Here are some videos from CNY 2010 hosted by Sifu Gary Mitchell’s Chien Hong Kung Fu School here in Atlanta. Enjoy!
Previously, we took a look at Understanding and implementing Wu De (武德). In this installment, we’re going to look at some of its different manifestations.
There are three aspects of Wu De that are commonly misunderstood, but can in many cases fall within the same category: School / Kwoon / Guan Rules & Guidelines, General Virtues and Martial Virtues. In this installment of Wu De, we will look at common school rules & guidelines and try to understand why they exist and what relationship they have with Wu De. In the next piece we will look at specifics of the next two categories of General Virtues and Martial Virtues.
PATHS Atlanta adds more martial arts classes this year, including a new Northern Shaolin Kung Fu class:
The New Year is coming upon us, and with that PATHS Atlanta will have some new Martial Arts changes.
For you Northern Shaolin Kung Fu students, it’s time to have your say in how classes are run.
Previously, we looked at a general definition of Wu De (武德). Let’s now take that understanding a bit deeper.
After my troubles with RCsandmore, I decided to use one of the suppliers I’ve trusted for years, Asian World of Martial Arts, and was exceptionally pleased.
I’d like to take a moment, and ask that you join me, in wishing a most heart-felt Welcome to PATHS newest family member, Olen G. Jones!
Our very own David and Thais Jones brought this lil wonderful joy into the world on November 9th, 2009.
Welcome Olen, and Congratulations Dave and Thais!
PATHS Atlanta sends congratulations to Jay, who recently passed his Northern Shaolin Kung Fu test earlier this month. Jay would later remark "…that was the hardest class yet!"
PATHS Atlanta sends congratulations to Philip and Aiken, who recently passed their Northern Shaolin Kung Fu tests on Sunday, September 27th, 2009. It was quite a day. As one of the first sessions with the new time starting later in the day, the session was long and hard.
PATHS Atlanta is proud to present Allen Pittman and his Tai Chi seminar.
PATHS Atlanta is now accepting donations to our cause. The road to 501(c)(3) is a bumpy one and we could use your help!
Congratulations to Northern Shaolin students Blake and Hanh, who proved their introductory martial arts skills recently and now joined the Tan Tui ranks!
Great job everyone, and good luck walking down the martial roads of Tan Tui!
We know the term “” (武術), refers to military or martial art. And the title of a philosophical book you’re no doubt familiar with is the Tao Teh Ching, or (道德經), which translated, roughly means The Classic of the Virtuous Way.
Broken down into its parts, Dao or Tao, means the way or path. De or Teh means Virtue and Jing or Ching means Classic, as in a “literary classic”.
Wu De (武德) then, means Martial Virtue.
Wu De, the often misunderstood Cultivation of Character in traditional martial arts, is an important topic.
As we learned in Is Kung Fu a Martial Art?, the term "Kung Fu" can relate to martial arts, yet truly applies to the cultivation of any skill – a level of mastery in a skill through hard work.
This does not mean, however, that one must be a "master" of the martial arts; simply walking the proper path will do the trick.
However, there’s more to improve than just the physical and mental skills – there is the character.
New classes have been added throughout the week for Northern Shaolin, and a brand-spanking-new Qigong class has been created as well.
Increase your martial arts training and achieve true kung fu with these new additions!
See the Classes and Calendar of Events pages for more details
In his own words, "I’ve always wanted to learn Tán Tuǐ…"
Congrats! to Kayvan, who recently passed his Phase I test, and is now moving on to train Tan Tui.
Searching for a Chinese martial arts weapon, with specifics in mind, is difficult enough; performing this search online is like tip-toeing through a minefield. And I made a mis-step.
The time has come to look into offering more classes for Northern Shaolin, so there will be a schedule-shift. Depending on my next projects, this may change in the next month or so.
It may not be not be 1776, but in recognition of Independence Day, all classes are cancelled for the weekend of July 4th.
Take a break, have fun, and enjoy the fourth! Feel free to continue to practice on your own of course 
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth…
PATHS Atlanta sends congratulations to Philip and Jay, who passed their tests on Sunday, May 3rd, 2009. It was quite a day. A feeling of nervous excitement filled the already thickly humid air as we began the warm-ups, having just been announced that Philip and Jay would be testing.
CPL Bagua workshop @ Roots Farm this Saturday, April 25, 3-5pm. Intro level, all welcome.
This came together at the last minute so I’m getting the word out a little late. If you are in the Athens area and have been wanting to try out some Ba Gua, now is your chance! We will be looking at the first four changes in the Chen Pan Ling Condensed Ba Gua System. Most of the time will be spent on introduction to the forms and proper circling, but we will also touch on basic application of the forms. These forms are very adaptable to different ability levels and are comparatively easy to learn, so no one should fear that the material will go over their heads. Conversely, the accomplished martial artist can use these forms to quickly integrate Ba Gua methods and strategies into their existing practice.
Sorry again for the late notice, and I hope to see some new faces as well as old friends there!
For more info call 678-999-6436 or email Dave@pathsatlanta.org.
Yes and No. And yet your Martial art can either have Kung Fu or not.
Technically speaking, the term "Kung Fu", sometimes spelled Kongfu or Kong Fu, comes from the Chinese words 功夫 (gōng fu), and means skill, art, labor, or effort. Put together it means a skill or art derived through labor and effort.
Saturday and Sunday Class Location Has Changed!!!
PATHS classes location has changed, so be sure to attend your class at the right location. Sorry to everyone for the short notice, but we didn’t get a whole lot of lead on this ourselves. All Atlanta weekend classes will be held at Academe of the Oaks campus until further notice.
Read more…
That’s right kung fu kids! There’s the possibility of a new Northern Shaolin class starting for you martial arts fans out there, but…
As Many of you know Philip, our Northern Shaolin brother, please send him some good vibes and thoughts, as he will be missing quite a bit of class for a while. Being in the military, he’s been shipped off to “fight the war”. As brothers in the martial arts, we should all send him warrior-ly good vibes.
Be well, my friend. And come back in one piece, or else!
Ever wanted to test yourself at home, but finding it difficult to create more of a random pull for memorizing your martial art techniques?
Me too. But I came up with a cool solution…
Northern Shaolin comes from the Northern part of China, right… So then, what’s with all the Cantonese terminology?
Congratulations to Northern Shaolin students, Philip and Trina, who were married on Valentine’s Weekend!
As you know, the recent holiday was the Chinese New Year, and some of you may have heard some Chinese greetings during this festive time. Did you know that none of those greetings actually mean “Happy New Year”?
Got a Question?
If you have a burning, nagging, or even loaded question for us, we would like to hear it! We are hereby encouraging students or other interested parties to send in questions they have about any of the arts we teach or about PATHS in general.
Just a short note to let you know that the morning martial art training sessions throughout the week have changed…We are now doing Northern Shaolin on Tuesdays & Thursdays, and Bagua and Wednesdays & Fridays. Same time: 7:30 – 8:30am.
Martial arts in the frigid morning = kung fu kills ya! 
Just an open invitation. If you’re in the Decatur area, Hosh & I are training for an hour in the mornings.
More year & More kung fu!
PATHS Atlanta is adding another Northern Shaolin martial art class.
Just another clip I thought I’d share…From our Phase One five animals in Northern Shaolin, here is the second snake drill, done with a partner.
Northern Shaolin Martial Arts – trapping hands of the Kung Fu variety
Just a quick shout-out to say Congratulations to Philip, who passed his Northern Shaolin Phase I test this past Sunday.
Great job, Philip!
Philip says “This seems like a lot longer than 3 minutes…”
Originally written as an article for online Martial Arts magazines, I thought I would share this with our PATHS students and readers. Improving and speeding up your learning of the martial arts.
