Kung Fu

[the_gneech]

Because I stayed up so late last night, it was a bit of a struggle to get to Kung Fu this evening, but I'm really glad I did.

We had a big influx of new students this evening, about 8 in total, and seeing them reminded me of my first night, over a year ago now, and led me to compare where I am now, to where I was then.

I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I'm much better at it and in much better shape than I was the first night I went. After all, that was before the bowflex, before all those hours of jogging and stances and punches, and so forth. But even given that it's 13/14 months later, I was struck at how far I've actually come. I would guess that if I hadn't had that hole from July to December, I'd have my first belt by now. That hole was unavoidable at the time, so I'm not going to fret over it, but still that suggests to me that I will have a belt soon. In fact, I'm going to hazard a guess of March.

I will no longer be a beginner; I will have the first form memorized, and I'll have 100+ hours of drills, exercizes, and hard work (the literal meaning of the words kung fu) to show for it. Then, I will be able to truly say that I am a martial artist, without shifting my feet and adding the disclaimer that I'm just getting started. No longer will I feel like a dabbler, but an actual disciple.

Speaking of the first form, I now have moves 1-6 (of ~25) memorized, thanks to another evening of going through the form from start to finish a few times. Also this evening I did a boatload of fist/grip exercises, including going through the entire routine of punches while holding bricks ... and unlike past brickwork, I never had to let my arms drop once tonight! I was proud of that. :)

I do love my Kung Fu. :) And I've got another class tomorrow! (Tonight was a make-up for the class I missed on Dec. 26th after driving all around trying to find my parents.)

But now, I'm tuckered out, and it's bedtime. G'nite, world, and have a truly brilliant tomorrow. :)

-The Gneech

Comments

[huskyteer.livejournal.com]

Go you! Reading this really reminds me of how I feel about doing karate; I started two years ago, in January, and attending my first class of the new year also took me back to that very first class and how far I've come.

The brick thing sounds really tough, and also painful.

[level-head.livejournal.com]

Confucius would be proud of you!

Changes that happen gradually are hard to detect -- but I'd bet your difference would be starting to an outside observer viewing the "before" and "after".

The journey continues -- may it ever be worthwhile.

Best wishes.

===|==============/ Level Head

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

Well thanks! :) But why Confucius particularly?

-The Gneech

[level-head.livejournal.com]

Where does the name of your discipline come from?

===|==============/ Level Head

[the-gneech.livejournal.com]

I assume you're referring to the fact that "Confucius" is a westernization of "K'ung Fu-Tse." :) While Confucius certainly did influence the development of martial arts (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=442), in as much he developed the development of everything even remotely to do with China, he is not directly related to Shaolin Kung Fu. I'm pretty sure that his name was just a name, rather than that people called him "Mr. Hard Work." ;)

On the other hand, it's just an offhand comment, I should really just relax. ;) Thanks. :)

-The Gneech

[level-head.livejournal.com]

It's a good thing that I never make puns, isn't it? Or do ironic comments. ];-)

===|==============/ Level Head

Congratulations

[kagur.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on your progress. I salute you as a fellow martial artist on a different path, but making the same journey.

[murrrmaiyd.livejournal.com]

Woohoo!! Go Gneech! :)

Mur