and he should have a taste for both Ways"
- Japanese Swordsman/Ronin: Musashi Miymoto
The Book of Five Rings
This is a quote, and belief, that has always resonated with me. And though I have not taken up the study of the Japanese Martial Arts, Musashi is one of many warriors/masters of all the martial arts/ways that I have found inspiring. It has been a long time since I have posted and because I am strongly dedicating myself to my Shaolin Do practice; I am looking for ways to hold myself accountable to my practice and study. So, I have decided to recommit to posting, at this point at least, once a week. Therefore, I have added a fourth branch to my Willow Tree: "My Way of the Warrior." If you are curious as to the other three branches, refer back to the very first post of this entire blog.
In this post:
-persona purpose/mission/beliefs as to why I choose The Warrior's Way
-my previous warrior/martial training
-why kung fu
-why a gap in training
-why the re-commitment
-current practice:
-how I have grown in the past year
-my current goals
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Why The Warrior Way?
To those of you who know me, this will sound familiar. I am very much a textual (visual) and kinesthetic (physical) learner. I am deeply attracted, and choose to root myself, in tradition and conflict. Tradition in the sense of my internal gender role (not any expectation of it in others). Ideas of protecting, providing, and fighting for family and community. Conflict in the sense that I like to test, and retest, thoughts and theories to see how they hold (within me) as times moves forward. I also love the conflict of honorable challenges of intellect, strength, and creativity. Chess, video games, board games, discussion, etc. I like to find enjoyable people who will push me to grow physically and mentally. In this, masters and students of the martial arts have always been appealing and respected by me.
Previous Training
-junior high/high school: Judo/School Wrestling
-college: Fencing/Wing Chung Kung Fu/Kung Fu San Soo/Kobudo (brief)
-current: Shaolin Do
Why Chinese Kung Fu?
Given what I had the most information on when choosing a form, my options seemed Japanese Karate or Chinese Kung Fu. There is great information and detail in the definitions and differences of each. For the most part, I am shorter and thinner than most men my age. The "hardness" and "linearness" of Karate did not seem the best fit for me. Kung Fu with its' infighting and circular movements, seemed the better fit. I have a high interest and respect for both. Each have their strengths and weaknesses in comparison. In the end it comes down to knowledge, skill, practice, and the Warrior's Spirit.
Why the Gap in Training/Re-Commitment? & Current Growth
There have been many years between college/after college until recently. This is mainly due to my focus on my profession as a High School English Teacher in New Orleans. As many of you know, our school system has its' struggles and a need to grow both before and especially after Katrina. Take a look at averages of whatever you want connected to education across the country for cities and you will find it. We have great kids, put they need resources and continually holding to high expectations for their success. And just as the kids and their families feel all the weight and pressure of classes, work, grades, and testing--we, the teachers most definitely do as well. There is a lot of professional, academic, and personal pressure to do our best and with limited resources and funds. Last year, my basic hours were 4am-11pm every day. And though I have no regrets, there was not a lot of time for my personal extracurricular activities. This year, I have found better ways to organize my time.
The main reason for that was being mugged last year in the French Quarter by three men. It was not even very late, on the Main Street of Royal. I was being a moron, not aware of my surroundings all up in my phone, when I was surprised punched in the face. I was unwilling to give up my phone or wallet until I realized, I was not going to escape, let alone win, that fight. Eventually, a lot of hits and kicks later I did give up the items.
Needless to say, I was very disappointed in myself for not being aware or in better shape and I new it was time to find a path for growth again. I started looking for what I had experience with, schools of Kung Fu, and found a Sifu at New Orleans Tai Chi and Kung Fu.
I have advanced in the last year:
white belt-->yellow belt-->blue belt--> most recently to green belt, tested by the grand master of our school
Sin Kwan The`.
My Current Thoughts/Goals
Kung Fu Goals
Study Goals
-keep an p to date note book and binder for notes/thoughts/questions
-build arm/leg strength
-build flexibility
-build leg strength/flexibility for rotating moves (spinning side kicks, backfists, etc)
-build power/speed in punches, kicks, and movement
-build crisp/sharp explosive attacks and movements
-continue building solid stance and technique in forms
-be able to perform full width/length splits by the time I earn my brown belt
Weapon Goals
-build speed/sharpness with weapon based attacks
-be learning/practicing at least one supplementary weapon aside from
current curriculum material.
Sparring Goals
-have 3, 4+ move combos to pull from at all times
-have 5, 3+ move combos have to pull from at all times
-to travel to other tournaments in our school system, compete, and place in the top three.
Belt Goals/Short Term
-Brown Belt by the beginning of the next school year. (August)
Belt Goals/Long Term
-Black Belt by 2016
This is a very interesting post.
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