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Last night, while in a short and narrow corridor, I was jumped by Shawn and Justin, the two biggest guys in my kung fu class. There was no escape. I was pinned in. They used their considerable weight to shove me around, but I used my pointy, sharp bits to make them back off. It's a wonder what sharp jabs straight up into the armpits will do. However, this was after a pretty heavy warmup in class, so I ended up with the stenchiest hands. Eeugh.
After going through Fu Hou (Tiger Monkey), I thought I'd experiment with my phoenix eye fist. I wasn't sure if I was holding my hand just right, and was afraid I might twist my knuckle off to the side in a strike, thereby injuring myself in a nasty way. So I got Dmitri to hold still while I poked him a bit. I didn't go very hard, because I didn't want to break him, but he squawked and said it felt like I was hammering a nail into him. Then he compared his knuckle to mine. Mine is thin, and very, very hard--perfect for this fist. I must remember to use this fist more often, especially on the big guys. My regular punches barely phase them, but hammering a nail into them should give them a reason to pause.
At the end of the class, Dmitri went through a form I have no idea how to spell. It sounds like Charley Foot, but that can't be right. Anyhow, as I watched, Sifu Danny told me I was made for this particular form. I wasn't sure what he meant, so I asked him to clarify. He said the form works well for tall, slim people with a long reach. So yes, he does have a point there.
Afterwards, Dmitri came back to my place for some freshly-made blueberry pie, and we discussed Wing Chun. I gave him a book on the subject which I'd bought a couple of years ago but didn't really get into. I'd like to work with him on sticky hands. It really appeals to me, and I think it would go a long way toward making my arm movements much more automatic.
While at work yesterday, I ran through my Fu Hou. Afterwards, a man approached me and said, "That was karate, wasn't it?"
"Er, no. It's kung fu."
I guess there's no appreciable difference between the two to an utter novice. But I think anyone watching the two styles side by side should note a difference in movement, even if a lot of the strikes are similar. Maybe I should have shown him some of my karate, just so he could see the contrast.
Edit: "Charley Foot" is actually Choy Lay Fut. That looks soooooo much better!
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Date: 2004-07-30 04:17 pm (UTC)From:La la la!
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Date: 2004-07-30 04:45 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2004-07-30 05:34 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2004-07-30 06:10 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2004-07-30 06:22 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2004-07-30 06:38 pm (UTC)From:I'm looking into beginning either Tai Chi or Aikido next semester with a friend of mine who's a black belt in Capoeira. There's a place near the college that offers lessons, but I hear they're expensive and not necessary catering to beginners- plus I see one of (perhaps the only) teacher eating lunch at Veggie Bistro a lot and he looks like a normal, somewhat overweight man... not like a martial artist.
Do you have any experience with Tai Chi, because that's what I'd like pursue the most, but more so for relaxation and just... something to do. I've heard it's difficult to find a teacher who should be teaching it. Blah, post too long already.
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Date: 2004-07-30 06:58 pm (UTC)From:Of all the martial arts, I think aikido is the one with the longest learning curve. I found many of the movements counter-intuitive, so it takes a lot of repetition before it becomes natural. But it looks like an excellent style.
I studied Wu-style t'ai chi chu'an for about a year. I had a very good instructor, but yes, good teachers are difficult to find. Our classes were very slow with a lot of repetition, and honestly, it bored me. I don't yet have the perseverance to devote much study to it. However, it is a very effective martial art once you hit the higher levels and begin learning applications. I had my arse completely whupped by a couple of t'ai chi chu'an fighters. I think I'd do better now, but I consider myself retired from heavy sparring.
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Date: 2004-07-30 10:02 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2004-07-30 11:13 pm (UTC)From:shock punch
Date: 2004-07-30 11:23 pm (UTC)From:Re: shock punch
Date: 2004-07-31 12:34 am (UTC)From:Re: shock punch
Date: 2004-07-31 12:35 am (UTC)From:Re: shock punch
Date: 2004-07-31 12:48 am (UTC)From:Re: shock punch
Date: 2004-07-31 12:50 am (UTC)From:Re: shock punch
Date: 2004-07-31 12:51 am (UTC)From: