NEW LOCATION FOR KUNG FU IN THE PARK...CLASSES START SATURDAY JULY 16

Two of our black sashes, Minh and Kellyn, have some fun between drills.

After the problem with Piney Branch Park last week, we've decided to go back to the location that we used last year. We're holding the class in Sligo Creek Park along Sligo Creek Parkway, just before the intersection of Colesville Road (Rt. 29). On the left-hand side of Sligo Creek Parkway, you'll see two small parking areas just before the intersection. Walk across the little wooden bridge and into the clearing next to the tennis courts. Call 301-351-6159 for more information. Here is a link to the location on Google Maps.  The stretching and kung fu forms class will begin at 10:30 a.m, and the 30-minute staff class will begin at 11:30. See you there!

Our Apologies about problem with Piney Branch Park

We apologize to everyone who showed up on Saturday, and discovered that the construction for Piney Branch Elementary School is blocking the entrance to the park picnic area where we had planned to hold class. We mistakenly thought that we would have access to that area, since it is not part of the project. We are going to switch to a new location for next week, probably the one that we used last year in Sligo Creek Park. We hope you weren't too disappointed, but we'll be looking forward to seeing you next week.

Saturday Kung Fu in the Park!

Join Sifu Robert Thompson for an hour of outdoor fitness, self-defense and fun, for just $10 a session—pay as you go.  All ages and ability levels welcome!  Join us next to the picnic pavilion in Piney Branch Park, in back of Piney Branch Elementary School, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park. Starts July 9.

Saturday, 10:30 a.m. Meditation, stretching and kung fu class

                11:30 a.m.  Bo (fighting staff) class

Call 301-351-6159, email spiritlion7@yahoo.com or go to www.thompsonskungfu.com for more information. See you there!

A great video clip of Shaolin fighting techniques

I showed this video to Sifu Thompson, because I noticed that Master Shi, who is giving the demonstration, utilizes a trick that we use in Bungo Fu as well--what we call a stabbing kick, which involves stepping on the opponent's foot to pin him down and leave him vulnerable to a strike or a high kick. But as Sifu pointed out, many of Master Shi's other moves resemble ones that are part of the Deer and Sunfist technqiques in our system, and the basic principles underlying them have similarities to the concepts of Bungo Fu as well. Notice how Master Shi lets his attacker get close, and then dodges or blocks the punch at the last instant while simultaneously counterattacking from the side or back. Also, his movements are very economical and efficient--there's zero wasted motion, and he immediately delivers a devastating blow that neutralizes his attacker. One key difference is that Master Shi relies entirely on low kicks in this demonstration, while Bungo Fu fighters like to go high as well. One of the reasons we do so much stretching is that we want to have the ability to reach an opponent's head with a kick, even from close range.

Video of Bungo Fu advanced youth sparring, Jan. 22, 2011

Two of our young black sashes, Kellyn and Minh square off in a free-sparring session at the first Saturday class of the year. Both of them performed well. Notice Kellyn's take-down and how Minh bounced up and came back fighting, which illustrate two important points. One is that our art has elements of grappling, not just kicking and punching. Second, since we do a lot of controlled contact, rolling and agility work, our advanced students are prepared for anything.

Youth classes in Takoma Park begin on Jan. 22

We have a new season of our popular Saturday morning classes starting at the Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave. Takoma Park. Classes are held in the dance studio at the rear of the building. Many of our students started with the Saturday classes--it's a great way to get an introduction to the art of Bungo Fu. No uniform necessary. Just wear loose-fitting clothes and comfortable shoes.

Saturdays, Jan. 22 - Apr. 9
Beginners 10:15 a.m. -11:15 a.m.
Advanced 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Takoma Park city residents $150
Non-residents $170

Click here for a printable PDF of the rec department's guide, including a registration form. You can also register online with a credit card by clicking here.

Young black sashes sparring

Here's a video of our two young advanced students, Minh Kiger and Kellyn Barber, doing some free sparring under Sifu Thompson's supervision. Notice Kellyn's quick attacks and use of trapping moves to neutralize Minh's high kicks. Both of them were relying upon the same techniques that they practice in their forms, which is what we strive for.