Muay Thai Traditions and Ceremonies

Traditional Muay Thai

Muay Thai has a long history of traditions. These Muay Thai traditions are usually related to showing respect and paying homage to those who helped you along the way. The art of Muay Thai, although powerful and very combative, comes out of humility. With my personal training Ajarn Chai Sirisute, who has been the largest… Read more »

Portland Tai Chi training in Martial Applications

Tai chi is practiced in four main areas martial arts/ self-defense, philosophical/creative, medical/therapeutic and spiritual/religious. Many of us have seen people practicing tai chi. It seems so graceful and soft, but out of the softness comes a very effective short and middle range martial art. Using Tai chi martial applications you will learn how to… Read more »

Regulating Your Taijiquan and Qigong Training

qigong portland

By Jeff Patterson 8/8/09 The training procedure with a Taijiquan or Qigong practice should start with regulating the body, breath, mind, Qi and then the spirit. It is important to have a good understanding of what these are to move forward to higher levels of practice. Also, when learning Taijiquan and Qigong in this progression, one… Read more »

What is Qigong – An Overview

qigong portland

By Jeff Patterson 6/9/09 Qigong (or chi gong) is an internal art focusing on the study and practice of the breath and how your breath is directly correlated with the body’s over all circulation, health and well being. There are many styles of Qigong and many reasons one might start a practice.   What is… Read more »

How To Build Confidence

Train MMA in Portland

By Jennilyn Nelson Stepping into a martial arts studio is one of my earliest memories of exercising self-confidence. I was nine, very shy, and not athletic. My mother had to coax me through the doors, reassuring me it wasn’t as scary as it seemed. Everything about the place seemed alluring and alien; shaking the instructor’s… Read more »

Grand Master Sam Tam

tai chi portland

Tai Chi – Qigong – Yichuan – Push Hands Saturday October 9th & Sunday October 10th Grandmaster Sam Tam will be teaching a weekend seminar in Portland, hosted by Northwest Internal Arts. Sifu Tam is world renowned for his internal martial arts ability. He is famous for and highly trained in Yiquan, Tai Chi Chuan,… Read more »

Yichuan Health Posture: Embrace the Tree

tai chi ichuan portland

This practice is excellent for anyone who holds tension in their shoulders, neck and upper back. It improves one’s posture, develops structural strength and cultivates energy, thereby enhancing one’s health.   Yichuan – Embrace the tree – Posture: Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, outsides of the feet parallel. Slightly bend and relax the… Read more »

Breathing Exercises: Four Count Breathing

tai chi ichuan portland

Breathing exercises are worked within the Tai Chi and Qigong systems for a variety of reasons; cultivating a meditative state, enhancing the body’s energy level, calming the mind and cleansing stagnancy and toxins from the body. The Four Count Breathing is a simple set that provides all of the benefits mentioned above and is an… Read more »