Getting Better?

[shanmonster]

I started using my poi on my breaks again today. I already got a new trick down: over-the-head weaves. I'm also much more competent with my kick directional changes, both with and without my eyes open. All of my tricks work with my eyes open or closed. Vision really has nothing to do with poi, I find, unlike staff work, where you need to be able to see to catch high tosses.

I'm also further on my way to figuring out the elusive one-handed butterfly, thanks to a well-timed tip by f00dave.

Because of the call centre plague, I haven't been to the gym in a week. I hope I'm feeling better by Monday. I'd hate to lose my enormous she-hulk muscles. Ha!

Comments

Chain whips

[(Anonymous)]

So have you tried chain whips yet? I'd be surprised if you don't already know about them. I have a nice 5 footer that weighs two pounds (often referred to as a "nine dragon chain," and although I'm six feet tall and strong, I need to spend a few weeks training Goun Gee Kuen in order to have the strength to manage it safely.

On the other hand, my favorite whips are the little thirty inch jobs that weigh only a few ounces. They are a real challenge because they go so fast. I make them out of industrial link chain and allthread connectors for a couple of bucks each. They work exactly like poi, in fact, I made a set of poi out of rope and street hockey balls for training. Street hockey balls are hard and if they hit me, it hurts a lot and leaves a nice bruise, but nothing like the serious damage a real chain whip will do. Once about thirty years ago I lost control of one end and whacked my knee at full speed, and it swole up to the size of a grapefruit, and I've been much more respectful of them since. I think I understand the technical terminology you use about poi, and I'm sure that you would have no trouble gaining proficiency with a chain whip.

I have not always stayed in safe places, and used to carry one for backup, along with a knife and handgun. They are very concealable, very fast, and make a very scary whirling noise. The Japanese call them manriki-gusari, which might be more useful as a google term.

I have read your blog for several years and have always been very impressed with your writing style. I am also impressed that you have continued to study Hung Gar, which is not one of the easy kung fu styles.

Bruce Dearborn Walker

Re: Chain whips

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Hi! No, I haven't tried chain whips yet, although they appealed to me long before I'd heard of poi. Some day, I'd like to give them a shot, but I just don't have the cash to get them, right now. Also, I'm under the impression I'd need a lot more space to practice, which means the wintertime probably isn't the best time to start. But maybe in the spring, I can get one and give it a shot!

I'm glad you like my site!

You're right about Hung Gar being a not-so-easy style. I haven't been able to make classes for too long because of my work schedule, but I continue to do my forms on my excursions to the gym. I also use the low stance work in my own dancing, which is definitely strange to other dancers.

Toodle-oo!