Running + Kung Fu = Tonight's Class

Tonight we started off by doing our White Belt form. If the instructor found any kind of problems, then we had to do 10 squats for each one. He managed to find 5(whether there were 5 or not, I do not know). So 50 Squats later we ended up running 10 "laps" back and forth on the mat. I probably should not have run as fast as I did, but it's ok I lived. 

After the running was done(actually more like sprints) We did some combinations. Starting with:

-Front Backfist

-Reverse Hook Punch

It was pretty fun. While each person was doing their combinations, the other 2 of us had to do push ups. After that we did 20 "laps" of this side stepping thing.

Following the sidestepping, we did stances. Then another combination I don't remember that much.

Overall today was a really physical day. Great exercise the whole class, plus I learned I can walk on my hands for like 5 feet then I fall down :D

Until next time though, Good night!

-Steve

Kind of a weird class

Today the class was not anything even really remotely related to our curriculum. We got into 2 groups of 5 each and blindfolded each other and attacked each other with various attacks.

I ended ups throwing someone which was fun and I managed to get tossed several times by the others in my group.

It was fun, but in all seriousness, I would have rather been doing our curriculum. Today I didn't really learn anything. Hopefully Friday will be better. Billy is going on vacation for a couple weeks I guess. So I wonder who will teach the class. Perhaps Sensei, who knows.

Next week is Christmas and the dojo is closed on wednesday and thursday so I won't have one class next week probably. Unless I go tuesday, but we will see.

Until next time, Good night.

-Steve

A Little late post

Today there was only 2 of us in class so we just did whatever we needed to do.

I learned all 5 of the defenses for Advanced White Belt and I got a paper to help me remember them. They are quite a bit more complex than the White Belt ones, but I think I am making good progress. I just need to practice against the air at home. The one that has me the worst is where I have to step left and punch right, my body doesn't get the power I think it needs from that punch. I also need to work both sides of the defense for if the attacker gets your shoulder. I am pretty solid on the right side, but my left is incredibly weak. Gotta work on that.

I also got some tips on some areas I need to work on a little more with the Form. I need to pay special attention to the transitions between a few of the motions as well as make sure my stances are correct. After that I need to work on my regular 8 stances and get them solid and lower.

After that of course I can work on fluidity. However, I feel the need to perfect all the little things before I connect them. The form is getting there, the defenses not so much yet. I have plenty of time though, so it's not a big deal.

That is gonna do it for tonight, good night everyone! It's 3:15 am here and I am beyond tired.

-Steve

New Stuff

Today we spent a lot of time on our form. It is going really well. After that I learned a couple of the Defenses for the next Belt. It was a pretty cool class, I am gonna be working on getting my Form to be more fluid now since I have all of the stuff done, it's just making it look better now.

I don't really have much to say about it. Was a normal day.

-Steve

With the new Belt comes New Curriculum

Today was forms day. All of us who were present did all forms the whole time. My Instructor seems to be impressed with me and my speed of learning. 

My form is the 8 strikes from No Belt to Advanced White Belt.

It takes all of the movements from the No Belt kata and expands the form by adding 4 more pieces to the form. It is a lot of fun and a lot of work to do. I love it.

I haven't yet learned any of the Defenses, but as a refresher I have been going over the ones I learned to get my White Belt.

-Crushing Hammer(Bear Hug)

-Delayed Sword(Right Shirt Grab)

-Opposing Sword(Left Hook)

-Alternating Maces(2 Handed Push)

-Deflecting Hammer(Right Snap Kick)

I have also learned the last 4 stances as well to add onto the previous stances in succession.

It is a lot of work and is far from easy, but I love it. I have been doing everything to the best of my ability and the only thing I feel I really need to work on is making everything flow better together, but of course I have only been doing this for a couple days now with the new stuff, so I am sure it will only get deeper(something my instructor wants me to get down with a couple stances) and smoother(the other thing he wants me to work on).

Next week we will probably begin learning the defenses, so I will have more new stuff to blog on here about, I can't wait. Until then, Good night!

-Steve

WHITE BELT!

So today I had my White Belt test and I passed!

I am very much excited!

They didn't just give it to us either, it was a lot of work for that belt but it was totally worth it!

After the test the belts were laid out in front of us with ceremonial meaning in the shape of an L.

The L stands for 3 things:

-Learning

-Longevity

-Love

He tied the belt on us as well and while tying mine he asked me if I remember my first class. I told him yeah and he said:

"I didn't know what you would think about it at first, didn't know if you were gonna stick in it. But I am glad that you did, congratulations."

I just smiled and said thank you.

The test only took about 20 minutes since there was only 2 of us, so right after that we went on to learning the new curriculum. It's awesome. I love Kung Fu. That's it for tonight, good night!

-Steve