Formosa: Soulistic Tuina x Martial Artist

Plantar fasciitis  is a common foot condition primarily affecting the  plantar fascia , a thick band of connective tissue located on the sole of your foot, connecting your heel bone to your toes. It provides arch support and absorbs shock from the ground, acting as the foot's natural shock absorber. When the plantar fascia becomes inflamed due to overuse or excessive stress, it leads to pain.  Who is Prone to Plantar Fasciitis? The following groups are more susceptible to developing plantar fasciitis: Overweight Individuals:  Increased body weight places greater stress on the feet. Individuals who Stand or Walk for Long Periods:  This includes people whose jobs require prolonged standing, or those who engage in extended walking, hiking, or similar activities. Those who Carry Heavy Loads:  This increases the burden on the feet. Overly Active Individuals:  Especially those involved in high-impact sports like running or hiking. Without proper rest and tra...

The human body is a precise biological clock, with each organ operating on a specific physiological rhythm. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the 24-hour day is divided into  Twelve Terrestrial Branches (十二時辰) , each corresponding to a specific  Zang-Fu (十二臟腑)  organ system. Understanding and aligning with these rhythms is crucial not only for maintaining health but also for preventing illness and promoting well-being. Night: Deep Sleep for Organ Nourishment (11:00 PM - 7:00 AM) 11:00 PM - 01:00 AM (Zi Shi: Gallbladder Meridian at its Peak) The  Gallbladder meridian  (膽經) is most active. The gallbladder governs decisiveness and bile secretion, impacting digestion and metabolism. TCM Wellness Advice:  It's essential to be in  deep sleep  at this time to allow the gallbladder to cleanse and produce fresh bile. Staying awake can lead to insufficient gallbladder qi, affecting decision-making, and causing fatigue. 01:00 AM - 03:00 AM (Chou Shi: Li...

Every session of Tui Na (Chinese massage), acupuncture, and meridian conditioning is a process of  "loosening knots, clearing pathways, correcting imbalances, and dispelling pathogens"  for your body. After a treatment, if you can gently and naturally continue to nurture the flow of Qi and blood, the therapeutic effects will not only last but also gradually strengthen. For this, we sincerely recommend you practice an ancient dynamic exercise from a thousand years ago –  Ba Duan Jin (Eight Brocade Qigong) . Ba Duan Jin is not a strenuous exercise, but rather a wellness practice that gently nourishes the meridians, invigorates blood circulation, regulates Qi, and harmonizes the internal organs. Its movements are soft and slow, requiring no equipment and suitable for any environment. It's particularly ideal for  "follow-up care"  for your body within a few hours after your treatment or the following morning. Through a simple daily practice of about 10 to 15 minutes...

Among the vast classics of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the  Huangdi Neijing  (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) serves not only as a theoretical foundation but also as a repository of medical wisdom passed down through millennia. Within its pages lies a passage later termed the "Three Nos of TCM," which continues to guide our clinical practice and service today: "Those who are bound by ghosts and spirits cannot be spoken to about ultimate virtue; those who despise acupuncture and moxibustion cannot be spoken to about ultimate skill; if a patient does not permit treatment, the illness will certainly not be cured, and treating them will be fruitless." (拘於鬼神者，不可與言至德；惡於鍼石者，不可與言至巧；病不許治者，病必不治，治之無功矣。) These three seemingly simple statements, in fact, contain profound insights into human nature and the fundamental consensus required between practitioners and patients. First "No": "Those who are bound by ghosts and spirits cannot be spoken to about ult...

Each of the Eight Brocade Qigong (Baduanjin) forms is designed to promote specific health benefits, harmonizing your body's energy and strengthening vital organs. Form 1: Double-Hand Upward-Pushing Movement to Regulate San Jiao  This form focuses on balancing the "San Jiao" or Triple Burner, an important energy pathway that manages fluids and vital energy throughout the body:   Form 2: Shooting Left and Right to Mimic Shooting Eagles  Inspired by an eagle's powerful stance, this movement helps to open the chest, strengthen the lungs, and improve overall circulation: Form 3: Holding One Arm Up to Regulate the Spleen and Stomach  By stretching one arm upwards, this form gently massages and stimulates the spleen and stomach, aiding digestion and nutrient absorption: Form 4: Looking Backward to Recover From Injuries  Turning the head to look backward helps to stretch the neck and spine, improving flexibility and assisting in recovery from minor strains or stiffness:...

The Side Kick (Yeop Chagi) is one of the most fundamental and crucial kicking techniques in Taekwondo. In Korean, "Yeop (옆)" means "side," and "Chagi (차기)" means "kick." As the name suggests, the side kick is executed using the side of the body. Characteristics and Advantages The attacking power of a side kick primarily comes from the rotation of the hips and the linear extension of the leg towards the target. The main striking points are typically the foot blade (the outer edge of the foot) or the heel . It's a highly effective kick because it is: Powerful: By fully utilizing the body's center of gravity and the explosive power of the hip joint, the side kick delivers immense penetration and pushing force. Linear Attack: The side kick follows a straight trajectory, allowing it to effectively cut through an opponent's guard and hit the target directly. Wide Range of Attack: Whether attacking an opponent's midsection (lik...

In Savate, effective combat is a dance of movement and precision. Two fundamental techniques, Décalage (angular shifting) and Chassé Frontal Bas (low front push kick), are essential for controlling the fight, evading strikes, and setting up devastating attacks. When combined, they create a fluid, intelligent combat synergy. Décalage: The Art of the Angle Décalage is the tactical shift off your opponent's direct line of attack. It's about stepping your lead foot to the side, then quickly adjusting your rear foot, to gain a superior angle. This isn't a retreat, but a strategic repositioning to evade punches or kicks, and to open up new lines of attack on your opponent's exposed sides. Whether you move "outside" (away from their lead side) or "inside" (towards their lead side), Décalage makes you a harder target while creating offensive opportunities. How to change angles in Savate (Décalage), by London Savate Chassé Frontal Bas: The Low Barrier The...

We're excited to announce a significant update to our gym's grading system, offering incredible opportunities for your martial arts development! Our gym is now officially recognized by the World Kickboxing Organization (WKO) , a leading international body. This partnership allows us to provide you with International Dan Gradings in kickboxing. International Dan Grading: Your Mark of Excellence Achieving an International Dan Grading is a major accomplishment, recognized globally and highly valued within the kickboxing world. The WKO offers a wealth of programs and pathways that often recommend or require this international certification, opening doors to advanced training and recognition. We encourage all our members to pursue this rewarding achievement. You can find our official listing on the WKO website at https://www.worldkickboxingorganisation.org/_files/ugd/0d1330_2e5147772d9f42ad8aec59267acd36e9.pdf . Your Path to Mastery: The WKO Colour Belt Syllabus Before you reach th...

Today's training session was all about mitt work and boxing combinations , and I really felt the importance of proper mitt holding. It's crucial for two main reasons: safety and progress . By holding the mitts correctly, we can prevent injuries, which is obviously a top priority. But beyond that, good mitt holding is what allows us to elevate our training and push to the next level. It's not just about hitting; it's about precision, timing, and flow. We drilled a few key combinations: Combo 1: Jab, Cross (1-2) - The foundational one-two punch. Getting this crisp and powerful is essential. Combo 2: Jab, Cross, Lead Hook (1-2-3) - Adding the lead hook really starts to open up more offensive opportunities. Combo 3: Jab, Cross, Lead Hook, Rear Hook (1-2-3-4) - This longer combo requires more coordination and endurance, mimicking a more sustained attack. Combo 4: Uppercut (5-6) - Focusing on the explosive power needed for an effective uppercut. We also worked on an...

Hello Taekwondo enthusiasts and martial arts fans! Is your understanding of Taekwondo limited to the flashy kicks seen in the Olympics? Or perhaps you've heard about differences between various "schools" but can't quite sort them out? Today, let's dive deep into the major global Taekwondo organizations: World Taekwondo (WT) , the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) , the Global Taekwon-Do Federation (GTF) , and the innovative newcomers making waves – the Professional Taekwondo Federation (PTF) and its flagship product, Kombat Taekwondo (K-TKD) . Understanding these distinctions will help you better appreciate this fascinating martial art and grasp why we're so optimistic about the future of PTF and Kombat Taekwondo! Three Mainstreams, Each with Its Own Flavor: WT, ITF, GTF World Taekwondo (WT) Position: The Olympic sport, the global leader in competitive Taekwondo. Characteristics: Formerly known as the WTF (World Taekwondo Federation). The WT sy...

Today's training is all about refining your chamber in Savate. This fundamental skill is crucial for both balance and striking power, as it allows for precise control and efficient force generation in your kicks. Savate Chamber Drills (30-45 minutes) Warm-up (5-10 minutes): Light cardio (jogging in place, jumping jacks). Dynamic stretches focusing on hips, hamstrings, and quads (leg swings, torso twists). Ankle rotations. Chamber Isolation (15 minutes): Slow-motion chambers: Stand with good posture. Slowly bring your knee up to a full chamber position, holding it for 3-5 seconds. Focus on engaging your core and maintaining balance. Slowly extend and retract your leg, then lower it. Repeat 10-15 times per leg. Wall-assisted chambers: Use a wall for support if needed to truly focus on the chambering motion without worrying about balance. Perform the same slow-motion chambers. Chamber holds: Hold the chamber position for increasing durations (e.g., 10-15 seconds) to bu...

What a session today! We really honed in on our chassé technique, covering the frontal chassé at all three levels: bas (low), médian (mid), and figure (high). It was a great workout for power and precision. We also spent some good time on the turning chassé, which is always a fantastic way to improve our mobility and transitions in the ring. Want to refine your chassé even more? Remember to watch James's excellent video on chassé technique! It's a fantastic resource to help you perfect your form.:  Additional information - Savate training drills & combinations:  http://www.cama.org.uk/savate_net2017/index.php/training-combinations?showall=1   Don't forget, we have our regular Savate session every Tuesday from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM . Come join us to keep building your skills and fitness! Speaking of putting our skills to the test, mark your calendars! The London Open 2025 is happening on Sunday, July 20th, 2025 . This is an awesome chance to show off your progress and ga...