morgothan’s kung fu repository

So when I was first looking into kung fu schools, and decided that I was in fact going to learn Kung Fu, one school stood out among the rest. I decided after looking through a bunch of school curriculum, that this school was the most interesting. Obviously I am talking about China Hand. One of the major reasons I liked this schools curriculum was at the top of the list of weapons was the umbrella. How cool is that. To be able to fight using an umbrella. Once I saw this I was confident that I wanted to start my kung fu training at this school. I did, and now, a little more then three years later I am in the middle of learning the umbrella form. I can honestly say that once I am done with this form I will have reached a major milestone in my kung fu training. One of my major goals will have been accomplished.

So I took my test on monday. I was told that I passed, but that was all I was told. I did not receive any of the comments written down by my instructors. I know some of what I did wrong, but there are about a page and a half of notes on the test, that I look forward to reading. I did make one big mistake that I am really pissed off at my self for making. The first form I did, the one I chose to do, Hua Chuan 1, the form that I did first thing when I got into the school, and no one else was there. During that form, I got lost for a second. I forgot the move that came after the stepping opposite hand hammer fist in the middle of the form. Other mistakes I made where in Dwen Da having my hands opened, in one move when they should have been fisted. Little things like that. I am curious to what the other comments are though. The whole test went as follows. First, as I said, I did Hua Chuan 1. Then I was told to do Dwen Da. After that it was 20 methods two man, both attacking and defending. Finally for the weapon form, I was told to do Long Shaft. Interestingly enough I dont think I was required to do any of the new material I learned.

So last thursday Sifu decided that I should know Hua Chuan 3. Finishing out my knowledge of all 4 of the Hua Chuans. It is a very short form, consiting of mainly kicks. All in all it is a very cool form.

It was a little disconcerting learning this form, as it is not needed for my test, but sifu decided that I should know it anyway. As for test, it may get pushed back to monday, as one of my instructors may not be back from vegas yet. It would not be fair to test with out the scrutiny all of my instructors present. So if they are all back, then I will test on thursday, otherwise testing will be pushed back till monday. Either way it is no big deal.
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So in class yesterday it was decided that next Thursday I would be testing out of the advanced class, and into the black sash class. So that means that I need to really focus on things from now till the 18th. I feel like my double edge is there enough to pass, and all my open hand forms are as well. I think I just need a little more work on my chin na forms. I can do them all, its just that I can’t really DO them all. Meaning, I know the moves, and the motions, I just don’t get the locks to work 100% correctly 100% of the time. Although, I don’t think that issue alone will stop me from passing the test. Its juts something I personally want to work on.

Other then prepping for testing I am currently working on sword fighting techniques. Since I have learned the forms for two different swords, I figured it would be worth while to actually learn how to fight with them. I am starting to see some of the techniques in the forms real world applications. I spent about an hour yesterday fighting one of my instructors with a foam sword. Its interesting to see just how much it sucks to be in a sword fight. I was able to get some techniques off, but at the cost of my leg, or arm, or life. It was very much a shitty situation to be in. All in all though, it was very fun. I look forward to keep practicing it.