Introduction to our new $10 'clips.'

My first computer was a Radio Shack Tandy TRS-80 back in 1982. I set it up in my workout area near my heavy bag. I did not know how to use it, but it made me feel smart and was a constant reminder of where I wanted to go with teaching the arts.

My senior citizen student Ray Willis, who was in his 60's when I taught him and his daughter Linda the coconut break, was a retired computer consultant for the San Diego School District. He was way ahead of his time and helped me learn the fundamentals along with a former student named Scott Record. About that time I also taught a Chinese couple named Chris and Joyce Lee. They were a husband and wife graphics art couple. Another influence in this technology was my former student Grandmaster Kevin Rones of the Black Tiger System. He got me interested in technology for books as well as video productions. George's Camera Shop in San Diego is the largest full supply shop in town. It has been a mainstay for professionals since the mid-60s. I taught the owners son, as well as some of the workers. In return I learned quite a bit. Photography and Print Shop along with the creative part of English were always an interest of mine. Indeed, my former teacher knew quite a bit about these things himself. He encouraged me from the beginning to learn more about shooting photos and editing video. I even have a letter from the late Ed Parker wanting to meet with me to discuss film-making.

My 17 best selling Panther tapes sparked an interest in pioneering a method to be my own production company. We currently have about 12 video titles folks can order by credit card off my site. I also list another 50 or so that we call our 'series #3.' In case you are wondering, Series #1, I refer to as the 10 Panther tapes that primarily deal with Iron Palm. Series #2, I refer to as the 7 tapes Panther did that focus on Dim Mak. Series #3 consists of tapes that are not available from Panther but pick up on the higher levels where Panther leaves off. These, like all the others, I sell on my site are $60. Anyone needing herbs has to be 21 and call first. I offer discounted custom orders for those who have the courage to call and introduce themselves.

What I want to share in this introduction is my latest brainstorm. I decided that any true black belt worth their salt should be able to learn any form from a frontal view. My former teacher would say "there are only so many ways to beat a person up." Everything is 'basics.' A real martial artist who actually worked their way up the ranks in a legitimate school with heavy emphasis on traditional training would be able to learn from a form merely seeing it done once. This is why filming was not allowed at classes or tournaments for decades in the past.

Within the last few weeks I have compiled 50 under 2 meg 'clip' lessons. They show the entire form or meditation. My narration makes them worth the $10 download fee in itself. Folks can merely grab a $10 clip and learn just fine if they are advanced. Others may be beginners willing to spend $10 to pre-view what they 'may' or may not want to learn before ordering a video tape. The physically challenged may wish to pre-view for a small fee to see if they can modify something for their body type.

Our clips are compressed to 15 frames a second. This allows for reasonable download times, which is a necessity to making something like this work. It can lead to private consultations and evolve to include almost real time uploads of web-casts from the home. I think you get the picture. That is all I wanted to share in this initial introduction. I feel if we are to be teachers, we need to reach a global market and start here in America to work the kinks out. This idea could apply to the next generation of cell phones and PDA's as well as wireless laptops. Imagine downloading a $10 meditation over your cell phone to try on your lunch break; so excellent is the teaching narration!

Short clip lessons for $10. (U.S.A. Funds.)

Did you know that the game industry in technology is larger than the movie industry? I bring this up to show you how smart kids are. For the price of a movie a kid can get a new computer game. What analysts are learning is that the movie develops no skill that is computer related as well as the dexterity of hand/eye coordination used in gaming. These kids, because of gaming skills, can operate in the field of nonchalant creativity using their hands and fingers sub-consciously to get these small PDA's, Laptops and cell phones to actually work as creative 'tools' to their advantage in 'learning.' The martial arts are about being able to see and re-create physically. My brain storm of bringing this evolutionary way of teaching to the web is unique in many ways. There are of course pros and cons. That being sad, a wise person looks for similarities and cooperation.

Similarities:

Granted, not all of us had the privilege of working our way up the ranks in a traditional school with good lineage and a known instructor. That, in my opinion, would be someone who would benefit most from the 'clip' lessons at ten dollars each. The reason I say this is because I know that there is no clip that I personally could not learn this way. You would have to appreciate that in the past, it would not be allowed to film the forms during class, let alone tournaments in the old days. So therefore, clearly those of us who are legitimate black belts would most all agree that as long as the form presented is learnable to an already skilled martial artist well versed in universal basics, it is worth the $10. This method of teaching must be objective and articulate in the download 'description.' By this I am referring to letting the prospective purchaser know the name of the form, the quality of tape it was shot on originally before digitization, the frame rate reduction to 15 frames per second and the resolution size for file transfer purposes, as in the popular 320x240. I call this service sensitivity as there are NO REFUNDS on these clips. The more articulate I can be objectively critiquing the pros and cons of each clip the better the buyer can make an informed educated decision as to whether they would benefit. Some will buy these short clips to get 'previews,' to help them decide if a form or meditation will be right for their skill level, body type or desire at the time.

Always obey all laws regarding self-defense. Always consult you doctor before learning any of these clips and realize you learn at your own risk. Seek the guidance of a competent instructor if you are a beginner to intermediate student. Remember that a two-person form may be shown as a solo form in 'short-hand version.' What this means is that the solo form may only show one side, and then the man jee kuen (10,000 temple step,) turn-around so as to signify what direction to redo the form. Rather than re-do the form though, another man jee step or (cross over,) step is shown so that one is facing the direction they started. This is then the point where any finishing moves and finishing salutation are shown. In the case of weapons from the archived footage from 1971, these will be the most challenging and poorest quality of all the downloads. Nevertheless these are not whushu, but the source of all modern Shaolin; thus direct five elder lineage. The fact that you are seeing the people that learned them first back then, just good enough for them to re-do with a refined flow is great ambiance, let alone that these were the first Americans certified in these forms back in the 70's.

Cooperation:

To be objective, let me reiterate that the quality of these clips varies. The oldest footage is in the series of 22 weapon forms. Some of the clips we will make available in our overall offerings were originally VHS. Others were VHS-C, 8MM, Hi-8 or digital. There are no refunds on these clips, so e-mail me first at mewhing@earthlink.net or call me at (619) 766-9256 if you have questions you need answered before you purchase. Remember this: You must be willing to sign up with PayPal (There is no charge to sign up with PayPal) to participate in this method of learning. Go to their site at www.paypal.com for straight forward simple information on how to join. Once a member you can purchase from a wide variety of clips we will be adding every few months to the tune of 50 new at a time. We hope this has laid an informative enough back-drop for you to decide intelligently if this is something you would like to try. We think it is very cutting edge and we look forward to enriching your experience of learning via on-line, and especially via affordable priceless lineage short lessons.

If you have futher questions feel free to contact me directly at (619) 766-9256 or e-mail me at mewhing@earthlink.net.

We hope you enjoy this new 'twist' on home study video exchange certification that we pioneered in 1991 with Mew Hing Productions.

In closing this introduction editorial up, let me emphasize that I am not one to waste old footage. It has an ambiance of its own. What I do believe in is progress. Mew Hing Productions is committed to staying on the cutting edge of technology to facilitate in greater sensitivity, less indolence, value on substance over glitter and the personal touch that I bring with the concept of quality over quantity.

You need herbs to train in true internal fashion. Because I insist you call first and be over 21, it gives us a chance to talk and get to know each other a bit. This is important because it takes 15 years of diligent yearly testing to reach Master Shi Fu, under me. Many get our information, learn and teach it out. They even drift from our authentic ranking system. More power to them, however, those of you wanting authenticity will want to see if the person teaching you has my endorsement to teach and certify any of our material. Only what is listed on a student instructor of mine's certification is what they have my blessing to teach and certify others in. If they cannot provide certification from me for what they are teaching of my art, contact me to make sure you have the opportunity to test officially and that you can finish what you start. Testing yearly without skipping a beat takes a very real and special martial artist. Most poop out or rest on their laurels or even a Lohon Title. That is reality…as my former teacher would say, "only the strong survive." I worked my way up the ranks to black belt, 5th dan and Master and Grandmaster. I have the documents and the ultimate 'hidden art of kung fu.' It is up to you new and old students to look at Lohon Matheny as a role model. He never missed a test or got less than an A score in 11 years! Numbers are one thing; skill and walking the walk are another. Check what your teacher offers and demand to see proof they are certified by me to teach and certify others in the forms or meditation you wish to learn. When in doubt, learn from me, the Grandmaster (Jung Shee) directly. I support all my instructor students that are certified by me to teach only forms listed on a certification I personally signed.

One more thing about Lohon Matheny's character; each year he tested he unconditionally shared the material back into the 18 Daoist Palms System as a contribution production. That is class. That is commitment, and that is cooperation at the highest level. In closing, my son Michael will be the heir to the 18 Daoist Palms System when I die. He is my oldest son, a Gemini/Tiger. He is a great surfer and will produce tapes for me in the future. Mike was born in 1974. I taught him martial arts when he was 2 years old. I put him in one of the finest wrestling schools in San Diego when he was five years old. He is only 28 this June 2002, but look for him in the future.

Sincerely, Jim Lacy

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