September 2020 News & Announcements

New Programs

This Autumn we will be unveiling two new programs!
– Student and Instructor Certification Program
– Instructor Licensing Program
With both new programs you will have the convenience and flexibility of studying in-person and online!

Student and Instructor Certification Program
Each course will include an-depth look at the relevant Student Level or Instructor Level, and the intensive nature of this program, along with the direct approach to instruction, will allow you to complete each course in an accelerated time! Every training will be led by an instructor authorized by Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan Headquarters, who will guide and support you throughout the learning process. In addition, small class sizes maximize both concentration and guarantees more one-on-one interaction time with your instructor.

–Instructor Licensing Program
Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan Instructor Levels are part of our student curriculum, and once a student has successfully passed their Instructor grading they become a Certified Instructor. However, prior to becoming a Licensed Instructor, each Certified Instructor must successfully pass the relevant Instructor Licensing Course(s).
When teaching and performing gradings, instructors must be able to create specific conditions for students to recognize the principles, and also to see whether the student has the understanding and attention to see these conditions. In this series of courses, you will be guided in how to deliver explicit instruction for each curriculum level using clear and concise language, as well as how to evaluate and adjust your students using a selection of diagnostic tools.

Our in-person and online formats are a convenient and affordable way for our Licensed Instructors (and Licensed Instructor candidates) to maintain their existing License, and/or qualify for more advanced degrees.

Around the World

ITALY

Grandmaster Sam Chin and the entire Chin Family is very happy to be cooperating with Alessandro Colonnese, Pietro Nicolaus Roselli Lorenzini, and the whole Unione Italiana Kung Fu Tradizionale (UIKT) Family, to bring Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan, the Martial Art of Awareness, to Italy!

The UIKT is a non-profit organization, based in Rome, Italy, whose mission is to promote traditional kung fu! Our cooperation will be announced at the 2020 International Martial Arts Day events on September 12-13 in Rome!

Together with the UIKT, we will be offering our Instructor Level 1 Certification Program in Italy! This 3-year program includes Student Levels 1-2-3 and Instructor Level 1, and is the essential foundation of Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan.

Each step of the training process and the examinations will be overseen by instructors assigned by the Chin Family.

Year 1
October 10-11, 2020
December 19-20, 2020
February 20-21, 2021
April 24-25, 2021
June 19-20, 2021
September 10-11, 2021

This first program will be led by Instructor Joshua Craig (representing ZXD Headquarters) and Instructor Alberto Benedusi (representing Italy).

If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact us ASAP!

In the UIKT the Chin Family has found a partner that also values both harmony and collaboration, and we look forward to working together to unify and promote martial culture and the unique inheritances of traditional kung fu!

GRADING

On Sunday September 6, 2020 Instructor Joshua Craig led an all-day Grading Workshop in San Marino. Everything was organized by Instructor Alberto Benedusi, who was also the translator for this intense event!

After a thorough review of the Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan approach, every exercise was reviewed in-depth, and everyone did an amazing job!

A message from Joshua:

Thank you to everyone for their outstanding spirit and dedication! What a day! A special thank you also to Alberto for all of his efforts in preparing the group and making our union possible! Also in attendance was Study Group Leader Dino Fiaschi of Tuscany! Congratulations to everyone for passing Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan Level 1!

Daniel Giuliani
Giulietta Chiara Staffa
Pietro Nicolaus
Roselli Lorenzini
Nicola Albatici
Simone Amadei
Maurizio Corona
Constantino Fiori
Marco Agnoletti
Laura Dolce

RUSSIA

1) Schools now reopen after pandemic quarantine since a month ago. Physical classes as well as online options are available in Russian.
2) This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Russian I Liq Chuan School, founded by GM Alex Skalozub!
3) Special online classes of GM Sam Chin for Russian-speaking students will be coming this autumn. More information will be available soon!

GM Alexander Skalozub & Master Daria Sergeeva

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Instructor’s Online Sessions

Donation based and discounted online classes are provided for a limited time. Schedule and pricing are subject to change, contact the instructor directly for more details.

Should you have any questions or concern please do not hesitate to reach us at: admin@iliqchuan.com

Zhong Xin Dao For Challenging Times

“Mindfulness helps you go home to the present. And every time you go there and recognize a condition of happiness that you have, happiness comes.”
–Thich Nhat Hanh —

We understand that it can be a challenging time for many of us due to the unknown future brought upon us by the pandemic and the grief, anger and frustration accompanying both the peaceful protests over personal suffering and systemic injustices as well as the mayhem of social unrest and violence, too. The sorrow is across the US and around the world. While it’s completely natural to experience negative emotions, and important to recognize and understand them, it is equally important to realize that we can respond with our practice—by noticing all the feelings and how the sensations rise in us, and acknowledging that our emotions are a normal part of our human, biological systems for responding to trauma. The point of recognizing is to remain aware of our oneness, of maintaining unity: with self, others, and environment. As practitioners of an art that aims to recognize neutrality, center, and stillness, we hope to share a few tips that may help in the processing of the inundation of emotions, by finding peace through balanced actions. By cultivating internal awareness, we may find that we can be with changing moments and act from a calm center.

DYNAMIC MEDITATION
Zhong Xin Dao has a strong reference to dynamic meditation as it is a martial art based heavily on Zen and Tao philosophies. By dynamic meditation, we are referring to a meditative type of mental state while in action. This mental state can be practiced and achieved during any activity. As the basis of establishing this mental state we must put our intention on attention and attempt to be mindful in our actions and thoughts—coming back to our center.  

As a beginning we can focus this attention on our breath. We watch our breathing and observe the rise and fall of the breath. We observe the breath in a passive way, not forcing or controlling the breath. The next step is to process emotions in the same way. We observe the emotion as it begins to affect us. We observe the emotion’s state as it rises and falls. In the same way we do not force our breath, we do not force these emotions to come or go, just simply observe and recognize them. It may be helpful to associate the rise and fall of the emotions with the rise and fall of the breath.

MINDFUL ZXD EXERCISES
We suggest practicing the 15 basic exercises or the 21 form, be mindful of every move — bringing the attention to our body. We can be mindful of our environment and be mindful of our physical state. Recognize the changes and be with the moment. Unifying the mental and the physical, balancing the mind and the body to relax.

Our Response To COVID-19 & Social Distancing

The outbreak of COVID-19 and the associated quarantine and social distancing measures has affected each and every one of our own training and our personal lives.

As an organization focusing on physical and mental health, we would like to encourage the practices of qigong/breathing, stretching, and martial arts exercises.

Our purpose is to promote a healthy balance during these difficult times brought upon us by the Coronavirus as well as to bring our community closer together.

The Chin Family Zhong Xin Dao / I Liq Chuan (Martial Arts of Awareness) would like to give back to the community by offering these FREE live streams to be led by our instructors who have volunteered to donate their time.

These 30 minutes – 1 hour interactive sessions will be conducted live and participants will be able to ask questions related to the topic.

Scheduled Live Streams

Free Online Session – Macrocosmic Energy Flow by Marina Gubnitskaya

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Free Online Session – GM Sam Chin Presents Meet & Match

Free Online Session – 21 Form Part 5 Presented by Miro Kovacik

Can You Make A Donation?

Help support our community and instructors in continuing to provide these online sessions. Donations are greatly appreciated!

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=QC92ZSEEJLT8A&source=url

Official Statement by Grandmaster Sam F. S. Chin

To All Our Zhong Xin Dao – I Liq Chuan Family and Our Martial Arts Brothers and Sisters Worldwide,

The Martial Way is a Living Way that cannot be contained, regulated, or defined by words. By living each day, one day at a time, moment by moment, all the elements of the Dao run into each other to produce a whole.

As a mountain lake is fed by thousands of springs, so too is life and its obstacles. Life, like the way, is perfect in its completeness. When collaborating with people I have found the best and worst will emerge in the time of personal/professional stress and pressure.

This is an appropriate moment to reflect on our Zhong Xin Dao – I Liq Chuan principles and Chin Family culture and cultivation. We are inclusive rather than exclusive in our teaching. We ‘open heartedly’ teach and share our Art to all those who sincerely and earnestly wish to learn. In the ‘Chinese Martial Arts Community,’ there is a saying, 武术一族 “Martial Arts One Family.” Our tradition is united by a common love of training, self development and the transmission of skill through direct touch from teacher to student. We do not perceive other systems, instructors, or practitioners as competitors. We strive to be transparent in all our dealings.

The fastest way to lose the integrity of any Art is to have an Instructor or Student teach when he/she is not prepared, authorized, or qualified. I don’t want anyone to teach my family’s Art of Zhong Xin Dao – I Liq Chuan unless I can directly guide what they teach and how they teach it. I can then take responsibility for what is being taught, for the results produced, and the curriculum quality. I ask for each Disciple, Instructor, and Student to observe his/her personal integrity, and to support and add to the integrity of Zhong Xin Dao – I Liq Chuan.

Our culture of Wu De i.e. Martial Virtue emphasizes the essential importance of recognizing and realizing the state Neutral and Balance in all situations. Following the path of Zhong Xin Dao – I Liq Chuan can and will create limitless power, by the utilization of harmony and wisdom. Please continue to stress the rigorous moral training and ethical code of Wu De. I am sure that on your Path through life you will find peace, harmony, and wisdom by following this code.

“When debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.” – Socrates

We Mirror, Meet, and Match in Order to Know – If you Recognize any vindictive or slanderous behavior stay neutral and aware – do not respond or retaliate.

Preserving the culture that has permeated Zhong Xin Dao – I Liq Chuan since it’s inception at Chuang Yen monastery nearly 30 years ago, we welcome everyone with open arms regardless of affiliation. Zhong Xin Dao – I Liq Chuan is not to be, and was never designed to be, reserved for one special group of people.

The Chin Family Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan system is open and available to everyone.

We will continue to provide high quality training and support, offering access to any individual to receive instruction directly from myself, the Chin family, or our licensed instructors.

Always continue with your current dedication and perseverance by following the Philosophy, Concepts, and Principles as taught by the Chin Family. This Spirit must continue to live with you through future generations of Zhong Xin Dao – I Liq Chuan.

Sincerely,
Grandmaster Sam F.S. Chin

Announcement Regarding Our Cooperation With EWTO

Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan students, instructors and friends:

For the last several years, the EWTO has been working under the guidance of GM Sam Chin and the Chin family, learning the fundamentals of the Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan curriculum and methods, initially to internalize their WingTsun, and also working under the tentative approval of the Chin family to manage and spread the art of Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan as a unique and complete martial arts program in specific countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Bulgaria and Italy through its participating EWTO locations and instructors on behalf of GM Sam Chin and the international CFILCA.

Recently, the EWTO announced that they will no longer be working with GM Sam Chin to help manage the Chin family art of Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan in their respective countries as appointed by the Chin family.

We understand that there may be some questions, and that many public posts and comments have already been made on social media regarding the situation.

GM Sam Chin will be making a detailed announcement soon. In the meantime we ask for all of our students and instructors to stand by for more information.

We appreciate all of your cooperation on this matter, and we wish our friends in the EWTO all the best moving forward.

Poland 2019 Retreat

Students display their new certificates of rank at the I Liq Chuan retreat in Poland

In November 2019, GM Sam Chin and Hsin Chin traveled together to Dwor Dobarz, Poland for a seven day training retreat.

Nearly forty students, representing many European countries all joined GM Chin and son for the full week, and weekend training. In total, eight countries were represented, including Poland, Ukraine, Germany, Russia, Belarus, Netherlands, Croatia and the UK.

What did we learn?

“Every day was very important talk where Sifu also answers all questions. So philosophy, concept and principles was clarifying. At training with our body and with partner we covered: structure, basic exercises (we go deeper and deeper), 21 form, fajin, spinning and sticky hands“ ~Dima Siomau

Grading

11 students graded for their next levels in the Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan system from levels 1-4. Congratulations to all on making it to the next step in your journey with I Liq Chuan!

Outline

Each days training progressed as follows

Time/Date	Monday 11 nov	Tuesday 12 nov	Wednesday 13 nov	Thursday 14 nov	Friday 15 nov	Saturday 16 nov	Sunday 17 nov	Monday 18 nov
8:00-9:00	–	Qigong & Meditation	Qigong & Meditation	Qigong & Meditation	Qigong & Meditation	Qigong & Meditation	Qigong & Meditation	Breakfast
9:00-10:00	–	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast	Check out
10:00-13:00	–	Training	Training	Training	Training	Training	Training	–
13:00-15:00	–	Lunch & Rest	Lunch & Rest	Lunch & Rest	Lunch & Rest	Lunch & Rest	Lunch & Rest	–
15:00-18:00	Check in	Training	Training	Training	Training	Training	Training	–
18:00-19:30	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	–
19:30-21:30	Sifu talk	Self training	Self training	Self training	Self training	Examination	Ending talk and feedback from participants	–

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who participated and made this event such a great success. Your support is what makes it all possible.

Photos

Join Us!

If you would like the opportunity to immerse yourself in seven days of I Liq Chuan training, or take a weekend workshop, keep an eye on our events calendar here, or find a local “Martial Art of Awareness” class near you here with one of our licensed instructors or study group leaders.

Self Study

If you would like materials to study on your own, check out these great choices for getting started in our online store.

GM Sam Chin Guest Appearance On YouTube With Leo Au Yeung

GM Sam Chin appears for a second interview on YouTube with Hollywood fight choreographer Leo Au Yeung, best known for his work with the Ip Man movies starring Donnie Yen.

This interview discusses the three planes and possible application to any martial art.

Join Us For The Slow 21 Form Challenge!

Do the form slowly and increase your awareness. This is the ZhongXinDao #slow21challenge.

Take a video of yourself doing the ZXD 21 Form as slowly as possible.

Then speed up the video by at least 10x, and share it on Facebook and nominate your friends.

Feel free to join the #slow21challenge even if you are not nominated.

Share the different videos of the challenge with your friends.

Academic Approach Updates – Oct 2019

Lan Tran and Nancy Watterson, Co-directors of the ZXD Academic Approach, will make their 3rd appearance this November (2019) at the Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education (ACMHE) annual conference held at UMASS-Amherst.

This year is the 2nd cohort of the BALANCE Learning Community of 18 incoming first-year students who take Lan and Nancy’s 3-credit academic course, “Conflict and Cooperation,” in the fall. The Zhong Xin Dao / I Liq Chuan curriculum stands at the heart of this course, which is part seminar and part movement-lab.

Lan and Nancy are also happy to announce that one of the newest students from their ZXD Philadelphia group, Henry Pitcairn (student level 1), who moved to Denver, Colorado end of August to go to college, is starting the official student organization: The Community College of Denver (CCD) ZXD ILC Club. While the organization will initially exist only as a CCD organization, students from two other nearby universities will be able to join as they all share a campus at Auraria: University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) and Metropolitan State University (MSU). The club is also open to community members.

Even though he has only been in Denver a couple of months, Henry has made fast work of building on his enthusiasm for Zhong Xin Dao I Liq Chuan. He sought out ZXD instructor Ken Forsythe in Fort Collins, CO when his dad, Jeremy Pitcairn (student level 2) helped him move westward from Philadelphia, and Ken soon put him in touch with his ZXD student and new group leader in Denver, Eric Campbell (student level 3). Henry is enlisting the help of two fellow CCD student leaders, Dee Garcia and Mary Sawyer as well as economics professor Dr. Scott Brocket in the role of faculty adviser. We’re looking forward to Henry visiting the East Coast over the Thanksgiving holiday and training in Philly and NYC.