Shkar Sharif, a martial artist from London, shares his expertise in Tiger Crane style Gong Fu and Shuang Yang Taiji. They discuss the San Zhan form/system, Sufism, the Dan Tian, Hermetics, exploring the three battles in the Tiger Crane system, the role of the Dan Tian in martial arts practice, balancing tradition and innovation, spiritual paths, staff training significance, and establishing a full-time martial arts center in London.
Sanjan symbolizes a developmental process in Tiger Crane system, blending white crane and Tizu chuwan styles.
Personal evolution in martial arts emphasizes individual development and adaptation within traditional systems.
Integration of Sufism emphasizes blending spiritual practices with martial arts training for personal growth.
Deep dives
Training in Martial Arts and Interactions on Social Media
The podcast delves into the host's encounter with a guest known for his martial arts expertise, initially sparked by impressive videos on social media. The guest's proficiency in a tiger crane form led to admiration and communication between them. The host appreciated the guest's book on Neigong and Nadan practice, showing mutual respect and recognition.
Significance of Sanjan in the Tiger Crane System
The discussion highlights Sanjan as a pivotal aspect of the Tiger Crane system, considered a mother form that symbolizes a developmental process rather than a singular element. The system traces back to the five ancestors, emphasizing the intricate blending of white crane and Tizu chuwan styles. Sanjan incorporates three battles focusing on body, mind, and spirit, showcasing a comprehensive approach to martial training.
Evolution and Understanding in Martial Arts Practice
The conversation shifts towards personal evolution in martial arts, emphasizing the importance of individual development and innovation within traditional systems. The guest shares his journey of self-discovery and transformation in Tiger Crane, underscoring the need for teachers to deeply comprehend and adapt their understanding before imparting knowledge. The integration of Sufism into the guest's training journey highlights the holistic approach of blending spiritual practices with martial arts training for personal growth.
Comparison of Sufi and Hermetic Practices
The podcast delves into a comparison between Sufi and Hermetic practices, highlighting the speaker's journey through different spiritual paths. The speaker discusses their training in Sufism, emphasizing the focus on cleansing the heart to align with divine energies. In contrast, the speaker shares experiences with Hermetics, noting a shift away from the aim of union and divine connection towards a more magical and exploratory approach within creation. The speaker expresses a preference for practices that lead to self-transcendence rather than elaborate magical rituals.
Teaching and Training Martial Arts in London
The conversation transitions to the speaker's martial arts journey, particularly focusing on teaching Tiger Crane and Schwang Yang in London. The speaker reflects on opening a full-time center in Islington and overcoming challenges in finding suitable training venues. Additionally, the speaker's wife, Christina, preparing to represent the UK in traditional wushu at the European Championships is mentioned. The dedication to training and teaching, alongside plans for expanding the school with potential future instructors, showcases their commitment to fostering a martial arts community in London.
Shkar Sharif is a martial artist from London. He teaches Tiger Crane style Gong Fu and Shuang Yang Taiji to his students from his full-time school in Islington.
He sits down with Damo to discuss his training background, the San Zhan form/system, Sufism, Shuang Yang, the Dan Tian and Hermetics.
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