“The Fastest most Direct Way to the Tao that I Know” in Grand-master Sam F. S. Chin’s observations. [Details here…]
ITALY
Congratulations to our latest group of graduates in Italy! Launched in September 2020, our Instructor Training Project in Italy was born in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the course of the lockdown, this intrepid group has persevered through restrictions, closures, and cancellations. They have successfully completed their first examinations!
Our Instructor Training Project in Rome continues. You are invited to join them for the first of a series of Level 2 Intensives beginning on November 6-7, 2021 in Rome! Contact joshua.craig@iliqchuan.com for more info.
Saturday November 6
Basic Exercise #11: Concave-Convex Sunday November 7
Basic Exercise #12: Hip Roll
Below is the schedule for our 2022 trainings in Rome!
January 22-23
March 19-20
April 30-May 1
July 8-9-10-11
September 24-25
November 12-13
On September 11-12, 2021, the Martial Art of Awareness participated at the second IMAD (International Martial Arts Day) celebration in Rome. We were represented by Italian Instructor Alberto Benedusi, who introduced participants to the 21 Form and set the stage for a new Student Level Project in Rome.
Instructor Licencing Certification Program
On September 11th and 12th, our first group of instructor candidates in Germany gathered for a two-day course in Darmstadt! Led by Instructor Joshua Craig, this weekend program was an in-depth look at both the grading criteria and how to lead students through Basic Exercises 1-5 and Basic Exercises 6-10, along with common questions. The weekend was both intense and rewarding. Congratulations to all of the participants for taking the first steps to becoming Licensed Instructor.
Stay tuned as we will soon be announcing new Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan Study Groups and Schools in Germany.
On November 13-14 Instructor Joshua Craig will be leading a workshop at Instructor’s Frederik Wahl’s school in Hamburg, and everyone is welcome!
At the Russian summer camp on August 16-29 at the North Kunsangar retreat center, the first Russian experimental all-around I Liq Chuan competition took place, which included competitions in pushing hands, 21 form and an interesting competition that allows you to show concentration skills. The winners of the competition were given unique, specially created prizes from the school. The event was organized by Grandmaster Alexander Skalozub, and instructors: Dmitry Trofimov, Marina Gubnitskaya, Andrey Araslanov and Natalia Kozlova.
The winners of the all-around were Maxim Novikov (instructors Alexander Skalozub, Daria Sergeeva), Sergey Kham (instructor Daria Sergeeva), Mikhail Lushnikov (instructor Ekaterina Shestakova)
Gradings were also conducted, congratulations to those who passed!
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Join us every Saturday for an hour virtual interactive training. We progress along in the ZXD / ILC curriculum following the System Guide. This is a complimentary benefit to all current members. Sessions are conducted in English. If you are a current member and not receiving the log in details, please contact us with your name and member ID at: admin@iliqchuan.com
ONE INSTRUCTOR’S REFLECTIONS ON RECOGNIZING AND REALIZING
THE ZXD APPROACH TO TEACHING & LEARNING
By Lan Tran (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA: student level 4, instructor level 1)
In the 7 years that I have been training in the Martial Art of Awareness, I am only now coming around to understanding the process of change, and what GM Sam Chin means when he describes the Approach to the philosophy, concepts, and principles as seeing what the means “To change with the changes in order not to change.”In 2014, I met GM Sam Chin right when I was about to quit training in the martial arts altogether. I reluctantly went to a workshop he was holding in Boston, mostly at the suggestion of others, and I didn’t have high hopes. In my view at the time, I figured the event was just going to be another internal arts master who was going to waste my time and have me wave my arms around for a day. I showed up at the workshop and sat down on the ground to GM Sam Chin’s opening talk. This talk was almost two hours long but by about 3 sentences in, I was hooked.
As GM Sam Chin talked about his approach, I was thinking to myself, this is fascinating. He was explaining how the system was based in Zen and Taoism, and how one should approach training. Once the talk was done and we took a short break, Sifu came up to me and asked me to show him what I know. On the touch, my world crumbled like a house of cards. It was probably the biggest lesson in humility that was ever dished out to me in my life. In that moment, I realized there was no skill in my skills. I was frozen in space with nowhere to go. As excited as I was to learn this art, I was also discouraged because if it took me 40+ years to have “no skill”, I couldn’t even imagine how long it would take to acquire a modicum of real skill. The cost-sunk bias I confronted was real: could I “give up” the four decades of training and start over again?
Being a long time martial arts instructor, the way I learn best is when I am teaching. I enjoyed taking a concept and conveying it to students in my own words. Teaching, in a way, was my way of validating to myself if I got the information across. Having signed up at that Boston 2014 workshop to be a ZXD life-time member, I thought I could take the “fast track” to Instructor level 1, imagining “once I get to that level, I’ll know what I’m doing. “ Well, I had no idea how deep this rabbit hole went—and clearly hadn’t yet grasped Sifu’s process of learning how to learn, much less learning how to teach this ‘learning how to learn!’
Certain aspects of the training, even in the first three levels, do impart real usable skill, a reality which even stumped me more. How was it that even with the newfound skills, my senior brothers and sisters shut me down with a level of effortlessness I couldn’t fathom, much less figure out? What was I doing or not doing?! My confusion—or lack of mental clarity—got to the point about 2 years ago that I didn’t even know what I was doing anymore. I couldn’t figure out why my “skills” were so intermittent. It couldn’t be my coordination, I reasoned, so I was again lost. That low point, in retrospect, was the beginning of a turning point.
Of course, all this time, GM Sam Chin had been consistent with his message, constant in delivering his viewpoint in that direct, neutral manner that IS the embodiment of his entire Approach,. And he remained unwavering in his willingness to share his art by guiding students to see things for themselves.In all honesty, though, it has only been in the past 2 or 3 weeks, that I can say I have begun to understand Sifu’s approach TO the approach. Over the course of 7 years, it has been a revolving cycle of me letting go of my current mental constructs, letting go of my identity, realizing my ego, and facing myself on a deep psychological level. I came to realize that I couldn’t just “understand” the viewpoint intellectually and still run the viewpoint through my own filter (which I HAD been doing). After all, the resulting effect of me having done that was that I was still seeing Sifu’s viewpoint through my own filters—in essence, I was changing the viewpoint to MY viewpoint. Although I heard Sifu repeatedly tell me “it’s all about attention, it’s all about constantly balancing,” and him patiently asking me, “Where are you placing your attention?”I realized I had to embody the principles. I had to change my approach.I had to change my understanding of the viewpoint—and how I go about in the world, how I see things, how I process information, how I related to other people, how I understand change. All these transformations have had to come through the Zhong Xin Dao viewpoint. Only now could I embrace dropping my viewpoint to really step fully into my role as an instructor of the system — to spread Sifu’s message in the way he needs it conveyed. Otherwise I would be stuck in still just ‘teaching my thing.’
It’s not surprising that I have had to change my approach to teaching in my regular weekly ZXD classes with my students so that I could model the viewpoint by giving instructions through the viewpoint. In this more aligned way, what my students see is TRULY about the viewpoint—guiding them to observe for themselves where (and how) they are placing their attention.
My 30 years of teaching had been getting in my own way—so much so that I couldn’t even see I was going off on a tangent. And my own ego, and my own pride, of my past way of teaching didn’t allow me to ‘let go’ to embrace Sifu’s approach to how to give neutral instructions, or be a ‘finger pointing to the moon’ in a way that effectively guides students to their own learning.I realized once I embody the viewpoint, Sifu’s approach manifests a quality of simplicity. That elegance has brought a smile to my face and renewed enthusiasm for teaching.I’ve taught 3 classes so far maintaining this approach, and can witness the students immediately recognizing for themselves the meaning of “The Neutral Touch”.I am so grateful for Grandmaster’s constant instruction, and for the instructors, too, working so diligently, to uphold the family’s system of cultivation. In this art, the direct experience truly does produce direct results.
Today the Chin family welcomed Sifu Sharif Anael-Bey of Yee’s Hung Ga International Kung Fu Association and Sifu Aaron McKillip of Lee’s Summit Academy of Martial Arts to Queens NY! Both Sifus traveled great distance specifically to meet with GM Chin. After a hearty Cantonese dim-sum breakfast together, GM Chin and his wife Kooi welcomed them back to their home to continue an exchange of philosophies and stories. While sipping tea around the kitchen table and talking about the art of Zhong Xin Dao / I Liq Chuan, Sifu Sharif referenced our system as “The Ghost in the Machine” by Oxford philosopher Gilbert Ryle to describe the Cartesian dualist account of the mind–body relationship, while Sifu Aaron added that this was the “thing” that he was searching for and wasn’t present in other arts he encountered. Both Sifu’s were enthusiastic about learning more about the system, and how they could use this system as a tool in order to help further optimize their own practices. Sifu Sharif is looking to establish a stronger relationship moving forward with our organization.
GM Chin illustrates the concept of meeting the contact point and establishing defense.
“Knowing the present is flowing and
balancing with the moment”
~Grandmaster Sam FS Chin
What does it mean to be living in the moment? What and when is the moment? How to recognize it while in action?
What does it mean to be in the moment? What and when is the moment? Here we use Martial Art of Awareness and our body as a tool to help us recognize the break down of movements as well as the continuity of moment to moment which translate to our daily action.
Transcription:
One continuity must have 1, 2, 3: the principle always begins in 1 – 2 – 3. That means with two (2) there’s a separation. Because the continuity is about one-to-another [the ‘3’]. If there’s one alone, there’s no continuity because there’s always one in relation to another: that means there’s a separation. When there’s a separation, how do you make it as One , as a unification, to make it continuous [the ‘3’]?
This continuity means it’s linking and connecting, so you can generate power or are able to generate connections from which you can listen. You need a connection in order to listen: you must have a line that must be clear that unifies to connect to be able to get the right information. Understanding here, everything is based on yin and yang. It’s always yin yang, yin yang, yin yang! Because the continuity is about yin to yang and then yang back to yin. Then yang back to yin…All the yin yang, yin yang here has separation, so then you must see how to unify it. In between the yin and yang is the separation and also is where the neutral is. It’s also the balance point in order to unify it.
On this balance point to unify it here, we have the exercises of ‘looping’, ‘spiking’, or ‘wiping’ to change. Like we Project to Expand to absorb (because projecting/expanding is yang). Then you have to Expand to loop to Absorb: that means to connect the yin to come back. So it’s always yin yang. Like Open Close, Absorb and Project. Absorb to the Neutral then you make a loop to Project. The loop we sometimes talk about as the infinite—the infinite circles. The infinite circle of rotation.
GM demonstrates this principle in action: with arm out, so we can observe the difference from shoulder-elbow-wrist.
Like the yang— if we rotate like this [demonstrates] it is rotating with yin. Then this is rotating with yang. Rotate with yin, rotate with yang. But if just rotate like this [does it incorrectly, without conscious attention], then the unification is not strong.
See when I yin rotate here: [demonstrates properly] then I CONDENSE to the center and expand to the yang [draws yin so fingers circle in toward the palm] to the center and EXPAND from the yang and rotate and come back to the middle. The yang expands and comes back. You see a Figure 8. [Stretches yang tissue out to their fingertips].
So this yin yang changes and in between there’s a loop that ties, that connects. This principle APPLIES TO EVERYWHERE on change. It applies on everywhere where the movement changes from yin to yang or front to back. For example: [GM demonstrates]: from front: absorb to dan tien, make a loop to the back. Then from the back (ming-men), expand the loop from back to go to the front. Up and down is the same. Up (the top) is yin; going down is yang. When you go down, from the ming-men it’s yang, so there’s a loop. Every movement tis based on the continuity of these principles. So just go back to the principle of 1, 2, 3.
September 4-5, 2021 Level 1 Grading Workshop in Rome | 12-hour workshop
This weekend! This workshop will provide a thorough review, highlighting the grading criteria and relevant philosophy for each exercise, followed by your grading. This workshop is also ideal for existing Study Group Leaders and Instructors who wish to become more clear on the exam criteria, the examination process, and student evaluation. At the end of this workshop, each participant will leave with specific feedback so that they may take their home practice to the next level!
September 11-12, 2021 IMAD – International Martial Arts Day event in Rome!
This celebration of martial culture is organized by the UIKT Italian Union of Traditional Kung Fu! The Martial Art of Awareness will be joining Masters and Instructors from over 20 styles, and you will have the opportunity to sample a variety of workshops – including our Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan!
POLAND
On August 9-15 the 7th Martial Art of Awareness intensive training and grading in Poland was lead by instructor Dima Siomov. Together they trained worked on structure and relaxation in ZXD ILC basic solo and partner exercises.
Congratulations to the following students on their successful grading!
Agata Łobacz: student level 3
Edyta Pachowiak: student level 3
Marcin Poćwiardowski: student level 3
On 14 August in Atyrau, Kazakhstan, another grading session took place, and Marta Khaidarova was successfully graded for student level 2, Ruslan Turgambaev for student level 1! Instructor – Gadilbek Mursaliev. Another milestone on the road!
The event was followed by a traditional tea drinking ceremony!
GERMANY
Darmstadt
September 11-12 2021
Preparation for Study Group Leader Level 1 in Darmstadt Germany
12-hour workshop
This special workshop is for students who have graded Level 2+ and who wish to open a Study Group in their area! Topics will include:
• The Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan training process
• The role of the Study Group Leader and of the Instructor
• How to lead students through each exercise
• How to assess and adjust students in each exercise
• Understanding the basic function and application of each exercise
• Review the essential grading criteria for Basic Exercises 1-10
Berlin
On the last weekend in August, Instructor Lubo Tzolov conducted a workshop in Berlin. Amongst the participants, we welcome new member Ortwin Pötter and his “Chinese Close Combat – Academy” students from throughout Germany. Ortwin shared that his Ba Ji Quan’s Sifu – Adam Hsu encouraged them to learn other styles and Ortwin found Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan.
We are delighted that everyone were able to share and train in person. Two ZXD ILC students from Hamburg also traveled specially to be there.
The advanced level and understanding of martial arts and body mechanisms was of great benefit to the participants in realizing the benefits of the ZXD ILC curriculum. Ortwin also successfully completed the grading for level 2, and instructor Lubo Tzolov had the honor of presenting him his sash.
All participants were very happy and satisfied with this opportunity to broaden their horizons. It was the first but definitely not the last Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan workshop in Berlin.
Join us every Saturday for an hour interactive training. We progress along in the ZXD / ILC curriculum following the System Guide. This is a complimentary benefit to all current members. Sessions are conducted in English. If you are a current member and not receiving the log in details, please contact us with your name and member ID at: admin@iliqchuan.com
Kudos to Gage Reichard, 12 year-old son of instructor Steve Reichard from Allentown, Pennsylvania for being the first person reporting back with the correct answer for this puzzle that was introduced in our last newsletter!
For the experienced riddle solvers, you may already have noticed this is inspired by the “Einstein’s Riddle”, or also known as the “Zebra Puzzle”, and the clues are basically similar.
For those who are seeing this type of puzzles for the first time, applying our Zhong Xin Dao principles can be helpful: Observe carefully that each clue listed had a paired relationship, and the relationship can be on the same axes (columns/rows), or cross-dimensional (diagonal cells), in line with our three-dimensions / six-directions in the training processes. Also keep in mind what GM Chin mentioned about the “1-2-3” concept: “One cannot be unified. You need two to unify: Yin and Yang. In order to unify two, you need a third: Neutral. Neutral is the mediator to harmonize or separate Yin and Yang. That is complementary.” Applying that here, each set of relationships is linked with another pair, then another pair, until you can deduce and link up all the cells to get the complete picture. If the clues were written as “There is a yellow cabin. There is a Jasmine tea drinker… etc.”, they would not be useful at all to solve this puzzle. By observing the relationships closely, you can logically arrive at the following result:
Dragon’s Well
Tie Guan Yin
Jasmine
Pu Er
Wu Long
Yellow
Blue
Red
Green
White
Wood
Fire
Metal
Water
Earth
9
11
7
8
Master
However, this is a slightly simpler puzzle than the originals, due to the relationship mentioned that each person has a key to the book box of another person, which can help minimize a step or more depending on the order of your logical approach.
Finally, Jeff was able to unlock the five books, and found — nothing inside. There was never any secret in Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan! There is nothing to learn, and therefore, no secrets to hide! By maintaining the correct point reference, you will know the correct actions.
Puzzle
Title: 21 Form Across
4. _____ & Push
5. _____ Form
7. _____ Backward & Forward
8. Brush off Press Down _____ & Push
10. Left & _____ Holding Ball
18. _____ & Press
19. _____ Both Hands Push
20. _____ Form
21. Both Hand _____
Down
1. Turn Right _____ Strike
2. _____ & Push
3. Brush _____ & Push
6. _____ & Kick
9. Relax _____ Fend and Push
11. _____ with Holding Ball
12. Left & Right _____
13. _____ & Shoulder
14. Turn _____ & Strike (Right & Left)
15. Turn Tap _____ & Push
16. _____ & Hook
17. _____ Hands on Both Sides
Prof. Kun-Yang Lin, Dance Professor at Temple University with Prof. Grandmaster Sam Chin of Martial Arts of Awareness.
Reflections on Balancing and Beginning Again: Participants New to the Art Offer Insights into the Philadelphia Workshop Experience
It has been a long year of lockdown and people from along the Eastern coast of the US – from upstate New York, New Jersey, across Pennsylvania, Delaware, North Carolina and Florida–were excited about coming back to the first in-person, post-Covid workshop, held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA) on 24 July 2021. Out of concern for our community members’ health and well-being, the workshop required participants to be fully vaccinated.
In addition to 25 regular members, the workshop welcomed 8 first-timers to the art! Of these, four have already signed up as new members in our Philadelphia-based Martial Art of Awareness ZXD/ILC group!
Attendees also included students who have come through the Academic Approach. While Ezekiel Mathur is well known, for he is now Instructor Level 1, student level 4, he first was introduced to the art through his graduate studies at University of Pennsylvania through Nancy and Lan’s first ZXD/ILC-related seminar there. Two Cabrini University students were excited to meet GM Sam for the first time at this workshop: recent alum Jason Roman (pictured with Ezekiel) and current rising senior, Bushra Islam. Bushra has the distinction of having been in the first cohort of the BALANCE Learning Community (LC) at Cabrini, designed by Nancy and Lan, and now in starting its 4th year. She has served as a Student Fellow of the Balance LC for the past 2 years, helping 20 first-year students each year adjust to their transition into higher education. She helped guide them through Nancy and Lan’s course “Conflict and Cooperation,” which fulfills the university’s “Values” core curriculum requirement.
GM Sam Chin has spent the past year offering online Zoom instruction and emphasizing the right viewpoint needed to clarify and refine one’s understanding of the art and train one’s skills appropriately. Long-term members of the art know how distinctive this approach to learning is and they really appreciate Prof. GM Sam Chin’s method of Question and Answer sessions. It is equally inspiring to hear new participants reflect on their first-time experiences of meeting Sam Chin, Hsin Chin, and other instructors assisting at the workshop. Here is one example from a ‘newbie’, who recently heard of the Martial Art of Awareness within the past month and attended Saturday’s workshop. Viel Ty had this to share about the Philly workshop:
“It was a privilege to attend my first workshop studying the “Martial Art of Awareness”, Zhong Xin Dao – I Liq Chuan. As a new student of ZXD-ILC with experience studying other styles of martial arts, it was my intention to come to the workshop ready to learn and with an open mind. I came out of the workshop with a greater appreciation for the curriculum and many takeaways that transcend beyond martial functionality. My biggest insight is the idea of using the correct (and present!) references to bring attention to yourself, what you feel, and what you are doing. He also stressed that you have so much more in your control in all areas of your life only if you are truly aware of yourself. What I found even more incredible was how clear and unwavering that message is – not only from Grandmaster Sam Chin but also from all of the mentors who shared their time with me at the workshop.
Thank you to Grandmaster Sam Chin and his family for sharing their time with us this weekend! Thank you to my teachers, Lan Tran and Nancy Watterson, for a fantastic introduction and overview of the system in these last weeks leading up to the workshop! I greatly appreciate everyone’s warm welcome and conversations with me and in support of my new journey with the ZXD-ILC family.”
A second attendee, who like Viel has joined Philly’s ZXD/ILC group, also offered his perspective on the day. Dante Crowder had this to say:
“Grandmaster Sam is very down-to-earth and is not looking to hold back any information. Although he does have that Grandmaster aura, I actually felt very relaxed and comfortable. Secondly, all the Instructors from Level 1 and above were very helpful and very kind. Although I was a beginner, not one person acted like they were too good to work with me. In fact, everyone regardless of their experience had a solid skill set and was more than willing to share the knowledge they had with me. I feel ZXD can — and will — change your life if one is patient enough to listen, not rush, and follow the system.”
Finally, at the workshop, Prof. GM Sam Chin also was able to share his art with another professor,Kun-Yang Lin, (Professor of Dance at Temple University in Philadelphia). The workshop was actually held in Kun-Yang Lin’s studio, called the Chi Movement Arts Center and home to his dance troupe, KYL/D for which he is choreographer and artistic director. (One of his dancers and the Director of their school-based “Chi Movement” curriculum, Sophie Malin, also attended and—as a direct result of her experience at the workshop—has become a member of the Philly group!)
Professor Kun-Yang shared several insights he took away from his experience of the workshop, especially the care GM Sam took with his opening “framing” talk and the one-on-one transmission of direct, experiential “feel” of the art:
“I appreciated how Master Chin’s opening talk referred to Eastern philosophy, concepts and practice and how the art’s practice itself relates to life! As a professor of dance, of course my “practice” is a different method, but the emphasis on change and balancing and continuity—and especially FLOW—all resonated with the approach I use with my dancers. I appreciated the message of how “awareness” is different from “knowledge” and also the discussions of yin and yang in terms of 3 components (1,2,3 for unifying and separating).
When Master Chin spoke of the martial art of awareness as a ‘tool’ for training mindfulness, that resonated with me. “Dance” is my tool, my practice for examining my body, my mind. I especially appreciate the various approaches Master Chin drew on to deliver that methodology. One key take away is thinking about how he has simplified his curriculum down to its very essence of knowing. And how he explained the importance of slowing down the training to bring your attention “there”: you have to be able to place your concentration and focus on the very process of paying attention. This is an important message for all of us on our individual journeys: being constantly open to receiving what teachers guide us to recognize for ourselves. Understanding one’s own body/mind…that’s your own process; another person can work with you, but you have to do your own work—it’s your own practice: owning your own body and owning your own mind.”
Fitting words to carry with us as we continue our own practices—alone, together, solo, or in partner training.
At the first Austrian “Martial Art of Awareness – Summer Retreat” at the beautiful Holzöster lake, there were 25 participants from Austria and Germany.
Because of the different levels and different types of people, instructor Lubo Tzolov decided on a topic interesting for beginners and advanced students: “Preparation for Spinning Hands Training”.
So first he put the emphasis on clarifying the difference between training and playing. Then the students explored their understanding of the alignment to separate the body in front/back and left/right.
They continued with pull and push through condensing and expanding and to realize how even a very light force affects their own alignment. It was amazing to see that everyone could stay focused on themselves. The training continued with open/close to propel circles from the horizontal force.
On the last two days the students did spinning hands but very light and everyone managed well to mainly observe the changes inside their own body. Everyone could train with everyone else because nobody involved their own ego. In the evening there was time for meditation and also for theory of the Zhong Xin Dao approach and philosophy. Afterwards some participants used the free time to train or just spend time together.
It was a great atmosphere with a great energy of happiness!
Martina Ruemer from Salzburg finally graded for level 3 after a long time of preparation during the lockdown. Congrats again, Martina!
All in all everyone had a great time and we are looking forward for another Summer Retreat at this wonderful place.
USA
North Carolina
Congratulations to the following students on their successful grading!
Gregory Farrington from level 1 to level 2
Shockley Su to level 2
John Griffin to level 2
Philadelphia
Prof. Kun-Yang Lin, Dance Professor at Temple University with Prof. Grandmaster Sam Chin of Martial Arts of Awareness.
Reflections on Balancing and Beginning Again: Participants New to the Art Offer Insights into the Philadelphia Workshop Experience
It has been a long year of lockdown and people from along the Eastern coast of the US – from upstate New York, New Jersey, across Pennsylvania, Delaware, North Carolina and Florida–were excited about coming back to the first in-person, post-Covid workshop, held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA) on 24 July 2021. Out of concern for our community members’ health and well-being, the workshop required participants to be fully vaccinated.
In addition to 25 regular members, the workshop welcomed 8 first-timers to the art! Of these, four have already signed up as new members in our Philadelphia-based Martial Art of Awareness ZXD/ILC group!
Attendees also included students who have come through the Academic Approach. While Ezekiel Mathur is well known, for he is now Instructor Level 1, student level 4, he first was introduced to the art through his graduate studies at University of Pennsylvania through Nancy and Lan’s first ZXD/ILC-related seminar there. Two Cabrini University students were excited to meet GM Sam for the first time at this workshop: recent alum Jason Roman (pictured with Ezekiel) and current rising senior, Bushra Islam. Bushra has the distinction of having been in the first cohort of the BALANCE Learning Community (LC) at Cabrini, designed by Nancy and Lan, and now in starting its 4th year. She has served as a Student Fellow of the Balance LC for the past 2 years, helping 20 first-year students each year adjust to their transition into higher education. She helped guide them through Nancy and Lan’s course “Conflict and Cooperation,” which fulfills the university’s “Values” core curriculum requirement.
GM Sam Chin has spent the past year offering online Zoom instruction and emphasizing the right viewpoint needed to clarify and refine one’s understanding of the art and train one’s skills appropriately. Long-term members of the art know how distinctive this approach to learning is and they really appreciate Prof. GM Sam Chin’s method of Question and Answer sessions. It is equally inspiring to hear new participants reflect on their first-time experiences of meeting Sam Chin, Hsin Chin, and other instructors assisting at the workshop. Here is one example from a ‘newbie’, who recently heard of the Martial Art of Awareness within the past month and attended Saturday’s workshop. Viel Ty had this to share about the Philly workshop:
“It was a privilege to attend my first workshop studying the “Martial Art of Awareness”, Zhong Xin Dao – I Liq Chuan. As a new student of ZXD-ILC with experience studying other styles of martial arts, it was my intention to come to the workshop ready to learn and with an open mind. I came out of the workshop with a greater appreciation for the curriculum and many takeaways that transcend beyond martial functionality. My biggest insight is the idea of using the correct (and present!) references to bring attention to yourself, what you feel, and what you are doing. He also stressed that you have so much more in your control in all areas of your life only if you are truly aware of yourself. What I found even more incredible was how clear and unwavering that message is – not only from Grandmaster Sam Chin but also from all of the mentors who shared their time with me at the workshop.
Thank you to Grandmaster Sam Chin and his family for sharing their time with us this weekend! Thank you to my teachers, Lan Tran and Nancy Watterson, for a fantastic introduction and overview of the system in these last weeks leading up to the workshop! I greatly appreciate everyone’s warm welcome and conversations with me and in support of my new journey with the ZXD-ILC family.”
A second attendee, who like Viel has joined Philly’s ZXD/ILC group, also offered his perspective on the day. Dante Crowder had this to say:
“Grandmaster Sam is very down-to-earth and is not looking to hold back any information. Although he does have that Grandmaster aura, I actually felt very relaxed and comfortable. Secondly, all the Instructors from Level 1 and above were very helpful and very kind. Although I was a beginner, not one person acted like they were too good to work with me. In fact, everyone regardless of their experience had a solid skill set and was more than willing to share the knowledge they had with me. I feel ZXD can — and will — change your life if one is patient enough to listen, not rush, and follow the system.”
Finally, at the workshop, Prof. GM Sam Chin also was able to share his art with another professor,Kun-Yang Lin, (Professor of Dance at Temple University in Philadelphia). The workshop was actually held in Kun-Yang Lin’s studio, called the Chi Movement Arts Center and home to his dance troupe, KYL/D for which he is choreographer and artistic director. (One of his dancers and the Director of their school-based “Chi Movement” curriculum, Sophie Malin, also attended and—as a direct result of her experience at the workshop—has become a member of the Philly group!)
Professor Kun-Yang shared several insights he took away from his experience of the workshop, especially the care GM Sam took with his opening “framing” talk and the one-on-one transmission of direct, experiential “feel” of the art:
“I appreciated how Master Chin’s opening talk referred to Eastern philosophy, concepts and practice and how the art’s practice itself relates to life! As a professor of dance, of course my “practice” is a different method, but the emphasis on change and balancing and continuity—and especially FLOW—all resonated with the approach I use with my dancers. I appreciated the message of how “awareness” is different from “knowledge” and also the discussions of yin and yang in terms of 3 components (1,2,3 for unifying and separating).
When Master Chin spoke of the martial art of awareness as a ‘tool’ for training mindfulness, that resonated with me. “Dance” is my tool, my practice for examining my body, my mind. I especially appreciate the various approaches Master Chin drew on to deliver that methodology. One key take away is thinking about how he has simplified his curriculum down to its very essence of knowing. And how he explained the importance of slowing down the training to bring your attention “there”: you have to be able to place your concentration and focus on the very process of paying attention. This is an important message for all of us on our individual journeys: being constantly open to receiving what teachers guide us to recognize for ourselves. Understanding one’s own body/mind…that’s your own process; another person can work with you, but you have to do your own work—it’s your own practice: owning your own body and owning your own mind.”
Fitting words to carry with us as we continue our own practices—alone, together, solo, or in partner training.
We want to express our sincere gratitude to Senior Instructor and disciple Ashe Higgs for his long dedication to and support of our family! Over the past decade he has helped with everything that has allowed our organization to run smoothly, from managing memberships, to building websites, posting videos and crafting newsletters!
Starting at the beginning of August he will be stepping down from his administrative responsibilities, remaining part of our Community Team and focusing on the teaching of Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan.
We appreciate his continued support and we look forward to our next chapter together! A big thank you to Ashe Higgs
At the Philadelphia workshop this weekend, Instructor Joshua Craig presented Grandmaster Chin with a gift from the Unione Italiana Kung Fu Tradizionale. On September 12th, 2020 an agreement was signed between the CFILCA and the UIKT. This officially launches our 3-year Martial Art of Awareness Instructor Training Project in Rome. At the ceremony, the UIKT presented a commemorative plaque, which Joshua had accepted on behalf of Grandmaster Sam Chin.
Due to Covid, our workshop in Philadelphia was the first opportunity to publicly present the award. As an organization the UIKT promotes the spirit of harmony and collaboration, and we are happy to be working with them. Over the past year, our Instructor Training Project participants have been hard at work under Instructors Joshua Craig and Alberto Benedusi, and in September they will undergo their first grading! Plans are also underway for Grandmaster Sam Chin to visit Rome in 2022!
Sifu Says
“Behind the scenes” peek into a teaching moment between GM Sam Chin and Instructor Ashe Higgs before one of our weekly live streams.
“If the flame is shaky, if the wind is making it keep on flickering, then you cannot see things clearly. If there is no wind or anything to come to disturb the candle light, then the candle light is so steady—then you can see things clearly.
This is about the center—that means if the center is shaky, there is no precise direction. Also, if the candlelight is too dim, you also cannot see the bigger view. You only see a little thing. If the candle light is bright, then you can see a bigger view more clearly…”
Disclaimer: Please don’t bash the reasoning behind the game, it’s just that, a game. This is just for fun, no such secret books exist! 😉
Grandmaster Sam Chin entrusted his five favorite disciples a secret book each, and each book contains the secrets to one of the five elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. If combined together, the five books contain the ultimate secrets to our Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan spinning hands.
No one else besides GM Chin knows exactly which student has which secret book of the elements. A mischievous, and very jealous student, Jeff, who did not get a secret book, was able to snoop around and found out the following clues, but still needs your help to figure out exactly who has which book, then steal, um, borrow, all 5 books for a quick read.
Do you think you have the smarts to help Jeff?
To encourage his favorite five disciples to work together, each book is locked in an impenetrable box, and each student received one key that can only open another student’s box. Luckily, the five disciples are attending the same ZXDILC retreat, and staying in 5 separate cabins lined up in a row in the retreat village, so Jeff will have the best opportunity to get all 5 keys and 5 books on the same night.
But he must get it done that very evening while the disciples leave the cabins for dinner, or the five disciples will part ways the next morning to separate locations around the world, making a union of the 5 elements very difficult.
While the disciples are away in the dining hall, their sashes with ranking stripes hanging in the rooms will help Jeff identify which cabin belongs to whom.
Here are what Jeff knows so far:
The yellow cabin was full of Dragon’s Well tea’s fragrance
The renter in the center cabin has a key with the 🌏 insignia
The level 9 student sleeps in the first cabin
The person who is brewing Tie Guan Yin tea lives next to the person safekeeping Wood element
The Fire element inheritor is staying next to person who drinks Dragon’s Well
The disciple who drinks Wu Long tea has the 🗡key
The level 8 student loves the taste of the dark Pu Er tea
The level 9 disciple lives next to the cabin with blue walls
The pupil who drinks Tie Guan Yin has a next-door neighbor who holds the 🌊 key
The level 7 disciple lives in the cabin with red walls
The Master level disciple was tasked with protecting the Earth element book
The level 11 pupil has the key marked with a 🌲 key
The green cabin is directly to the left of the white cabin
The occupant of the green cabin has a key with a 🔥 symbol
The person who loves Jasmine tea has the Metal element book
With these clues, are you able to help Jeff unlock the secrets of Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan’s ultimate spinning hands techniques?
Hint, it may be helpful to draw out a table like the following to help keep track of all the information:
CABIN 1
CABIN 2
CABIN 3
CABIN 4
CABIN 5
TEA
SYMBOL
WALL COLOR
ELEMENT
RANK
Tell us your answers — especially who has the water element? If you are stuck and giving up (you quitter!), you’ll have to wait for the next newsletter which will have the big reveal!
On Demand
Training From One Point of Reference, presented by GM Sam Chin & Inst. Rich Kelly has been added to our subscription library. Click here to sign up for your subscription and gain access to this and dozens of hours of instructional content. We add new videos each month.
The competition under the guidance of Grandmaster Alexander Skalozub was prepared and judged by the Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan instructors: Marina Gubnitskaya, Dmitry Trofimov, Andrey Araslanov, Natalia Kozlova. And assistants to the judge – students of the Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan school: Dina Orlova, Grigory Borisov, Anna Borisova, Maria Novik and Ulyana Panina.
For the whole year, lately, I’ve been trying to keep on talking about the principles of the way to train — to get the very basic foundation first—how to use ourselves to know ourselves practically speaking…
Because as I said, doing movement of circular energy or doing any movement if you can propel with the energy correctly, then you want you only can lead the opponent. A lot of the training [faults] is because students advised not to lose contact.
2. _______ Energy Flow
5. _______ Down, Grab & Kick
6. _______, elbow, wrist
7. a direction of the Frontal Plane
8. _______ with the Cross
9. _______ and Freeze
DOWN
1. _______ & Hook
3. Process of _______ Yin & Yang
4. _______ and Defense as One
6. Sternum – _______ and Condense
Process of Spinning Hands III, presented by GM Sam Chin & Inst. Ashe Higgs has been added to our subscription library. Click here to sign up for your subscription and gain access to this and dozens of hours of instructional content. We add new videos each month.
We are saddened to announce the passing of Grandmaster Sam FS Chin‘s disciple, Richard McGovern, and to honor his memory.
Rich began his Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan training after meeting GMC in the old class held in the Big Buddha Hall at Chuan Yen Monastery.
He was a mathematics professor and a lifelong athlete. As an impressive display of both brains and brawn, he made an impression on many around the world and served as an inspiration to many younger members of our martial arts family.
There was an online memorial service for Rich held Thursday, May 6th, 4-6:30pPST/7-9:30pEST via Zoom. ZXDILC members who knew Rich were encouraged to attend and share their memories of him.
The time has finally come! GM Sam Chin will resume his Sunday Class on 5/30 at his upstate NY residence. This class is only open to those who are fully vaccinated. We kindly ask for you to submit your vaccination record if you’re interested in joining us! Details will be sent out to those who are accepted to participate after show of vaccination record. Please contact Yen L. Chin if you have trouble submitting your record at yen@iliqchuan.com.
We will continue to take precaution during class and would appreciate it if participants could keep their mask on.
The Chin Family I Liq Chuan is now officially registered in China! After 5 rigorous years of evidence gathering to prove first use of the logo, the Chinese government finally granted us the rightful ownership of “I Liq Chuan 意力拳 “.
Stories of Awareness
We have a new “Stories of Awareness” by Inst. Jeffery Wong.
In a famous Chinese martial arts novel titled The Heaven Leaning Sword and Dragon Slaying Saber, (倚天屠龍記 published by Jin Yong in the early 1960s as the final part of the Condor Trilogy); what can this wuxia novel teach us as students of Zhong XIn Dao I Liq Chuan? [READ MORE…]
Members Only Content
It looks so easy–the propelling of the circles–the propelling of the circles and the directions. It is to see North South East West (NSEW). I just break it down to NSEW but supposedly it will be the circles–the rotations, the rotations of the hand. It means the placement of the rotation. In other words, I’ve been saying that because when you draw a circle, a circle must have a center.
2. One of the three planes of movement
4. Change with the change to _______
5. Present, _______ and Neutral
9. Four Qualities of _______ Unification
10. The base of attention is _______
Down
1. _______ Blossom Step
3. _______ pointing to the big toes
6. Country in which Grandmaster Chin was born
7. _______, Relaxation and Energy
8. The third of the Six Physical Points
New Video
Mechanism of Movement – Frontal, presented by GM Sam Chin & Inst. Ashe Higgs has been added to our subscription library.
Our DVDs are OUT OF STOCK. Please consider buying the same title as an MP4 download. Due to recent changes, international customers should be prepared to pay a duty fee to receive their orders from their customs departments. Dismiss
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In the 7 years that I have been training in the Martial Art of Awareness, I am only now coming around to understanding the 
Of course, all this time, GM Sam Chin had been consistent with his message, constant in delivering his viewpoint in that direct, neutral manner that IS the embodiment of his entire Approach,. And he remained unwavering in his willingness to share his art by guiding students to see things for themselves.
We want to express our sincere gratitude to Senior Instructor and disciple Ashe Higgs for his long dedication to and support of our family! Over the past decade he has helped with everything that has allowed our organization to run smoothly, from managing memberships, to building websites, posting videos and crafting newsletters!
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