Internal Fighting Arts | Learn Real-world Martial Arts Insights From Top Instructors Of Tai Chi - Xingyi - Bagua And Qiqong

Ken Gullette talks with long-time Taiji instructor Mark Becker about training with his teachers, including Liang Baiping, Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang, and Master Zhang Xue-Xin. This interview is also available on YouTube in a video version. Mark lives in the Denver, Colorado area and can be found by searching "Tai Chi Beast." He is dedicated to passing on the knowledge he has gained to future generations. Ken teaches through books, DVDs, and his online school at InternalFightingArts.com. Running time for this episode is 1 hour 15 minutes.

Ken Gullette talks with Sgt. Aaron Leisinger of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department and a long-time martial arts student and instructor. He also helps train other officers in defensive tactics with the goal of resolving situations peacefully. Ken and Aaron competed against each other in martial arts tournaments more than 20 years ago. In this interview, they talk about martial arts and how it's used in police work, the decisions an officer makes in an uncertain situation, when and why an officer might go to a higher level of force, and how you might not always understand your rights when you are stopped by a police officer. Total running time is one hour 18 minutes. 

Ken talks with Lindsay Lambert, the owner and head instructor at Wu Dao Kung Fu & Tai Chi in Watertown, Massachusetts (on the outskirts of Boston). Lindsay currently holds two National Championship titles in Shuai Jiao: Women’s 135lbs Division in 2023 & 2024, and one Women’s Internal Grand Championship title at ICMAC in 2019. She won third place in Shuai Jiao competition at a large tournament in Baoding, China. From her website at www.wudaokungfu.com: During her career she has had the opportunity to work closely with Shaolin Monk Shifu Shi De Cheng (Shaolin Kung Fu), Master Wei Lun Huang (Yang Taiji and Liu He Ba Fa), Shifu Tim Hartmann (Shaolin and Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu, Yang Tai Chi and Liu He Ba Fa), Sifu Daniel Tomizaki (Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu), Coach Tye Tonkin (Sanda/Chinese Kick Boxing, Shuai Jiao/Chinese Wrestling, Qin Na/Small Join Locking) and Shifu Sonny Mannon (Shuai Jiao/Chinese Wrestling). She has taught workshops and camps throughout New England on a variety of topics in Chinese Martial Ar

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Internal Fighting Arts podcast, Ken Gullette talks with Hai Yang, who has become familiar to a lot of internal artists through his YouTube videos, which combine scholarly discussions with demonstrations of movement and the coaching of students. He was born in Tianjin, China, a city with a very robust martial arts community, with teachers such as Zhang Zhaodong, Li Cunyi, Xue Dian, and other masters, including the sons of Bagua Zhang creator Dong Hai Chuan. Eventually, Hai Yang moved to Montreal, where he lives and teaches, and helped create the Daoist Arts Organization International. In this interview, Master Yang talks about learning from family members starting at age eight; about studying with Chen Zhaokui and Ma Hong, and about how he is working to preserve the Xue Dian style of Xingyi Quan for future generations. Total running time is One hour and 16 minutes. 

Dan Miller is a martial artist, author, and for six years he was publisher of The Pa Kua Chang Journal, from 1990 to early 1997. In this interview, Ken talks with Dan about publishing the Journal, which was one of the best martial arts publications ever done (in Ken's opinion). They also talk about other issues related to Bagua Zhang, including the moving root, why Bagua practitioners walk the circle, the training concept of practicing techniques, why he likes Sun style Bagua and Taiji, created by Sun LuTang, and Dan talks about one of his favorite memories of meeting one of the old traditional Bagua teachers. Dan attended the United States Naval Academy and served 10 years as an officer in the Marine Corps. Besides teaching martial arts, Dan is a musician. He lives in the Columbia, Missouri area and holds workshops hosting various martial artists including Tom Bisio, Tim Cartmell and others. Ken lives in Moline, Illinois and teaches in the Quad Cities and through his website at www.InternalFightingArts.com.

The Diamond episode of the Internal Fighting Arts Podcast -- number 75 -- features an interview with Tim Cartmell, a highly-respected internal martial artist who also has competed in and teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Ken Gullette first heard about Tim in the 1990s, when Tim wrote articles in Dan Miller's "Pa Kua Chang Journal." Tim has also written books, including "Principles, Analysis, and Application of Effortless Combat Throws," and "Xing Yi Nei Gong: Xing Yi Health Maintenance and Internal Strength Development" (compiled and translated with Dan Miller). In this interview, Tim talks about why he moved to Taiwan at age 22, what it was like to train Xingyi and Bagua in Taiwan (and China) and to compete in full-contact matches in Taiwan. Also the big question -- why he began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Ken had to ask that question first). Tim also talks about "intent" in Nei Gong practice and much more. Tim Cartmell teaches Xing Yi Quan and Bagua Zhang in workshops and private lessons. He teaches BJJ and

Ken talks with Bill Bentley, who teaches Xingyi through daoistgatecenter.org, and privately he teaches Xingyi, Bagua, Wudang style sword, and self-defense. He is involved with the Daoist Arts Organization International (DAOI) and interviews martial artists for the DAOI podcast. Bill began his martial arts training at the age of 10 in a Shaolin-based family style of kung-fu (the same school Ken started in way back in 1973), and since then, Bill has studied Wing Chun, Jeet Kune Do concepts (including Filipino martial arts), and the Kendo and Aikido. Later, after a serious injury, Bill practiced qigong and developed an interest in the Wudang arts. He now studies with Master Zhou Xuan Yun, training with him in the arts of Xingyi Quan and Taiyi Xuan Men Jian sword practice, as well as Taiji and Bagua. He has also studied the Wudang Taiji 108 with Rosie Segil and Qigong with Anita Eredics.

Ken Gullette talks with Raphael Smith, an instructor of Song style Xingyiquan, Chen style Practical Method Taijiquan, and combat-related arts in the Sacramento, California area. He goes by Ralph and he is a disciple of Song style Xingyiquan master Li Yujie. Ralph's website is www.jingwupai.org. In this interview, Ralph talks about why he went to China at age 22, the difficulty of working long hours in China and finding time for training, and what it was like to train there. Ken teaches through online classes, videos and personal coaching sessions via his online school at www.internalfightingarts.com. 

Ken Gullette talks with instructor Gerald A. Sharp, who Ken first became aware of in the 1990s when he bought Gerald's "Five Fists of Power" VHS instructional tape. Gerald A. Sharp began studying martial arts at age 12. Later, he studied with several internal arts teachers, notably Wu Taiji with Master Ma Yueh Liang, and he studied Pa-Kua Chang, Hsing-I Chuan and Nei Jia Kung Fu with Zou Shuxian, who was the Top Disciple and adopted daughter of Jiang Rong Qiao. He has won numerous medals in tournaments in the United States and China. In this wide-ranging interview, Ken and Gerald talk about Gerald's history in the internal arts, studying with Ma Yueh Liang, and his experience acting on the set of "Highway to Heaven" and meeting Michael Landon, along with his appearances on soap operas such as "The Young and the Restless." Gerald A. Sharp's website is at www.chiflow.com. He lives and teaches Tai Chi, Hsing-I, Pa-Kua, Nei Jia, Chi Kung, and Liangong in Granada Hills, California. Ken Gullette teaches through his

Byron Jacobs published an excellent Xingyi Quan book in 2023 titled "Dragon Body, Tiger Spirit." In this book, Byron translates a collection of Xingyi Quan classics and provides commentary that will help anyone who studies and practices this powerful martial art. Byron lives in Beijing and has an extensive martial arts history. He has been a guest previously. Byron is a disciple of Master Di Guoyong. In this interview, Ken Gullette and Byron talk about the book, how it came to be, and details on some of the training tips and methods described in the pages. Running time is one hour and nine minutes. Byron's website is www.mushinmartialculture.com. He also teaches online through Patreon at patreon.com/mushinmartialculture. Ken teaches through his online school at www.internalfightingarts.com.

This podcast features some of Ken Gullette's favorite clips from the first couple of years the Internal Fighting Arts podcast. It's a Greatest Hits featuring fascinating interviews with great internal martial artists including Michael Chritton, Stefan Berwick, Marin Spivack, Kimberly Ivy, Kent Howard, Byron Jacobs, and Jeet Kune Do instructor Tim Tackett. You'll hear what it's like to meet and train with top Chinese masters, the difficult training -- "eating bitter" -- that real skill requires. You will be as fired up as Ken is listening to personal stories about what it's like to be a disciple, whether Chinese masters actually take it easy on Westerners, and other experiences by people who have spent years, a lot of sweat and a lot of money seeking out great masters and training with them in Taiji, Xingyi and Bagua. Total running time is an hour and 10 minutes. This podcast also features a giveaway of 10 digital codes to win a digital copy of "Enter the Dragon" in its new 4K/Ultra HD format, given to Ken by

Ken Gullette interviews instructor Tony Wong. His birth name was Wong Wai Yi and he grew up in Hong Kong before moving to the United States. He lives and teaches in the San Francisco area. Tony has trained with some outstanding teachers. He studied Wing Chun with Kenneth Chung, Wuji Qigong with Cai Song Fang, and he studied Chen Taijiquan with Zhang Xue Xin, Chen Xiaowang, Chen Xiaoxing and Chen Qingzhou. He also studied Yiquan with Chen Zhengzhong. In this interview, Ken talks with Tony, who has interesting stories to tell about his teachers and other experiences, including what it was like to train for push hands competition in China. Tony's website is www.chenfamilytaiji.com. Ken teaches through his own website at www.InternalFightingArts.com.  

Ken Gullette talks with Nabil Ranne almost three years after Nabil's first appearance on the podcast. Nabil is a disciple of Chen Yu (the son of Chen Zhaokui and grandson of Chen Fake). After he interviewed Nabil in 2020, Ken began studying with him. In this interview, Ken tries to get "into the weeds" with Nabil and discuss details that you don't often hear in martial arts interviews -- details about body method and other principles that are taught with a different emphasis by Chen Yu. Nabil lives in Berlin with students in Germany and internationally. He has a website at https://ctnd.de and he also has an online "school" at https://ctn.academy. The interview runs one hour six minutes. Ken also teaches through his website, offering lessons on video and live Zoom classes. His website is www.internalfightingarts.com. 

Ken Gullette talks with Michael Dorgan, a disciple of the late Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang. Among Michael's other teachers are the late Master Zhang Xue Xin and his gongfu brother, Chen Xiang. Michael has a wonderful new book about his life in martial arts and in journalism. It's titled No Fight No Blame: A Journalist's Life in Martial Arts. The book is available on Amazon and Ken recommends it highly. In this interview, Michael talks about the book, training with teachers including Grandmaster Feng, and how his Taijiquan has helped as he has attempted to overcome cancer in recent years. Michael's lives in the San Jose, California area and his website is www.taichisanjose.com. Ken teaches through his website, featuring videos and live online training at www.internalfightingarts.com. The interview runs one hour and 10 minutes.

Ken Gullette talks with Scott M. Rodell, a Yang style Taijiquan instructor who is known for his swordsmanship. He is the founding director of the Great River Taoist Center in Annandale, Virginia. Scott's principal teacher was Wang Yen-Nien. From Wang, Scott learned the entire Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan system. Scott is known for his swordsmanship and teaches in-person at the center and also online through his website www.grtc.org. Ken has studied martial arts nearly 50 years and has worked with the jian (straight sword) and dao (broadsword or saber) for 35 years, winning many tournament weapons forms competitions. He does not consider himself a swordsman but Scott Rodell is, so they discuss how Scott became interested in martial arts and some fascinating details about the design and use of this great weapon. Ken teaches Chen style Taiji, Xingyiquan and Bagua Zhang through his website at www.internalfightingarts.com. Running time of this program is 1 hour 15 minutes.

If you are like a lot of martial artists, you dream about having your own bricks-and-mortar martial arts school. In this episode, Ken Gullette talks with Kimberly Ivy, who has had a Taijiquan school in Seattle for 30 years, and Michael Celeste, who has owned a school for six years teaching Yang Taiji and Wing Chun in Mt. Arlington, New Jersey. Martial arts skill is not the only thing you need to operate a school. Regardless of your martial arts style, it takes very hard physical work, a little business savvy and a commitment to be there. It's also expensive. This is episode 65 in the podcast. Total running time is 1 hr. 14 minutes.

In a different kind of episode, Ken Gullette does a joint podcast with Graham Barlow, the martial artist behind "The Tai Chi Notebook" podcast. Graham is a former guest on Ken's podcast, and as friends, they realized they both are asked the same type of questions by people who are interested in the internal arts -- questions on subjects such as the meaning of "spirit" in Taiji and whether it's okay to do weight training when studying Taiji. Ken and Graham sometimes see these issues differently, so they decided to discuss the questions and release the conversation on both of their podcasts. Graham's podcast is called "The Tai Chi Notebook" and his blog is at www.thetaichinotebook.com. This podcast runs 45 minutes.

Ken Gullette talks with Taoist Monk Yun Rou about applying philosophy to the sobering reality of death. Everyone will die, but for those who are diagnosed with a life-threatening condition, as both Ken and Monk Yun Rou have experienced, the question arises: how do you apply your philosophy or religion to give you peace at the time you are standing at the edge of eternity? This conversation looks at it from the perspective of philosophy. Yun Rou teaches Taoist philosophy and Taiji. He is also a writer, with many books available through Amazon. His website is www.monkyunrou.com. Ken teaches the internal arts through his website at www.internalfightingarts.com. Total running time of this program is 1 hour 22 minutes.

Ken Gullette talks with Ryan Craig, an instructor of Chen style Taijiquan in Philadelphia, PA. Ryan is a student of Nabil Ranne, who is a disciple of Chen Yu and lives in Berlin. Ken has also studied with Nabil for the past two years, so this is a conversation between two Taiji guys geeking out over the art and having fun talking about starting in the Chen Village line, then making a transition to the Chen Zhaokui line of Chen style. Ken met Ryan in May 2022 when Ryan hosted Nabil for a four-day workshop in Philadelphia. Ryan's website is www.phillychentaiji.com. Ken's website is www.internalfightingarts.com. 

Ken Gullette interviews the last surviving star from the original "Kung Fu" TV show, Radames Pera, who played young Caine, the student monk who learned the ancient art of kung-fu at the Shaolin Temple and learned philosophy from Master Kan, played by Phillip Ahn, and Master Po, played by Keye Luke. Radames, who also appeared on "Little House on the Prairie," "The Waltons," "The Six Million Dollar Man" and many more shows and movies, takes us behind the scenes for an interesting discussion about the show that imprinted his image as "Grassshopper" in the minds of almost all martial artists. Running time is 1 hour 55 minutes.