San Clemente Classes: New Schedule

Our new Adam Williss Martial Arts schedule is out. We've broken our classes up into short back- to-back half hour sessions focusing on one particular aspect at a time. Students can pick their classes and come when its most convenient.

Specialized Classes
Students can accentuate areas they want to work based on their martial arts development and specific interests. Its a great new approach to our martial arts classes as each class has an almost self-fulfilling curriculum. The new class structure communicates the breadth of our martial arts teachings while maintaining the integrity of its substance.

Great for Busy Adults
Because classes are short and focused people who would normally not go because they are too are busy for a 2 hour class may show up for one of the short classes thereby keep them connected and growing.

Perfect for Beginners
The new classes are a perfect place for beginners to get started while providing a place for more advanced students to develop.

Lower Prices, More Sessions
The new structure also allows for lower pricing options based on tiers reducing the barrier for new students entry. Entry level begins at only $50/mo. At an even bigger discounted price, an unlimited option gives students the opportunity to come to up to 22 sessions per week if they choose.

Click to enlarge

How to Get Started

To take advantage of our new schedule and structure, go to www.martialarts-sanclemente.com and sign-up.

We love what we do and will be happy to help you to reach your next level!

MORE INFO




© Martial Arts San Clemente

Orange County Martial Arts - San Clemente

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Martial Arts San Clemente - Brittan's Story

When San Clemente local, Brittan McPherron, joined Adam Williss Martial Arts San Clemente two years ago to follow in the footsteps of his favorite martial artist, Bruce Lee, and learn the art of Wing Chun, he found an approach to street-fighting radically evolved to be more effective for modern-day street fighting. McPherron, who originally wanted to take Wing Chun and move onto other martial arts became so committed to this unique approach to Wing Chun that he found no need to look into other martial arts he had originally thought he had to learn. Now Brittan trains every day, whether at home or in Sifu Adam Williss' small group classes in San Clemente. He moved with his family to Oceanside and drives from there three times a week to study with Sifu Adam Williss' group. "There's nothing like it," claims a satisfied McPherron. "The more I learn, tt just keeps getting better and better."

© Martial Arts San Clemente

Orange County Martial Arts - San Clemente

Martial Arts San Clemente, Martial Arts Orange County, Wing Chun Orange County, Orange County Street MMA, Orange County Kung Fu, Jeet Kune Do Orange County, Orange County Qigong, Orange County Tai Chi, Orange County Yoga, Orange County Classes, Orange County Wing Chun

Debunking Self-Defense Misconceptions

Most martial arts are simply NOT as effective as you may think when it comes to training for real-world combat situations. We debunk some common misconceptions here.


Misconception #1
The purpose of martial arts should be to build discipline and a great physical fitness enhancing individual strength, flexibility, balance, and cardio-respiratory fitness. Building personal courage, self confidence.

We disagree. Although these benefits may come as a by-product of training, the primary objective of a martial art should be to improve the combat-effectiveness of the individual, specifically, to teach the individual to become comfortable with the level of conflict required in a real-life self-preservation situation.


Misconception #2
Safety must be emphasized at all costs to the point of stressing no striking or only simulated strikes to vital points such as the head, neck and groin area. If you strike at all, you should stop short (pull your punches) to these vital areas so that you maintain safety above all else. Only "light blows" should be made to other areas.

Wrong. The primary focus of a true martial arts program should not be to prevent the maximum number of injuries during training but to prevent the maximum number of individual injuries during a real world situation. Bumps and bruises do come with the territory when applying reality-based training. Unless you want individuals to experience false confidence, the only confidence worth obtaining in a true martial arts program is achieved through successfully employing combat-effective movements.


Misconception #3
Most fights end up on the ground so ground-fighting should be where you place most of your emphasis.

No. This way of thinking is extremely flawed. The ground is the last place you want to be in a real-life situation. We aren't training for the UFC or a grappling tournament, we train for real-world success. Too many variables can happen to you on the ground on the street. For self-defense, preventing the maximum number of individual injuries is the goal. Therefore, knowing how to stay on your feet should be a much greater concern.


Misconception #4
Locks and holds are the best way of incapacitating an attacker.

False. Striking is entirely more effective in a realistic environment than holding or putting someone in a lock. Your goal in a realistic situation must be to incapacitate the attacker in the quickest way possible. Striking is much quicker, a lot simpler and has the potential to be much more devastating to an attacker.


Misconception #5
Training in kickboxing and/or wrestling will make me ready for the street.

No way. Approaching a self-preservation situation with a sport mentality gives the individual a false sense of confidence. Training for realistic self-defense is much different than training for a rules-based combat sport.




© Martial Arts San Clemente
Orange County Martial Arts - San Clemente

Martial Arts San Clemente, Martial Arts Orange County, Wing Chun Orange County, Orange County Street MMA, Orange County Kung Fu, Jeet Kune Do Orange County, Orange County Qigong, Orange County Tai Chi, Orange County Yoga, Orange County Classes, Orange County Wing Chun

Martial Arts San Clemente - Our recent Bill Graves Seminar

The recent seminar with Sigung Bill Graves was none other than amazing. People do what they're good at. In this case, Sigung Bill Graves does what he's GREAT at. What people don't get it is how exceptional of a martial arts practitioner Sigung Bill Graves is. What's more, he's an outstanding martial arts teacher who just loves sharing. I've met more than my fair share of martial arts people. Some famous, some not so famous. Some Asian, some pretending to be Asian, some not so much. Some with 30, 40 or 50 years in martial arts. Nearly all of whom claim that their way is the best - not any of whom could match Sigung Bill Graves. This I am genuinely certain.

It is my distinct honor to bring Bill Graves' unique approach to martial arts to San Clemente.

Here is a picture from our recent seminar. Welcome to the family!

Adam Williss Martial Arts San Clemente

Adam Williss Martial Arts San Clemente


© Martial Arts San Clemente

Orange County Martial Arts - San Clemente

Martial Arts San Clemente, Martial Arts Orange County, Wing Chun Orange County, Orange County Street MMA, Orange County Kung Fu, Jeet Kune Do Orange County, Orange County Qigong, Orange County Tai Chi, Orange County Yoga, Orange County Classes, Orange County Wing Chun

Martial Arts San Clemente

Shocking and Immovable Energies of Wing Chun

:: By Michael Herrera ::


Shocking energy (Jut Lik) is created throughout Wing Chun in techniques such as pak sao, lop sao, gum sao…etc. This form of energy gets its title “shocking” from the resulting posture disturbance created in the opponent as the techniques are being applied. As the opponent’s structure is shocked (attacked) vital targets are exposed. In this sense the application of shocking energy is often used to create right of way before striking the vital targets located on the centerline. In reality, these techniques are themselves attacks against the opponent’s structure not only creating openings, but also weakening his ability to absorb subsequent impacts.

Interestingly, shocking energy is most easily generated farther away from the body’s center. For this reason most of the well-known Wing Chun techniques applying (Jut Lik) utilize finger energy located the greatest distance away from the body’s center. In contrast to shocking energy there also exist the Wing Chun concept of immovable energy, which is most easily realized closer to the body’s center such as in the shoulders. This form of energy is most often realized as the immovable elbow (butt doan jeong) of Wing Chun. Exploring the complementary relationship between shocking and immovable energies can unlock new areas of Wing Chun skill.

To cultivate these energies a Wing Chun student must learn to relax and sink the shoulders downward connecting them to the waist. This heaviness in the shoulders can then be slowly transferred to the elbows cultivating the immovable elbow energy of Wing Chun. This heaviness in the elbows is then extended into the wrist where the opponent will feel a heavy responsiveness in the hands. This cultivation of heavy relaxed forwardness in the Wing Chun hands will allow the fingers to create devastating shocking energy (Jut Lik) in the opponent without disturbing ones own structure. As more skill is developed the fingers can apply ever-increasing amounts of shocking energy without compromising the six elements of good form (see www.austinwingchun.com).

Eventually, just as the heaviness of the elbows extended to the fingers, the shocking energy of the fingers can be slowly realized in the elbows as (Jeong Lik). With practice, one can begin to cultivate both shocking and immovable energies in the elbow. This unique combination allows one to apply subtle shocking energies during all forms of contact. For example, advanced chi sao in Wing Chun will allow for subtle attacks every cycle while the structure, control and precision remain undisturbed.

This combination of both immovable and shocking energy in the elbow is a simple realization of the complementary relationship between the shoulder and finger energies. My teacher would say that shocking and immovable energies are two sides of the same coin resembling that of the well-known wave particle duality in physics. The fingers exhibit shocking energy properties while the shoulders exhibit immovable energy properties as a result of their relationship to the body’s center. The elbows, located between the two, can uniquely realize both properties just as a photon can exhibit both wave and particle properties. Notice that this relationship restricts the amount of either energy present in any one area. More shocking energy in one location means less immovable energy and visa versa.

It is worth emphasizing again the order of Wing Chun energy cultivation outlined above for both immovable and shocking energies. These energies if artificially manufactured (done by most practitioners) create openings and instabilities that can be easily exploited by masters of the art. Proper cultivation of these energies must follow a clear order of skill development. Like all aspects of Wing Chun these energies must be cultivated over time under an experienced Wing Chun teacher through empty hand sets, wooden dummy, chi sao and weapons training.


About the Author:
Michael Herrera is a Wing Chun Instructor and founder of Austin Wing Chun. With an advanced background in physics he instinctively applies concepts rooted in the scientific method towards understanding the art. A student of Florida-based martial artist and Wing Chun master Karl Godwin, Michael considers himself to be fortunate having learned Wing Chun from such a highly skilled and meticulous teacher. This article in its original form can be found on the Austin Wing Chun blog at www.austinwingchun.blogspot.com.

Wing Chun on "Mind, Body, Kick Ass Moves"

"Mind, Body, Kick Ass Moves" featuring Wing Chun (WingTsun).

Wing Chun meets Chinese Medicine

Our own, Kate Fennelly, LAc, during a recent acupuncture session for our group. Kate is a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese doctor of herbal medicine. She offers her services on a periodic basis to our group. Its amazing to "connect the dots" between Chinese medicine and the art of Wing Chun. Its also well known that the legendary Wing Chun practitioner and Chinese doctor, Leung Jan, played a pivotal role in Wing Chun's evolution. The acupuncture sessions simply drive home the fact that Wing Chun is an internal art with deep connections to the concepts of the Chinese energetic systems.

I received acupuncture in my ears opening the channels and then did a little Chi Sao with Kate. The energy was amazing. I've never felt so in touch with the flow of energy of all of the Yin and Yang meridians from the Lung meridian all the way through to the Liver meridian.

We all thank you Kate. Thank you for the new acupunture charts for the kwoon. You are amazing!

- Sifu Adam Williss

More pics from acupuncture...

4x4 Training Platforms

We've found that the platforms help develop a clear awareness for the student of direction and limitations of space during daily sparring and drills. Offering a distance measure for initiation when sparring from without a bridge, the platforms then keep students within a confined area (not stepping off) for smaller and more direct reactions to energy using proper footwork. The object is not to see who can get the other person off... instead, learning to control your opponent's posture while keeping them close.

Our Recent Orange County Wing Chun Seminar

This past weekend's seminar, "Reaching Your Wing Chun Potential", with Mario Hostios was exceptional. His years of direct experience under the source of our modern training methods, Karl Godwin, has yeilded unmistakable insight. There were in-depth discussions, clear demonstrations and practical drills for application. Mario did a great job of showing how our particular method of Wing Chun is truly a complete art - how it offers protection from violence, protection from illnesses, and a path of personal development for life.

Topics covered included...

ROOT

Realizing the potential of your Empty Hand Sets

Mario detailed how the Empty Hand Forms forge the metal of your body into a Wing Chun sword. We went through Siu Nim Tao (with training block) and Chum Kiu with special emphasis on root.

LIK

Achieving effective power in your wooden dummy and sandbag training

Mario broke down how the Wooden Dummy Form and Sandbag Training sharpen the Wing Chun sword (aka body) so it can cut anything. Rotating out between partner applications and the sandbag we were able to feel as we released our relaxed power and gained knowledge into solo training methods.

CHI

Navigating and negating the intent and action of the aggressor

After explaining Chinese Medicine Theory in plain English, Mario diagramed Wing Chun's use of it in recieving and delivering energy. Through sensitivity to energy, both visual and tactile, we worked on drills that clarified our understanding of an aggressor's intent and how to deal with their possible actions.

Much more was covered than I can put into words. Needless to say it was 4 hours of overload for many of the participants. I can't thank Mario enough for his desire to share his far-reaching knowledge.

~Sifu Adam Williss

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More Feedback from the Seminar

"The workshop was excellent. Of particular benefit for me was the explanation around the three areas of training and their focus. This provides me a strong workable context for my training. The drills were very pertinent to the concepts discussed... and could be applied during solo training which is important for me since I get in only two group sessions a week. Having taken this seminar, a second seminar with more drills where the concepts could be practiced would be great. If this is planned, sign me up." ~Phillip Call, San Clemente, CA

© Adam Williss Martial Arts & Wellness Institute

Wing Chun

Wing Chun is a traditional Chinese fighting art. It is direct and uses economy of movement, and is very comprehensive. Our specific approach to Wing Chun uses the laws of physics to determine the best ways to move and defend one’s self. These concepts and principles govern how we move, fight and train. Most other schools rely on muscular strength, speed, and purely physical technique. Instead, the concepts we use involve position, sensitivity, structure, footwork, and technique to deal with aggressors.

Wing Chun is highly efficient and aggressive, yet our training approach focuses on acquiring effortless combat skills. The human’s most basic and natural instinct is self-preservation. When we are children in the developmental stages, these basic instincts come more naturally to us, however over time we become civilized and need to, as adults, be trained to use our once natural instinct of self-preservation.

Our approach doesn't settle for simply carrying on Wing Chun in a sacred, or dead tradition. On the contrary, we seek to continually develop and evolve our understanding of Wing Chun principles and concepts. This forward-thinking approach to martial study trains self-preservation skills, not skills for tournaments, competition, or egotistical brawls. Intelligence, awareness, and hard work are essential aspects of our Wing Chun training.

© Adam Williss Martial Arts & Wellness Institute

Lao Tzu Quotes

A taoist philosopher of ancient China, Lao Tzu is regarded as the author of the Tao Te Ching (Daodejing). As with most other ancient Chinese philosophers, Lao Tzu often explains his ideas by way of paradox, analogy, repetition, symmetry, rhyme, and rhythm.

Lao Tzu describes taoism as unseen, but not transcendent, immensely powerful yet supremely humble, being the root of all things. According to the Tao Te Ching, humans have no special place within the Tao, being just one of its many ("ten thousand") manifestations. People have desires and free will (and thus are able to alter their own nature). Many act "unnaturally", upsetting the natural balance of the Tao. The Tao Te Ching intends to lead students to a "return" to their natural state, in harmony with Tao.

Here are a few of Lao Tzu's quotes:

To hold, you must first open your hand. Let go. ~Lao Tzu

We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want. ~Lao Tzu

All true artists, whether they know it or not, create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness. ~Lao Tzu

To realize that our knowledge is ignorance is a noble insight. To regard our ignorance as knowledge is mental sickness. ~Lao Tzu

The sage never tries to store things up.
The more he does for others, the more he has.
The more he gives to others, the greater his abundance. ~Lao Tzu

Stay at the center and let all things take their course. ~Lao Tzu

Those who do not trust enough should not be trusted. ~Lao Tzu

Force is followed by loss of strength.
This is not the way of the Tao.
That which goes against the Tao comes to an early end. ~Lao Tzu

Empty yourself of everything. Let the mind become still. ~Lao Tzu

True words aren't eloquent. ~Lao Tzu

Wise people don't need to prove their point. ~Lao Tzu

By not dominating, the Master leads. ~Lao Tzu

Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water.
Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible, nothing can surpass it. ~Lao Tzu

The soft overcomes the hard;
the gentle overcomes the rigid.
Everyone knows this is true,
but few can put it into practice. ~Lao Tzu

The Master can keep giving because there is no end to their wealth.
They act without expectation, succeed without taking credit,
and doesn't think that they are better than anyone else. ~Lao Tzu

If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to.
If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve. ~Lao Tzu

Act for other's benefit. Trust them; leave them alone. ~Lao Tzu

When people lose their sense of awe, they no longer trust themselves, and begin to depend upon others. Therefore the Master steps back so that people won't be confused. He teaches without a teaching, so that people will have nothing to learn. ~Lao Tzu

Not-knowing is true knowledge.
Presuming to know is a disease.
First realize that you are sick;
then you can move toward health. ~Lao Tzu

A good athlete can enter a state of body-awareness in which the right stroke or the right movement happens by itself, effortlessly, without any interference of the conscious will. This is a paradigm for non-action: the purest and most effective form of action. The game plays the game; the poem writes the poem; we can't tell the dancer from the dance. It happens when we trust the intelligence of the universe in the same way that an athlete or a dancer trusts the superior intelligence of the body. ~Lao Tzu

An army that cannot yield will be defeated
A tree that cannot bend will crack in the wind
Thus by nature's own decree the hard and strong are defeated
the soft and gentle are triumphant. ~Lao Tzu

© Adam Williss Martial Arts & Wellness Institute

Our Distinquished Lineage of Masters

Representing a verifiable and distinguished lineage of masters

An instructor's lineage is their "certificate of authenticity". An intact family tree and strong relationship with one's teacher ensures a "pedigree" - confirmation of pure ancestry. Grandmaster Ip Man taught Wing Chun, a style of martial arts proven to be effective over hundreds of years.

It is extremely rare to find a martial arts lineage that holds such an esteem as the one we have here in Orange County. Sifu Adam Williss has had the ability to meet and train with many, many other martial artists. He believes that "it was a true gift to have found this particular lineage." Each teacher along the line is distinguished as having a martial arts ability that is undeniable.

"I am extremely proud to be able to bring our unique method of Wing Chun to Orange County and north San Diego. Make no mistake, there is nothing like it." -Sifu Adam Williss

Ip Man (Yip Man)
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Leung Sheung
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Kenneth Chung
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Ben Der
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Ken Werner
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Karl Godwin
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Bill Graves
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Adam Williss

Proud member since 1995

© Adam Williss Martial Arts San Clemente

Orange County's Self-Defense for Women

An 8-week Course with Close-Combat Martial Arts Instructor Adam Williss 

Shedding the myths around realistic self-defense, Orange County local martial arts expert Adam Williss empowers women with functional skills that can be learned quickly and easily - - making women a force to be reckoned with regardless of their size, stregnth or fitness level. Make no mistake, this is like no other seminar... this is today's most advanced technology.

This highly comprehensive course gives women the ability to simplify a self-defense situation by clarifying and prioritizing the situation. 

"It really can be that simple when you have the knowledge that we will share," said Adam Williss. 

"You will learn to defend yourself against all kinds of attacks including but not limited to immediate reaction conditioning, anti-mugging and rape tactics."

"However, in order to ensure that each participant recieves our distinquished standard of instruction, the course is limited to only a few participants. "

Course graduates will be recognized with street self-defense certification. The couse will take place in a sequence of eight classes at the Adam Williss Martial Arts & Wellness Institute in San Clemente.

Day: Wednesday

Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Start & End Dates: 06/10/09 - 07/29/09

SSD4W 12-hour Certification

Regularly cost $1300. For a limited time $525 (a 60% discount)

Learn to handle yourself when it matters most!

Visit the Course Registration Page HERE

Review of the 2009 Bill Graves Wing Chun Seminar

The 2009 Bill Graves Wing Chun Seminar here in Orange County was nothing short of amazing. Held on April 25th at the YMCA in Laguna Niguel, CA and named Orange County's Self-Defense Revolution, the seminar participants left floored at the level of knowledge that Sifu Bill Graves had to share. With a small group of 15 at the event, Sifu Graves showed his ability to speak for over 6-hours on the subject of Wing Chun in a highly intelligent way that consistently drove his point across quite clearly. Although his philosophy that fighting should be effortless seems a difficult concept, when you see him move and apply things in such a way, amazing seems possible.

Here are a few testimonials from the event...

"Just had the best seminar with Bill Graves (Wing Chun). What an incredible day! Feels like we were just getting started and now we have to wait a year until he comes out again!!!???" ~Kate Fennelly

"Just gained 7 hours of knowledge of the wing chun art. Must apply it somewhere.. Pumped!" ~Matt Daboub

I am just pumped after an all day Wing Chun seminar with Bill Graves, our Sifu (Adam Williss), and my mates. What a rockin experience and such a wealth of knowledge! I never thought I could ever gain so much, both mentally and physically. Thanks again, Sifu, for your teachings and the opportunity you have given us today. You Rock!" ~Robert Koontz

I couldn't have been happier with the seminar. I was finally able to introduce the best martial artist I've ever met, my Sifu Bill Graves, to my students. It was a phenomenal experience to have my students finally see the undeniable ability of a true master. We hope to be able to fly Bill out from Florida in the future in order to make the Bill Graves seminar an annual event. ~Sifu Adam Williss

Here are a few pictures from the event...

Left to right - Sifu Bill Graves, Ryan Polfer, Brittan McPherron, Michael Berumen

Left to right - Derrick Mansell, Ed Gebelin, Matt Daboub

Left to right - Rob Koontz, Karen Standish, Ed Gebelin, Phil Call, Kate Fennelly

Left to right - Jim Schade, Brittan McPherron, Matt Daboub

Martial Arts Quotes

Seek not to follow in the footsteps of men of old; seek what they sought. ~Matsu Basho

To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders. ~Lao Tzu

You’ve got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail. -Charlie Parker

Of old the expert in battle would first make himself invincible and then wait for his enemy to expose his vulnerability. ~Sun Tzu

I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times. ~Bruce Lee

He who is taught only by himself has a fool for a master. ~Ben Jonson

Everyone has a plan until they’ve been hit. ~Joe Lewis

What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease. ~Sun Tzu

Be soft in your practice. Think of the method as a fine silvery stream, not a raging waterfall. Follow the stream in its course. It will go its own way, meandering here, trickling there. It will find the grooves, the cracks, the crevices. Just follow it. Never let it out of your sight. It will take you. ~Sheng-yen

Philosophy practiced is the goal of learning. ~Thoreau

A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective. ~Sun Tzu

When the student is ready, the master appears. ~Buddhist proverb

Everything you'll ever need to know is within you; the secrets of the universe are imprinted on the cells of your body. But you haven't learned how to read the wisdom of the body. ~Dan Millman

I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times. ~Bruce Lee

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. ~Lao Tzu

Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend. ~Bruce Lee

Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind. ~Bruce Lee

Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy. ~Lao Tzu quote

The less effort, the faster and more powerful you will be. ~Bruce Lee

It's not the daily increase but daily decrease. Hack away at the unessential. ~Bruce Lee

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. ~Lao Tzu

To realize that you do not understand is a virtue; Not to realize that you do not understand is a defect. ~Lao Tzu

Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it. ~Lao Tzu

I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. ~Lao Tzu

The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world. ~Lao Tzu

If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence. ~Lau Tzu

To a mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders. ~Chuang-Tzu

There is no beginning to practice nor end to enlightenment; There is no beginning to enlightenment nor end to practice. ~Dogen

And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time. ~T.S. Eliot

It is better to practice a little than talk a lot. ~Muso Kokushi

© Orange County Martial Arts Magazine - The magazine of martial arts in Orange County, California

Sequel to Hong Kong Kung Fu Blockbuster Features Donnie Yen vs. Sammo Hung

New details have emerged about the highly anticipated follow-up to Wilson Yip's hit Wing Chun movie IP MAN. Donnie Yen will be returning in the title role as expected and he will be fighting action director Sammo Hung but as negotiations with Bruce Lee's family are still underway, a young Bruce will not be depicted in this film, although he is expected to appear in a third and final film as Ip's student.... more

© Orange County Martial Arts Magazine

Self-Defense Revolution: The Bill Graves Seminar

A rare opportunity... One day only in Orange County, CA

Held in Orange County, California on Saturday, April 25th, Sifu Bill Graves will be flying to California for this seminar and leaving immediately afterwards. He will be sharing his 27 years of practical experience in this highly comprehensive seminar. If you can get a spot the cost is $125.00 (you do not need previous experience to attend as this seminar is designed for everyone -- from beginners to those that are highly experienced martial artists.)

ABOUT BILL GRAVES
Many martial artists proclaim themselves as great in this day and age, yet few people possess true greatness. Many of us have read or heard the legendary tales of folklore about masters and their amazing abilities. Sifu Bill Graves isn't merely a folk story. His martial ability in the art of Wing Chun is none other than amazing. His intellectual grasp of the inner workings of his art is, quite frankly, ingenius. Yet Sifu Graves doesn't consider himself a master. He just loves his art.

Sifu Graves is a very humble man. He prefers to let his skill speak for his ability. His knowledge base is incredible to say the least. He has the ability to speak for hours on the subject, and in a way that he readily gets his point across. He is one of the best teachers by far in martial arts today but it goes much further than that. His philosophy is that fighting should be effortless and that's exactly how it is for Sifu Bill Graves.

:: EVENT WEBSITE ::

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Orange County Martial Arts - OC's martial arts source

AKA: Orange County Martial Arts, San Clemente Martial Arts, Wing Chun Orange County, Orange County Street MMA, Orange County Kung Fu, Jeet Kune Do Orange County, Orange County Qigong / Chi Kung, Orange County Tai Chi, Orange County Yoga, Orange County Classes, Martial Arts Orange County, Orange County Wing Chun

We don't acquire it. We constantly choose it.

:: By Adam Williss ::

Happiness. Wealth. Friendship. Luck. Affluence. Prosperity. Abundance.

These are not things that we acquire. We can't find happiness at a location or a time yet to come. We can't wait for things to get better or for things to stop getting worse.

We also can't push for the things to get better. Pushing only drives things the other way.

We don't acquire it. We constantly choose it.

We have to make the constant choice to tune into it. When we allow ourselves to tune into happiness and wealth, we stop trying so hard and it naturally comes. We have to trust in our innate power. We are much more powerful than we tend to believe.

But really its less of a choice than it is a feeling. We have to learn to empty the mind and feel.

When we keep our mind centered and relaxed, we can allow ourselves to naturally move forward. This kind of natural progress is stronger than anything in the world.

Choose to be simple. Feel the connection with abundance and things become clear.

I've found this deeply personal yet highly universal feeling of oneness with things. I'm not sure that I'd have found this without martial arts.

And to think most people count martial arts off as just learning how to fight. ;)

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Orange County Martial Arts - OC's martial arts source

AKA: Orange County Martial Arts, San Clemente Martial Arts, Wing Chun Orange County, Orange County Street MMA, Orange County Kung Fu, Jeet Kune Do Orange County, Orange County Qigong / Chi Kung, Orange County Tai Chi, Orange County Yoga, Orange County Classes, Martial Arts Orange County, Orange County Wing Chun

The Fountain of Youth

I love surrounding myself with people that have gotten over the idea that only children should spend their time learning.

For me, there is no substitute for learning. Learning is the kind of wealth that will follow you everywhere.

I'm not talking about attainment of degrees. Certificates and diplomas only mean something to the people that don't know you. What I'm talking about doesn't have an end. To the contrary, it has a million beginnings.

Too many people let their egos get in the way of what it means to truly live getting old in the process. They fear losing their perceived value as a person if they were to submit to the act of learning something new.

Then there are those people that get frustrated and quit something that they try to learn. What they don't understand is that we learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself.

Therefore, I don't believe that the number of years you have lived determines if you are old. I believe the lack of curiosity of life determines your age. And quite simply, people who feel that they are too old too learn have not yet learned to be young.

Learning satisfies something deep inside us that can't be rivaled. Life and learning go hand-in-hand. In continuing to learn, I'm seeking an origin, you could call it a rebirth. Each time I learn something, I feel closer to the essence of life and my youth. I've found that learning very well may be my own personal fountain of youth.

Adam Williss is an Orange County-based martial artist / teacher and healing movement practitioner. He is also founding editor of Wing Chun Magazine. More info can be found at http://www.adamwilliss.com.

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© Orange County Martial Arts - OC's martial arts source

AKA: Orange County Martial Arts, San Clemente Martial Arts, Wing Chun Orange County, Orange County Street MMA, Orange County Kung Fu, Jeet Kune Do Orange County, Orange County Qigong / Chi Kung, Orange County Tai Chi, Orange County Yoga, Orange County Classes, Martial Arts Orange County, Orange County Wing Chun

Wing Chun Open House on Saturday, March 28th in San Clemente

Join us for our Wing Chun open house! Attendees will have the opportunity to join in to experience our unique training activities.

"I've dedicated my life to sharing the unique martial art of Wing Chun. I can't wait to introduce you to the incredible principles that I've learned through my training. This Open House will open your eyes to simple yet highly intelligent self-defense and life principles." - Sifu Adam Williss

ABOUT WING CHUN
Wing Chun is arguably the most effective self-defense system in the world. Wing Chun emphasizes aggressive tactics, direct/scientific movement and realistic training. A highly effective combat-tested system of self defense, fighting skills and defensive tactics, Wing Chun has been taught and integrated into the training programs of hundreds of military & law enforcement agencies around the world such as the US Navy Seals, the FBI, CIA, the French RAID, German SEK units.

But there's more - Wing Chun goes beyond fighting. It encompasses the full mind, body & spirit of martial arts. Wing Chun can easily influence every aspect of your life. The concepts and philosophies found through Wing Chun training bring about a new way of looking at life's challenges. They help you to deal with situations in whole new way - things you don't usually find in other activities.

WHEN: Saturday March 28th

WHERE: Sifu Adam Williss' Home Studio,

21 Calle Mandarina, San Clemente, CA 92673

COST: Free

RSVP
Please contact us to RSVP for the event.

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© Orange County Martial Arts - OC's martial arts source

AKA: Orange County Martial Arts, San Clemente Martial Arts, Wing Chun Orange County, Orange County Street MMA, Orange County Kung Fu, Jeet Kune Do Orange County, Orange County Qigong / Chi Kung, Orange County Tai Chi, Orange County Yoga, Orange County Classes, Martial Arts Orange County, Orange County Wing Chun