自然门 Notes and Thoughts

2010-04-30T20:25:00.000-07:00

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~

2010-04-08T06:42:00.001-07:00

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.

2010-03-11T07:26:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-03-06T02:49:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-29T08:40:00.000-08:00

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.

2010-01-26T10:12:00.000-08:00

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.

2010-01-21T23:33:00.000-08:00

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.

2010-01-19T08:45:00.000-08:00

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.

2010-01-17T07:40:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-15T13:15:00.000-08:00

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~

12-30-09

2009-12-30T07:28:00.000-08:00

今晚只有我和魏力

我们开始是发拳散步。
然后我们发了侧踢两拳。
后来我们做50拳双边两次
再下我们站踢了30侧踢双边两次。
后来我们练了蛙跳
然后再发拳和侧踢，再蛙跳。
师傅说我们要坚持的练。在这酸痛情况我们才可以进步。如果我们没有酸痛我们就要加量。
接下来我们练了应用拳
（1）我要注意虚步受手要直接受不能有圆的。
八步勾
（1）稳，准，恨
六合拳
　（１）弓步要改
（2）第四：防手是偕的。身体要直的，所以我要转多点。

Tonight, it was me and Will.

We started with punching
Then we did frontal side kicks with two punches.
Afterwards, we did 50 punch counts, each side.
Then 30 frontal side kicks 30 count each side.
Then frog leaps
And then Repeat the 50 and 30 count.
Master said that we need to be tired and sore each day, only in this circumstance, can we improve ourselves.

After that we did Ying Yong Quan
(1). I have to notice that the move after the Pu Bu, is a direct pull, and not like Tai Chi and circular.

More frog leaps

Ba Bu Gou
(1) Master said that we have to be accurate, stable, and deadly

Liu He Quan
(1) My Gong bu is still unstable, needs to be more firm
(2) When doing the fourth movement, the blocking hand is higher and slightly to the left of my head.

12-26-09 to 12-28-09

2009-12-28T07:04:00.000-08:00

NEW YEARS IS ALMOST HERE!!!

12-26-09
Tonight, I met Yen Le for the first time. If you guys don't know who Yen Le is, he studied with Master for a good 5-7 years. Rudy said that Yen Le's fighting was good. To get an idea, he used to do 500 punch counts a day. That would be 1500 punches each day! That was before he got married, had a kid, and started his own company. He's doing good now. I'm happy I got to meet him, but it's a pity I didn't get to see him move since he's supposed to be nearly like Master.

After Yen Le left, Master had me do the frontal side kick the entire two hours. Two days later, I can safely say that my legs are sore. But on the plus side, my kick has improved. Not by much, but they're getting somewhere finally.

12-27-09
Rained. It's been raining a lot lately. Sucks.

12-28-09

Today. We focused on YuDiCheLunFa. He is mostly getting the new student up to gear. The new student keeps stopping when he feels his legs are sore. It's a good lens to see how far I've come. In all seriousness, he needs to quit stopping each time his legs are sore.

Anyways, master says that I need to keep my back hand up when defending. I sometimes let it slip down.

Next, we did Ying Yong Quan. Master said that I need to watch on the turn, that I don't have any extra movements. I have this habit of reverse torquing my arm to get ready for the next move. I need to watch it. My center of balance is off because of the change, and I need to focus on that too.

Finally, we did Ba Bu Gou. Master did the entire form with Will. There's too many details for me to cover here, but some major things I noticed was that when on the attacking side, Master's upper body would almost be completely sideways when doing the first move. He's really leaning into the attack. Next thing I noticed is when doing the phoenix eye, his body is completely sideways also. It kinda reminded me of a door, the way he moved on that section actually. It kind just swung out at Will.
Next, the contrast between high and low need to be more exaggerated. Master would go very low and very high when doing the form, depending on the target he was attacking. Finally, Master emphasized that the kick is stationary, and that there is a tun-tu after it for the backhand face palm strike.

12-24-09

2009-12-23T08:35:00.000-08:00

對不起，我最近非常忙。

今晚我們回到了禦敵車輪法。這次講究的是《控制》。那麽師傅所說的《控制是》三個字　《眼，手，身》。　而我們《控制》不只是自己而也包挂《對方，距離，步法，高低，等等》。　這就是雙方有的目的，所以另個方面我們也追求我們所有的方式是有兩個條件。　第一：我們從最安全的形態攻擊。第二：我們用最可能破壞對方的防手打人。　像下棋一樣。　　　

而還有　
師傅說我的應用拳第一的動作要有爆發力。　
還有，六合拳，最後的劈的動作都要大一點我動作太小了。

Apologizes, I've been busy recently.

Tonight, Master had us return to the marching defense method (YuDiCheLunFa). This time around, Master wanted us to focus on "control" He said that for control we have three things of importance "Eyes, Hands, Body". Additionally, Master said that it is not only control of ourselves we seek, but we must seek to control "our opponent, the distance, stepping (Bu Fa), the height of our stances, and more" You basically have to be aware of everything, making sure to make it advantageous for you to move in every possible way. Additionally, Master said that it is both parties must search for control. For this, there are two major things that one must pay attention to. First, we seek to attack from the most advantageous positions. Secondly, we seek to attack with the most chance of breaking past an opponents guard. Therefore, we seek to maximize our attacks and minimize our weakness. I offered the example of chess, and Master said "right".

As for personal stuff.
Ying Yong Quan needs to be more explosive on the first move. It's supposed to be a surprise that it comes from the center.

Secondly, on my Liu He Quan, the ax moves at the end need to be larger. My movements are too small.

Last Few Days

2009-12-18T07:54:00.000-08:00

It's been kinda slow on training right now. Master has us just training hard. Not much talking has occurred recently. It's the same comments for the past two weeks. So I guess we haven't progressed much, and we're waiting for it.

The last two days, Master said that my punch is good now. I know how it's supposed to feel now when doing two punches, it's like a tiger's pounce. The spine moves like a dragon. And then the way the entire body switches from one side to the other with each paw, that's exactly how it feels to me when punching.

As for the backhand doing the covering during the punching, I finally understand what Master said (He said to not do it on purpose, and that it'll happen naturally). I really didn't do anything to make it go there, but naturally by the way the body moves, the hand fits perfectly there. That's pretty awesome!

Now that I think of it, it just goes to show much thought and analysis our fore-bearers put into this system.

More Stuff on Punching

2009-12-11T23:49:00.000-08:00

前晚我和大龙问师傅我们发拳是不是可以改角度而他说我们是因该改但是无论我怎么角度，现要修好我的基本发拳。

Two nights ago, Darryl and I asked Master about punching at slightly different angles. Master responded that we can and should change angles, but it doesn't matter if you can't get the shenfa right. If you can't do the regular punch, it's pointless to ask about advance punching.

Yup.

Also, this next part is nothing I asked, but just thought about. In our system we have a special type of walking method. I'm starting to think it's akin to fighter jets. To explain, fighter jets are made to be aerodynamically unstable. That means they have the tendency to roll and sway without computer assistance. This instability in the air gives them higher turning rates, and the ability to be more agile in the air. I think that our system has the same type of concept, but with stepping. We're never really planted/balanced like other martial arts (i.e. Hung Gar or SPM or Tai Chi), but we're like fighter jets instead.

Simplification: Zi Ran Men = Fighter Jets // Hung Gar (or the likes) = Tanks.

侧踢腿+两拳

2009-12-09T07:15:00.000-08:00

今晚
师傅要求我们用两种方法练侧踢腿两拳。
第一：我们直接踢在两拳。平常这是我们最好的方式因为一踢就接两拳=KO。
第二：我们踢再吞身停一下再发拳。这是让我们练两个项目。
a.让我们踢完，让后吞所以我们发拳有力量。
b.万一对方有预备让，那你就送自己去死啊。

Tonight,
Master had us practice our ce-ti tui and two punches. He said that we should practice doing this two methods.

First: Kick and immediately step in a punch. Usually, this is our best option, as it
gives us a good chance to knockout somebody.
Secondly: After the kick, we stop, and then wait, and then fire to punches. There's
two reasons for this.
a: This allows us to make our punches powerful by allowing us to swallow.
b: Just in case, the opponent has a trap waiting for you, if you can't
stop, then your are sending yourself to your own death.

Also as a side note, we practiced the stomp kick with two punches. Casey flies far and hits hard on the last hit. Master had her do it on Will today, and the first time, she knocked him on his skull.

Master says, "Casey will totally kick Josh's ass when she gets back to Austin." xD

練拍屁股

2009-12-06T07:08:00.000-08:00

今天我生病了所以沒有好好練
但幫師傅翻譯以下
今晚他們練了拍屁股。
師傅說拍屁股的時候要大攻擊，而先要攻擊時刻的好防手才能有大攻擊。
而這個遊戲不能忘記要真正的攻擊感。不能只拍屁股而是要攻擊之中才行。

Tonight, I didn't practice too much since I'm sick with swine flu (I think)
Tonight, I watched everybody else practice "pai pi gu". Master said that while playing this game, you have to have big attacks. (I'm not sure what Master meant by this). To achieve big attacks, when attacking, you have to a solid defense.

Additionally, Master said that while playing this game, you have to have the intention to punch and hit the person. You can't change the game to ONLY hit the butt. It loses the intention to teach whole body defense and stepping if you do that.

English version of Dec 2 notes

2009-12-05T07:35:00.000-08:00

This is a translation for the first note of December 2009. Original: December 2nd, 2009.

Tonight, Casey and I went to Master house.
Master hasn't really corrected any of my genji gong stuff for two weeks.
At his house, we fired off some punches and master gave some advice

First: My legs need to be more stable. He said "unstable legs lead to crappy punches." Additionally, he said that I need to sink from my dantian, and not my chest.

Second: My punching isn't natural enough. I need to relax my arms and if I do, I can punch with more power. E= MC^2. I'll have the same mass regardless if I'm relaxed or not, but my speed increases if I relax, thus more power.

Third: To achieve natural punching, I need to keep my body swallowed/kept closed"

Later we practiced Ying Yong Quan:
Master said that I have improved my intent, but I need to keep it within a frame. He said that with good intent, one has focus, but without a proper frame, everything falls apart.

Ba Bu Gou:
Master said that this form is about practicing together, and making everything work well together. Master added while that is true, you don't pull punches, you still have to punch for real, just be sure to stop short of the person's body. The fighting intention must be present also. Without it, it looks fake.

Lastly, Master said that while this form is about two people working together, we must watch our own stepping. Without a good base, we can't block people's punches. (This goes back to talking about holding your frame correctly). He said that the first step to working together is the ability to control ourselves. Without the ability to move correctly from position to position, then it becomes hard/impossible to work well with a partner.

Punching and Blocking Notes for Tonight

2009-12-05T07:11:00.000-08:00

今晚师傅问我发拳有什么感觉。我回了我腰比较会动。他笑笑了回答说“其他人都使用手打拳所以他们的拳力是从肩膀来的。而我们不一样，我们用肩膀所以力是从下面来的。”

后来will和我问师傅怎么挡hook。他说“我们因该也是不用改我们的防手，只该激进出一点”。跟重要是从我们的ready position，我们开始摇肩，我们会变成一个三角形所以什么都可以防。

Tonight Master asked me what I thought is different with the way I'm punching. I responded that my lower back/waist is moving more. Master laughed and said "Other people who punch with their arms, eventually power their punches with only their shoulders. On the other hand, when we focus on the shoulder, we eventually have power from waist and lower."

Afterwards, Will and I asked Master how to block a hook punch. He said that we shouldn't have to do much to block it. The only difference is that you might need to squeeze in a little bit. (He wasn't specific about how to squeeze, but he didn't move his feet, but perhaps you can too. I don't know)

The most important thing he said tonight was right after that. He said that from our ready position in 40-60 stance, when we start using our shenfa (body method), our arms actually are more like the sides of triangles, protecting our head.

So our fighting position, we're more like two triangles stacked together. Conceptually, master explained awhile ago that our legs to our dantian forms a triangle also.

Tonight's training

2009-12-04T07:27:00.000-08:00

今晚
我們練了側踢腿和兩拳。
師傅說這個動作是想captipillar走樣。
而且它是用來拉近距離。上身不能動。速度要快才行。

Tonight, master had us practice our frontal sidekick.
He said that when we move, we should be like a captipillar moving. (the scrunching movement before the next movement).
Also, master said that this movement is used to close the gap between you and your opponent without them realizing it. Therefore, you have to keep control of your upper body and make it appear that you haven't moved. Finally, master said that speed is key to the success of this movement.

Tonight's practice

2009-12-02T07:03:00.001-08:00

今晚
我和凱西去師傅家。
根基共他現在兩個禮拜都沒說什麽。
我也在他家發拳。
有幾個東西說要注意
第一：我腳要固定好，不能胡亂。而我要從丹田含。
第二：我發拳不太自然。我手是要松松的發出來，這樣我才能達到跟多的力量。
第三：如果我吞身，拳發出來會自然回來。

應用拳：
我架勢要真確，而如果我架勢不對我就會慌亂雖然我有技擊的意識。

八部勾：
師傅說我們練要有配合，而如果不配合就不行。雖然要配合我們出拳也要真打，不能沒有技擊的意識。

而他說我們步法不夠真確所以我們動作會荒而防不住對方的拳。師傅說我們要先學怎麽完整每個動作才能控制自己。控制自己，動作就可以使用。

而要來練1000次才使用。

師傅今天說很多但我忘記一大堆~ 不好意識。

Notes from the last week

2009-11-29T07:20:00.000-08:00

上个礼拜
师傅说几个观点。

发拳应该有个“从上打下”的感觉，无论你要打高低。师傅说我们的身法就是要那种感觉而象这样我们每个拳是KO。

而练发拳也要动身体。动动比让人感觉身法的特点而了解身法的用法。

还有师傅让我和凯西练两拳两步。 xD

六合拳：
师傅说凯西和我现在要注意我们的身法和技击法。
而且练套路的时候需要一个格斗的感觉喊在内心里。他说套路没有这种感觉，练出来的拳是空的。

The last week we learned a bit.

Master said that when punching, the feeling should be like hitting from "up to down" He said it should feel like you're punching a midget regardless of whether you are punching up, down or straight. Our shenfa (body mechanics) gives us that ability, thus every punch should have KO power.

Secondly, when punching, master started having us bob-n-weave, similar to a boxer, but with our shenfa. It creates a basic understanding of how our shenfa is used, and how and where our punches can come from.

Finally, master let me and Casey start doing the two punches two steps drill.

As for Six Harmonies Fist,
The main point master drilled this week was shenfa and combat. He said that I need to work on my shenfa for each move. Additionally, he said that we must harbor intent of fighting for each move. He said that if you treat the form without intent, what you learn is empty.

First day of sparring and intention

2009-11-21T08:22:00.000-08:00

今晚师傅让我和我师妹和大龙对练以下。
他让我们发拳打大龙让后他要防。
师傅说防的时候要有攻击的意识。
然后攻击的时候也要有防手的意识。
我们就象这样大来打去。
后来师傅叫我们练套路。
他说套路就要保持技击的意识。如果保持意识，动作会清楚了而会使用。

Tonight Master let us practice fighting techniques against opponents.
Me and my KF sister punched at my KF brother while he blocked.
Master said that while blocking, you must have the intent of attacking.
And while attacking, you must learn to have the intent of blocking.

Afterwards, Master told us to do forms. With the blood still running through us, we did the forms better than before because we held that feeling of fighting. Master said that it is important to practice forms with that intention. When you have that in mind, the moves and how to correct the moves becomes clear. Without this intention, the form becomes empty and pointless.

雨天的练习

2009-11-11T21:18:00.000-08:00

昨晚我一个人在师傅家
改了很多东西，特别是我发拳。过了昨天我发拳比较自然而比较实用。
而师傅说我肩膀要摇大一点，还是不够。
最后他说出拳有三个条件：稳准狠

Last night I practiced at Shifu's house by myself.
I made alot of head way with my punching. It's more natural now.
I need to make sure my shoulders make a bigger motion though.
And something he told me stuck in my head
He said that for making this practical there are three things: stable, accurate, and vicious.

11-10-09

2009-11-10T00:28:00.000-08:00

昨晚下雨了。

身法：
师傅说我摇得不对。应该是“肩膀带身，不是身带肩膀”
而他说我最大的问题是我摇得太小。一定要大一点。

发拳：
我终于比较透
练了两个月，第三月才有进步。真对不起师傅

而我也学了虫步。也可以说是偷步。

It rained last night
Shenfa:
Shifu said I've been doing it wrong. It should be "the shoulders lead the body, not the body leads the shoulders"
Also, he said that my movements are too small. I need to move/twist more.

FaQuan:
After 2 months of training I make a little head way on this. I changed my punches last night and they are a little more "tou". A little longer. etc.

I feel regretful that I must put Shifu through two months of me now getting it.

Finally, Shifu showed me the thief step or the worm step. The movements should be like a caterpillar.

自然门 (Ziranmen)

2009-11-08T01:02:00.000-08:00

What is Ziranmen?
It is a style of Chinese Martial Arts that I practice. That's been going on for about 7 months now (ROFL). I wish it was longer but yeah.

Before I met anybody that practiced this style, my friend, Jason, talked about it. He himself loves Southern martial arts and practices Hop Gar (Knight's Fist). I'll write more about his hero complex someday. It's pretty amusing to see a modern day hero actually. Some comic books are quite accurate. I digress. Anways, Jason talked about how Ziranmen was a style that was a rare and secretive style. (I find this to be quite false). He talked about how the fighting style was very unique in that it was a cross between boxing and long fist. And most importantly, it was known as a style that could fight.

In my last year of college, I happened to meet my first teacher and friend, Rudy Ibarra. He and a small group of people happened to be practicing on the right side of the Main Mall. For what reason I don't know, but I went up and talked to them. I watched them the first time and chatted for awhile. I was always interested in meeting people of different styles and chatting for a bit. Anyways, Rudy invited me to come train with them and see how it goes.

The first month, all that we trained were kicks, and a few sets of moves. Simple stuff. It was all just hard labor. For two long hours, it was always the same thing over and over again. At that time, I figured that the exercise would be good for me anyways, but I never really saw what my friend Jason told me about. The material at the first month was the same as every other martial arts out there.

After the first month is when things became interesting. Rudy finally showed me the stance that Ziranmen is known for. It's called the SiLiuBu. It's very different from what I'd seen before and when Rudy showed me, I really went blank with a "WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT?!" (That phrase has been repeated a couple of times in the last 7 months for the exact same reason) Before this, I'd seen other martial arts teachers move and I'd see them do just about the same stuff. I don't think anything could have prepared me for what I saw Rudy do. I'd never seen a person move like that before. It was like watching a person imitate a ghost float back and forth. Another analogy would be like watching a person imitate a snake, praying mantis and monkey at the same time. From that point on, I was fully convinced and intend to stick with it.

Fast forward, 7 months later, I'm in FuZhou and learning under Rudy's master. ShiFu just got back from a month trip in the US a couple night ago.

While correcting our SiLiuBu, he put my hands in a line. And told me that I need to be more full, less empty in the stance. There's supposed some resistance the second a person comes forward, but no forward force. Kind of like a lightsaber. (Yes, don't say it).

Last night was another (WTH was that!?!) moment when I saw Shifu move. He seems to be able to defy the laws of physics in his movements. His body doesn't seem like there's a spine or something. I'm really at a loss for understanding of his movement.

Anyways, what's really cool is that I saw ShiFu move. He matched my stance and then proceed to make his body dance while not moving his arms, kinda like how pop-lock dancers do certain moves. Darryl suggested that ShiFu started pop-locking. ROFL! The usage of this movement I don't understand too well, but it has something to do with a ghost head attitude.

ShiFu also showed some of his ShenFa and moved up and down in the SiLiuBu. I've never seen anybody move down and back up so fast, and was so connected doing so.

Badass Kungfu Brother

2009-11-08T00:54:00.000-08:00

My KungFu brother is a badass. He's been training for a little longer than me, but his entire time has been with master.

Last week he got into some trouble. While running some errands, two gangsters and him got into a bike wreck. From what my KungFu brother told me, the two started mouthing off and then one of them tried to punch him. My KF brother shrunk backwards and came back with a meteor fist. Completely knocked the first guy out with one hit. The second guy, my KF brother left his foot imprint in the person's stomach and another two fist prints in the guy's face.

Anyways, this is my blog about ZiRanMen. Nothing I write will make sense unless you practice ZiRanMen and frankly, I doubt I'm right or coherent about many things anyways.

Welcome Anyways.