POST 54 June2025 THACH BAN, The Marble Table

 Welcome to Post 54

Summer is coming!

Be HAPPY

POST 54 June2025  

THACH BAN, The Marble Table

		www.vietchidaoofficial.blogspot.com POST 54 June 2025  THACH BAN: The Marble Table   Master Charles Phan Hoang
		POST 54  THACH BAN  The Marble Table In the stillness of discipline, strength is shaped. THACH BAN, or “The Marble Table”, is a series of six refined movements—solid, unmoving, eternal. Like stone shaped by centuries of wind and water, these forms cultivate resilience, calm, and unwavering presence. Rooted in the Deep and Stillness routine, THACH BAN invites the practitioner to embody the strength of silence. Each motion flows with intention, each pause echoes with meaning. For the advanced disciple, these six postures are more than form—they align with the Six Strategic Considerations, offering a path not only through the body, but through the mind and spirit. Stand firm. Move with clarity. Return to stillness.   Stillness Training   Stillness training is an internal martial arts practice that focuses on cultivating a peaceful state of awareness. This method uses specific postures as physical supports, encouraging stillness and mental clarity. The training routine involves selecting one or more postures to focus on, positioning your body correctly, and remaining still for as long as your body can comfortably support. Breathing should be slow and deep throughout the practice.   The power of stillness training lies in its ability to develop inner strength, mental clarity, deep concentration, introspection, and readiness for action.  In this Post, you will find six postures to practice.   Six Strategic Considerations Strategy is a complex and expansive domain, relevant to all those involved in conflict, whether as adversaries or as allies. In Vietnamese martial arts, six key elements—Thiên, Thời, Địa, Tụ, Bình, and Quân—serve as symbolic representations of core strategic principles. These terms are not merely words but they carry deep, broader meanings that shape the foundation of strategic thought.   Thiên - Sky Sky symbolizes vision and perspective. A strategist must cultivate a broad, far-reaching view of the world, extending their awareness beyond the immediate situation. This involves understanding the environment in which the conflict is taking place, but also anticipating the long-term consequences—what the aftermath will look like for both sides, including potential losses and gains. The sky is also a metaphor for long-term planning and the ultimate goal of the conflict. A skilled strategist must always look beyond the present, considering the full scope of the struggle and its lasting effects.   Thời - Timing Timing is often the difference between success and failure. It is crucial to align actions with the right moment, ensuring that moves are executed at precisely the correct time. Effective timing involves not only executing one's own plan at the right moment but also disrupting the opponent’s timing—forcing them into a misstep or error in judgment. A well-timed action can tip the scales of the conflict in one’s favor, while poor timing can lead to failure. Accuracy in timing, therefore, is an essential element of strategy.   Địa - Earth Earth represents the foundation and resources that support any conflict. This includes the practical aspects of strategy: the supply lines, logistical support, and the technical expertise needed to engage effectively. A chosen strategy must be compatible with the available resources and capabilities; without adequate preparation and support, even the most brilliant plan can fall apart. Earth reminds the strategist to ensure that their approach is grounded in reality, with the resources and training necessary to bring it to fruition.   Tụ - Focus Focus is the art of concentrating one’s efforts on a singular goal. A successful strategy requires laser-like focus—mobilizing all available resources and actions toward a common objective. This not only means directing efforts toward the primary target but also involves rallying the support of allies. Focus involves eliminating distractions and ensuring that every action serves the ultimate purpose. It is about prioritizing what matters most and committing fully to the mission.   Bình - Peace Peace symbolizes safety, stability, and happiness. In strategic terms, this concept suggests that the ultimate goal of conflict may not always be victory through destruction, but rather the achievement of peace with minimal loss. A strategist must weigh the costs and benefits of pursuing a conflict to its end. While some may opt for a strategy aimed at achieving total victory, others may choose a path of de-escalation, aiming for peace with fewer casualties and risks. Throughout history, the most revered generals were often those who excelled in avoiding war, rather than those who sought to win at all costs.   Quân - King The King represents power and authority. Every strategist must understand who holds the real power on each side of the conflict. This includes identifying key figures, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and recognizing their limitations. A strategist must be aware of the broader power dynamics at play, and tailor their approach accordingly. The role of the King also symbolizes the importance of leadership and decision-making in shaping the course of a conflict.   In summary, these six considerations—Thiên, Thời, Địa, Tụ, Bình, and Quân—provide a framework for understanding and developing effective strategies. Whether in martial arts, military conflicts, or other forms of competition, these principles offer timeless guidance for those seeking to navigate the complexities of strategy. (Master Charles Phan Hoang, Post 54, June 2025)

END OF POST 54 June 2025

POST 53 MAY2025 SINH LO Quyen Introduction, Video, 5 cards

WELCOME TO POST 53

Enjoy the beauty of this season 

POST 53 MAY2025  

SINH LO Quyen 

Introduction, 

Video,

 5 cards 

 

 

Post 53  -May 2025   SINH  LO Quyen           Master Phan Hoang

SINH LO is not merely a Quyền—it is a path, a breath, a silent song in motion. Though it stands among the highest forms, understood fully only by seasoned practitioners, its gestures flow with such natural grace that even a beginner may follow their shape—like tracing the wind across water. It carries no strikes, no blows. Instead, it is a quiet offering to peace, a practice shaped by the spirit of friendship and the nobility of the human heart. Still, it remains, at its core, a refined expression of martial art—subtle, disciplined, and powerful in its restraint. It can be practiced as a dynamic form, full of life and rhythm; or gently, as a dance of flexibility and softness; or as a meditative journey into Nội-Công, the cultivation of inner energy. Within its flowing lines lie ancient pathways: the twelve meridians, the cycles of breath, the circulation of vital energy. Breathing and movement unite, creating harmony between body and spirit. Its inner teachings are whispered through a poem—its verses sung in both French and English, set to the melody of a traditional Vietnamese song. This music is more than accompaniment; it is the soul of the form made audible. We chose to call it Kata, a word familiar to many martial artists, instead of Quyền, not to change its nature, but to invite all practitioners—regardless of school or style—into the shared space of discovery, where true Friendship can arise beyond borders. From this moment on, SINH LO belongs to no single discipline. It is a gift I left in the open, an inheritance for all. Those who know it are free to share it, to teach it, to let it live on in others. Phan-Hoang Midday, October 21, 2005 Deli’s Café, 9 rue Soufflot, Paris

         VIDEO SINH LO Quyen

               HISTORIC PICTURES
   

                                                       Master Phan Hoang, Petrie Island 2005

 END POST 53 , May 2025

POST 52 April2025 Form Tam Kien Vietnamese Martial Arts- Historic pictures

 

Welcome to Post 52

Enjoy spring weather 

and the precious form

 TAM KIEN (Perseverance)

POST 52 April2025  

Form Tam Kien Vietnamese Martial Arts

- Historic pictures

-Tam Kien : King Le-Loi model 

 

		POST 52, April 2025   TAM KIEN
		Tam Kien is one of the five core "quyen" (forms or kata) in Vietnamese modern martial art VO-VIET. In this April 2025 Post 52, we present an exceptional series of photographs featuring Tam Kien, performed by the Grandmaster and founder Charles Phan Hoang in 2006, when he was 70 years old. These images were taken by the Ottawa River, which unfortunately limited the ability to capture all movements in their proper directional alignment. However, this historic collection still showcases every movement of the Tam Kien form

 

 

 

		TAM KIEN: Model of Perseverance
		King Lê Lợi’s Art of War The Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), one of China’s most powerful imperial dynasties, succeeded the Yuan Dynasty. In the early 15th century, during the reign of Emperor Yongle (1402–1424), Ming forces invaded and occupied Dai-Viet (northern part of modern-day Vietnam). The Vietnamese, led by the national hero Lê Lợi, launched a fierce resistance campaign that spanned over a decade. By 1427, Lê Lợi's forces had successfully defeated the Ming army, prompting their withdrawal. This victory paved the way for the establishment of the Lê Dynasty, marking a new era of an independent and sovereign Vietnam. King Lê Lợi stands as a pivotal figure in Vietnam’s 15th-century history. His success was largely due to his mastery of guerrilla warfare, his ability to rally popular support, form strategic alliances, use psychological warfare, and his long-term vision for the nation’s future. Starting with limited resources and an army primarily composed of local peasants and farmers, Lê Lợi capitalized on the advantages offered by the terrain. He struck quickly and retreated swiftly before the Ming could mount an effective counterattack. His forces used their deep knowledge of the local landscape to outmaneuver the larger, more powerful Ming army. From the outset of his resistance, Lê Lợi worked to cultivate an image as a liberator of the Vietnamese people, rather than merely a nationalist leader. He spread a message of national unity and justice, positioning himself as a defender of the common people. This approach made him a symbol of hope and inspired widespread support for his cause.   A key figure in Lê Lợi’s success was Nguyễn Trãi, a brilliant military strategist and advisor. Nguyễn Trãi not only contributed invaluable military strategies but also authored the famous “Great Proclamation of Victory,” which celebrated the defeat of the Ming forces and solidified Lê Lợi's legitimacy as a leader.   Perhaps Lê Lợi's most remarkable quality was his patience. The war against the Ming lasted a decade, with guerrilla warfare as the backbone of his strategy. Despite the overwhelming odds, Lê Lợi avoided rash confrontations, always ensuring his forces were prepared. His long-term vision was clear: he understood that the success of the resistance would depend on carefully gathering the necessary resources and building sustained popular support over time.

 

 END POST 52              April 2025