Grandmaster Dennis Brown is a Black Belt Magazine Hall of Famer and the promoter of the U.S. Capitol Classics World Martial Arts Championships. In this seminar, enjoy his demonstration and instruction of Tai Chi Chuan!
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Just like royalty has dynastic families that rule over nations, martial arts have dynasties that rule over the world of combat. So here's a list of our top five family dynasties in martial arts...
5. The Machado Family
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://blackbeltmag.com/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDQzOTE0OS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyODM4Mjg1MH0.8-cPS5utHP1zXLaxarCb58hAevMPOIH5WV1snCtkUrI/image.jpg?width=980" id="23837" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="153ce548b5ccd1addb8cd9760332d791" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Machado Jiu Jitsu" />jiujitsustyle.com
<p>While often considered just an extension of the Gracie family, the Machado's do not actually descend from the Gracies, though they are cousins to the sprawling Brazilian clan and did originally learn their jiu-jitsu from them. But they've since branched off making their own important mark in the martial arts world. The family of five brothers - Carlos, Roger, Rigan, Jean Jacques and John have garnered a plethora of national and international championships between them.</p>4. The Canete Family
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://blackbeltmag.com/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDQzOTE1Mi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1OTM5NTMzN30.IrEn2ZmKzo_b1raGGW6Qvw1UVFahm6dI6gKhkmojR_g/image.jpg?width=1245&coordinates=0%2C29%2C0%2C635&height=700" id="003ae" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="680a4d3a1f666d665d20ff18ed85a064" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="canete escrima kali" /> <p>While Brazil has the Gracie and Machado families, the Philippines have the Canete family. Their pedigree dates back to at least the 1930s when Eulogio "Yoling" Canete, Filemon "Momoy" Canete and a number of their brothers helped form the Doce Pares Fencing Club, which eventually turned into one of the world's most widely practiced styles of Filipino martial arts. They were soon joined in the family business by youngest brother Ciriaco "Cacoy" Canete who became, perhaps, the best known of all the Canetes. The family dynasty has continued into the second and third generations with renowned practitioners like Eulogio's son, Dionisio "Diony" Canete.</p>3. The Chen Family
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://blackbeltmag.com/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDQzOTE2My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MTQ3NTExMn0.cNigrpKYyR1rLLYHUdi6Oo0ntHV6RMkUZ9SXwc4-u5M/image.jpg?width=1245&coordinates=65%2C-1%2C61%2C1&height=700" id="aaf92" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="dad32eddcc2be8de860573ff084b0b73" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Chen Wangting Tai Chi" /> <p>A sprawling family clan that originally founded China's Chen Village in the 14th century, they're often credited as the creative force behind what became tai chi chuan in the 17th century. Family member Chen Wangting is considered by many the original founder of tai chi. The system was kept strictly within the clan until Yang Luchan was able to learn it in the 19th century before going on to popularize tai chi in other parts of China. Famed family member Chen Fake drew renown when he began teaching the style in Beijing during the 20th century. The family, and its brand of tai chi, continues into the 21st century with martial artists from around the world regularly making pilgrimages to the Chen Village to learn tai chi direct from the source.</p>2. The Gracie Family
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://blackbeltmag.com/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDQzOTE2NS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NzIzMzk2OX0.URLXiJEq3PgM5Dhq50gl2p1t1wiRlg223w_HU4i8YE8/image.png?width=1245&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0&height=700" id="43a0a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e123071299471446861f73d518b125ec" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Gracie Family Jiu Jitsu" /> <p>Probably the most famous family in martial arts history, the Gracies started their association with jiu-jitsu in the 1920s when Carlos Gracie began his training. He was soon joined by his younger brothers Oswaldo, Gastao Jr., George and Helio. The brothers drew attention competing on the local fighting and wrestling circuit and eventually produced offspring, like Carlos's son Carlson, who made their own reputations in Brazil. But their brand of jiu-jitsu became an international phenomenon when Helio's son Rorion moved to the United States and began teaching the art there, eventually leading to the creation of the first UFC event, won by Rorion's younger brother Royce. With the continued success of family members like Roger Gracie and Carlos's great granddaughter Kyra Gracie in the 21st century, the clan remains synonymous with high level jiu jitsu across the world.</p>1. The Yagyu Family
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://blackbeltmag.com/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDQzOTE2OC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzOTc2NjQ5NX0.Dvv23kQ2MajQ4CxbQbHxy8HhkJcCYmeIHfvOcmOIa5k/image.png?width=1245&coordinates=0%2C73%2C0%2C310&height=700" id="d636a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="54e4cf8971de793468ddcdbb35cdf719" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Yagyu Munetoshi" /> <p>There's no family that has a more illustrious or longer verifiable martial arts lineage than Japan's Yagyu clan. The family's association with Japanese swordsmanship dates back to at least the mid-16th century when Munetoshi Yagyu learned a method called shinkage-ryu. Becoming a master of the style, Yagyu's name was added to the system creating the famed Yagyu shinkage-ryu, one of the most well known brands of swordsmanship in Japanese history. Munetoshi's son, Munenori, would go on to become the official fencing instructor to the Tokugawa shoguns who ruled Japan. a position the family would maintain for more than 250 years. Meanwhile, the alleged exploits of Munenori's own son, Jubei Mitsuyoshi, are still celebrated in modern movies and TV shows. And while Munenori and his descendants headed the Edo branch of the style, the main line of Yagyu shinkage-ryu remained under the care of other family members in the province of Owari. It continues to be lead, more than 400 years after its founding, by the Yagyu family.</p>From Your Site Articles
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Bruce Lee’s “10,000 Kicks” Challenge – Complete 10,000 Kicks in 10 Days
October 27 | 2020
Bruce Lee's secret to self-mastery can be found hidden in the following quote, "I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times." Discipline, dedication and repetition over time are the keys to mastery. To get results like Bruce Lee we need to train like Bruce Lee.
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Sifu Harinder Singh and Black Belt Magazine invite you to celebrate Bruce Lee's 80'th birthday with he "10,000" Kicks in 10 Days Challenge. Share this challenge with your communities and let's honor Bruce Lee, Challenge ourselves to do 10,000 kicks in 10 days.
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<h2>Details:</h2>
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<strong>The Challenge will begin on Nov 17 and commence on Bruce Lee's 80'th Birthday on Nov 27</strong>. On Nov 27 the first 500 registrants will go live at 10:00 am pst on Zoom and complete the final 1000 kicks together over 2 hours. This is your chance to be recorded in history and do 500,000 kicks together.
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On Nov 10'th Sifu Harinder Singh will go live on Black Belt Magazine's Facebook Page and conduct a seminar on "Bruce Lee's Intercepting Stop Kick (The Jeet Tek)". You will learn the mechanics and applications of Jeet Kune Do's most devastating kick and how to instantly add this weapon to your martial arts arsenal. Sifu Singh will also teach you how to safely practice this kick by yourself for the 10,000 kick challenge.
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As a bonus Gift to you you will also receive, Free Video Lessons from Sifu Harinder Singh's "Jeet Kune Do for Black Belts" digital course by Black Belt Magazine.
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Sign up now to and get your FREE Videos!
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Film Fighting in Taiwan — a Full-Contact Introduction!
October 29 | 2020
In December 1979, I found myself meeting with a film director named Ding Shan-xi. He had thick-rimmed glasses, combed-back hair and a stature that commanded respect. We were at an abandoned American military base in Taipei for my first audition for a kung fu film.
<p>Ding introduced me to Yang, who asked me to show him some kung fu that he'd never seen. Minutes later, Yang said in Chinese, "American Bruce Lee." I didn't know if it was a compliment or a dismissal.</p><p>Looking back, it must have been positive because my first fight-choreography lesson came next. Back then, films and fights were shot with one camera, so Yang needed to know how fast I could learn new skills and how many techniques I could execute before messing up. After an hour of bone-on-bone practice, I demonstrated that I consistently could run through 10 techniques without error. Passed.</p><p>The last test: Could I sell a hit? I was told that somebody named Lady Wu would kick my neck, at which point I was supposed to do a half flip and land on my back — on asphalt. I'd never done that!</p><p>Someone shouted, "Action!" Crack. She kicked me hard. I flipped and could immediately feel the tiny stones in the asphalt piercing my back. They created an intense "rock in shoe" discomfort — and suddenly the sky looked different. Standing up … holy mother of crap, the world was crooked! No, actually my neck was crooked, dislocated. I could barely move.</p><p>There was no apology. Yang grabbed my neck, and I heard a snap! Stunned, I found that my neck was back in place and I could move. Yang nodded and said, "Again!"</p><p>I protected my neck with a subtle shoulder raise — right before the next crack! Wu seemed to hurt her foot.</p><p>"Again!"</p><p>Bop! This time, neither of us was hurt. Yang grinned like the Cheshire Cat. Apparently, he approved.</p><p>When I'd arrived in Taiwan five months earlier, it was during martial law, which ensued when America broke ties with Taiwan. I was arrested at the airport and charged with drug smuggling (I'd packed a supply of pills for treating my cystic fibrosis) and weapons dealing (I carried a pair of wooden tonfa), and I was threatened with the death penalty. The military was upset at America for breaking off relations, and because I was an American, I became a scapegoat. When I was released, I was warned to keep a low profile.</p><script async="" src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
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</script><p>Naturally, I proceeded to accept a role in Flying Tigers and the Kung Fu Kids (1980), starring Taiwan's kung fu screen queen Ling Chia. Ding cast me as Harry, a Flying Tigers pilot who is shot down over China, captured by the Japanese and rescued by 12 children. Uh oh! The producer was a three-star general, and because it was a war movie, hundreds of extras were real soldiers. The situation was less than reassuring, to say the least.</p><p>On the third day of the shoot, my neck still caused shoulder stiffness and a pain that radiated down my arms. Yet it was a result of my first fight scene ever, and I was psyched. After the kids rescued me, I was surrounded by three Japanese soldiers who wanted to pincushion me with their bayonets.</p><p>I met choreographer Tsai, with his brick-face certainty, but he avoided shaking my hand. That went as well as eating wasps. When the camera rolled, I found myself facing the lens with soldier No. 1 on my right, soldier No. 2 on my left and soldier No. 3 behind me. In one unedited shot, No. 1 was supposed to stab toward my gut and I would step aside. He would then kick at my face, and I'd block it before decking him with a right cross. Next, No. 3 would bayonet-swipe at my head, and I'd lean back and duck before punching him in the gut — at which point he would swipe at my face again, causing me to duck, hit him with two body shots and uncork a left cross. Finally, No. 2 was supposed to poke at my face, and I'd move to the left and jab him in the face. He'd drop his rifle and grab me, after which I'd throw him at No. 2 before side-kicking No. 1 in the face. Easy enough, right?</p><p>We did two slow runs through the sequence, then three more at a faster pace. Each time, I had to avoid the bayonet strikes for real. Ding's final instructions were bizarre: "Punch, kick, block like in real fight — they try hit you! You showed me your control, now do it with power on camera. Don't worry about stuntmen; you won't hit them. They fall away last second. Remember, act like you been tortured, arm sliced, shot in knee."</p><p>Action! After I barely avoided the bayonet, soldier No. 1 unleashed a kick that could have caved in my face. I felt glad my block was solid. I punched his helmet — and my knuckles split open. Blood gushed. In his exchange, No. 2 was faster than expected. Then No. 3 grabbed me hard, and I hurled him around my body. That led to No. 1 missing his mark and winding up unconscious. I flashed Ding a "What now?" look.</p><p>He yelled, "Cut! Craig, good, but don't look to camera. Again!"</p><p>As the stuntmen revived their fallen buddy, Tsai screamed bloody murder in my face. I couldn't apologize enough. But we continued. My hand covered in blood, I hit No. 1's helmet so hard that it buckled, breaking his jaw. Stuntmen and real soldiers glared at me. For my own safety, Ding called it a night. I was collecting enemies faster than a cheetah on speed. I'd become the scarlet letter "A," which stood for American, and making matters worse, I'd hurt someone.</p><p>Over the next few weeks, it was 16-hour-a-day shoots with 30-minute breaks for watery rice adorned with chicken feet and pig ears. We had no drinking water, and the toilets were a patch of bushes and reeds where snakes and other critters lived. Yet my toughest challenge was avoiding the soldiers' requests to "play kung fu" with them. In other words, they wanted to fight me for real.<br/>For my next on-screen battle, assistant choreographer Li was in charge. It was daytime, which meant 90-degree temperatures. I was dizzy from dehydration. Three Japanese soldiers attacked me with bayonets. I worried because I was supposed to jump over low bayonet sweeps and do spin kicks while carrying a machine gun and a 30-pound field radio.</p><p>Things proceeded at half speed. I asked if there was any cold water to drink. Nothing. I smelled raunchy because the costumes were never laundered — it was believed that doing so would make them look less authentic. Ding asked if I was ready. I wiped the salty sweat out of my burning eyes and nodded. The fire in the eyes of the soldiers showed that they were happy they'd been selected to fight me.</p><p>Action! Barely avoiding No. 1's bayonet — I heard gasps from bystanders — I rifle-butted his head. Then No. 2 slashed at my knees but his bayonet was too high, causing me to jump higher than planned. Bam, inertia caused the radio to rise and crack the back of my skull. The blow left me off-balance, confused and spin-kicking out of control. No. 3 pulled his strikes, but I still staggered before finally sitting, the world a whirl. I grabbed the lump on the back of my head and found that it was bleeding badly. Mild concussion, I feared.</p><p>When Ding asked if I was OK, I reportedly said, "Are the cows out of the barn yet, mum?" Ten minutes later, the prop guy strapped the radio to my back, and we tried again.</p><p>Action! Spin, pow, jump, spin kick, wham, metal-on-metal block, kapow! Ding yelled, "Cut!" then gave me a thumbs-up, which was infinitely better than being thumped down, I thought.</p><p>Days later, I found myself engaging in an unscripted duel against the evil Yeoki in a barn, where only Ding, the cameraman, Tsai and I were present. Tsai had created a 30-second fight sequence, and it was about to begin. After two slow dry runs, Tsai told Ding we were ready. Really?</p><p>Action! I blocked a kick but wham, I was sent reeling to the ground. I realized this was no barnyard square dance. It's payback time, I thought. Tsai pulled me to my feet, threw me against a wall and whaled on my gut. I had been doing 1,000 sit-ups a day for five years, so it barely tickled.</p><p>Ding yelled, "Hao!" (Great!) He had no clue what was happening.</p><p>Tsai tried to tackle me, which caused me to switch on. I sent a descending elbow into his back. He let go, but for 20 seconds, it was pugilistic mayhem — a real fight. Ding finally realized what was happening, so he yelled, "Cut!"</p><p>We stopped. Both of us were on the ground. Tsai nodded, gave me a thumbs-up and forced a grin. Revenge exacted!</p><p>It was essential for Tsai to know that if I could dish it out — albeit accidentally — I was also able to take it — albeit purposely. It was as if a cloud had lifted from the set. The stuntmen and soldiers lost their sneers, and I became part of the group.</p><p>Later, I was allowed to use my knowledge of kendo to help Tsai choreograph the final sword duel, in which a samurai sword was pitted against a Chinese broadsword. It was gratifying.</p><p>Fast-forward 20 years: I'm a fight-directing apprentice with the Hong Kong action crew on Sammo Hung's Martial Law series. Alan Lan, who was but a child actor in Flying Tigers, is Sammo's stunt double. It's a small world! He confesses that for 19 years, he actually thought I was Bruce Willis. </p><p><em>Dr. Craig D. Reid's book The Ultimate Guide to Martial Arts Movies of the 1970s: 500+ Films Loaded With Action, Weapons and Warriors is available at <a href="http://shop.blackbeltmag.com" target="_blank">shop.blackbeltmag.com</a>.</em></p>
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Turn the clock back nearly two decades to 2003 and enjoy this bo performance by Ross Levine.
This is the eighth installment of a series that features old school sport karate videos to keep the history of the sport alive. Most sport karate fans know Ross Levine for his accomplishments as a point fighter. His illustrious career as a fighter has elevated his status to that of the all-time greats and he is revered for his fight IQ, deadly defensive side kick, and loyalty to those who helped him achieve such a level. Even if you aren't familiar with sport karate, you may know Levine from his budding full-contact career with Glory Kickboxing. He is undefeated as a professional kickboxer who scored Glory's 2019 Knockout of the Year with a spectacular head kick.
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<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">2019 Knockout of the Year: Ross Levine</small>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KARyQdZN0hA" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
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<p>However, Levine was also a very influential bo staff competitor and many do not give him enough credit for his accomplishments as a weapons practitioner. His most impressive record is probably his all-time best 9 Warrior Cups from the American Karate Association's legendary event in Chicago, but did you know that Levine is also one of the few (if not the only) competitors to win a fighting and weapons Warrior Cup on the same evening? In fact, Levine has won all of sport karate's three most prestigious events, the Warrior Cup, U.S. Open, and Diamond Nationals, at least one time each with his bo staff routines. This is a feat that only elite weapons competitors have accomplished, and it is a testament to his greatness as a fighter that most recognize Levine for his sparring prowess. </p><p>Today, we reflect on one particular performance of Levine's from the 2003 Diamond Nationals. In my opinion, what cemented Levine's legacy as an all-time great weapons competitor was not the titles that he won, but the techniques that he executed en route to those championships. In this performance alone we see multiple innovative techniques performed almost flawlessly. He speeds through an opening trick combo beginning at 0:29 in which he does a behind the back catch, vertical palm spin, and shoulder-neck roll or "sunset" in rapid succession. Keep in mind that the first releases ever seen in competition had only been popular since the mid to late 1990's, so Levine performing these tricks in combination with a behind the back release was almost unheard of at the time.</p><p>As the form progresses, we see a variety of striking techniques followed by another trick combination. This time, he performs his and his weapons coach Nate Andrade's signature "Straight Jacket" trick that was made famous by their legendary synchronized form "Tall Guys with Sticks" before spinning into a gainer while holding the bo in his mouth. The crowd is so caught up in the gainer that they don't even give the next combo the respect that it deserves. The last major bo tricks of the form include the "Fantail", a behind the back palm spin that remained popular for over a decade after this routine, and a "Starry Night", an upgraded version of the shoulder-neck roll done earlier in the form that is rarely attempted in competition. Watch these incredible techniques executed for yourself in the video below:</p><script async="" src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
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<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Ross Levine - 2003 Diamond Nationals</small>
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<p>This form is well ahead of its time in terms of the difficulty and level of execution of the tricks that Levine pulled off. He and Nate Andrade have had a significant lasting impact on the evolution of competitive bo staff. Even though the current era has seen a shift towards more release techniques and less body rolls to increase the speed of the routines, the body rolls that are still seen in competition were engineered almost exclusively by the likes of Andrade and his pupil/training partner, Levine. </p><p>If you enjoyed learning about Ross Levine's impressive weapons career, click <a href="https://blackbeltmag.com/sport-karate-throwback-thursdays-nasty-anderson-vs-tony-young" target="_blank">here</a> to read our last piece about a historic point fighting bout between Tony Young and the late, great Steve "Nasty" Anderson.</p><p><em>This video is courtesy of SportMartialArts.com via Old School Karate on Youtube, thank you for preserving the history of sport karate.</em><br/></p>
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