Jiulong Journal

Killing the Dragon – some fun

Eric Reynolds — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:05:28 +0000

This is the article we have been waiting for! Finally here are clear instructions for appearing to be cultivating the skills needed for effective Jiulong practice, but doing as little work as possible. If you have been wondering how to participate in the art without actually having to practice, this is the way to achieve [...]

The Gathering of the Circle Part 2

Eric Reynolds — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:41:34 +0000

Day 3 Again, we started the day with meditation and a lesson from Shifu Painter. It was starting feel normal to be doing this now. It’s fascinating how quickly one can get into a routine like this. Beginning the day with a healthful, focused practice is such a great way to start. Hopefully many participants continued [...]

The Gathering of the Circle : Part 1

Eric Reynolds — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:27:39 +0000

What happens at the annual 5 day Gathering of the Circle for Jiulong folks Here is a day by day narrative of the event back in 2006. This year’s Gathering will be held June 7 – 11, 2010 at the Albany, NY Best Western hotel. Each year we are able to meet after a Tai Chi [...]

3 Days at the Gompa

Eric Reynolds — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:54:38 +0000

Sounds like an exotic journey to a far off land doesn’t it? In way that is exactly what members of the Toronto Study Group experienced during a training session a few years back. We found ourselves in a martial arts heaven. I hope a brief story about our trip will be an enticement to others. Due [...]

Peripheral Vision in Jiulong

Alan Marshall — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:54:34 +0000

I saw him move like a wisp of cloud dancing across a winter lake; yet within lay the power of the dragon. Younger students practicing so intensely paid no attention to him. He was older and not necessarily a man that you would give a second glance. While they pushed and punched their bags causing [...]

The Goal of Zhandouli

Dr. John Painter — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:55:08 +0000

When you practice Baguazhang, your attacker will be confused because he cannot know what you will do and you also will not know what you are about to do but your body will know instinctively how to react.” Li, Long-dao Martial ability (zhandouli ) is a term we use frequently in Jiulong Baguazhang. At one level, the [...]

Water Dragon Turns

Eric Reynolds — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:54:27 +0000

Ever wonder about the ways you can use that Jiulong Ba Step? Well wonder no more. Here is a video from Shizi Orchard showing us that invaluable sequence of solo practice to practical applications. If you want to discuss what you see here, head on over the to Jiulong discussion group. Discuss this video here: Share this:

Matter in Motion: The Physics of Jiulong Baguazhang

Eric Reynolds — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:29:47 +0000

Jiulong instructor Barry Solway in Colorado offers a very impressive analysis of the physical properties of the Nine Dragon methods. This is a fascinating exploration which helps us understand the Jiulong movements from the perspective of physics and provides a clear explanation of what happens when we correctly apply the methods. There is no need [...]

Video – From practice to application

Eric Reynolds — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:40:30 +0000

In this 4 minute video, Shizi Orchard shows us a particular movement being practiced on his own, and then some uses of it in combat. He is offering several variations of the same movement and it should give you a sense of how adaptable it is. No situation is predictable so one needs to be able [...]

Interview – Shifu Castaldo

Eric Reynolds — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:15:10 +0000

Following a Rolling the Pearl workshop a while back, we talked with Shifu Robert Castaldo about the purpose of the New Basics curriculum and the future direction of Jiulong Baguazhang training. The interview offered some insights into the basics so we thought Jiulong Journal readers would find it interesting. JJ: How does the New Basics curriculum [...]