Martial Arts Window Shopping

[shanmonster]

gha5t and I went to Wing Chun class at the Canadian Wing Chun Fellowship last night. I went in with no real expectations. As far as I was concerned, it could be a bad class, and it could be a good class.

Luckily for us, it was the latter. Sifu Chuck, although young, is both friendly and knowledgeable, with a good understanding of alignment and martial principles. The warmup exercises (squats and a few basic Pilates movements) were basic, and I was a little worried. Although other students in the class were huffing and puffing at the end of them, I was only breathing slightly harder than when I'm at rest. I certainly wasn't a lake of sweat like the other newbies.

But then we started working on Wing Chun partner drills/technique, and that's when things got really interesting. During the chain punching drills, I realized how out of practice I've become over the last few months. I was feeling the strain in my shoulders from the repetitive motions, especially when paired with the slapping directional changes supplied by my partner. I fully expected to have sore shoulder/upper back muscles today, but so far, that has not been the case.

We also worked on slipping out of single-handed grabs, something I've been able to do since I was a sneaky, bratty toddler. But I did learn a new technique incorporating the elbow, and I like it. We did grab breaks paired with striking, which was fun, as well.

And then we finished off the class with the first section of sil nim tao. The form I've been studying all along is only slightly different from the one taught in Kitchener.

So yes, I enjoyed the class. However, it's a bit more expensive than I can really afford, and it's too far away for me to get to without transportation. And since gha5t is leaning more toward the t'ai chi chu'an classes with Sifu Steve Higgins, I won't have a ride.

The t'ai chi chu'an classes appeal to me. Unfortunately, the classes aren't held at a time conducive to my own scheduling. I teach dance on Tuesdays, right smack dab in the middle of the t'ai chi classes. Bummer.

Tonight, gha5t is dragging me to a judo class. I can't imagine being able to go regularly, as once again, the classes are generally bad with my scheduling. But I'll give it a shot.

I have one more possibility: Waterloo Kung Fu. They actually have daytime classes. I could go! However, this kwoon teaches Shaolin style, which is a young person's style. Although I'm in terrific shape, I have to be honest with myself. I will not be able to do all those crazy flying kicks for much longer. I'd be better off choosing a style which works my muscles, and does not abuse my poor old joints. So I'll give it a shot, but I'm dubious....

That reminds me. I am sore in the strangest place after last night's Wing Chun. As I said, I expected to be sore in my upper back and shoulders. But no. I'm sore deep inside my glutes. I've not experienced this particular variety of glute sensitivity before. I guess there's something about the quintessential Wing Chun stance which really works you deep inside, right next to the bone. The surface glutes (man, I really need to study my physiology some more....) remain relaxed during the stance, and I work the top of my hamstrings right on up.

I like.

Damn. Won't someone drive me to class?

Comments

[entropy156.livejournal.com]

Completely unrelated comment...I was fortunate enough to catch one of Midori's classes in Hollywood last night. I had met her socially before but never got to see her in action in person. Wow...

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Toldja, din't I? She's amazing.

[entropy156.livejournal.com]

Absolutely! I've probably done hundreds of scenes in fetish clubs over the years and I've deliberately avoided doing heavy rope-work when there's an audience for the reasons she touched on in her class. Mainly that it's almost always really bad, boring theater for everyone not directly involved. She is one of only two people I've ever watched that can make a rope bondage scene *really* compelling to watch for anybody who's not a rope wonk taking notes. In fact, of those two, she's far and away the best. She really is as good as her reputation suggests.

[evildrgo.livejournal.com]

Wing Chun...

vs...

Hung Gar

[(Anonymous)]

It's always hard to move to a new martial arts class. I hope you can find a place where you can enjoy and learn.

--bdw