Ken Gullette's Internal Fighting Arts

09/10/2026

I was reading through a book by Yang Jwing-Ming on tai chi from 1982. On page 24, it discusses, with no evidence, how you can use "cavity press" to pe*****te your power into acupuncture points to "pass the destructive power into the meridian. From the meridian, the power goes into a particular internal organ. In addition, the stylist may also send his power directly into an internal organ causing it to literally explode."

He goes on to write that these strikes produce no external bruises because the power went beyond the surface skin and muscle.

This is the kind of stuff I was told in my first Tai Chi classes in the 80s. It's pure mythology, presented as fact with no evidence or legitimate medical sources that back it up. Grown-up humans should be able to tell the difference between fact and fantasy. Unfortunately, some still believe it.

08/31/2026

The latest edition of the Internal Fighting Arts podcast features an interview with veteran martial arts teacher Russ Smith. We talk about his book, "Principle-Driven Skill Development: Teaching 101."

Ken Gullette talks teaching with Russ Smith, a veteran teacher and author of "Principle-Driven Skill Development: Teaching 101." Russ is a teacher of Goju-ryu Karate, Matayoshi Kobudo, White Eyebrown kung-fu, Dragon Style kung-fu, and Five Ancestor Boxing. The art of teaching requires different skil...

08/19/2026

"Enter the Dragon" hit U.S. movie theaters 53 years ago today. I saw it a couple of days later, and my life suddenly took a new direction. After watching Bruce Lee move, I walked out of the theater very excited to get started in martial arts.

08/18/2026

I'm working to flesh out curriculum information for students and website members. It's one thing to list the material students need to learn -- exercises, forms, etc. -- but what specific skills should they be learning at each step? What should they know, and be able to demonstrate and explain, at each step? Of course, they wouldn't be perfect by any means, but I want them to at least understand what they are working to achieve over time.

It would provide a much clearer roadmap. This idea came from Russ Smith, who discusses his book, "Principle-Driven Skill Development: Teaching 101" on my next podcast. I'm editing it now.

08/10/2026

Heads up! If you are anywhere near the Kansas City area, I highly recommend Chen Huixian. She is the only Chen family member living and teaching in the U.S. and she's a great teacher. A new beginner class begins August 31st. She has other regular classes, too. Check it out.

Join authentic Chen-style Tai Chi classes in Kansas City or train online. Beginner Taijiquan, silk reeling, Laojia, weapons, private lessons, schedules, and pricing.

08/09/2026

Getting in shape running on a track on the Eastern Kentucky University campus in January, 1975. I was barely 22 years old and had been in martial arts nearly 1 1/2 years.

08/08/2026

This is a competition event I would love to see. I have trained directly with Chen Xiaowang and Chen Xiaoxing and their students, and indirectly with Chen Yu through his disciple Nabil Ranne.

08/01/2026

Teaching is an art in itself. The next guest on my Internal Fighting Arts podcast will be Russ Smith, a teacher and the author of "Principle-Driven Skill Development: Teaching 101." Although he is not necessarily an internal arts teacher, I think this will be of interest to anyone who teaches any martial art. Stay tuned!

07/22/2026

Coming to Seattle at the end of October.

07/20/2026

Bruce Lee died on this day in 1973 — 53 years ago. “Enter the Dragon” came out the following month, and that convinced me to begin studying martial arts. A salute to all those who started in 1973 and are still studying, practicing, learning and teaching. And a deep bow to Bruce.