Whomp!

[the_gneech]

Tonight's class involved lots of jogging (groan) and lots of front-snap-kick-walking variations ... front snap kick across the room with hands at block, front snap kick across the room with hands behind back, front snap kick across the room with hands over head, front snap kick across the room while holding a brick out in each hand at arms' length...

After that, the class broke up into groups by relative level of experience. I got put in with the rolling and tumbling group -- woohoo! That's my favorite part. :) Tonight we added a new element to the jump-over-targets-into-a-roll routine, which was a rubber knife that was placed on the mat. The goal of the exercise was to jump over the targets into a forward roll, scooping up the rubber knife as we passed -- preferably to come up in a ready stance with knife in hand. I did pretty well, but the tumbling is always rough on my shoulders, and now my left shoulder is a bit sore.

On Monday night, I had a great deal of difficulty keeping my balance while chambering a kick (i.e., standing on one leg in a knee-lift position). I posted a message to the school's message board asking if anyone had any suggestions on what to do about that problem, and one respondent suggested that I practice the move at home with my eyes closed. I tried this some last night and today, and it did help quite a bit. I still have some trouble just because the leg (and especially the foot) muscles needed are still developing -- but after trying to do the move without even visual clues, doing it with my eyes open seems easy indeed by comparison!

Oh, we also did the "fifty punches while holding bricks" exercise again tonight -- ouch-a-rama! We do it with bricks to develop the power and speed of our non-brick-wielding punches, and I'm sure it's having beneficial effects ... but it also makes my poor biceps and shoulder muscles cry like spoiled babies who just got a spankin'! But that's the essence of Kung Fu -- "hard work" -- and the only way I'll get moves like Xiao Xiao's. ;)

Time to crawl off to bed now. G'nite!

-The Gneech

Comments

[graveyardgreg.livejournal.com]

Someone's gonna be buff by August!

[nekomimikun.livejournal.com]

I remember being given weighted clothing when I did Karate... It made a really neat snapping noise because I punched and kicked really fast. XD
Glad you are getting some good exercise. =D

[jamesbarrett.livejournal.com]

I hate to say it, but I'm starting to get real jealous. I have neither the time nor the money right now and I'd probably just break something again, but....darnit. I could use this stuff too. *goes to his room and pouts* -Friskr

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

Dude, you need to start cultivating your own mojo so you'll stop being jealous of mine! ;P -TG

Re:

[jamesbarrett.livejournal.com]

This is so very true, but you're always doing the things I want to do. I can't help it. -Frisk

[vik_thor]

Glad your enjoying it!

Wishes I could give you nice backrub, relax your shoulders...

Training tip?

[kagur.livejournal.com]

Here's an idea from a fellow furry martial artist. If you have access to a pool(in your case, indoors) with a shallow end, it is great for practicing balance and kicks. Don't have to worry about falling over, and the pool allows you to concentrate and build leg strength in the supporting leg. ::shrugs:: Just something that helps me....

Re: Training tip?

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

Could you be more specific? What do you do in the pool exactly? -TG

Re: Training tip?

[kagur.livejournal.com]

Well...go to the shallow end and find a flat area...water should be at the level of your chest. Plant the supporting leg firmly, and draw the other knee up, chambering. Practice kicking, using the resistance of the water to build strength. As you do so, your balance will improve, because you can feel when you are balanced and connected...and when you are not. If you lose balance, no problem. Just replant and start again.

Re: Training tip?

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

I'll check it out, thanks! :) -TG