Internal Martial arts video tape - comments?

[bob_stra]

Hi folks

Seeing we all seem to have interests in common, I was wondering if any of you had any experiences with Mike Sigman's Internal Martial Arts videos? He's had some interesting things to say over at rec.martial.arts, re: development of relaxed power.

My training partner and I will be probably be buying these tapes eventually anyways, but I'd love to hear any words of wisdom, either on the tapes themselves, or the likely concepts therein.

http://www.plumflower.com/internal_strength.htm

(near bottom half of page)

Please, if you feel uncomfortable commenting in public, drop me a line. I'm not looking to stir anyone's pot, especially given the controversy Mike seems to attract from some quarters.

[kjrich]

Hey Bob,

I've seen all of Mike's videos and found them quite helpful. I've exchanged emails with Mike and met him last spring. Actually, I got my first taste of CST that same day when I met Vince. I know alot of people have a hard time with Mike, but he has helped me to grasp some tough concepts in the internal martial arts.

FWIW,

Ken

[rbibbs]

Mike's perspective... just going by the links... seems to parallel ours. I've gotten some other parallel training advice, specific to grappling/BJJ, from http://www.thegrapplingblueprint.com The newsletter subscription is free.

Rick

[James Boelter]

The teacher I respect most and who advanced my own understanding of chi and internal strength the most doesn't think much of Mike S. However,
I am of the opinion that if his approach and personality appeal to you, you should get the tapes to see what he has to say. There is more than one way to skin a cat, including in the internal arts.

Just keep in mind that many masters are in fundamental disagreement
with Mike S, so keep an open mind and don't accept his word as gospel. Try his exercises, see if they teach you anything useful or increase your understanding and perception of what you are trying to do. If later in your training and development, you find people who can do things you can't do, or perform at a level you can't seem to match, then you may find that is where Mike's approach falls short. Or it may be that your understanding of Mike's methods are incomplete or immature (believe, I know all about immature :roll:) and this will help you apply it in a more thorough way.

Good luck with your training, and let us know how it goes!

[Vbrown]

I've known Mike since 1993. I have his tapes as well. Mike is smart, capable and very thoughtful in his approach. He also hits like a runaway cement truck. I've seen him do things that I have yet to see duplicated.

He knows ALOT more than are on his tapes, but if you do the work, it gives you a very solid understanding of the mechanics of IMA.

Chen Xiao Wang likes him, Liang Shou Yu likes him, Li Tai Liang seemed to have a nice time with him. Those are just the ones I know for sure.

Yeah, Mike can be opinionated, and a bit gruff, but he does come from a position of knowledge and skill. I'd be real curious to see who it is that thinks his skill is "immature". As compared to whom?

Vince
A,CST

[bob_stra]

Good stuff guys. Kudos.

I won't be getting the tapes for quite a while, but when I do, no doubt you *WILL* hear about it ;-)

Interesting stuff, this human body ;-)