Friday Knight News
"Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself." Chinese Proverb
This week I want to continue with my list of the second of five living martial artists that impress me most, although this is in no particular order. As previously noted, I decided to select men that I have not met personally. This was to reduce, if not eliminate, the sycophant element from the equation. To clarify I decided to select people that impress me either for their performance, their insight into the martial arts, or their ability to transmute their martial art acumen into other areas of creativity or any combination thereof. Furthermore, the criteria I used to select these people also included that these individuals had to be recommended to me by another martial artist/s.
In this case I am selecting Thong Nguyen. This martial artist was first recommend to me by several other martial artists, men that I also only know from online. Still I was very impressed from my first sight of the Kaizen Tao videos. I liked what I saw as it immediately reminded me of a mixture of Russian Systema and Aikido. I admire both of these arts, but have only trained in them from seminars.
Thong Nguyen
To my understanding Kaizen Tao was founded by Thong Nguyen. Kaizen in Japanese means total or continual improvement and Tao is Chinese for the truth or way much like the Do in Aikido or Kendo. I understand that he has an immersive background in several martial arts and I'm guessing that Systema and Aikido are not the only ones present in his repertoire. I also have read where Thong has spoken about winning money from his dancing in an article he penned after David Jones aka David Bowie passed away. I have also seen many videos that demonstrate his dedication to training with other athletic endeavors. Throng speaks with a gentle mindfulness and moves with the same essence in his techniques. At this point I think it is best just to let you observe this for yourself.
"By learning you will teach; by teaching you will understand." Latin Proverb
My stories are about martial arts adventures that are intertwined with paranormal or supernatural events. The following links are to the Kindle version books from the "Dream Walker” series. Our adventurers find themselves on a quest where they are confronted with both conspiracy and mystery. Their challenge is to unite their mind and body skills together utilizing what they have learned in the martial arts with the transcendental power of dream meditation. They attempt to do this while they are trying to make a life for themselves and elude those that seek to use and control them.
Conversations with a Sage (Book 1 of the Dream-Walker)
Conversations with a Sage: This explores Xander Davidson's early encounters with the mysterious fog like Dream Walking martial art sages. He ponders if they are real or if they are only remnants of his dreams. He mainly keeps this secret world to himself as he tries to cope with abuse, growing up without support or guidance and the mystery of his family's past.
Conversations with a Sage: This explores Xander Davidson's early encounters with the mysterious fog like Dream Walking martial art sages. He ponders if they are real or if they are only remnants of his dreams. He mainly keeps this secret world to himself as he tries to cope with abuse, growing up without support or guidance and the mystery of his family's past.
Xander and the Assassins Gift (Book 2 of the Dream-Walker)
The Assassins Gift: Xander Davidson struggles with the conspiracy of his family and the group that is actively trying to manipulate him to join them or die. The young Dream Walkers learns an early lesson to be careful about whom they let into their circle.
Warriors of Perception (Book 3 of the Dream-Walker)
Warriors of Perception: Xander Davidson and his band of friends embark on a mission to free themselves from their oppressors. They bravely face the challenge all the while vying for the right moment to turn the tables.
The Assassins Gift: Xander Davidson struggles with the conspiracy of his family and the group that is actively trying to manipulate him to join them or die. The young Dream Walkers learns an early lesson to be careful about whom they let into their circle.
Warriors of Perception (Book 3 of the Dream-Walker)
Warriors of Perception: Xander Davidson and his band of friends embark on a mission to free themselves from their oppressors. They bravely face the challenge all the while vying for the right moment to turn the tables.
Jace Lee The Shift (Book 4 of the Dream-Walker)
Jace Lee The Shift: We find a new apprentice, Adam, which is fighting for his life. He is struggling to understand the amazing skills of his mentor, Jace Lee; a younger man that has trained under Xander Davidson. All the while his mentor attempts to reconcile the fact that his skills do not match up with the other Dream Walkers.
Jace Lee No Agenda (Dream Walker Book 5)
Jace Lee No Agenda: Jace Lee attempts to find himself on a self-imposed vision quest of sorts. Instead he finds himself being stalked by the same group that had previously sought after his teacher, (Xander Davidson). Instead of mastering his odd Dream Walking skills he finds love and the potential loss of his powers.
Jace Lee The Tutelage of Ming Wu: Jace Lee rejoins his teacher Xander Davidson as they cope with a possible combined threat (the mysterious), Ming Wu and the Council that has continuously monitored the Dream Walkers.
No comments:
Post a Comment