Internal Fighting Arts | Learn Real-World Martial Arts Insights from Top Instructors of Tai Chi - Xingyi - Bagua and Qiqong

Louis Martin is the author of "The True Believers," the story of how he became involved in a martial arts school in Monterey, California that had a charismatic teacher and a cult-like atmosphere. Ken Gullette talks with Louis in a wide-ranging discussion of critical thinking skills, what kind of people are lured into martial arts cults, and how you can tell if you are showing signs of being a "Tru...

J. Justin Meehan is an attorney in St. Louis and the senior U.S. disciple of Master Zhang Xue Xin, who lives in San Francisco and is a disciple of the late Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang. Sifu Justin, as his students call him, began studying Tai Chi Chuan in 1967. He also studied other arts, including Shaolin, Northern and Southern Praying Mantis, Hung Gar and Wing Tsun. In 1981, he met and trained wit...

Ken Gullette talks Bagua Zhang with Dennis Mace, an instructor of Cheng style Bagua Zhang in Seattle, Washington and a disciple of the late Yang Guo Tai. Ken and Dennis met when Ken was 34 and Dennis was a teenager. Both were training in the internal arts in Omaha, Nebraska. They each went their own paths studying other traditional internal arts. In this interview, Dennis talks about his journey i...

John Scott is the Maryland State Representative for the Chen Pan Ling family and the Ling Yun Pai family. He is a successful instructor and tournament champion, with a school in Frederick, Maryland. John  is completely devoted to the  Chen Pan Ling Systems of martial and healing arts and is a senior disciple of  Grandmaster Chen Yun Ching, Chen Pan Ling's son, and heir of the systems. John talks w...

Ken Gullette talks with Jakob Pang Isaksson, a Jiang style Bagua Zhang instructor who lives in Stockholm, Sweden. Jakob has spent a few years in China studying with several teachers, first traveling to Wudang Mountain and then, after some time passed, he found his Bagua teacher in Quzhou, a few hours southwest of Shanghai. Jakob studies with Li Jian Min. After winning a silver and bronze medal at...

Stephen Jackowicz, Ph. D. has developed an early-stage anti-viral treatment for Covid-19 patients using Traditional Chinese Medicine, particularly herbal treatments. At the time of this interview, he has treated more than 90 people who tested positive for Covid-19. None of them have seen their symptoms deteriorate to the point where hospitalization was required. Ken Gullette talks with Dr. Jackowi...

Ken Gullette talks Taiji with Nabil Ranne, an instructor in Berlin, Germany who is a disciple of Chen Yu. Nabil is the co-founder of the Chen Style Taijiquan Network Germany. He also has a Ph. D. in sports science. In this interview, Nabil talks about practicing Chen Style Taiji, understanding gongfu culture, differences between the Chen Village and Beijing lines of Chen Taiji, and training with C...

Chen Huixian is a 20th generation descendant of the Chen family. She grew up in Chenjiagou, the Chen Village, where Taijiquan is believed to have originated. Her ancestors include some of the greatest Taiji (Tai Chi) masters in history, including Chen Wangting, Chen Changxing, Chen Fake and Chen Zhaopi. She is an indoor disciple of her uncle, Chen Zhenglei. Other uncles include Chen Xiaowang and C...

Ken Gullette talks with Chen Taiji instructor Ronnie Yee of Vancouver, British Columbia. Ronnie has studied martial arts since 1980, when he enrolled in Li Chi Wai's school, and he has studied Chen Taiji since 1988. He has trained with Chen Zhonghua, Zhang Lianen, Liu Chengde and Li Enjiu. In this wide-ranging interview, Ronnie tells stories of training with the masters. Ken and Ronnie also "get u...

Tina Zhang was born in China and lived in a home on the grounds of the Imperial Palace. She studied martial arts in school, and continued her studies in the United States after moving here as a student. In this interview, Tina talks with Ken Gullette about the internal arts and her thirst for learning, which led her to shoot, edit and write a great documentary, "Tai Chi Club," which is available f...

Frank Allen is a disciple of Chent Style Baguazhang Grandmaster Liu Jingru and also a disciple of Northern Wu Style Taijiquan Grandmaster Li Bing Ci. Frank began studying martial arts in 1973 and is celebrating the 41st anniversary of his school on the lower east side of New York City, the Wu Tang Physical Culture Association. His website is www.wutangpca.com. He has written books with Tina Zhang,...

This is a different kind of episode. Instead of an interview, Ken Gullette celebrates the one-year anniversary of sending out a weekly training tip to his students, website members and customers. After 52 weekly emails, Ken has gathered up a collection, including some of his favorites, and you will notice a theme that develops which can guide you on one of the most effective reasons to study the i...

Mark Chen has written a valuable new book called "Chen Style Taijiquan Collected Masterworks: The History of a Martial Art." The book is a translation into English of some important documents that date back to the earliest days of Taijiquan. In this interview, Ken Gullette talks with Mark about the challenges of translating Chinese to English, and they explore the stories, legends and facts behind...

Ken Gullette talks with Jon Nicklin, who lived several years in Shanghai and became a disciple of Dai Xueqi, who is a master of Song family Xingyiquan living in Shanghai. Jon has a wide range of experience in Chinese martial arts, beginning when he lived in London. He now lives in Hong Kong. Ken and Jon talk about his experience studying with a "traditional" Xingyi teacher, the culture shock of mo...

Is your mind quiet enough to do Tai Chi? Ken Gullette interviews Michael Dorgan, a Hunyuan Taijiquan instuctor and owner of Hunyuan Martial Arts Academy of San Jose in California. Michael is a disciple of the late Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang. He has also studied with Wong Jack Man, George Xu, Zhang Xue Xin, Feng Xiuqian and Chen Xiang. Michael was a correspondent for Knight Ridder newspapers station...

Kim Ivy is a Chen Taiji and Qigong instructor and disciple of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang. In part 1 of a 2-part interview, Kim talks with Ken Gullette about how she started in martial arts, training in Judo and Aikido in the US and Japan, and what finally attracted her to Chen Taiji after studying and teaching Yang style. She also talks about teaching Taiji to people with illnesses and disabilities...

Ken Gullette talks with Holly Sweeney-Hillman, a Senior-level instructor of Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi in Pottersville, New Jersey and the Center Director for the Bedford/Montclair Yang Family Tai Chi Center. Holly has studied with Yang Zhenduo and Yang Jun. In this interview, she talks about studying wih members of the Yang family, how Yang tai chi fit with her love of the science of body mo...

Ken Gullette talks with Derryl Willis, a Seattle-based instructor of Chen Taijiquan who is a disciple of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang. Derryl has made many trips to study in the Chen Village. In this interview, Derryl and Ken discuss the true meaning of being a disciple, the value of practicing the basics, and why Derryl caused traffic to stop the first time he walked the street in Chen Village.

Bruce Lee inspired Ken Gullette and Matthew Polly to become involved in martial arts. Now, Matthew has written the best and most detailed biography of Bruce Lee of all. Ken talks with Matthew about Bruce Lee -- his troubled childhood, the hurdles he faced in America, his true skill level, and how he died. Ken also explores two of Matthew's other outstanding books -- "Tapped Out," which was written...

What happens when a tai chi person takes up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? Graham Barlow, the man behind the Tai Chi Notebook blog, did just that. He is a tai chi student and teacher, and a black belt in Jiu Jitsu. He has also studied Xingyi and Choy Lee Fut. In this conversation with Ken Gullette, Graham talks about the differences in the conditioning required for groundfighting, and whether any skills tra...

What is the nature of chi? How is chi interpreted in different ways? Is there a conspiracy in Western medicine against acupuncture? Is acupuncture effective or is it junk science? These are a couple of topics tackled when Ken Gullette interviews Dr. Stephen Jackowicz, a martial artist and the Assistant Clinical Professor of Acupuncture at the Acupuncture Institute at the University of Bridgeport i...

Ken Gullette talks with Sam Masich, a veteran tai chi instructor who grew up in Canada and now lives and teaches in Germany. He studied with Grandmaster Shouyu Liang, Dr. Yang Jwing Ming, Brien Gallagher, Raymond Chung and others. Sam has developed the 5 Section Taijiquan Program and the Masich Internal Arts Method.

Ken Gullette with part two of an interview with Ian Sinclair, a tai chi instructor in Orrilia, Ontario. He has studied with Grandmaster Liang Shouyu and Sam Masich. In this wide-ranging discussion, Ian talks about learning fighting applications from Grandmaster Liang Shouyu and Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming; last year's controversial match between an MMA fighter and a Tai Chi "master;" and the importance of...

Tai Chi instructor Ian Sinclair talks with Ken Gullette about his experiences training with Grandmaster Shouyu Liang, Raymond Chung and other teachers in Canada. He began studying at the age of 12 and teaches in his hometown of Orillia, Ontario.

Ken Gullette talks with Paul Linden, chief instructor at the Columbus Center for Movement Studies/Aikido of Columbus. Paul began studying Aikido in 1969, and he developed the "Being in Movement" mindbody training. He is a specialist in mind and movement awareness education, and his work focuses on the interplay between self-exploration and effective action. Paul works with abuse survivors, among o...