risk of injury by falling 48%. |
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Founded by Wang Yen-Nien, Tai Chi 13 Kinetic
Movements, was derived from the Chen Family Style 400 yrs ago and handed down
to the Yang Family. The Yang Family then brought its health aspects and its
martial aspects together. The 13 Kinetic Movements is different than the
Ordinary Yang Style in that one
practices both sides of the body. 13 Kinetic Movements incorporates the Five
Steps; Forward, Backward, Left, Right and Central Equilibrium, along with the
8 Entrances, including the 4 Corner Directions of Ward off, Rollback, Press,
Push, Pull Down, Split, Elbow Stroke, and Shoulder Stroke - which is the
essence of the Secret Yang Style. For more information about YangJia Michuan
style Tai Chi chuan AYMTA Home Page Michuan Tai Ji
Juan style focuses on the Essence of Tai chi to develop a proper Tai Chi
Foundation. The 13 Kinetic Movements Tai Chi Set employs the principles of
posture, structural alignment, Chi Kung, relaxation, breathing, balance and
co-ordination. Thru specialized internal art exercises, one can achieve whole
body awareness, better health, and a relaxed state of mind. This class is 100%
oriented to Health.
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Heart and Mind in chaos. Concentrate on one thing to make
the mind pure. To reach purity, one should practice walking in a circle |
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The system of Pa-Kua Chang was founded on the philosophy
of the Eight trigrams and the teachings from the I-Ching. Pa-Kua Chang
practices circling movement utilizing forms that while are incredibly
beautiful to watch, resemble the twisting and flowing actions of a long
sinuous Chinese Dragon. Therefore, Pa-Kua Chang develops your grace, balance
and flexibility like no other form of exercise. Pa-Kua is circular, flowing
moves that teaches about the changing center inherent in all internal styles.
It helps connect the upper and lower body; challenges ones posture, and
teaches how to yield with strength. Pa Kua is founded upon the concept of a
circle; its fundamental exercise is walking a circle in various patterns,
utilizing waist-twisting movements that increase ones health thru internal
organ massage.
Philosophy The system of
Pa-Kua Chang was founded on the philosophy of the Eight trigrams and the
teachings from the I-Ching. Pa-Kua Chang practices circling movement
utilizing forms that while are incredibly beautiful to watch, resemble the
twisting and flowing actions of a long sinuous Chinese Dragon. Therefore,
Pa-Kua Chang develops your grace, balance and flexibility like no other form
of exercise. Pa-Kua is circular, flowing moves that teaches about the changing
center inherent in all internal styles. It helps connect the upper and lower
body, challenges ones posture and teaches how to yield with strength. Founded
upon the concept of a circle, its fundamental exercise is walking a circle in
various patterns, utilizing waist twisting movements that increase ones
health thru internal organ massage. The constant training of the waist, twisting,
turning, bending etc, results in an effective exercise for the joints, sinews,
muscles and internal organs so one is not only training in a fighting art but
also a healing art. Bagwa is closely related to acupuncture whereby one is
constantly twisting the acupuncture meridians to work upon each organ in turn
thereby sending life giving Ch'i or energy to all parts of the body. The
dragon dances, undulates, twists, using flexible movements where necessary
and rigid movements when needed. His/her movements are responsive; that is,
movement is only reliant upon the actions of the attacker. Each movement has
an equal and opposite reaction and these reactions are inter-woven and
coordinated with each other. Blocking is always done in a circular manner
thus minimizing the attacker's power and at the same time always on the move,
in to the center. Never is an attack taken full on using brute force. The
waist generates the movement while the upper body stays rigid. The mind is
concentrated on the lower abdomen with the breath regulated throughout the
form. The unique stepping method gathers no momentum, the power comes from
the waist alone thus the practitioner is able to stop immediately and go the
other way. There is never any weight placed upon the leading foot. The
stepping is fast but only fast within each step's own boundaries. The
momentum of each individual step must not go into the next step, it must stop
when the foot stops, and then the next step is begun. In this way the feet
are able to attack the opponent's ankle or at the highest, the groin. In order to keep this idea of not gathering
the momentum especially when executing the Bagwa technique of swinging around
to defend from the rear, a technique known as 'Cloud Shadowing Palms' is
used. This technique involves the lifting of one or both of the arms straight
upward as one spins around thus keeping the centrifugal force art a minimum.
Thus one is able to keep the center and thus keep their control in order to
defend against great strength. The arms are in a position to be able to crash
down upon the attack. Bagwazhang is a unique martial art, which is the epitome
of the Taoist philosophy. One not only gain a great self defense art but also
heal the body and mind of any defects which have come as a result of bad
living habits over a number of years.
History The
most misunderstood of the Internal Arts is Pa Kua Chang (Eight Trigrams
Boxing), which is only now becoming familiar to the American people. In fact,
it still has a long way to go before it will be as recognized as Tai Chi
Chuan. The
average person may not have heard of Tung Hai Chuan also known as Cheng
Ying-Fang. He was a native of Hebei Province. his home town was Chu Chia Wu.
Although his exact birth date is not known, it is safe to say he was born
sometime between 1796 and 1816. The latest date extracted from the Pa Kua
Journals indicated some research was done which traced Tung Hai Chuans’ life
through some of his family relations and concluded that 1813 was probably the
year of Tungs’ birth. No one is sure of Tungs’ early life, but researchers
believe he was involved with the martial arts from an early age. the region
of his birth was very popular for its martial arts. It would be a good guess
to assume he studied the early root systems of Shaolin like Lo Han or Hung
Chuan (Red Fist). But since each village had its own distinct version of
Shaolin, its hard to state the exact styles that Tung favored. It is believed that Tung became involved in learning Pa
Kua sometime in his twenties. Where and how he learned the PA Kua is still
controversial. One possibility is that Tung developed Pa Kua from another
martial art called Yin Yang Pa P’an Chang, which he learned from Master Tung
Meng Lin. Also there is mention of Eight Directional Walking called Li Kua
and Ka’n Kua – both possible predecessors of PA Kua. Other theories state
Tung learned it from a Master called Pi Cheng-Hsia, or even developed it on
his own by incorporating his understanding of the I-Ching. |
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Benefits |
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Corrects
posture and breathing |
Mind,
Body, Spirit Unification |
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Prevents
and cures illness |
Calm,
Peaceful Mind |
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Helps
maintain good health |
Increased
Self Confidence |
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Cultivates
“Energy of Life” |
Stronger
Awareness |
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Chi
Kung is the science of cultivating internal energy, called Chi. 4000 years of
research has shown Chi Kung to be effective in improving health and curing
illnesses. It teaches how you can, through your own effort, balance and
strengthen your Chi, even as their body ages. Whereas the body’s “Hardware”
is genetically programmed to degenerate with age, the Chi or Life Force, if
it is properly cultivated, becomes stronger and counteract undesirable
effects of aging. Chi
Kung is composed of many various methods. A few special examples of this are:
Marrow Washing - designed to cleanse the Marrow, the source of the Immune
System; Swimming Dragon - A Taoist method that will rejuvenate and increase
Kidney energy; Eight Piece Brocade- eight specialized exercises designed to
build up the chi in the Limbs. The history of Qigong (Ch'i Kung) commences beyond the era of
written records, in the mists of prehistory. Earliest estimates suggest that self-enhancement
and empowerment practices date into the time of Chinese shamans, previous to
500 BCE. While Qigong has strong roots into mystical and philosophical
ground, the practical healing and stress management applications are the most
popular aspects of the tradition in China today. Both the health and
spiritual applications are rapidly gaining in popularity in the Western world
as people realize that disease and stress are relieved by peace of mind Qigong is one of the four pillars of traditional Chinese
medicine: Acupuncture, Massage, Herbal Medicines and Qigong. Of these, Qigong
is the one that can be most easily self-initiated. Both massage and herbal
remedies can also be done as self care, however, Qigong is the mother of
Chinese self-healing. Patients who use Qigong faithfully need less
medication, less acupuncture and heal faster. The word Qigong breaks into Qi and Gong: Qi = vitality, energy,
life force, Gong = practice, cultivate, refine; Qigong = to cultivate and
refine through practice one's vitality or life force. The Chinese believe
that the primary mechanism that is triggered by the practice of Qigong is a
spontaneous balancing and enhancing of the natural healing resources in the
human system. Over thousands of years millions of people have benefited from
these practices believing that improving the function of the Qi maintains
health and heals disease. In the paradigm of mechanistic Western science, the practice of
Qigong triggers a wide array of physiological mechanisms, which have profound
healing benefits. It increases the delivery of oxygen to the tissues. It
enhances the elimination of waste products as well as the transportation of
immune cells through the lymph system. And it shifts the chemistry of the
brain and the nervous system. There are various estimates for the number of varieties of
Qigong. There are at least a thousand. Some elaborate and complex, some
mysterious and esoteric and some simple and practical. If you adjust to a
relaxed, upright posture, take a deep breath and relax your mind - you are
already doing Qigong. Try this: sit up, relax your body, take a deep breath,
rest your mind for just a moment. Already you are stimulating an automatic
self-healing response. On any morning in the parks
throughout China you will find literally thousands of people doing Qigong
practices. Some practice individually quietly among the trees. Others
practice in large groups of hundreds or even thousands. Often, one will see a
patient, in hospital pajamas, doing a special form of cancer recovery Qigong
- a form of slow and contentful walking. Or a group might stand in a circle
chatting as they do a simple form based on hand movements. Qigong is one of
the most powerful self healing traditions ever developed in human history. It
is literally a health wonder of the world. |
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Specialized Exercises and
Training
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The
Purple Bamboo Institute offers specialized training in many areas. The majority
is health oriented, but some are also of a self-defense nature. A small
example of such exercises would include: Swimming Dragon Chi Kung, Eight
Piece Brocade Chi Kung, Snake Rolls Dynamic Tension Drill, specialized Tai
Chi exercises, Pushing Hands and Soft Style Iron Palm. Many of these
exercises are perfect for citizens of all ages, and some are especially
suited to senior citizens. for further information about learning any of
these specialized drills, stop in and speak with the instructor. These
specialized training methods are made available to current PBI students as
their progression merits learning the knowledge. The Swimming Dragon
Chi Kung and Six Simple Chi Kung Methods for Health
Swimming Dragon Chi Kung is a
Taoist method for rejuvenation and increasing kidney energy. It changes your
metabolism and balances your internal gland secretions. The 6 simple Chi Kung
methods for health include methods to cultivate your chi, balance your minor
heaven circulation, strengthen longitudinal muscles, and connect you to the
energy around you Eight Piece Brocade Chi Kung
Exercise
The 8 pieces of brocade were
created by Marshal Yeuh Fei to improve the health of his soldiers. Originally
there were 12 exercises, but over the generations they were edited down to 8.
Eight Pieces of Brocade is Chi Kung or energy work. The main purpose of Chi
Kung is to gain mental and spiritual calmness, peace and balance. Mental and
emotional excesses cause illness. These excesses use up Chi and cause
stagnation in the channels and organ systems. Therefore you must learn to
calm the Mind so that the Chi may follow. The Mind moves the Chi. The main
goal of Chi Kung training is to learn how to retain your Jing or Essence
strengthen and smooth your Chi and enlighten your Shen or Spirit. Therefore
you must learn how to regulate the body, mind and breathing. Pushing Hands
The practice of push hands or
Tui Shou in Tai Chi Chuan is based on the various pattern changes of circular
movement. Tui Shou has no fixed spheres or lines of movement, but adheres
strictly on a circular orbit, no matter in offensive or defensive; forward or
backward actions. In short, push hands stresses the importance of following
an opponents incoming trail of attack, then adopting principles of
circumference movement and diversifying to various circular abstract movement
spheres in the degree of big small, normal, oblique, level and standing. The
whole concept emphasizes the control of action through anticipation (ones
mood of Intent) Seek Action amidst the tranquil environmental state; use
anticipation, not force. Snake Rolls Dynamic
Tension Exercise
Comprising a very specialized
routine of Dynamic Tension Exercises, The Snake Rolls Drills offer all the
benefits of weight training without using weights. You will be able to
strengthen muscles, improve your physique without all the common weight
training types of injuries. Dynamic Tension imparts a body awareness, which
is vital for the martial arts. By becoming aware of each individual muscle
and separately increasing its strength, you gain more control and power. You
will be able to focus your energy to achieve your goals. You will have made
your power a part of yourself. Snake
Rolls brings the Mind and body together Every
Martial Art has its own proprietary exercises handed down thru generations.
Such exercises are designed for a specific purpose and often required proven
dedication to the Master prior to acceptance into such training. While
American society may hold different views on such an approach, there is a
logic that cannot be ignored. Training such as Iron Palm, Sand Palm, Poison
Palm, Golden Bell and similiar types of training could conceivably endow the
practitioner with what could be considered superhuman powers. While such training does not actually give
one super powers, the dedication and years of training does endow them with
capabilities above the norm. This is true in a lot of areas - professional
sports players, performing arts professionals, ballet dancers, Military
commandos, etc.... all have achieved a higher than normal level of
capability. All thru dedication and perseverance. With
the art of Soft Style Iron Palm, the practitioner must have very high moral
values, because the technique that they are learning can conceivably cause
severe damage to another person. For this reason above all others, this
school will not teach such methods to just anyone. It is our belief that in
today’s society, only those individuals who hold the moral capacity “Not to use” such methods should even be
allowed to learn. We wish to preserve ancient arts for the future so that
such information will not be lost in time. This training is available, but
only after the student has shown dedication and worthiness to learn it. There
are not any videos available to buy. For videos on Iron Palm go to Wing Lam Enterprises |
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2003, PBICMHC. All rights reserved |
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