Seminar: Iron Shirt Chi Gung

Hank_Scorpio

A seminar will be held on Sunday the 18th of September in Walkinstown Community Centre, Dublin 12.

The seminar will be in Iron Shirt Chi Gung. All are welcome.

It is being hosted by Ward Kenpo Schools Ireland. Please contact Prof. John Ward through his website, www.wardkenpo.ie

It is only a small hall, so maybe an Instructor and a couple (2) students from each club who wants to attend. Not saying you all can't come, but it is limited for space.

Again you can get times, directions and additional information by contacting Prof. John Ward through the Ward Kenpo website www.wardkenpo.ie

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Hank_Scorpio

P.s. It is a friendly relaxed atmosphere. Come along and enjoy the fun.

Roper

I really hope Chi Gung means 'cow' or something in English. That way I could throw my clothes at my missus and say "Iron Shirt Chi Gung!" without getting a slap.

Bad plays on words aside, what exactly is Iron Shirt Chi Gung?

Hank_Scorpio

LMAO. Oh Roper I hope you're right!

The truth is I don't know what it is? I'm just as curious as everyone else. My instructor is great friends with this guy.

An example that I was shown was:

My instructor grabbed a pressure point on my arm and I dropped to the ground, he then got me to picture a water wheel turning towards him and he pressed the pressure point again and kept pressing it harder and harder and it didn't hurt for some reason?

He then went on to tell me how you can punch this guy and he won't budge.

I'm guessing it has something to with body energy flow or along those lines. I can't wait to see it, I was skeptical about the pressure points seminar a year ago, so I'm keeping an open mind for this one.


So to answer your question.... IT'S WEIRD!

loz

Chi Gung is the ancient science that imparts how individuals can, through their own efforts, balance and strengthen their own cld, even as the body ages. Whereas the body's "hardware" is genetically programmed to degenerate with age, the chi, properly ci dtivated, can become increasingly stronger during one's lifetime and counteract the undesirable affects of aging. Chi Gung exercises promote a longevity in which people can be as alive, aware, and functional at the end of their lives as they were in youth. These exercises are as valuable and as accessible to a senior citizen recovering from a heart attack as they are to a young person or to a competitive athlete.


All sounds a bit David Caradine to me..........

He then went on to tell me how you can punch this guy and he won't budge.

Man I know a few people who'd only be too glad to test this theory out.

*Fetch my summoning hat and alert Mick, Will et al.*

Hank_Scorpio

Thanks loz for that. You made it sound more interesting than I did.

Although it does sound a bit David Carradine, I don't think it really counts because what he did in his films was fictional and very exagerated. But hey at the end of the day if you want to see what it's all about then come along and enjoy the experience.

P.s. David Carradine will not be appearing on the day.

Hank_Scorpio

Hi Colum Ok,

As far as I know this is true. But I can't wait to see this either. It's going to be weird I think. It should be good fun. Do you think you'll be there for it? As I've said, I was a skeptic about the pressure points so I'm going in open minded to this seminar.

Dyr

Got a name for this guy hank?

I know of one iron shirt dude who'll let you throw hefty digs at him, its impressive

Hank_Scorpio

Dennis Ward, from England. He's no relation to John Ward before anyone asks.

Who's gonna turn up to it. Just to get an idea for figures.

TwoKingMick

I haven't read the rest of this thread, but for some reason i felt needed.

TWOKINGMICK

Whenever people threaten the weak, he'll be there*

Whenever people claim to be impervious to body shots...



*threatening the weak

Hank_Scorpio

Felt needed for what TWOKINGMICK? It's just a post about a seminar on Iron Shirt Chi Gung.

I know very little on the subject so don't take anything I say as gospel. If you want more details contact John Ward through www.wardkenpo.ie

You're more than welcome to attend as is anyone.

Highest regards,
Eugene

Colm_OReilly

It's claims like this

you can punch this guy and he won't budge

that bring out the doubters, and with good cause.

If he doesn't budge from a punch surely he could clean up in the boxing circuit.

Colm

Hank_Scorpio

Once agan... don't take my word as gospel. Let's get back to the matter at hand.

Sorry if you doubt it. But why not come along.

pma-ire

Hey Hank_Scorpio,

I hope it goes well for your instructor!

Please give the board back your views on the Iron Jacket demo and indeed the seminar in general when it's over.

I was at two of Sifu Tony Leung's (Steel Wire Mantis) seminars in Dublin in the 90's.

A lot of there work centered on conditioning the body along with chi work. They could take some knocks on the arms (took a jumping back-reverse turning kick on the forearm) and neck (straight board-breaking chops)!!

It seemed that some of it was body mechanics and muscle control. There were meant to be more seminars. But Sifu Leung shipped off back to China leaving his school to it's own devices.

Hank_Scorpio

Well I'm just a curious as everyone else

Roper

Iron Shirt?

Steel Wire mantis?

Holy pseudoscientific names batman!

On this note I think Ali used a version of iron shirt against George Foreman, he was pinned against the ropes being hit by one of the hardest punchers of all time, seemingly impervious to the jarring blows to his body. He focussed his mind and fought back after the onslaught to win.*









*of course he spent two weeks in hospital constantly pissing blood afterwards.

Hank_Scorpio

For most of us, including myself it's a very vauge subject simply because we don't know enough about it. I'm not going to make my mind up on it till I see what happens at the seminar. All the talk and the mumbo jumbo about who did what and I'd love to test that theory and pissed blood for two weeks, is just not worth it. I'd rather wait and see what he can and can't do.

Feeling is believing!

dlofnep

Colm_OReilly wrote:

It's claims like this that bring out the doubters, and with good cause.

If he doesn't budge from a punch surely he could clean up in the boxing circuit.

Colm

I've seen a video on these types of guys Colm. Genki Sudo was on it and they took blow after blow. Some weird stuff alright.

Roper

I was actually semi-serious about the Ali thing. He said himself he sort of just blocked it all out. I think in extreme cases, people can block pain out to an extent, I know a guy who does it at the dentist!!! But it's a case of auto suggestion rather than anything and has more to do with pain threshold and the mental strength of an individual rather than any martial arts application. What i mean by that is that the pain is still there, just ignored by force of will.

I'd still like to see a boxer have a go though... maybe David Tua?

Dyr

pma-ire wrote:

Hey Hank_Scorpio,

I hope it goes well for your instructor!

Please give the board back your views on the Iron Jacket demo and indeed the seminar in general when it's over.

I was at two of Sifu Tony Leung's (Steel Wire Mantis) seminars in Dublin in the 90's.

A lot of there work centered on conditioning the body along with chi work. They could take some knocks on the arms (took a jumping back-reverse turning kick on the forearm) and neck (straight board-breaking chops)!!

It seemed that some of it was body mechanics and muscle control. There were meant to be more seminars. But Sifu Leung shipped off back to China leaving his school to it's own devices.

Ive been to a seminar with tony leung cos some lads i know train in mantis with him, he let us hit him a few smacks alright, from what i remember what they did was a mix of internal and external conditioning. An interesting guy though i hear hes more into the healing stuff these days

Hank_Scorpio

Thanks for the support guys. I hope to see you's there if you can make it. I'm sure there is a scientific explanation to all of it. It can't be hocus pocus. I'm going with with a curious attitude rather than a doubting attitude.

pma-ire

Hank_Scorpio wrote:

Thanks for the support guys. I hope to see you's there if you can make it. I'm sure there is a scientific explanation to all of it. It can't be hocus pocus. I'm going with with a curious attitude rather than a doubting attitude.

A lot of Asain Mystic'ish stuff is just down to a different point of view and expression. I'm a big believer of the power of the human body and mind. Asian expressions like Chi Gung and the likes are like the power of prayer and devotion to a God figure. Just ways to focus the mind.

Colm_OReilly

Roper wrote:

Iron Shirt?

Steel Wire mantis?

Holy pseudoscientific names batman!

On this note I think Ali used a version of iron shirt against George Foreman, he was pinned against the ropes being hit by one of the hardest punchers of all time, seemingly impervious to the jarring blows to his body. He focussed his mind and fought back after the onslaught to win.*









*of course he spent two weeks in hospital constantly pissing blood afterwards.

Champions eat pain, and that's why we admire them so much

spiral

Anybody wanting to know about Iron shirt chi gung should check out Dan Dochertys book complete tai chi chuan. there are pictures as well .


www.taichichuan.co.uk
he has some instructors here as well.

http://www.hktaichi.com/

go to the movie section and then down to the lasrt two movies Tai chi internal strength.
Be very careful of what you learn from this guy.
Lot of people dont teach chi gung properly and it can damage you.

Hank_Scorpio

Or alternativly you can come to the seminar and experience it yourself

spiral

hank did you watch the movies ?
check out the website ?
Ask around?
I didnt say dont go , I said be careful what you learn from people ?
Hard to do that if you dont go :rolleyes:


Alternatively you could research what you are going to see rather than be spoon fed everything by your instructor whio happens to want your money
alternatively

Hank_Scorpio

Any martial art can damage you?

I'm not into watching movies, I like seeing things in the flesh, up close and personal so I can learn how to do it properly from a guy who is well experienced in the art.

You always have to be careful about what you learn from people, that's very obvious.

If want to spoon feed popcorn into your mouth while watching a movie on it then that's your business. I don't think my instructor wants or needs my money or anyone elses and it was very rude of you to say that.

The last time I asked a book or a movie a question it wasn't very forthcoming with the answer.

The last seminar I was at on pressure points in our training hall lasted over 3 hours. So it's well worth the value for money in my opinion. I'm not saying this is going to be same but it should be fun.

spiral

Hank all it is is a clip takes two seconds to look at.
If the guy is expereinced etc then he should have Bona-fides
As far as I know Hank Kenpo is a form of Karate , Chi Gung is Chinese you might want to question why a Kenpo guy is teaching Chi gung, maybe he's not a Kenpo guy its not clear from your post.
Any martial art can damage you thats quite true and injuries are something that are part of the game.
Yet you still have people doing stupid **** to their body in the belief that it will somehow improve them ie punching Makiwaras. beating on their shins and forearms to deaden the nerves and condition these parts of their body as weapons rolling coke bottles etc on their shins jabbing their hands into hot sand gravel iron filings etc.
In the short term some of this may help by deadening the nerves but it can lead to long term damage.

There are not really all that many shortcuts out there . I have met people with Iron Shirt abilities and it took them a long time to acquire and was as much about sensitivity as anything else.
As with everything else in life its a trade off.
Iron shirt might help you with a kick or punch to the torso but it wont stop someone breaking you up with a kick or punch to the head throwing you on a concrete pavementor stop them stabbing or shooting you. So maybe the time
you spent training it would be better spent training your footwork and wrestling or doing some weapons self defence etc
Better train to avoid than to receive

Hank_Scorpio

Spiral,

Maybe you better re-read the start of the thread. The guy doing the seminar does not do kenpo.

The seminar is being held in Walkinstown in the Ward Kenpo training hall. The instructor there is Prof John Ward. The seminar is being hosted by him but the actual seminar is done by Denis Ward (no relation), from Yorkshire in England.

Congratulations on meeting people with Iron Shirt abilities. It's only a seminar on the subject, not a 1 off learning session learning the Iron Shirt in 1 go.

I don't know what your problem is? I never said it would stop anybody giving stabbing you or stamping your head on the ground?

This thread is basically here to let people know from all styles of Martial Arts that the seminar is taking place. Whether they do Kenpo, Tae Kwon Do, BJJ, Iron Shirt Chi Gung, Wrestling, Grappling, Kickboxing etc.

I'm not here to discuss Iron Shirt Chi Gung, I know very little about it. That's reason enough for me to go to this seminar so I can broaden my horizons.

paddyc

hank


best of luck with it, forums like this will always have arguing and barguing over the ins and outs, if it works for you or who ever well thats what matters.

paddy