這幾個禮拜魏力，大龍和我開始復習六合刀。　我們練了好幾天但是師傅只說暫時我們打得ok，而只叫我們要求身法而多練一大堆。　

技擊法上
師傅開始讓我練後手防和前手防。師傅說我弧度要大一點才能防好。還有我要用掌去防，不能用腕。

對大龍，現在師傅是要求他百分百防的住我和魏力的發拳。　
對魏力，師傅要他前手發的比較合格。

踩腿
師傅叫我從越遠的距離打而同時學起距離感。最重要的是我要丟我的腰，不能扣在後面。

魏力和大龍現在是相反的問題。　大龍是他前手沒有用肩膀。　魏力就是後手有問題。

師傅說這個技擊法是飛進去的，我們先在學怎麽防同時學怎麽飛進去。　

The past two weeks, we've been reviewing the broadsword form. Additionally, Will and Darryl have been doing the DuiLian set.

Mostly for the broadsword set, it's about doing it more and with more shenfa. Master says that we know the moves, it's a matter of ingraining them into our bodies. So he says we need to practice much much more.

Combat Skills
Master said that my blocking needs to be larger. I need to use more shenfa to block rather than swiping at people's hands. Additionally, I should not use my wrists to block, it's best to use my palms.

For Darryl, it's about blocking 100% of our attacks now. Secondly, Master keeps telling him to keep his guard up.

For Will, his left punch needs to use more shoulder, there's something off with it.

Stomp Kick
Master said that I need to focus on using it further out, and to learn to gauge distance.

For Darryl and Will, they have the opposite problem. Darryl's first punch is off. Will's second punch comes too shallow and slow.

Reboot~

大龍回來了~
昨晚師傅說大龍和我的搖肩晃膀弧度不夠活而非自然。我們練三步兩拳的時候，師傅說要身法爲主，步法配合身法，步法活身體就也活， 而如果沒有身法什麽都沒有。 他也說自然門的優點就是我們的身法。 步法上，師傅說我們走的因該有抓地的感覺，而每一步都有佔的感覺。

發拳的時候，師傅說我出拳太直了，因該比較斜。

我發拳和大龍防手的時候，師傅說大龍的身法不夠大而也不自然， 所有的移動都從身法來的， 所以說師傅一直強調身法。

後來我們練了八步勾。 師傅強調身法所以我們練得比較慢但動作是完完的。師傅說身法也是練彈力， 就是説動作要完成但身法使用的是力量和彈力（變化的速度）。

Darryl is back!
Last night, Master kept telling Darryl and I that we need to make our shoulder movements larger and more natural. When practicing the three step/two punch drill, Master said that we should pay attention to our shenfa. In addition, he said that our stepping should match/accompany our shenfa. Once the stepping becomes alive, the body will become alive. But, if there is no shenfa, then there's nothing. Master said that Ziranmen's advantage is its shenfa. Everything comes from our shenfa.On stepping, Master said that each step should be like we're grasping the ground with our feet and we should have a sticky feeling with the ground.

On punching, Master said my punches are too narrow, they need to come out at more of an angle.

When Darryl was blocking my punches, Master said that Darryl needs to be more natural with his shenfa while I need to just have more.

Later, Darryl and I did the 8 step hooks form. Master said that when doing it, we should focus on our shenfa. Master that we must pay attention to our shenfa for it to appear and become natural. We practicing slower and made each movement complete and full. Additionally, Master said that shenfa also embodies an ability to bounce from one movement to another. He said it had a bouncing energy to it. I understand it as meaning that the gap between each movement is quicker while retaining the power of each move. Therefore, shenfa is used for accessing power and speed.

Last night,
Master had us practice BaBuGou as best as we could. I hurt my wrist awhile ago, and while I can use it, I'm not up to 100% yet. Therefore, Master has Will and I practicing the moves but not anything else.

Master said that while we can't emit power, we should be able to retain the intention of fighting within our moves. We also need to work on the distance between me and Will. We should be very connected and there should be this flow. Master talked about how during the second move, I was sometimes too far, and it would be better if I wasn't so quick to retreat, which is timing issues.

On the other hand, Master said that I could probably actually use the frontal sidekick plus two punches in a fight now. They looks good enough for that. He said to Will that it's all about stability. The ability to kick and punch from a stable position.

Also, note that weather for the coming months is going to be interesting. Last week, it rained for four days straight. People have told me that it's going to be like this for a bit, so forgive me if I don't write anything for long periods of time.

Back from Break!

Taiwan was great! I got back from a month's vacation.

Training is interesting since I have not practiced at all for one month. The first night, my legs were wobbly, and everything felt off. Master said I got really really bad in my one month of non-practice.

Over these last few days, my legs have gotten back to where they were, and I think I've gotten most of my skill back.

Last night, Master watched me practice NeiQuanShou. He said that I roll my entire body too much now. Master says that there needs to be a cloistered feeling by closing the shoulders. The hands should move in a circular fashion coming out from right below the mouth. Additionally, he said that NeiQuanShou has both a combative and health aspect and by doing it correctly both should be gained.

For combative aspects, Master moved his hands while in SiLiuBu. I didn't ask what he meant about the combative aspect. I wish I did. I need to ask next time.

Master said that I need to sink, everything must sink. And my eyes must stare forward with intention.

Other than that, we're still on regaining our endurance so we did forms over and over again. Lots of forms. Haha xD

Tonight, Will and I practiced Ba Bu Gou (八步鈎）the entire time.

Here's the corrections Master wanted from us.

First, when moving from ready to the first position, I must come out with body forward. Master said that I lean my right shoulder forward which should not happen. Everything must be square. Secondly, when blocking the phoenix eye, I need to shift my foot slightly to the 45 and sink lower into Xu Bu (虛步）. Next, Master said that when reeling back after I attack with the phoenix fist, my back leg needs to shift back before launching the face palm strike.

Switching sides, on the fist parry, I need to be more squared with my hips. I have the tendency to shift one side or the other. Next, on the two spear hands and spinning hammer strike, Master wanted me to have a slight pause after the two spear hands, just a split second so that Will has time to get back. After that, the three punches, my hips needs to be more square, as I have a tendency to shift into different stances with each punch. Lastly, for slapping the kick, Master wanted me to go further back.

General things also. Master told me that sometimes I lean too much into my bow stances or my bow stance is too long; both of which immobilize me.

Oh and at Master's house while I was practicing the frontal sidekick, Master told me to pull back more from our stance. I almost have the mechanics of the kick down from our fighting position, I estimate probably another 2 weeks and I'll have it working.

It's rained the last 4 days. Tonight was the first night that we got to practice.

Master had us just do reviews of forms today since we had two new people with us. We just did 5 Step Fist (五步拳) over and over. Master kept correct my horse stance since I have a bad habit of leaving my back leg too over.

Other than that, Master said that my Practical Fist (應用拳) improved more now. Unfortunately, my Six Harmonies Fist （六合拳） did not.

Lastly, Master told us that after you duck to avoid a block, to attack, you move forward and up rather than rising and then moving forward. He also said that we should be able to punch and kick from the ducked position. We should be able to switch sides also in the ducked position. Actually, he had me do it like that. Very interesting to try.

Tonight, Will and I practiced Ba Bu Gou (八步鈎）the entire time.

Master corrected basically every move. The general thing was sit lower and guard hand higher. Will and I practiced it over and over.

Tonight,
I finished the last part of the broadsword form. I have to say that I quite like this form. It's compact, and it includes some very interesting shenfa as well as the fact that I get a broadsword to swing around. I've never learned weapons so it's taking me extra time and care to notice the details. I'm sure I'm missing many of the finer points because I have yet to see them, let alone understand them.

As for as BaBuGou（八步勾), Master keeps correcting Will's stepping. Because of our size difference, Will has a habit of making some extra steps, and the last few times, we've just repeated moves. Other than that, Master has yet to change anything on mine. I think it's more a shenfa issue right now. He said that I have more intent now, and through that we learn shenfa.

We went back to the Wheel Method, 禦敵車輪法. Master told us to make sure that our movements are precise and exact. He said that we practice this way because in real fights, we are always changing, but in that change we never leave the original essence. 万變不離其中

Finally, I think that the new guy quit. There was a new guy named Li Sheng 李勝, but I haven't seen him around for over a week. On the bright side, Chen Xu, the guy who practices Tai Chi and Nei Quan Shou (内圈手）for hours on end, has decided that Tai Chi is too hard, and has started to practice with us.

Tonight,
I had a chance to ask Master about the broadsword and how it's wielded. He said that right now, I just need to practice until I understand the feeling of the broadsword. Then, I asked him how the slash should work. Master said that the broadsword should not feel like it is there, just like how when we punch, our arms are supposed to be weightless. Finally, I asked Master about buying a broadsword. He said not to buy one until I have mastered the broadsword. Furthermore, he showed me one of his sheathed broadswords on the wall. Master said he custom ordered this broadsword from LongQuan (龍泉). For those who don't know, LongQuan is like a legendary foundry and many famous weapons are from that area. The neat part was that the broadsword had master's name on etched on it.

Holding that broadsword was quite interesting. While the broadsword was made for combat, it is far lighter than I expected one to be, especially compared with Rei's combat broadsword. Secondly, the handle is curved which allows a natural grip and explains why when practicing the form, most downward slashes have the wrist bent. The slight bent gives the broadsword 6 more inches of cutting space, which could be the difference between hitting something or nothing.

Anyways, Will finally showed up, and while me and him were joking about using the BaGua DaDao (八卦大刀）for training, Master got one out from under the table. The blade was slightly longer than the regular broadsword, but it weighed 10-15 pounds. It was ungodly to wield to say the least. xD

On the mountain,
Master said that my intention in the forms have noticeably improved, although some movements are still unclear.

We spent most of our time doing BaBuGou (八步勾). Will and I are going through each move fixing it. For us, it's mostly about the distance and intention right now. Master said that we finally have the intention to hit each other, and now the ShenFa (身法) is coming in and out.

Notes: I have to watch the initial move, my shoulders are not square. Secondly, on the blocks for the piercing palms, the feet are NOT in Empty Step （虛步), instead they are in a fluid step, that is momentarily like SiLiuBu （四六步）.

Finally, Master had me learn the next part of the Broadsword form. The major points to look out for is my stepping is off. Additionally, Master just wants me to practice the potatoes out of the form, not to mention I need to practice the individual movements. Right now, I feel like I have an extra arm or something. The way swords swords are used hasn't really dawned on me yet.

1-16-2010

Update for the last two weeks.
Last week, I didn't practice, I was busy with finals. This has a huge effect, I can see and feel the change that happened while I was not practicing. Everything got worse rapidly.

Anyways! xD

The first week of the new year, Master had me start on 六合刀 (Six Harmonies Broad Sword). Master also said that we don't practice ErJiBen and ShunFengTui, and we're doing lines of that now.

Master told us that we have a competition in May that Will and I might attend. I think he wants us to perform 八步勾 (8 Hook Steps)，　清龍拳 (Green Dragon Fist)，　六合刀 (Six Harmonies Broad Sword). We've been running through those quite a lot, and it's great.

On the major points, Master is told me that with the broadsword, the body must be more concaved than with fists. Well, Master said that the body has to be more rounded with a sword than with fists. So this form really forces me to 吞吐/ (spit/swallow). Additionally, Master says that I'm too sidewards on some moves. I need to have my belly face forward or I risk exposing my back.

As for the 8 Hook Steps, it's a huge work in progress. I can say that after a week of not practicing, that is what has suffered the most. Scary~