You’ve heard it. You know how it ends. You probably even said it in the corner of your mind already. And you laughed, I know. As if behind these words there was nothing worth of your smarts. Just muscle. Oh, the dumb traps of the unthreatened life… There’s nothing brute behind that thought, I can … Continue reading That quote from Tyson
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Curing writers block with martial arts
Recently I got stuck on my next novel (a story about kung fu and artificial Intelligence). First I blamed how busy I got at work and adjusting our lives to the East Coast. But truly it was because I got so into my survival journey as a white belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu that, despite … Continue reading Curing writers block with martial arts
Frame, Force and Flow
I’ve been thinking a lot about the similarities and differences between different styles of #fighting. Not only their signature moves or their compared efficacy, but mostly how they structure training. After trying #martialarts from so many origins, and approaches so distinct, it occurred to me that all that those systems try to find is their … Continue reading Frame, Force and Flow
Hashtagananza
I learn so much when I start a new book. What other activity would allow me to have, on the same month, a conversation about 1) soul alchemy in daoism, another on 2) thought suppression on the brain’s neocortex, one about 3) antagonist algorithms in artificial intelligence, one on 4) the differences between playing and … Continue reading Hashtagananza
The meaning of Kung Fu
Let's go Wikipedia so you Westerners understand: "In China, it refers to any study, learning, or practice that requires patience, energy, and time to complete." That's right, the term actually refers not to martial arts but to extreme skills adquired through very hard work. Which is the kind of work ethics the old fighting masters … Continue reading The meaning of Kung Fu
Taichi for real fights?
I grew up doing Taichi under the shadow of Wudang. Shifu never explained why or how, but he would make us perform the slow forms with precision and power, then when we had to fight, he pushed us away from trying to use the moves and positions. “No fantasy,” he would say. It infuriated me. … Continue reading Taichi for real fights?
Fighting, for women
For a woman, fighting is different. Technique matters more, intelligence matters more. We can’t rely on our weight and muscles so much. Need leverage, footwork, speed instead. But more than anything, we need inspiration. Not everyone is lucky to have been born in a family of fighters like me, to have been raised by one … Continue reading Fighting, for women
Insurmountable Mount of Balance
From everything, balance is the hardest. Yin, yang. Soft, hard. I know it’s possible and worth it. I’ve seen it in action. But I was born with too much yang. Can train both ways, but when I’m fighting, still have trouble letting go. The beast in me always wins. #femalefifhter #taichi #mma #yinyang #unitedbyblood Feat … Continue reading Insurmountable Mount of Balance
The Lesson of the Drunken Master
The giant threw a table against the wall, the food for the moon festival all spoiled. Drooling, with his unruly beard and barrel waist, the massive monster roared and kept moving in our direction, spitting vulgarities along the way.
Dragon’s Gate
Almost midnight and the bell rings. A giant cold steak on my face, an ice pack on the shoulder and I wish there was something for the crushed pride. Not because of the fight I lost, only athletes care about stupid records. I’m no athlete, I am a fighter. Broken because I tried to call George. Shouldn’t have. Now … Continue reading Dragon’s Gate
The Girl from Wudang 