Podcasts

The White Crane Podcast

‘…a friendly voice in your ear’.
These podcast episodes are short 5 minute snippets of information, inspiration, and ideas.

Why you should be kickboxing
Mark’s completely biased opinion on why kickboxing is great – and better than the gym!

Kung Fu & Kickboxing for Fitness
5 reasons that the arts of Kung Fu and kickboxing are so good for your all round physical and mental fitness!

Your First Lesson
Mark speaks briefly about what you can expect in your first class at White Crane Academy (and other reputable martial Arts clubs). It can be daunting starting a new activity but at WCA we’re a friendly bunch and we were all beginners once, so we know exactly how you feel!

Just Do It
A tip on how to get active on a cold, dark night…

How White Crane Online can help if you haven’t exercised for a while
Getting fit and healthy can seem like a daunting task, learn how our online tai chi community can help.

A Winter Training Tip
How to approach your physical training in winter – the most yin time of the year

What learning tai chi moves and frying a small fish have in common
Ideas on learning more effectively

Learning – a long term approach.
Inspiration and tips on how to learn things such as a martial art, a language – something that takes a long time.

What to do when you can’t be bothered to train!?
Join Mark as he’s feeling lazy on a Friday afternoon and would rather laze around on his sofa than train. Yes, it does happen!

Be Like Water
The The Tao Te Ching is awash with references to water. Soft, gentle, yielding, weak – but ultimately powerful and overcoming. How to think about this in your training and life?

Community
One of the sometimes overlooked benefits of martial arts training – the sense of community that it offers, something many people are possibly lacking in this day and age.

A Simple Morning Practice
Mark shares a very simple morning mindful routine, which could very well make your day completely awesome!

Introduction to Yin Yang Theory
Mark talks a little about the concept of yin and yang and how it can be used to explain natural phenomena, life, and martial arts theory.

Relaxation Within Tension
Start to learn how to see areas of relaxation within tense or stressful situations – this is applicable in our everyday lives, as it is in physical training.

Using martial arts as a template for success
How your martial arts training can help you succeed in other areas of your life.

Meditation and Defragmentation
an analogy between meditation and how a computer works!

How to decide what to do?
a tip on how to avoid decision fatigue when training

The Fusion Podcast – Mark Stevenson and Sal Jefferies

Fusion is a bringing together of modern psychology, yoga, and the principles of martial arts training, into a cohesive system for the benefit of the mind, body and breath. We teach workshops in the UK, bringing these ideas to life!
We try to keep these podcasts to about 15-20 mins in length.

How to start your day – part 2
This time around, Sal interviews Mark on how he generally starts the day.

How to start your day – part 1
Over the next two episodes Sal and Mark will speak a little about how they start their day and any routines they may have, as well as tips and tricks on how to set yourself up for a great day!

Workshop review and looking ahead to Fusion: tension and relaxation
A fusion of martial arts, yoga, psychology, fitness and strength – brought to you by Sal Jefferries: mindset coach and yoga teacher, and Mark Stevenson: qigong, tai chi, kung fu and kickboxing instructor.

Mindful Everyday Movements
Expanding on the themes to be explored in their next workshop, Mark and Sal cover movements we all make on a daily basis, how training can help improve these movement patterns and being mindful of our posture will help keep aches and pains at bay.

Learning
Mark and Sal talk about long term learning – tips on how to approach educating yourself and making it a part of your life.

Body Language
Drawing from psychology, yoga and martial arts we talk explore the world of unspoken communication.

Balance
We explore balance in life, balance between in physical training, as well as the physical act of balancing your body.

Presence – Awareness – Attention
How to get the most out of your training with tips and ideas on how to be focussed before, during and after your training session, yoga class, or visit to the gym.
We touch on the hidden depths of training and the huge impact it can have on those around you.

Sal Interviews Mark
In this episode, the tables are turned and Sal interviews Mark about his, and White Crane Academy’s evolution, the current state of training and what the future might hold.

Mark interviews Sal
In our first Fusion podcast, Mark interviews Sal Jefferies, his friend and colleague in a new partnership to bring together the worlds of martial arts, yoga and psychology. Sal has a fascinating background and a unique perspective on things. Enjoy!