kungfu@newbamboo

愛唸書的孩子也愛運動

2009-07-14T09:28:00.000-07:00

暑假通常是武館學員變化最大的時候，有些人會在這段期間暫停一下，例如幾位外國學員，總會趁著暑假一開始便離開台灣，到『國外』狠很給它度個假、盡情地relax！

當然，亦有些學員則利用此課業壓力較小期間，密集增加武術訓練課程，其中較特別的是那些至國外留學的學員，在回台灣這段長假期間，特別規劃了回武館的複習課程。在國外待久了，套路打到後面難免會有些生疏，還好當初功夫紮得深，幾次練習之後，以前的感覺便都回來了，蔡師兄便是其中一位。

蔡師兄清大物理系畢業後，便前往紐約州「直攻」博士，每年暑假均會利用回台探親時間至武館報到。蔡師兄在考上大學那一年加入長洪，雖然學校課業壓力繁重，但武術的學習從不間斷。

他不但自己練，還熱心地拉幾位高中同窗好友一起學習、一起成長，如今這些「高材生」學員們皆有志一同地正在國外求學中！等到蔡師兄的弟弟考上清大時，亦介紹他成為長洪一份子。去年暑假回國時，他的父母在蔡師兄的推薦下，開始學習太極拳，這一家人可以說是標準的長洪家族！

新竹館有些學員從小學就開始練習，一直持續到考上大學。(上了大學，可能就離開新竹至外地求學了！) 這個年代有學校讀並不困難，然而若要進入好的學校，競爭可就非常的激烈！有時不免會有其他好奇的學員問他們：『課業這麼重，還有時間來練功嗎？』而他們的答案普遍就是課業壓力大，才要練功！若只是一味持續地唸書，效果不一定最佳，而練功不僅能調節壓力，更能培養充沛的體力，有體力才能打持久戰！

在暑假期間，也有些短期的學員因為要出國唸書，爸媽便先送他們來學習功夫，畢竟離家這麼遠，爸媽總是會擔心。而家長對孩子的這份美意，在時間上恐嫌短促了些！臨時短期的課程可學到防身的「概念」，但要論真正的防身，若能早些年練習，效果絕對比較佳！效果佳，自信心及膽識自然跟著來！若能及早做準備，父母也能多一分安心！

國中老師群

2009-06-30T08:29:00.000-07:00

老師學員們很隨性，只要幾坪大的空地，大家便可展開練習。

即使狂風大作、下起一陣怪雷雨也沒關係，只要把東西移一移，在家政教室裡練習也能隨遇而安！

萬花叢中一點綠，一般學校男老師的比例通常是比較少的。

雨過天晴，天空中難得出現清楚又完整的「彩虹 & 霓」，據老師們的說法：霓就是出現在彩虹上面的那一圈，顏色跟彩虹一模一樣，但是顏色的順序剛好跟彩虹相反。無奈這台相機功能不佳，拍攝者也不專業，總之現場的景象比照片又清楚又好看啦！

看到了沒？外面有一圈對吧！

美麗的意外(陳師姐)

2009-06-30T07:31:00.000-07:00

對於年近五十的我來說，習武是一個美麗的意外。當初因偶然際遇曾見過師姐Paula表演扇子功。俐落的身手，煞是威武的英姿，當下除了讚嘆不已外，閒談中更因此得知他乃習自關東橋的長洪武術呂老師之處。於是一方面出於好奇，一方面也因喜歡運動，因此就在當年的暑假與同事們相約帶著各自的孩子們到武術館正式拜師學藝。原想著，如果功夫太深太難，暑假玩完，就當是一個特別的夏令營結束，但沒想到，每週兩天的練習，越玩越有趣。這一玩，不但緊接著全家參與，更因此持續至今，幾近五年之久。

五年對其他的活動來說也許已是相當長的時間，但對我的武術學習而言，感覺卻只是入門。初始接觸，每週兩天，每每造成手腳酸痛是第一個必須克服的難關。緊接著套路練習，就得克服丟三落四，老是記不起來下一個動作的「健忘」問題。等到套路逐漸熟悉，開始能將注意力真正的隨著老師的講解，一知半解地去揣摩「力量」、「身形」、與「氣」的整合時，那也才是最近這一年半載的事。

中國武術真是門博大精深的學問，能化無形的氣於有形的動作招式中，要藉有形的肢體去完成腦中無形意念的傳達。這虛、實、動、靜之間的轉換常常讓我們有「聽的懂但卻做不到的遺憾」。但，老師常說，勤練有功，雖然不懂，仍是得勤加揣摩練習，以求略有領悟。最近看到「大學」中一段「定、靜、安、慮、得」的解說讓我領悟到，其實武術的練習也需要這五字的程序：

所謂「定」，原是指「志有定向」— 對武術而言則是要隨時提醒自己注意身體中線、重心、三關九節開合，及身形，氣息，意念的整合；

「靜」，是指「心不妄動」— 心能保持寧靜，不浮躁，練習時自能氣定神閑，筋骨放鬆，將意念集中在要領的掌握；

「安」，是指「隨所處而安」— 即不論在任何處境，任何環境，都能意念集中，心無旁鶩，自可不受干擾，專心練習；

「慮」，指「慮事精詳」— 練習套路時，每一個動作，每一個環節，不求快，不求猛。需仔細思考其動作意義，出力方式，及腰跨運用，確實做到，方能有功；

最後至於「得」，即是指「得其所止」— 記得曾在「長拳之路」中看過一句話「拳打千遍，身法自然」，即所謂「藝精於勤，荒於嬉」。只要踏實勤練，假以時日，必能日益精進，學有所成。

在許多的武術書籍中常看到總教練提醒大家習武時要注意精、氣、神的整合，老師也不斷告訴我們要注意身體中線、關節放鬆、用意念引導力的運用….雖然對目前的我而言那些「整合」仍然是個相當需要練習的課題，但我深信「一步一腳印」，只要在平日每次的練習中，都能一點一滴多去體會，多去注意運用，日積月累，總是會有提升。常有同事問我，為何對武術會有如此的熱愛？其實，除了老師們神乎其技的「神功」吸引人之外，最重要的原因就是常常在一天疲憊的工作後，藉由武術的練習，總能讓人魔術般的恢復神采，再渡活力充沛。綜觀現代人最大的夢靨就是不斷的工作壓力與精神緊張，能將壓力釋放而獲致身心的輕鬆是現下一種難能可貴的幸福。所以我常鼓勵同事好友都來體驗，希望大家藉由武術，與我ㄧ起健康，與我ㄧ起幸福。

對打練習

2009-06-07T22:58:00.001-07:00

陳師姐及林師兄積極加強段級檢定之對打練習。

沈師兄好體貼，在疲備工作之餘，還得整裝再出動、當老婆大人「不期而遇的壞人」！(大部份的老公一回家，通常應該都是一頭栽進沙發裡，看著不需動腦的 xx 電影台吧！)

「叔叔果然是有練過的！」鄭師弟雖然來館才約半年的時間，不過憑著其對武術的熱忱，在學連步拳之同時，即報名總館的對打課程。面對林師兄的攻勢一點也不慌亂！對打最怕就是緊張，一緊張就會亂打，不但無技巧可言，而且還容易被對手K到！

女人，妳的名字不是弱者！

年齡不是問題！就算沒穿戰袍，一樣可以再戰！

帥哥雙胞胎

2009-06-07T22:53:00.000-07:00

帥哥雙胞胎！跟他們一起練拳這麼多年，到現在我還是分不清誰是哥哥？誰是弟弟？嗯，相似度100%。

看得出誰是哥哥？誰是弟弟嗎？

小小師兄小小師姐

2009-06-07T22:42:00.000-07:00

這兩位小師兄、小師姊，你們在玩騎馬打仗嗎？！

很高興鎮魁現在跟其他小朋友混熟了，休息時間不再窩到休息區看書，他的興趣多半為靜態，在學校及家裡看得書已經夠多了！原本還蠻擔心其活動量不夠，除了練習外，只要一休息總會勸他多去跟其他夥伴玩玩，現在總算可以安心了！

善濂這陣子的腿法真的進步很多，不管是蹓腿、還是內外擺，踢起來常讓旁人讚嘆不已，好有力道喔！

別看靖元一副酷酷的模樣，他練起拳來可是非常有情境的喔，喜歡一邊打拳、一邊自個兒配音效，經常使得在他旁邊打拳的師兄弟怎麼樣也酷不起來！因為只要一聽到他的『喝！喝！哈！哈！』，就會忍不住笑場。

東東年紀雖小，但認真度絕不輸師兄師姊們喔！

哇，認真的妹妹最可愛！不過只要一休息，她們兩個就會玩得很~瘋！

你們到底在玩啥遊戲呀？！營火晚會拜火神嗎？！

林小師弟最佳型男，造型一百分！

帥！

愷愷與懷懷

2009-06-07T22:40:00.001-07:00

上了國小的愷愷，可能還在適應小學及安親班的生活，每次剛到武館時總是一臉倦意，看了有點心疼，還好愈練到後面精神愈好，有好幾次媽媽來接時，他都還不想回家呢！

身體愈累，愈是要運動！愷愷，加油！

媽媽有事要載阿公阿婆去看醫生，難得將弟弟獨自留在武館，等哥哥下課。跟弟弟相處了一節課才發現這孩子好有創造力、也很有自己的想法，他所排的建築物屋頂很有特色，有別於一般實體建築，甚至跟卡通或故事書裡的都不一樣，這孩子的潛力真的是無可限量！

武館的小朋友都好厲害！排完了積木，懷懷改塗某位阿姨師姐留在武館的恐龍著色本，其中有張單字貼紙，我隨意發出前三個字母「CAS」的音後，就放棄再唸下去，心想恐龍種類這麼多，英文名稱每個字都那麼長、音很難發！突然，懷懷馬上就發出「GASTONIA」的音，我馬上就隨意再指其它幾個字，懷懷也都很認真的讀給我聽，真是太神奇了！我還把「GAS」看成「CAS」咧！哥哥也不遑多讓，一休息就跑過來迅速輕鬆地唸幾個字嚇嚇我！原以為前面那批清大、交大畢業的師兄們都出國留學後應該就後繼無人了吧，沒想到新一批的資優生就在眼前！之前才讚嘆鎮魁、昱惟英文都好強，武館的英文百科全被他們讀完了，教練還說下午兒童班有好幾個小朋友實力不在他們之下，真是太恐怖啦！

內洞秘境深造

2009-04-22T08:24:00.000-07:00

清晨五點多開車出門，天色才剛亮不久，新竹的路上還沒有人車，彷彿街道屬於自己一人所有，到過了中壢，車輛開始多了起來，上班族們就要展開忙碌的一天。下了好幾天的雨，天公作美，今日放晴，而長洪會各單位負責人及幹部們，大夥特別請假騰挪出一天，準備前往烏來內洞，進行體能考驗與秘境深造，為長洪25週年慶系列活動展開序幕。

走在前往內洞瀑布區的林道上，溼潤的地上，與新綠色的樹木，特別有春天的氣息。走在小石頭路上，一邊看著碧綠的水潭，一邊感受著山間的幽閒，突然聽見奇特響亮的鳥叫聲，不禁抬頭搜尋，令人驚喜，想不到竟是一隻漂亮的藍鵲，只見在空中拖著長長的尾巴，優雅中略帶笨拙的飛往對岸的山林中。

到達集合地點樂水橋，大家都差不多到齊了。早晨的瀑布，陽光尚不刺眼，讓人感覺格外舒服，又充滿朝氣與活力。8點半左右，按預定計劃，大家開始登上森林步道。這段路程依一般腳程大約是60分鐘，為考驗幹部們的體力，總教練希望最好能在30分鐘內完成，說完，便步伐輕盈的帶頭往上走，大家的手裏都拿著一根長棍，急急的跟上在前方看似速度不快的帶領者後頭。

平時到附近的郊外登山，自認年輕力壯，從不會想到要拿登山杖。這次集訓要練習棍法，原本還以為手裏多扛著一根長棍，在林間行走會礙手礙腳，於是便順手將長棍拿來當登山杖用，想不到一用才驚覺長棍這麼好用，難怪它是以前山中行者的隨身良伴，既可拿來防身，又可大大節省登山者的體力。手中拿著長棍撐地而走，就像多了一隻腳，可以減輕雙腳膝蓋的壓力，另外在轉彎處時，就像一個舵，可以幫助腰身旋轉轉換方向，減緩腰部的受力。

長棍撐地的方式，就跟船夫撐篙的原理一樣，並不是要把地上戳一個洞，而是藉由這個支撐點，讓身體的重心往前送。與練拳的道理一樣，不能僅用肩膀力，若是如此，那麼棍子只是一個活動扶手，僅能被動地支撐身體。只有透過肩膀放鬆，讓身體的重心能與長棍的撐地點直接相連，才能讓重心借這個點提起往前送。在對打應用時，當手捉對手時，通常也不是要用力的把對手強扯過來，而是用手輕搭借對手之力，把自己的重心往前貼近對手，縮近彼此距離，並藉此前送之力，達到長驅直入，攻擊對手的效果。

在整個上坡路段，有一、兩個地方原本要稍作停留，但總教鍊看大家都跟得上，就不做停留、一路往上走，終於抵達步道終點，全部的人員也都在29分鐘內抵達，完成設定目標。接下的路程是一段約4、5公里的產業道路，雖然路途較長，但已經沒有上坡，大家便輕鬆的地一邊聊天一邊往前走。一路上有些地方路面已坍塌，只剩狹小的通道，最後來到路的盡頭，在穿越一小段佈滿雜草的樹叢，突然豁然開朗來到一片開闊的溪水地，這便是總教練平日獨享的練氣秘境之處。

在潺潺的流水聲中，站在溪邊或溪中的石頭上，雖已日正中午，但因太陽被雲遮著，在這不受干擾的溪谷中特別容易入靜，大家盡情感受山、水、大自然與我合一，練習著特別傳授的「秘境體呼吸」。練完氣功之後，坐在溪邊吃著乾糧，看著樹林、望著流水，不用說太多話，雖然一切簡單，卻覺得心靈沉澱充實。

中午休息完便往回走，在一處較寬闊的林道，一字排開進行今天的重點訓練課程「五點梅花棍」，這套棍法屬於洪拳的高級棍法，平時於室內空間施展不易，又不適合於大眾廣庭之下教授，特別選在這人跡罕至的林道進行集體的傳授。整套棍法路線走一條線，剛好適合在狹長的地形練習。這套棍法的步法轉折快速，在充滿石頭的泥土地上練習，的確是不小的考驗，既要步法輕快、穩定，又得須力量威猛貫棍尖。整套棍法分三段練習，第一、二段練20遍時，由於尚未進入情況，覺得特別的喘、特別的累，之後到第三段與整套練習才漸入佳境。

在練完棍法後便下山，大家的步伐都顯得特別的輕快，個人感覺甚至是以小跑步下山，但到達山下算了時間，才發覺上下山所花的時間並無太大差別，可見上山時大家的速度真的是相當的快。離開內洞之前，再去欣賞一下三層瀑布時，已近黃昏，除了我們以外只剩下幾個遊客，整個內洞顯得特別的安靜，甚至連鳥叫聲也消失了，大家滿足地踏上歸程，準備前往享用大餐。

Winter Camp

2008-12-27T10:38:00.000-08:00

There will be a winter camp for new students as well as students who haven't learned either the first or second staff forms. Ray will be teaching both forms. If you have the time it should be great. It will be February 9-13th. If you sign up before January 23rd it will be $800NT and after will be $1500NT so sign up as soon as possible!

It will be in the 人工湖 park (or man-made lake as it is called in Chinese).

Year-End Kung Fu Bash!!

2008-12-26T22:33:00.000-08:00

We had our year-end party at the kung fu school. There were some old faces and some new faces as well as some tasty treats.
Here are a few photos in no particular order...

Eric (Chiu Ji Dsun who is living in Texas) and Jack (Bai Jong Bin) who is still in Hsinchu but too busy in grad school to make it to class regularly.

A woman's mother made these and they were so tasty! The outside is thin and soft and yummmy.

Jang Yongshi, Thomas, Carlos, Ray, Me, Alastair, Eric, Chu Jiun Hao
Peng Jiun Dso, Jack

Nick, Me, Sonya

Me, Chu Jiun Hao

Chu Jiun Hao, Gao Je Huai, Sonya, Nick, Me, Ray, Jeremy
Chris, Alastair, Carlos, and River.

I wish there were more photos but there was a lot of chatting to be done so... Sometimes that's just how it goes.
And for everyone who signed Ray's birthday card here it is in its completed state.

It is only a partially true story. Ray did flush his phone down the toilet, but there was no plumber brawl (that I know of)...

Until next time, happy kung fu-ing.

Chang Hong Bei 2008

2008-12-16T05:32:00.000-08:00

Forecasts had been dismal, but December 7th, 2008, turned out to be a fine, sunny day in Taipei, Taiwan. Our annual competition and exposition, Chang Hong Bei, went as well as could be hoped for.

As part of the day's opening events, the greater Chang Hong Kung Fu group practices together. Here, the group practices Lian Bu Chuan, a Chang Chuan form and the first form learned.

Here, the group is practicing Gong Zi Fu Hu Chuan, the basic Tiger form, which is the first Hong Chuan form learned.

Instructor Ray Lu demonstrating Dragon style.

Pan Long Gwun (Coiling Dragon Staff)

Alastair competing with Kun Wu Jian (straight sword).

Tsai Yu-Hao competing with Chi Xing Dao (Seven Star Broadsword).

Nick, doing very well with Lian Bu Chuan (Linked-Step Fist).

Lily, Yi Lu Mai Fu (First Form of Ambush).

Sonya, focused on and determined with Lian Bu Chuan.

Little dude, competing with Gong Li Chuan (Power-Training Fist). Note the furrowed brow.

Jeremy, showing his Chi Xing Dao to the judges.

Brendan, who loves the challenge of competition, makes a good showing of Lian Bu Chuan.

Alastair launches forward with Hong Men Chiang (spear).

What the day is all about.

Lee Chiu-Ling demonstrating Shi Xing Hu (Ten-Forms Tiger).

Chen Yun-Nian demonstrates Lohan Zhang (Arhat Palm).

River Chen Chiu-Fong demonstrating Tsai Li Fo Chuan.

Kids group Pan Long Gwun.

Lian Bu Chuan group.

Chi Xing Dao group.

Big smiles at the end of a long day!

Sun-Link-Sea

2008-09-03T03:46:00.001-07:00

In January, 2008, we went on a training trip up into the mountains with the whole Chang Hong Kung Fu group. We visited a place called San Lin Hsi, which translates into something like "Fir Woods Stream".

The place is known for its flowers and trees, many of which only grow at its elevation of 1600m.

On this trip, we focused on the practice and use of straightsword. Here, Master Chen demonstrates an application for the group.

Instructor Ray Lu practicing San Tsai Jian, or Three Powers Sword.

The group, practicing a southern sword form, Hong Men Jian.

River and Alastair, hard at work perfecting technique.

Our Hsinchu group, minus Paula (behind the camera).

At the end of the trip we stopped in Lugang, where Master Chen had grown up. He took some time to demonstrate a few movements with the straightsword.

Young Forest Temple

2008-09-03T01:23:00.001-07:00

We took our first trip to the Shaolin Temple in the summer of 2002. Located within the Songshan Mountains in Henan, China, it's considered the birthplace of both Shaolin Kung Fu and Zen Buddhism. Regardless of how touristy it is these days, its ancient origins and remarkable history keep it a pilgrimage site for many modern-day kung fu practitioners from all over the world.

We stayed the night near the temple and heard shouts of training coming from the courtyard outside our hostel at 5 a.m. Thousands of young students train at not only the temple, but also at numerous schools located in the nearby town, Dengfeng.

When they asked for volunteers, Tsai Yu-Hsin and I could not resist. Here we are, failing at our attempt to pull the bowl from the young monk-in-training's abdomen. It seemed pretty impressive at the time, but there was, however, a bit of a trick involved....

Kung Fooey

2008-06-14T03:46:00.000-07:00

I took some photos at the Tai Chi Chuan class at the Science Park Lake (人工湖). Ray (my teacher) teaches the class and I review it with the students afterwards. I don't think I am all that necessary, but I really need the review/second time learning opportunity so I really like it.

The class starts with basic warm-up exercises and then chi kung practice.

There are men and women. Most of the students are not affiliated with our school's regular classes, but there are three students from the evening classes that have joined the class.

Then we practice the first section of Tai Chi.

It is actually a lot more difficult than it seems. There are subtleties that are easy to skip and ignore.

Part of the group is new and so they continue reviewing part one and the other group practices the second part of Tai Chi. (our form has 3 parts)

The students are all either parents from the Science Park School or teachers. They have been practicing since September 2007. They practice Chi kung as well as Tai Chi chuan. I think it is good. I wanted to take more photos on other days, but unfortunately, the weather has turned and it's been raining on Thursday mornings and so we've been inside and it's dark in there. Next time maybe.

Real Kung Fu

2001-02-06T17:00:00.000-08:00

When we first arrived in Taiwan, we decided to try and find something we could study that would enrich our experience living here. We had spent some time learning about and practicing meditation while we traveled through India and Nepal, so our aim was to find something as deep and fulfilling. We knew we'd be able to find authentic martial arts, but weren't sure of exactly which kinds. As it turned out, we'd find one of the oldest. Chinese martial arts, or Kung Fu as they are referred to in the West, have roots that go back as far as 4000 years. Because they are so old, they either inspired or influenced most other Eastern martial arts.

It was really just luck that brought us to our teacher, Lu Rui-Hsu. Once we got to Taiwan we started asking just about everyone we met where we could study Kung Fu, and while most said that we could certainly find it in Taiwan, no one could tell us exactly where to go. It was a chance conversation with a friend that finally brought us the information we had almost given up on finding. A few days later we followed it and nervously walked into the Kung Fu school one Saturday afternoon in January, 2001. I had no idea what to expect, since all my thoughts of the martial arts had been shaped by American TV and movies. We didn't know it at the time, but what we discovered that day set us on a path that has changed our lives in profound ways.