Friday was the intro class for Q at Harrisburg Kung Fu Center (www.hbgkungfu.com).
It consisted of one other boy and the instructor. He first went over greetings and why they are important- fist over fist and a quick bow to acknowledge that when you walk into the dojo you are leaving the rest of the world behind you, outside, until you leave. Do this when greeting higher ranks, instructor, and before stepping onto the dojo floor.
Then speaking. Said students would not do much speaking in class. He went through the greeting and uttered what he'd say prior to their form and taught them the response they were to say, then walked them through the form. He told them most of what they'd be saying in class was "USH" in repsonse to him (I understand), and "SUT," which is uttered as one exhales in order to control the breath. Said controlling the breath was essentially important early, because if you took a hit to the gut-- which, he added, you will-- and you do not know how to breathe you will have the wind knocked out of you and be at a disadvantage. He explained diaphragmatic breathing (thoracic breathing? same thing?) and elaborated a bit.
I would love to go into how he broke down and explained his techniques because I found them to be very impressive.. he went through the greeting form, warm up excersizes, stretches, and hand strikes (which is what I'd like to get into). I feel it would be disrespectful to relay every little detail as I'd like to, though.. so instead I'll relay how he outlined things for his students.
He gave a password or two to access to a student handbook through his website, containing a breakdown of the forms, strikes, kicks, methods learned. It breaks down what is expected of the student-- i.e. bowing to higher ranks, it's your responsibility to find out who the higher ranks are. Bow to all elders and children, and always to the sifu (master). Uniform always clean, respect it, wash it, fold it up and neatly put it away do not throw it down. Sashes, when earned, do not touch the floor. If you are late to class you will come in discreetly, go to the back, do 10-20 pushups and then follow along at the back out of rank.
He requires his students read (x) set books at their appropriate rank. The first book was "karate as a Way of Life" I forget who it's by.. he said that when he started in the 80s there weren't too many things written on the subject and what was available wasn't too good. Today there are and he's incorporated them into his curriculum. The "Karate as a Way of Life" he says the author really set a model by living his life as a martial artist should, and it's a good intro book for the beginning martial artist on what one's standards should (could) be. His bookcase also included Tai Chi Classic, Art of War, Kenpo reads, Kung Fu reads, and a host of others.
He also requires his students to keep a notebook, which is formatted in the handbook as a guideline on how to keep it. He says that when you execute something perfectly, when you get it, it's crystal clear in your mind (and he stuck his hand out when he said this) and that right then and there, writing it down keeps it crystal clear in your mind. Also as you go along and rank up it's your own reference to something you may have forgotten.
I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and what he is doing. Super excited for Q to be going back into martial arts and finding a piece of himself maybe left behind. Part of me, though, feels like I'm at port, and there's this big ship of knowledge and growth and opportunity slowly setting sail away from me.
I'm determined to find a way to practice martial arts as I travel. Or at least use the time to read up on it.
I feel I have a future in kung fu.
It consisted of one other boy and the instructor. He first went over greetings and why they are important- fist over fist and a quick bow to acknowledge that when you walk into the dojo you are leaving the rest of the world behind you, outside, until you leave. Do this when greeting higher ranks, instructor, and before stepping onto the dojo floor.
Then speaking. Said students would not do much speaking in class. He went through the greeting and uttered what he'd say prior to their form and taught them the response they were to say, then walked them through the form. He told them most of what they'd be saying in class was "USH" in repsonse to him (I understand), and "SUT," which is uttered as one exhales in order to control the breath. Said controlling the breath was essentially important early, because if you took a hit to the gut-- which, he added, you will-- and you do not know how to breathe you will have the wind knocked out of you and be at a disadvantage. He explained diaphragmatic breathing (thoracic breathing? same thing?) and elaborated a bit.
I would love to go into how he broke down and explained his techniques because I found them to be very impressive.. he went through the greeting form, warm up excersizes, stretches, and hand strikes (which is what I'd like to get into). I feel it would be disrespectful to relay every little detail as I'd like to, though.. so instead I'll relay how he outlined things for his students.
He gave a password or two to access to a student handbook through his website, containing a breakdown of the forms, strikes, kicks, methods learned. It breaks down what is expected of the student-- i.e. bowing to higher ranks, it's your responsibility to find out who the higher ranks are. Bow to all elders and children, and always to the sifu (master). Uniform always clean, respect it, wash it, fold it up and neatly put it away do not throw it down. Sashes, when earned, do not touch the floor. If you are late to class you will come in discreetly, go to the back, do 10-20 pushups and then follow along at the back out of rank.
He requires his students read (x) set books at their appropriate rank. The first book was "karate as a Way of Life" I forget who it's by.. he said that when he started in the 80s there weren't too many things written on the subject and what was available wasn't too good. Today there are and he's incorporated them into his curriculum. The "Karate as a Way of Life" he says the author really set a model by living his life as a martial artist should, and it's a good intro book for the beginning martial artist on what one's standards should (could) be. His bookcase also included Tai Chi Classic, Art of War, Kenpo reads, Kung Fu reads, and a host of others.
He also requires his students to keep a notebook, which is formatted in the handbook as a guideline on how to keep it. He says that when you execute something perfectly, when you get it, it's crystal clear in your mind (and he stuck his hand out when he said this) and that right then and there, writing it down keeps it crystal clear in your mind. Also as you go along and rank up it's your own reference to something you may have forgotten.
I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and what he is doing. Super excited for Q to be going back into martial arts and finding a piece of himself maybe left behind. Part of me, though, feels like I'm at port, and there's this big ship of knowledge and growth and opportunity slowly setting sail away from me.
I'm determined to find a way to practice martial arts as I travel. Or at least use the time to read up on it.
I feel I have a future in kung fu.