Training is such a blast. As we’re no longer running the mountain with weight (that phase of leg conditioning is over), our time now is devoted largely to basic Long Fist training which includes fundamental stances, footwork, punches and kicks. Most of what we’re doing at this point are moves derived from Lien Bu Chuan, the first Long Fist sequence. Shifu (Dr.Yang) leads this training and does a great job to ensure that we’re thoroughly exhausted by the end of it. Above all else, I enjoy this training the most. This is my favorite part of the day!
One area that we’ve all noticeably improved in is our stance work and sense of root. Previously we held mabu (horse stance) while standing on single bricks (long way up). We fell so many times in the beginning. As we continued to train, our stability improved and we’ve since progressed to training on 2 bricks. Just yesterday Shifu encouraged us to try 3 bricks! After a few uneasy attempts (meaning terrifying falls!), many of us actually managed to maintain our balance. Standing on 3 bricks and doing jing (martial power) on 3 bricks are 2 different things, but it’s a start. If anybody is interested in developing a greater sense of root for stance work, training mabu on bricks is a great and practical method.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Craig and Kai Visit the Retreat Center
Last week our friend Craig (documentary) and Rii’s (documentary) son Kai stopped by for a few days. This was the first time we got to meet Kai, it was fun hanging out with him. He brought his skateboard which was a great time. I used to love to skate back when I was in grade school all the way through high school. When I hopped onto Kai’s board it took a little time and a few falls to get the feeling back. But once I got used to it, I landed some of my old tricks…kick flips, heel flips and even a 360 kick flip. It was quite a rush and brought back old memories. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to skate that much as we had business to take care of.
The main purpose for Craig’s visit was to get more footage for the documentary and also to shoot the first of our upcoming online instructional video series demonstrating taijiquan applications. We spent 2 days shooting. The first day Patrick and I got filmed demonstrating applications using coiling from the opening movement of the Taijiquan form. The next day it was Ricardo and Jon performing “Grasp Sparrows Tail Right.” We had to both demonstrate and explain the movements step by step. To be honest, this first video shoot I was a little nervous at first…I think we all were. But after about a half hour I felt more comfortable and it ended up being fun and a great learning experience. Our purpose for making these online videos is to educate the public as to the many applications within the Taiji form, to get experience instructing and developing training/educational material, and also to raise awareness of the Retreat Center project. I’ll keep everybody posted as to their release dates.
The main purpose for Craig’s visit was to get more footage for the documentary and also to shoot the first of our upcoming online instructional video series demonstrating taijiquan applications. We spent 2 days shooting. The first day Patrick and I got filmed demonstrating applications using coiling from the opening movement of the Taijiquan form. The next day it was Ricardo and Jon performing “Grasp Sparrows Tail Right.” We had to both demonstrate and explain the movements step by step. To be honest, this first video shoot I was a little nervous at first…I think we all were. But after about a half hour I felt more comfortable and it ended up being fun and a great learning experience. Our purpose for making these online videos is to educate the public as to the many applications within the Taiji form, to get experience instructing and developing training/educational material, and also to raise awareness of the Retreat Center project. I’ll keep everybody posted as to their release dates.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Update From the Past
(Originally written about 4 weeks ago, I've had trouble accessing my blog and so this is a long overdue update)
There’s been quite a bit going on these past few weeks. Mike has been gone for a while now and training is back to normal.
We’ve had a number of candidates visit the Center for testing. Jachym from Switzerland, Enrico from Italy, Zach from California and we have more coming. Shifu is making his final selections to determine which of the candidates will become disciples this August. From what I understand, Shifu will accept 3 or 4 at the most and that’s it for the remaining 9 years of the 10 year program.
Jons magazine article in “Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine” is out now. Its about jumping and how it relates to martial arts. I took some of the photos used in his article so it was cool seeing them published in a magazine. Good job Jon on your article.
We had testing this past weekend on most of the physical training that we’ve done since the beginning of the school year this past September. What we tested:
-Taijiquan form, applications, and jing (power).
-2 methods of rooting and dantian training; 1 including a staff and the other using ones hand. The objective being to cause your opponent to lose root while maintaining your own.
-Cinderblock throwing: tossing a cinderblock filled with concrete up in the air and catching it with one or both hands. A great way to strengthen the hands including grip for practicing chin-na (joint locking).
-Speed Training-Basically moving your hands and arms in various patterns as fast as possible for a certain amount of time.
-Staff Training (using a traditional staff as well as a “speed staff” -For both speed and technique
-Tumbling-Cartwheels, roundoffs, headsprings, handsprings, aerials, rolls, dives, headstands,handstands
-Running up the mountain with 50lbs on our backs. All of us here agree, this is an absolute killer!
-Jumping: jumping for height, speed, and with added weight.
I think I did well in most areas although there are definitely things I need to improve in. The biggest area is jumping over a stick held at waist, chest, and shoulder height. Shifu holds the stick at a certain level and then we’re supposed to run towards it, jump and dive over it into a roll. All without touching the stick. This for me is difficult. I know I’m capable of doing it, but years ago when I took gymnastics I had a bad experience and now whenever its my turn to go, I psyche myself out thinking I might break my neck…and so I don’t do as well.
When the weather clears up well finish testing with rope climbing, pull ups and dips.
Now that the “body conditioning stage” has ended, we have moved into techniques. These include fundamental shoalin stances, punches, kicks and harder forms of conditioning and strength training. Now the fun truly begins!
There’s been quite a bit going on these past few weeks. Mike has been gone for a while now and training is back to normal.
We’ve had a number of candidates visit the Center for testing. Jachym from Switzerland, Enrico from Italy, Zach from California and we have more coming. Shifu is making his final selections to determine which of the candidates will become disciples this August. From what I understand, Shifu will accept 3 or 4 at the most and that’s it for the remaining 9 years of the 10 year program.
Jons magazine article in “Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine” is out now. Its about jumping and how it relates to martial arts. I took some of the photos used in his article so it was cool seeing them published in a magazine. Good job Jon on your article.
We had testing this past weekend on most of the physical training that we’ve done since the beginning of the school year this past September. What we tested:
-Taijiquan form, applications, and jing (power).
-2 methods of rooting and dantian training; 1 including a staff and the other using ones hand. The objective being to cause your opponent to lose root while maintaining your own.
-Cinderblock throwing: tossing a cinderblock filled with concrete up in the air and catching it with one or both hands. A great way to strengthen the hands including grip for practicing chin-na (joint locking).
-Speed Training-Basically moving your hands and arms in various patterns as fast as possible for a certain amount of time.
-Staff Training (using a traditional staff as well as a “speed staff” -For both speed and technique
-Tumbling-Cartwheels, roundoffs, headsprings, handsprings, aerials, rolls, dives, headstands,handstands
-Running up the mountain with 50lbs on our backs. All of us here agree, this is an absolute killer!
-Jumping: jumping for height, speed, and with added weight.
I think I did well in most areas although there are definitely things I need to improve in. The biggest area is jumping over a stick held at waist, chest, and shoulder height. Shifu holds the stick at a certain level and then we’re supposed to run towards it, jump and dive over it into a roll. All without touching the stick. This for me is difficult. I know I’m capable of doing it, but years ago when I took gymnastics I had a bad experience and now whenever its my turn to go, I psyche myself out thinking I might break my neck…and so I don’t do as well.
When the weather clears up well finish testing with rope climbing, pull ups and dips.
Now that the “body conditioning stage” has ended, we have moved into techniques. These include fundamental shoalin stances, punches, kicks and harder forms of conditioning and strength training. Now the fun truly begins!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
