I’m a lifelong martial artist. I’ve, been to different schools and studied different styles. Where do they differ? What do they share? What did I find important? How often and for how long should I practice? What, am I actually practicing? Why am I doing this?
One day an artist said to me, “So what is it that you do?” I said, “Martial Arts”. He laughed and said to me after observation, “No. What is the name of your style”?
It didn’t have a name. You see, over years, I took components of different arts and put them together as they suited or fit me. I saw purpose in much. I had ability too. In some areas, well, I couldn’t preform techniques well or sometimes perform them at all. It wasn’t for lack of effort, and it wasn’t for lack of understanding. Let me explain. I know HOW to slam dunk a basketball. I’m also 5’5”. I’ve tried my whole life to dunk a ball, but I just don’t think it’s written in the stars for me, especially at the young age of 50. So instead of flapping my arms harder and faster in the hopes that I will take air like a bird in flight, I decided work on on skills that I can perform and skills that I can improve. But even more then execution, application, forms and katas, what do the arts mean to me. They mean something different to each of us, but to quote a teacher of mine “where within is the life lesson?”
I choose not to define what martial arts is. But I am a martial being…and then some.
WHY NOW?
Rolling back to about 2016, a teacher of mine suggested that I put a name to the art and write a book. About a year later I found a suitable name, ”Pianzhuan” which means deflection. And today, while recovering from open-heart surgery I’ve decided to use my recovery time to compose this book.
Mind
Body
Spirit
Martial life is more than just breaking boards.
(Continued in blog).
Pianzhuan means deflection. To deflect, change or absorb and redirect energy is the art of Pianzhuan. Pianzhuan is a combination of styles and a philosophy.
What kind of Martial Art is Pinanzhuan?
A special thanks to all the teachers, students, masters, grand masters, professionals, world champions, hall of famers…all who have helped to shape me in many ways. Some of the contents within this book are from their teachings.
Looking at Pianzhuan strictly from a self-defense perspective, we remove the concept of self-defense. The idea of self-defense to people is to:
1. protect or defend, then 2. attack.
Every motion in Pianzhuan is a strike and often strikes are with two hands, hand and foot, hands and head, etc. The major striking zones are:
eyes
behind ear
throat
sternum
elbows
floating ribs
liver
groin
knees
feet
If you watch me perform you can see both a hard and soft style. I see benefit in both. There are some motions that I like that fit me. And there are some that do not. A trained artist can see the influences. You will read about them. I suggest to you that you study, learn and unlearn but most of all, have fun! I have a love for the arts and I hope you do too. If we lose the love, we lose personal growth through martial being.
Angles - Attack? Defend?
“A master has failed more times then a beginner has even tried.”
— Source Unknown