Monthly Newsletter
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Table of Contents
Master's Notepad
Christmas is just around the corner. It’s time to relax and enjoy the last days of 2023. We at Rothrock’s Kung Fu & Tai Chi Studio wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year.
Don’t forget to order any extra supplies you might need or want for next year. The 20% off sale starts on December 17th and runs until December 19th.
This month's Master Club is the Eagle Claw Principles. The seven principles emphasize important aspects of the Eagle Claw system. These include Grasp and Strike, Seize and Lock, Strike Pressure Points, and Stop the Blood Flow.
The holidays are a joyous time to spend with family and friends. However, they can also be stressful with all the last-minute shopping, cooking, and visiting. Check out the article about how to relieve that holiday stress.
The studio will be closed from Monday, December 23rd, to Monday, January 6th, for one week during the holidays.
"When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new."
Keep Training,
Master Rothrock
Kid's Corner
Animal of the Month - The Eagle (Ying Jow)
Today's Eagle Claw descends directly from three systems of Northern Kung Fu, the first of which is Chin'na (joint locking), developed by the famous General Yueh Fei (1103 - 41) of the Sung Dynasty. Although not himself a product of the Shaolin Temple, General Yueh Fei was extensively trained by the Shaolin Priest Jao Tung.
During the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), a Shaolin martial monk, Li Chun, was famous for his ability to perform Faan Tzu (martial tumbling) during a significant period of Chinese cultural history. Li Chun chanced upon a demonstration of General Yueh Feii's Chin'na. Li Chun saw the power of Eagle Claw hand techniques and the beauty of the form and was determined to combine it with his own Faan Tzu. In time, the monk Li Chun combined the two systems, creating Northern Shaolin Ying Jow Faan Tzu. (Eagle Claw as we know it today.)
Eagle Claw moves must be quick, alive, and natural. If training is unnatural, arms and legs are stiff, and moves are wooden. This is what is called "dead" strength. If arms and legs are stiff, the blood and chi are in turmoil, and internal power cannot be generated. Without inner power when fighting, chances are, one will lose the fight. Eagle Claw develops natural, concentrated movements using circles and a half-clinched hand to grab, lock, and press vital points.
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Where does a snowman keep his money?
In a snow bank.
What did the snowman order at the fast food restaurant?
An ice burger with chili sauce.
Stay Stress Free for the Holidays
Are you looking for ways to reduce your holiday stress? Ask yourself these six questions to have a more relaxing holiday.
What’s important to you? What does this holiday season mean to you? Is it about family, spirituality, or giving to others? The only correct answer is yours.
What can you afford to spend? Are you making a budget for your gift-giving? We often equate love and generosity with the value of a gift, but gifts can take many forms. So first, look at what you have to spend, then decide what to give.
Do you imagine stressful scenarios about family interactions or social situations? Remind yourself that worrying about the future or regretting the past isn’t going to change what has or is going to happen. Instead, visualize what else could be true rather than what you fear.
Are all of these traditions important to you? Once you know what makes this season meaningful, have fun and play with it. Make your new traditions, and invite your loved ones to participate.
Do you have the time? Most holiday stress involves an increase in the demands of your time. Be clear about what works for you and what doesn’t. Learn to politely but firmly say ‘no’ to the things that don’t fit your schedule.
What do you need? Make time for yourself. Take your time out, even if only a few minutes daily.
Don’t forget about Tai Chi. That is a great way to get back into shape and relieve stress. So take time for yourself, and don’t forget about our Holiday Special so that you can try it out. Or maybe you know a family member who could use some stress relief. Purchase a gift certificate for a better and healthier life.
Joint Flexibility
Joint flexibility keeps your joints healthy and loose. Inflexible joints can lead to arthritis, nerve damage, stiffness, and joint damage. Healthy joints require rotation, flexibility, and strength.
The full-range circular moves +of Kung Fu and Tai Chi rotate the joints as you build strength and improve your flexibility. That keeps your joints healthy and increases blood flow.
Since everything on your body is circular, circular movements are the best way to keep your body healthy. Plus, this is the way your body moves naturally. Therefore, straight and linear actions are less beneficial for your body.
As I mentioned, the Yin/Yang has two components: light and dark, strong and flexible. Therefore, a healthy body requires that you keep these two opposites in harmony.
Eagle Claw Principles
In this month's article, we talk about the Eagle Claw principles. These principles teach you the secrets of using the Eagle Claw Locking techniques. There are 7 principles and 108 locking techniques. We also have a special Master Club class on these principles, so don't miss that.
Eagle Claw Principles comprises 7 principles for developing self-defense and Kung Fu skills. Eagle Claw is considered the jewel of Kung Fu and is a complete system. The principles include:
1) Jow Da, Cum Na uses the fingers to claw and grab and lock the opponent so they cannot move.
2) Fun Gun, Chaw Quat to twist and separate muscles and tendons and break bones.
3) Dim Yut, Bye Hei strikes the vital points with the fingers and uses the Eagle Claw to stop blood flow and breathing.
4) Cow Wai, Saw Fung presses the arm to break, lock, and control the opponent with fast, smooth blocks.
5) Sim Jim, Tong Na use twisting body movements with blocks to avoid being hit and incorporate jumping kicks and sweeps.
6) Diu Cow, Fing Law controls the opponent and uses soft power to keep your opponent off balance.
7) Noi Sup, Chung Dit absorbs the opponent’s attack using throwing and gymnastics.
Sim Jim, Tong Na use twisting body movements with blocks to avoid being hit and incorporate jumping kicks and sweeps.
Diu Cow, Fing Law controls the opponent and uses soft power to keep your opponent off balance.
Noi Sup, Chung Dit absorbs the opponent’s attack using throwing and gymnastics.
Welcome New Members
Eliana Patten
Franco Hernandez
Otis Carson
Arya Varma Mudunri
Sonny Wozniak
Darryn Zawitz
Elaine Khanwilkar
Jack Brockmeyer
Brian Caparoula
Clint Petrella
Harley Petrella
Joni Guzzy
Kinsley Ray
Octavia Parker
Robert Miller
Noah McCullough
Jacob Benninger
David Loebell
Henry McClure
Wanda DiPaolo
Jeff Dipaolo
Anthony Merante
Paul Thompson
Rodney Sanford
Severin Davis
Akir Holley
Odette Morris
Bryce McCord
Terric Turner
Adam Johnson
Blake McCord
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