Hello Tim,

Just wanted to start off by saying I really enjoy reading your books on Xing yi nei gong and about 'effortless throws' but I am interested in the following.

I notice you have trained in The 3 main internal arts, Yi Chuan, White crane gung fu and more recently in Gracie Ju Jitsu. I understand full well why you wanted to do some ground work training and having an interest in what is out there, keeping an open mind etc. but...

How do you train in so many different styles? Don't you worry about this from a time perspective. Im not an expert on the 3 main styles but surely some of the principles must be in contradiction with one another and certainly with Gracie Ju jitsu. DO you try to mesh together the different styles of Tai Chi, you learn for instance?

thanks for the help

Peter

Hi Peter,
I've explained at some length on this board the very reason I chose to practice Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for groundwork was because the principles are virtually identical to the Chinese Internal martial arts.

Personally, I very rarely practice forms or particular styles as such anymore (unless I'm teaching a particular style to a student). My solo practice is based around conditioning and the practice and linking of individual movement exercises, and sparring. What I choose to practice and teach is based on whether or not the training and techniques conform to the principles I have found to work best, and also how practical they are for actual fighting.