The definition of a true martial arts practitioner continues in this segment as we look at the third of the five Important Actions; Respect. Respect (礼 – Lǐ)Respect is defined as having due regard for the feelings, wishes and rights of others and of ourselves. In living a respectful life we must balance our own needs with those of the people around us, and in so doing, every individual will have a sense of place and self-worth. Respect starts from ...  read more

We continue our understanding of what WǔDé (Martial Morality) is and why it is so fundamental to differentiating truly great martial arts practitioners from the not-so-great. Our first instalment looked at the first of the 5 Important Actions, being Humility. Here we look at the next one, Loyalty: Loyalty (忠 - Zhōng)This is a very traditional concept both in Eastern and Western culture, but for some, it is seen as almost obsolete thinking in the 21st Century. However, loyalty still ...  read more

We all spend an enormous amount of time looking at videos, demonstrations and competitive performances of Chinese Martial Arts practitioners. We think we see whether they are “good” or not; whether they display the correct techniques, whether we can see “quality in their movements”, “power and harmony”, “coordination”, “spirit, rhythm and style” but the fundamental thing we are not seeing and what truly defines whether they are masters of their craft or not is WǔDé (武德) – Martial Morality. WǔDé ...  read more

JinLi was extremely proud and honoured to see a special member of the JinLi family, Glenn Bermingham, receive a Bronze Medal at the recent 2018 Oceania Kung Fu Wushu Championships, held in Melbourne, Australia.   The Oceania Championships are held biennially in one of the International Wushu Federation’s Oceanic member countries. Currently, the countries represented are Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Samoa, American Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Norfolk Island, Fiji, Guam, New Caledonia, Tahiti, Tonga, Tokelau, Cook Islands ...  read more

JinLi Wushu-Tai Chi was recently approached by the producers of the Channel 10 television program, The Living Room, who were preparing a segment called “Mood Moves”, looking at fun activities that promote both mental and physical health. They wanted to know whether we would be interested in sharing the benefits of Tai Chi with their 1-million plus Australian viewership. Of course, we jumped at the chance. So a group of JinLi’ers braved the winter cold with TV presenter Tiffany Hall, ...  read more

The Fúchén (拂尘 as spelt in Wudang Wushu or 佛尘 as spelt for Taiji), also known as the Horsetail Whisk, Fly Whisk or Dust Brush, is one of Chinese Martial Arts’ most unorthodox and paradoxical weapons. It has been steeped in mystery for centuries but ironically, has gained great popularity with Western practitioners in the 21st Century. What is a Fúchén? The Fúchén (Fu-chen, Fu Chen, Fochen) is essentially a whisk or brush made by binding the hair from a ...  read more

Pattern language was defined by the widely influential architect and design theorist, Emeritus Professor Christopher Alexander, and first brought to light in his book “A Pattern Language”, and subsequently in his famous work “The Nature of Order”. To give you a feel for Alexander’s thought processes one of his statements was “No one can be close to others, without also having frequent opportunities to be alone”. Essentially, Pattern Language is the way of describing good design or patterns of useful ...  read more

The Annual JinLi Tai Chi Retreat 2018 was held at our “home away from home” Taradale House, in the beautiful Coliban Valley. As usual, the focus was on outstanding training, food, friendship and fun. Everyone made the most of the intensive Taiji fundamentals tuition, studying Chinese literature, looking at all the Taiji styles and learning some basic Taiji/Qigong Mandarin. “Words really can’t describe what it means to be a part of this amazing experience”, so said one of the participants. ...  read more

The New Year begins on February 16 this year and is the Year of the Earth Dog. The Earth element always brings with it a sense of stability and groundedness, which is a relief after the last two Fire years. The Fire years can be a time of great opportunity but decisions need to be made quickly. This year is a time where you can settle down, consolidate and concentrate on what you managed to grab on to in the ...  read more

Want to feel like a beginner again? Go and train in China.   Remember that night back when you started your Taiji journey? For most of us it happens somewhere around the fourth lesson. You finish a class feeling like it’s all too much, you’re legs are aching, and a little voice in the back of your head is saying “maybe this isn’t for you”, but you push on because you are going to crack this thing, no matter how ...  read more