Áo Guāng, the Azure Dragon, essence of Spring and the dawn horizon, symbol of renewal and new beginnings…
- The mysterious dislocation of memoryA tutor of mine who works as an acupuncturist was treating a woman who, years ago, had fallen a long way and broken her ankle badly. Now fully healed, she had come for a treatment for some other condition. The practitioner needled her ankle, and she suddenly experienced a distinct sensation of falling. The tissuesContinue reading “The mysterious dislocation of memory”
- Seven ways to heavenWe live in a world that is saturated with well-intentioned advice, health fads, and endless memes of sage words. We have knowledge and networks at our fingertips like never before. And yet, anxiety and depression, social disconnection and suicide, metabolic disorders and chronic diseases, are all rife and rising. What’s going so wrong? At seriousContinue reading “Seven ways to heaven”
- Back-Shu acupressure self-massageThis is a technique for massaging the “Back-Shu” acupressure points of Traditional Chinese Medicine. These points have a direct connection to the internal organs (rather than indirectly through the channels), and are particularly effective for chronic conditions and for strengthening the associated organ network. ⚠️ Avoid the cervical (neck) area, or rolling directly over anyContinue reading “Back-Shu acupressure self-massage”
- Form practice in martial arts: useful tool or redundant dance?Whether it be the athletic shadow boxing sequences performed by Shaolin monks, or the slow, elegant brocades of a Wudang tai chi practitioner, solo form practice tends to get a bad rap from what might generally be considered more “practical” martial arts – boxing, judo, wrestling, BJJ, Muay Thai. Why waste your time perfecting yourContinue reading “Form practice in martial arts: useful tool or redundant dance?”
- 96 Common Principles of the Chinese Internal Martial Arts Styles of Baguazhang, Taijiquan, Xingyiquan, and Chu Shong Tin Wing ChunThere is some redundancy and overlap here, and some of the principles apply to only one or two internal styles, but in general there is a marked commonality in approach, which segregates these arts from more external Chinese styles such as Shaolin Gongfu, White Crane, Praying Mantis, and Ip Man Wing Chun. Of course, manyContinue reading “96 Common Principles of the Chinese Internal Martial Arts Styles of Baguazhang, Taijiquan, Xingyiquan, and Chu Shong Tin Wing Chun“
- Threads of TimeConnection weaves a web through time and space… One moment bleeding into another. One breath bleeding into another. One life bleeding into another. One civilisation bleeding into another. One species bleeding into another. (Sorry for all the blood.) Is it all smooth and continuous, or can one thing and another, one moment and the next,Continue reading “Threads of Time”
- Put your back into it! Structure in the Chinese internal martial artsCommon to all the internal arts is an emphasis on sound posture and physical structure as a core foundation. You start with the external, and then move inwards, in through the layers of the body… and the mind. But, just for emphasis, you start with the external. Many devote hours to Zhan Zhuang, or “standingContinue reading “Put your back into it! Structure in the Chinese internal martial arts”
- A Body of SpaceIs traditional Chinese acupuncture more art than science? Looking into the body of modern scientific research on acupuncture, there is a plethora of articles out there detailing research projects, many of which come to highly variable or contradictory conclusions regarding its efficacy as a therapy. With the very real therapeutic effects of placebo treatments, theContinue reading “A Body of Space”
- Fettered by the Fuzz: Getting a feel for fasciaYou know your own body. Right? Yeah, of course. Vital organs, flesh, blood, nerves, skeleton… oh, and connective tissues. Most people forget about those. But what exactly are these connective tissues? Tendons, ligaments, cartilage – most of us are aware of these. They consist of elastin, collagen, and chains of polypeptides that keep our sinewsContinue reading “Fettered by the Fuzz: Getting a feel for fascia”
- Embrace Tiger, Return to MountainSshh! Do you hear that? Something stirs the undergrowth. A guttural purr. A glint of amber. Watching. Hungry. Dispassionate. Predatory. The hairs raise across your neck. Panic rises to your throat. Flee! Flee! A blur of motion. You turn. Eyes widen. Three hundred kilos of murderous intent launch at your belly. You exhale. Ward off.Continue reading “Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain”
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In Chinese folklore, the Azure Dragon is the aspect of the Dragon King associated with the Wood Phase in Five Element theory.
He is new growth, rising energy, an expression of power, an expansion and unfurling outward and upward.
He is life-giving rain and good fortune. He brings harmony and wisdom.
Guardian of the East, with tooth and claw he scares off evil spirits.
His writhing spine is our spine, supple and strong. His Qi is dense. His life is long.
Through the form of the dragon we can ourselves be transformed…
The Azure Dragon 