Gene Ching | Shaolin, Fencing, Tai Chi, Rock Medicine, Journalism | Ep.16

Transformations with Mark V. Wiley

Gene Ching is a 32nd generation layman disciple of the original Shaolin Temple of China and was the publisher of Kung Fu Tai Chi magazine until it ceased in May 2020. He is a staff writer for YMAA Publication Center, has been writing professionally since 1991, has authored hundreds of martial arts articles, and over a hundred scripts for martial arts instructional videos. Gene represented the U.S.A. on the AAU A Team at the 1991 Jinan International Traditional Martial Arts where he captured 2nd place in weapons. He is a certified Military Provost at Arms in the sport of fencing and competed in the NCAA for SJSU in the early 80s. In the late 80s, he earned his living making swords for The Armoury, a division of American Fencers Supply Co that focused on combat-worthy historical replicas for theater, film and recreationist gatherings. In 2017-2018, Gene served as a weapons expert on El Rey Network’s Man at Arms: Art of War with Danny Trejo. Gene sits on the Advisory Boards of Rock Medicine and JMED, two separate organizations devoted to providing medical care at concerts, gatherings and music festivals. His expertise is in the de-escalation of intense psychedelic reactions. Beyond YMAA, Gene also writes for KungFuOnline, Den of Geek, and UNESCO ICM. Gene resides near San Francisco CA.

#kungfu #Shaolin #Fencing

0:00 Introduction

2:17 Early introduction to fighting arts, obsession with weapons, Valley Forge, PA

5:29 Judo, Shotokan, kendo, fencing, wing lam kung fu

6:38 Western fencing, epee, training camp, Michael D’Asaro, USA Fencing Team, Also Nadi, Bruce Lee

12:06 Rumination on Western fencing and Chinese swordsmanship, sword training, designing for American Fencing Supply Co.

18:47 30 years with Sifu Wing Lam, Northern Shaolin, Sun Tai Chi, Hung Ga, Sun Jian Yun

22:53 Moving meditation, Zhang Zhuan, Dit Da

24:34 Samurai films, Seven Samurai, Zatoichi, Shaw Bros.

26:30 Healing arts, Wing Lam, Five Branches Institute, Ted Mancuso, Adam Hsu

29:08 One-sided fencing and injuries, EDMs

31:27 KungFu Tai Chi Magazine, Separating from Wing Lam 35:40 Mainland kung-fu comes to the Bay Area, Modern Wushu vs. Traditional Kung-fu

41:40 What is Shaolin kung-fu? Why traditional kung-fu is sustainable in aging while wushu is not

48:35 Becoming a Shaolin disciple, Shaolin curriculum

59:11 Kung-fu Writing, Interviewing, Publishing and AI

1:08:04 Sword making, East and West for training, theater, and belly dancing

1:14:38 De-escalation of psychedelic trips at concerts, rock medicine, Grateful Dead, US, Fish

1:23:18 How the internet brought dying arts and Chinese weapons to light, Chinese Historical Society of America, Brule Lee display, Chinese weapons display

1:31:43 What’s next for Gene Ching? Choreographing a wu-xia comics, Shaolin event, Sandiego Comic-Con, Tiger Claw League Championships

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