Most people watching a Tai Chi student swaying in the park have no idea that those flowing movements contain martial arts techniques like a sweep, break, or armbar escape.
But you’re not most people! And either is Sifu TW Smith.
Already a fan of his Kung Fu Podcast, I was even more impressed when I visited his school in Raleigh, North Carolina. This is the kind of place that is quickly disappearing from the world… even in China.
It’s a school where students are welcome to hang out whether there’s a class in session or not. A school where students and teachers cook for one another after class. A school that’s really more like a home.
To hear his full story, I’ll be interviewing Sifu Smith on a future podcast episode. For now, here’s a short video that reveals how one fancy, flowing Kung Fu movement can be applied in a real self-defense situation. Check it out!
Kung Fu Armbar Escape
This armbar escape is based on a chi gong exercise known as Spiraling Tea Cups. It’s definitely easier shown than described, but I’ll give it a shot anyway!
The idea of the exercise is to imagine you are balancing a cup of tea in your palm while you either circle your hand around your body or step around your hand as you raise and lower it.
This exercise can be practiced one hand at a time or two hands simultaneously. It can also be practiced circling forward or backward. Obviously, this one movement pattern alone opens the door to many possible applications!
In this case, if you get caught in a standing armbar, remember this principle—
Use a spiral to break a line.
That’s the lesson the tea cups will teach you. As your feel the pressure driving straight through your elbow, circle your body into the attacker and allow your hand to spiral towards you.
It’s important to start your movement as soon as possible!
If you allow your posture to be broken so that your head is below your elbow (or worse, your chest hits the floor!), even though you may still be able to turn into your attacker and relieve the pressure on your elbow, your ability to rise up into an immediate counter will be limited. Try to stay on your feet.
Hopefully, you watched the video and all of that made sense. At the very least, I hope you have a little more faith in what the old Kung Fu masters were thinking when they passed down all of those fancy moves.
I watched this yesterday afternoon and was all excited to get to the dojo to try it out (on a somewhat related note, I think my training partner is starting to hate you! LOLOL)
I was wondering how much practice it would take before the basic mechanics of the escape would feel natural and comfortable. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY!
It was so fluid and easy to execute that, at first, I was convinced that my partner didn’t have a strong arm bar on me. But, he assured me that he did and then when he tried the move, he walked right out of the arm bar. And it was really helpful to feel what it’s like when my partner applied Spinning Teacup on the arm bar I had him in.
So here are a couple of thoughts:
1) Sifu TW Smith did a wonderful job explaining and demonstrating the move in the video. Made learning the technique much easier. Hopefully he reads this comment but, if not, please forward my appreciation and thanks to him.
2) Practicing the movement solo for 5-10 minutes before working with a partner definitely made it easier for me.
Please Sensei Ando, more videos where you bring in instructors from various schools and arts, so much of what I see in different martial arts is fairly easy to adapt into my karate.
Whether we’re talking about life in general or specifically martial arts, diversity and openness are key to “fighting for a happy life” (see what I did there? 🙂 ).
ROB!! You rock! 🙂
Most people just watch a video and move on. To actually go out and give something a try makes you one cool cat. Or at least a cool student!
Like any movement, practice makes perfect… or makes better. I’ve been adding Spiraling Tea Cups to my daily routine since my visit and feel smoother each time.
Yes, I will try to feature more martial artists in the future. I don’t get time to travel much and coordinating schedules isn’t always easy, but building bridges is crucial for all of us to be our best. And with traditional martial arts losing favor in the mainstream, it’s time we all stood together.
Thanks for your open mind and good cheer! Keep fighting! 🙂
Dear Rob,
It means alot to me that you found value and practical application of the BaGua Zhang KungFu techniques.
It was rewarding for me to meet Ando because of sincerity and authentic passion for practical martial arts, now that has been extended a step by getting introduced to someone like you, someone that learns something, tests it, and then takes another step in sharing their experience.
Thank You Rob! 🙂
Sifu TW. Smith
But… But… but, but NOBODY is doing that in MMA!!!!
GJ
HA! Boy, if I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard that! 🙂
The funny thing is that even if you don’t like this particular demonstration, the actual principle is 100% valid. Fighters everywhere are using this principle whether they know it or not! Thanks for the smile, GJ!
Hi Sensei
Great info, thanks! But one question… what’s wrong with making money in the martial arts?
Howdy Sensei!
Such a troublemaker. 🙂
As you know very well, I make a living teaching martial arts, so obviously, I’d be the last person to say there’s something wrong with making money. But as you also know very well, some martial artists set the goal of making money as their top priority.
Just pointing out that Sifu Smith is first and foremost a teacher. I mean, the man doesn’t even have a sign out in front of his school! But me? I think he should!
I’m just messing with ya! 😉😜
Ha! You are the Queen of Kooky! :p
Sensei Ando:
Wow! Two of my favorite martial arts podcasters (Ian Abernathy being the third) sharing a lesson together; simply awesome! You both are awesome instructors and people! Sifu Smith helped raise money for my friend, who was blinded in Iraq, Steve Baskis to buy his own wooden dummy. And you, you give such well thought and presented podcast that they make me happy to hear each new one. I look forward to training with with both you and Sifu Smith some day! By chance, will you be interviewing him any time soon?
Hi Anthony!
Thank you so much for the kind words. Sensei Iain and Sifu Smith are my favorite podcasters, too!
I hope to team up with Sifu Smith again, so stay tuned! In the meantime, keep punching, sir! 🙂