SAT - Shaolin Aptitude Test

Last class before testing... I had to keep repeating that in my head tonight. The air was THICK. When did summer come back? I got the old woozy-hazy-super sweaties and each time I did a full run of erluquan I thought I was not going to make it to the end. I mean it was hotttttt, man. And during warm up I aggravated the rip in my cotton pants, so I had to plow through with only one uniform. But last class before testing, gotta bring the chi. (Yes I bring it every day, etc. etc., but you know what I mean.)

So I was going to list out what I think are my weakest spots and what last minute tweaking I hope to achieve before Saturday. But I realized, I don't want to get stressed and analytical about testing. I am comfortable with where I am and am looking forward to showing that progress to Sifu. This isn't a test for cramming. And I feel I'm as prepared as I can be, if not as awesome at the sweep as I want to be. So I just want to say Amituofo to everyone testing, more chi, test harder!

Frankie Says RELAX!

Since I finished erluquan, in preparation for testing, more than one person has warned me about the importance of learning to pace myself properly through the (very long) form. In fact, when I was still learning yiluquan, someone, I think Joshua, told me to relax because if I was that tense doing erluquan I'd collapse halfway through. It's hard to find the balance of doing every movement all-out with lots of chi, while making sure you aren't a sad sack of sloppiness by the end. What was pointed out to me, was that while of course everything should be sharp and clean, there are points built into the form for catching your breath to prepare for the next strike, kick, 5 kicks, whatever. And if you concentrate on being relaxed in those parts and not constantly tense (like I often am) you'll find your energy goes much further.

Finding this good advice, I've also tried to apply it to the entire class. When on line for basics, I've been trying to make sure that during those brief intervals of standing I'm totally relaxed, breathing controlled, and not tensed up waiting for the next trip down the line. I have spent a large portion of my time training trying to relax my shoulders during forms and basics, relax my muscles for stretching, relax relax relax. Most of my life I've maintained a constant state of tension and it's been a difficult adaptation. But I'm slowly getting there, and it has really helped me focus my chi into both explosive power and controlled execution. I hope I can keep it going for this weekend!

Playin' in the park

Thanks to Richu for putting together a great and totally hilarious chuji quantao montage. Yay for dorks in the park!