4 style=”text-align: justify;”>Sibok Brian Denham</h4>
<p style=”text-align: justify;”><em>In the short time that I have known Sifu Dennis, I could not be more impressed with his high level of proficiency. Sifu Dennis’ gentle demeanour hides deadly speed, power and accuracy in all his well-polished techniques.  Sifu Dennis is an easy teacher to learn from because of his confidence and experience  in many martial arts. Sifu Dennis is first class all the way! If you miss this opportunity you will miss a lot.</em></p>

<h4>Sifu Pat Murphy</h4>
<p style=”text-align: justify;”><em>Sifu Dennis is an amazing martial artist,  with a wealth of knowledge to share with all other martial artists of any rank or style. I have had the pleasure of travelling abroad with him to tournaments and watching him compete, and was very impressed with his style and presentation. I  am definitely looking forward to the upcoming seminar. </em></p>

<h4>Sifu Dave Weiler</h4>
<p style=”text-align: justify;”><em>I have had the honor to have taken Sifu Dennis’ knife fighting seminar before, as well as his self defence seminars. You will find him to be very highly skilled in his field and in many other areas of martial arts. His honesty about what he is teaching is very refreshing to see and be part of, he has a very long and impressive list of Masters that he has trained with and is always willing to help others with their Martial Arts. Sifu Dennis is a very likable person because he has that passion for Martial Arts, but, more than that, for people and helping them to better themselves at whatever their art form is. I would be more than happy to take any seminar that he would be part of. You will come away with more than you paid for, and have a good friend at the end of it. Thanks for all of your help in the past and in the future, Sifu Dennis. </em></p>

<h4>Sifu Andrew Butler</h4>
<p style=”text-align: justify;”><em>Sifu Dennis is an incredible martial artist, his speed and technique are like nothing I have seen before. He is a fun and very knowledgeable teacher to learn from and this seminar should not be missed by anyone who wants to learn real self defence.</em></p>
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Equilibrium means:

A condition in which all acting influences are canceled by others, resulting in a stable, balanced or unchanging system.

Mental and emotional balance; poise.

Physics : The state of a body or physical system at rest or in unaccelerated motion in which the resultant of all forces acting on it is zero and the sum of all torques about any axis is zero.

Chemistry : The state of a chemical reaction in which its forward and reverse reactions occur at equal rates, so that the concentration of the reactants and product remain stable.

Equilibrium is a concept that embodies some of the highest attributes of a effective martial arts discipline. It is uniquely embedded in the intricacies of Taijiboxing as it demonstrates the essence of the art form.

In many forms of Taijiquan they often refer to the theory of Yin and Yang, without any concrete example of it in the real world. There is often many references to conceptualized application for both, self defense and energy work or Qui kung training. I believe both are one in the same in the fact that both the idea of softness overcoming hardness can not fully be experience with out real life application.

With this new skill of equilibrium it is possible to be one step closer to the appreciation of simplicity of the supreme ultimate fist theory for health longevity and effective self defense. This can be utilized in the form as a discipline for life and an artful expression in daily Taijiquan practice. In the practice of Tui shui, most people learn push hands in the traditional way and start very gently with one hand, and eventually both. With time, patience and diligent practice, few venture into the competitive area of push hand competitions.

But what does this really teach us?

Most of the players are usually players with some martial arts background, are competitive and don’t mind a bit of contact. The more seasoned the player, the better off they tend to perform.

So, what are they really better at?

I believe that push hands is a skill that is a integral part of Taijiboxing art, a successful addition to practice self defense. When and only if practiced in the correct context, true benefits yield. If push hands is practiced in arena of fixed rules and stipulations, then it is not realistic. As in the natural environment, there are no fixed rules or stipulations. The real world is dynamic and variable just as the practice of push hands should be.

The interpretation of the classic always maintained this: the idea of soft overcoming hard, slow defeating fast, parables adopted by students, observing the masters. Over time, some of these popular statements became included as part of the chronicles of Taijiquan. The reality is if you move fast, I move faster. This claim has little to do with speed alone, but on perception and preemptive movement. This is where the soft skills of listening adhere, stick, follow lead and attack are most useful, through a developed sense of natural equilibrium. These principles were always developed through experience and real time application. Full force full speed, sometimes discomfort, pain or even injury.

Henceforth, the age old adage ‘invest in loss’ doesn’t necessarily mean that Taijiboxing or any martial arts should be become a Macho art with Gladiatorial writes of passage.

Realistic approach to training embodies personal protection, prevention of injury and enlightenment for a better quality of life.

This is what might’ve meant by the title of the Supreme ultimate fist and may have nothing to do with the idea of being the best as the only method designed to achieve longevity.

Maybe the practice of Taiji quan is one of the better ways to stave off disease and live in harmony with oneself, and the environment.

We must try to achieve a state of natural equilibrium that allows us to move with ease, thus balancing our emotions, attitudes and belief systems.

We should know when to be to be strong, when to be hard (if necessary) for self preservation. Soft but supple, compassionate, reasonable, intuitive . . .

The natural way for equilibrium to work is also known as harmony.

This may well have been what the ancients called enlightenment – the ability to utilize the theory of yin and yang

in everyday life . Through the practice of moving meditation the taijiform and the application of principles for

self development, preservation and protection. Equilibrium is the essence of stillness and motion and motion

in stillness, these traits embody the essential tenants of Taijiboxing and Taijiquan for a fuller, more vital lifestyle.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this article and look forward to sharing and discovering of new wisdom from the

ancient teachers.

Dennis Pounall lives and works as a flight paramedic in Northern Ontario Elliot Lake, competes (inter)nationally

in Chinese Martial arts weapons and of course Taijiquan demonstrations and competitions. His wife of twenty years, Jana, is a yoga instructor and a novelist.

Peace Sifu Dennis Pounall.

For more interesting articles check out www.taijiboxer.com. for videos www.youtube.com@dpounall.

E-mail to taijiboxer@bell.net

Workshops and seminars: dennis_pounall@yahoo.ca

Many people have in recent days been attracted to the glamor and bravado of the U.F.C. fever. Even to the point   people whom have a legacy of traditional heritage of martial arts are now forced to jump on the bandwagon of so called mixed martial arts training. This is very sad to see.

Things have gotten so bad  the first original martial arts media giants, such as Black belt magazine, Inside Kungfu, and Taijikungfu Magazine are no longer visible on the shelves of Chapters book store under SPORTS. Instead, you have U.F.C. and Grappling Magazine.

There is nothing wrong with adding to what you already know, but to trade it in for a cheaper newer model is not always wise or prudent. New does not always mean better, just different for a time.  Remember the deception of this so called” mixed up martial arts” is exactly that!!

“User of many master of none” I think that every traditional system when taught in the context of it practical environment has for more depth than dabbling in Brazilian Jujitsu, Muay Thai kicking style and American Kickboxing methods.

Give me a good traditional 10 year veteran in Penjat Silat or Hwrangdo, Korean martial arts, or classical Chen style Taijiquan or Taijjitsu player, open up the ring throw in some good old fashion Capeorio, and see who would fare the best in a friendly tussle.

Anyway for more interesting thoughts, check out my web site @www.taijiboxer.com and www.youtube  dpounall.

Peace and be well.

Sifu Dennis Pounall .

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