Friday, April 13, 2007

Status Quo -- Ouch!

After Tuesday's class, I wrote about a nagging Shaolin sword injury that has plagued me for the last few weeks. To detail it better, I've found that the Shaolin sword appears when I'm extending my right leg out straight and at an angle, so a little pain comes when i'm doing caijiao, lunbi caijiao and zhengtitui fully, and during cetitui, waibaitaui and lihetui, cos they involve some kind of rotation/angling of that leg, but it is most apparent during pubu, most likely because I am actually putting my weight on it. I am frustrated because if I do pubu and dip to my left, I can extend my hand to my foot quite easily now, but going to my right, I cannot dip down all the way and am hesitant to shoot my palm past my knee. Gong bu seems okay. The actual pain itself? I feel like some fingers are digging into my leg just under my right buttcheek and pinching really tight. Curiously enough, when I am just walking around, I feel no trace of my injury.

So during yesterday's training, I once again struggled a bit with finding the right balance of training to build up my chi versus being careful not to injure myself further. Not easy! I deliberately got in line last for basics to force myself to slow down so I wouldn't feel the pressure of anyone at my back. I started out doing kicks with my right leg at half mast, but then for the later kicks, I opted to work only the left leg, forgoing any further lifting of the bum leg. During stretching, I did what I could by myself and tried to do a little with my right leg. For forms, I did what I could as well, avoiding dropping into a full pubu on that side during yiluquan and doing a full kick, which must have looked a little funny to those who might have watched me.

It's not easy because I love training and putting my all into it without thinking too much about whether or not to go full chi, whereas now, I have to be careful not to let my right leg fly. Focus and control are even more key. Also, being last in line means slowing down significantly as I am behind people who started training after me. And while I do not consider myself fast by any means, even in my injured state, I am able to go faster for some of the basics and have the endurance to use more of the carpet, so it's caused me to be even more mindful of others who are training near me.

All this slowing down has made me appreciate the fact that I have indeed progressed in the fifteen months or so that I've been training. It also forces me to know my body and listen to when it's going OW! I guess it's another instance where I've got to be patient and allow myself to progress at a pace that's right for me.

What to Drink?

What do you drink before, during and after the training?

I've been drinking just water and hasn't felt a need to upgrade yet. I've tried Gatorade, Vitamin Water and hated the taste they left in my mouth. Plus I didn't feel any significant boost of energy from them.

However, I noticed a lot of people drinking different sport drinks. Some people concoct their own drinks (like this guy here.) And lately, I saw people drinking coconut water.

I've heard all kinds of great benefits of young coconut water. So I decided to do some research (aka Google.)

I found this:
From Coconut Development Board of India, young coconut water is good..... It has really high Potassium, helps rehydrate effectively, helps with Cholesterol control. And most importantly, it can help clear bladder infections, remove kidney stones, and improve sexual virility!!!

How amazing is that?

I might have to switch from basil seed drink to this young coconut water...

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

State of da Qbertplaya

No specific lessons or observations to write down lately, much like the time Mo put forth some Thought Points. Here are just some of my recent thoughts:

1. Lately I too have been struggling with a Shaolin sword poking just under my right butt cheek. During wall stretch a few weeks ago, something got pulled funny and the pull has limited my ability to do pubu on that side and some kicks properly. I am always optimistic when I start class that it'll feel okay, but after a few caijiaos on my right side, I then only work the left leg at full range. I wonder if I should avoid doing anything with my right leg as much as possible, or if I should do half-range kicks to prevent an imbalance, or what. Any advice?

2. Last night after we had been doing forms for a while, Shifu came through to put selected people into groups to learn more of the various forms. He picked Jaka and Hannah R. to work on the beginning of erluquan, and because I was standing next to Jaka and I haven't gotten that far in the form, I thought he wanted me to join their group as well, but he told me to get back in line. I experienced a teeny moment of disappointment until he told Joshua to work with me (and just me) on more erluquan, and so I did get a little bit further. Yay! So, yes, Q., be patient...

3. This past Saturday, I tested for yiluquan with a fun bunch of people, including my fellow dorks, Sucheela and Mo. I felt better about testing this time than I did six months ago, but I still couldn't get away without a Shifu comment specific to me! I've been trying not to think too much about whether I'll pass or not. Ultimately, I am satisfied that I tried my best last Saturday (especially with said Shaolin sword), and I'm always working hard in class. I guess we'll find out soon enough on Sunday at the certificate ceremony!

TRAIN HARDER!

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

ummmm.... SWEEP...

Here are tips I learned/overheard for the sweep...
  • Put my hands at the center - right between my legs (Sifu)
  • Extend from my hip while sweeping - which will help me turn (Jian)
  • Go into Pubu before sweeping so I'm low on the floor (Joshua and Han)
  • Keep my body up (Han)
  • Keep my right leg straight (Han)
  • Look where I'm going while keep my body up (overheard Chan taught other people)
  • Keep doing it 8000 times (Jer - Neo)
I'm getting there. In the meantime, does anybody have anything to add or correct me?

Kung Fu Clowns!

Sunday, April 8, 2007

How you train is how you live...

That's what Sifu said at the end of our testing yesterday.

How you train is how you live...

Be confident - believe in yourself - express yourself.

....
If I can do it while training - I can do it in life as well.