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.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, January 15, 2010
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~
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~
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