J Cravens Martial Arts

About
    History

    As of 2021 my martial involvement has spanned 58 years. Starting at 12, I was motivated to start martial arts because of being attacked on the first day that I was coming home from Junior High School. Nothing happened that day, but I asked my Father about self-defense and indicated I should be able to protect myself. I asked my Father about self defense and he indicated I should be able to protect myself. I asked him about taking lessons and he agreed.

    Philosophy

    Martial Art can be studied and appreciated in numerous ways. One can enjoy the art, the science, the competition, the self defense, or the realistic fighting. My own journey started with self defense having been attacked with a knife while walking home from school. The options were few commercially to study anywhere, so word of mouth was the way most people found a place to study.

    People

    This will be a gradually expanding section and will have galleries of masters, teachers, CBII Instructors, CBIA Coaches, CBiA Instructors and CBII Groups.

Products

    Chinese Boxing Synthesis

    This edition documents the entire Chinese Boxing Core Curriculum Synthesis. Some of the styles used to put together this synthesis are: Tai Chi Chuan, Pakua Chang, Hsing-I Chuan, Wing Chun, Fukien White Crane, Wa Lu, Shantung Black Tiger, Stone Killer Monkey boxing, Lo Han, and various methods of Chin na and Shuai Chaio. The theme of Chinese Boxing is the study of realistic martial art focusing on energy and principles. This remains the focus rather than techniques or styles. Using sixteen topical lists, this book covers twelve items on each list. The lists or boards are: Hand or arm, Foot or leg, Defenders, Traversers, Combinations, Unitary Exercises, Strength/Endurance, Chin na, Ground fighting, Collision, Power Projection, Skill Drills, Dueling, Fighting Theory, Mind, and History and Philosophy. These 16 topics are necessary to address if one wants to study Chinese Boxing comprehensively .-- 366 pages and 900 photos -

    "The Boxing"

    A Collection of Writings by Christopher G. Casey with additons by James Cravens

    This book includes a chapter by James Cravens on the training methods of Mr. Casey. Secondly, an article "Aphoristic Principles of Jeet Kune Do" is presented. Thirdly, Mr. Casey's book on "Koushu, Ultimate Mind and Body Discipline" is contained in full minus some of the photographs in the original book. Finally, the "Mind Hit Boxing, Secrets of Kai Sai Kung Fu" is contained in its complete form. Some of the reading is difficult, but the book is in sequence for best results. This book gives insight into an amazing man who made a great contribution to the martial arts, in particular "the boxing." -

    236 pages

    Walu "the Bridge Art"

    Walu "the Bridge Art" By James Cravens. The little known art of Walu. This book documents practically the entire curriculum. 44 Exercises, two forms, three technique sets, and interdiction palm are all discussed. 289 pages-600 photos

    Hand Board

    Hand/Arm Board on the Chinese Boxing Synthesis Curriculum picks a dozen of the important striking actions that are needed.  While there are many more than a dozen one can use the ones picked represent the most used angles that are needed in striking. Read More!

    Foot Board

    In the kicking series we divide the kicks into categories:  Speed Kicks with the Lead Leg, Power Kicks with the Lead Leg, Power Kicks with the Rear Leg, Stop Kicks and a misc. category.  Read More!

    Defenders Board

    The Defenders are protections including blocks and evasions. The focus is on developing a type of defenders that simply help one get from out of critical distance to inside of critical with the least hindrances possible, so one can press to the finish. Read More!

    Traverser Board

    Traversers refers to footwork. Footwork may be the most important area in our art as it provides position to execute the theory of Chinese Boxing. Read More!

    Combinations

    Normally in Chinese Boxing one does not prearrange actions. So in a since, Combinations are developed reflexes and skills to hit. While we do not want to lose our instincts for the Chinese Boxing, WE can have times we need a rapid fire arsenal . This is where combinations come in. We have blitzes , multiple combinations, short combos and misc. Read More!

    Unitary

    Unitary is a series of exercises that we use to make the body more together, particular in developing and increasing power and projection. Read More!

    Projection

    Projection is the study of getting all you can get out of strike for power etc. We study getting power sourced from the ground and we also study a gravity drop to source the power as well. Read More!

    Conditioning
    Chin na

    Chin na is usually small body grappling focused on joints etc. It also includes pressure points projection as well. The key in chin na for Chinese Bpoixing is that it does not dictate what we do but it is used when it can help the job of the CB Encounter get done more efficiently. Read More!

    Collision
    Anti-Grappling

    Anti Grappling study focuses a lot on preventing stagnation on the ground. In realistic fighting this is desirable. While teaching one to become comfortable on the ground, the emphasis is on dealing with a life and death situation with multiple attackers. Read More!

    Skill Drills

    Skill drills are movements usually with a partner that are necessary for executing the Chinese Boxing Theory. The skill drills build into our bodies instincts. When these instincts are developed then dueling is done to test these instincts. When mistakes are made, one goes back to the Skill drills for more training. Read More!

    Duels

    There are many duels in our study. Push Hands, Chi Sao etc. There are countless ways to practice many duels. Keeping focused on the big picture is necessary and not getting lost in the game. Duels can be very safe or can be done with risk. Based on everyones goal, that will determine the exact path of all the dueling training. Read More!

    Fighting Theory

    Fighting Theory study contains the ten Principle of Chinese Boxing and how they work together. Also the study of the CB Encounter is necessary and how each part of entry, touch, and finish work together.. Read More!

    Mind Training

    Mind training involves several studies. The mind development can overcome many shortomings and protecting the mind against the distraction show in fighting, is critical. Read More!

    History-Philosophy

    Philosophy involves the big picture of many areas such as what your reasons are for study and what your goals are and why. History gives us an appreciation of how these things developed that we study and hopefully teaches many lessons. Read More!

Classes
    Broward Health

    Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday each week. You can use a computer, tablet or phone. This virtual class is available by signing up through Broward Health Fitness or Beach Community Center. The people there will give you a link in order to hook up for the class. We teach Yang Style Tai Chi in these classes. Mr Cravens has instructed Tai Chi for over 40 years, You can call Broward Health at 954-355-4386 or Beach Community Center at 954-828-4386 to sign up or ask questions.

    Beach CC

    The Beach Community Center meets on Wednesday and Friday at 8:45. Mr. Cravens has studied Tai Chi for over 40 years and is a senior student to Chen Xiaowang and long time student of Tao Ping Siang. In this class Yang Tai Chi is taught. Loosening the body, basics of Tai Chi and working on Tai Chi movement from the form is all emphasized. Drop by or call BCC at 954-828-4386 for more info.

    Private

    Private in-person classes start with you sending an email to Mr. Cravens to discuss the art you want to work on etc. You should put in the email the times you are limited to meeting. When he returns the email he will let you know the schedule openings he has closest to what you indicate your time availbility days and times are.

    Cost of the private can vary based on how much time Mr. Cravens needs to travel in order to teach you. That will be based on connecting the right times. The general cost of the private is $40 for a 55 minute class. It could be more or less depending on travel time. Use the email button below to submit request. Zoom classes are also available.     EMAIL

    TN Groups

    When I moved from Tennessee to Florida, I started a Chattanooga Group that I would come back and teach every three months. That was about 30 plus years ago and we have continued it and the schedule the 2022 sessions has been set.

    The class focuses on a pretty large curriculum that is a Chinese Boxing Synthesis drawing from the 3 main internal arts along with Wing Chun, White Crane, Walu and other styles that Mr. Casey drew from his studies.

    If you are interested in instruction from Mr. Cravens, you are free to contact him at this     EMAIL. We welcome students or instructors who still have a learning mind and interested in the Chinese Martial Arts.

Contact

CBII

P.O. Box 772922

Coral Springs, FL 33077