During the stretching period of class, Jow-Gow David (Black Sash student) saw me struggling to reach my feet and smiled.
“How many miles was it today?” he asked.
“15,” I murmured, “and May’s heat is starting to hit.”
Being physically exhausted is no excuse for this stubborn middle-aged man, however. I apparently have set an example for some of the younger students and they keep looking to me to check if they’re trying hard enough.
Can’t have the kids seeing me not put in the effort to learn and better myself. Even if I want to whimper and take a nap.
Today was a review day, at least. It’s a good way to see if the muscle memory is still working. According to Sifu, I’ve made tremendous progress if I can move through the forms at my level of exhaustion.
“Your technique is sound,” Sifu said, “and you’re proving that you actually know what to do. We’ll work on making your strikes stronger.”
By that, he meant my Leopard Strikes.
When you spend all day holding between 100-130 letters gripped between your fingers, you end up with a hella strong grip strength, but holding this kind of strike becomes way more tiring than you’d ever expect.
Gung Lik, Bung Bo, Daw Ghong, Yee Lo Jow Qu (not sure if that one’s spelled right), plus weapon forms.
After the third round of practicing those, I’m all but falling over.
Then I realize that Han and the other younger students are watching, so I try to keep my stances correct and show how the movements are done.
Never expected to be a role model, but here I am, so now I have to look like I know what I’m doing. And who knows, I might even just get it right.
Stay safe out there, readers. I’m going to get to bed before I pass out in the chair again.
-JB Swift
Swift's Corner 