"And all your bad days will end."

Yesterday's class was extremely hard. Not because Sifu gave us extra-hard training (though there was some of that too) but I had a really hard time getting there mentally. I try to leave my troubles at the door when I come to train. But I was having a tough time forgetting about my super-awful day. Then, when I started to warm-up, my hips were suddenly in a load of pain. Not soreness. Pain. And I didn't even know why. For the first time ever I seriously entertained the thought of telling Sifu I felt sick and needed to go home. I couldn't see any way I was going to get through class. But I thought, no, I'm here, let's do it. And I turned off my brain.

It was still tough. My brain was off, so I wasn't thinking about any outside stuff, but I also couldn't focus on what I was doing. My chi was at an all time low. Only at the end of basics did my legs start feeling normal. But then after a good stretch at the break I felt rejuvenated and I went into forms with new resolve to focus and push myself. Halfway through forms a thunderstorm broke out of nowhere and it started lightning and pouring down rain. It was a pretty cool way to train and gave everyone an extra burst of adrenaline. (Except Jaka who apparently didn’t notice:))

The last 20 minutes or so Sifu had Richu teach me more of Erluquan and I got all the way to the side kick and then some! I believe this means I'm right before the sweep, and can I say, that is pretty exciting. After class a few of us went out for soup. I hadn't planned on going but I felt like after such an afternoon/evening I wanted to wind down with some friends. I felt so much better by the time I got home last night from when I left work at 5:30. It was hard, but it's good to have those hard days so that you can see how much training helps you mentally as well as physically. I sometimes get so wrapped up in wanting to learn more of my forms that I lose sight of all the things I get out of a class even when I'm not learning a new move. Chi-tastic!

Go-Go Shaolin Shoes!

I almost didn't make it last night. I got slammed with work just after 5pm, which usually means no training, but I was ever so determined to go to Temple. I am missing Thursday's class due to a friend's birthday, so the next time I can train will be Sunday. So it was imperative that I go last night.

Often, when I'm hit with work so late in the day, it is a given that I'll be stuck at the office -- like I was a few weeks ago this month already when I was there till 1am one night and 11:30pm the next. However, this time something in me snapped, and I decided to turn on the juice. I said to myself, just rip through this report with all your chi, and go-go-go! So I did. For 75 minutes, I pounded through the documents and typed like a mad woman. I threw my file onto the done pile and headed out at 6:29, a good ten minutes after I usually bolt for Temple.

I ran through the streets and into traffic and down the steps to the subway and happily caught the 6 train right away. I settled into a seat and trembled with the adrenaline I already had pumping through my veins. I got to Temple with eight minutes to spare. Not much time for a proper warmup, but it wasn't really that necessary!

CHI!

Kung Fu Dork Profile #4

Name: Esther
Temple Name: Easter
Occupation: Mad Scientist, mwahahahaha!
Borough: N/A (West Nyack, NY)
Chinese Sign: I can tell my astrological sign instead, which is Leo. Giving my chinese sign will tell you how old I am. Boy, do you really NOT want to know.

When was the last time you trained? Level 2 class, last Wednesday night.

How is your commute to the temple? It's crazy stressful especially during a workday/weekday and if there's an accident on the Tappan Zee Bridge.

Metro-North from Tarrytown, NY, (~45 minutes) to the 6 Train to Canal Street (~15 minutes -dependent upon whether the train actually comes or not). Or alternate route is 4/5 Train to Union Square and transfer to N/Q/R Train to Canal St.

How did you learn about the temple? And what made you start training? A former work colleague obtained his MBA at Columbia and he knew of someone that trained at the Temple. I went to the trial class, loved the Qi and trained and now on forward it is history (at least part of my history!)

When did you start training? August 2005

What is your favourite basic move? The first and most basic kick...Caijao. You can also apply it to your conversations like, "If you mess with me, I'm going to 'Caijao' you." Of course I wouldn't go ahead with the action. ;)

What injuries have you had from training? Injuries... of course! A different variation of Qbertplaya's and Mo's shaolin butt sword except it's the hamstring that goes directly to your butt-tocks!

What's the most important lesson you learn from training? So many important lessons that could be applied to your life from now 'till the end of time ~ Open your mind, open your body!

Soup or no soup? Who could not love food? Love soup!
Shower or no shower? Miss the cold showers at the old temple! But who's complaining! :)
Gatorade or water? Watered down Gatorade.
How many uniforms? 2 blues and 1 orange.
Straddle or wall stretch? Scared of the straddle but should gain the courage for it. I do prefer the wall stretch or the wish-bone stretch. :)

QUIET PLEASE!!!!

So I just finished practicing kung fu at home and wanted to share. First off, my room is a wreck and I sure didn't feel like clearing a big ol' area to practice in. Second, I live on the top floor of a house and my housemate has complained more than once about my alleged stomping. Now the rule of thumb in Shaolin (apparently) is that you can train in the space that a tiger can lie down in, or something to that effect. And we are taught to try and land soft with no sound on our kicks. So with this in mind I've been going over basics in my room. It was quite an exercise in isolated muscle control. I've practiced outside temple before (see crazy rooftop kung fu, and doing forms in the lobby at my old theatre) but never in this limited amount of space. Very interesting. I recommend everyone become very cluttered, get a grumbly downstairs neighbor, and go at it. Plus, any excuse to put off cleaning the house....

Everyday Kung Fu

Class today was small -- only 19 of us, so after a while, Shifu had us doing the basics as one line whipping around the columns. During forms practice, he worked with Leo on some yiluquan, and it became a nice review for all of us as we stood there mimicking what they were doing.

For the post-training meal, Ji, Hannah R. and I met up with De and Sucheela for some yummy brunch down in Tribeca. Judging the food we consumed, we probably undid all the good we did for our bodies in class today, but at least we made up for it by walking over the Brooklyn Bridge. But then we had some yummy cupcakes that Sucheela had made, so oh well...

Part of our conversation included talking about doing kung fu outside of Temple. I have often stolen moments at the office where I'll do kung fu. I worked on fanyao along a hallway lined with file cabinets where I quickly learned to keep my arms in one plane so as not to bang into the cabinets. I'll sometimes practice in the ladies' room in front of the mirrors. And I'm sure I've amused my building's security desk with its cameras by pubu-ing in the otherwise empty elevator.

Inspired by our conversation, we capped off the fun day by heading to the roof with a camera to enjoy the view and practice some moves, which we filmed. I happily worked on pubu chuanzhang lunbi zaquan from the other side (see above).

And now, I just finished my laundry -- including all three of my uniforms. While waiting for the dryer to stop, I practiced some mabu.

Yup, we're dorks.