China 7 months: Kunyu and Leaving Day

Kunyu and leaving day

Though the academy was not what I thought it would be like I still enjoyed my experience at Kunyu Shan very much. The people were great, the surroundings stunningly beautiful and the Masters, though sometimes flawed in character are good at their jobs. The main disappointment was simply the running of the academy by Su. He employed no real structure, has no vision and has the honesty of a politician with the communication skills of one too. I dislike him as he has the opportunity to do something great with this place but instead behaves like a small minded, unprofessional idiot who only fixates on the short term profit forgoing any professionalism and moral conduct.

Kunyu academy is like an international hostel with beautiful surroundings and Kung fu. You can expect at its worst, chocolate, biscuits, Soft drinks, DVD watching, brothels, karaoke, drinking, smoking, miscommunication, deceit, the feeling of being ripped off, girls walking around wearing make up, and witnessing students whom should of spent some time training before they came to China. At its best it is an eclectic mix of students who are interesting, friendly and sociable with some hardcore dudes, surroundings that are tranquil, inspiring, enlightening, the mood can be fun, good kung-fu and a place you can call home.

I enjoyed my time there but towards the end i just found myself frustrated with the limitations of the facilities and the lack of decent management. Their is so much that could be improved upon but nontheless a very interesting and memorable experience.

It took me 2min to pack as all I brought was a small backpack. I had a taxi booked at 12:30. About 12:20 went outside and chilled with a group of people who had come to send me off. They all seemed impressed that all I had was the small back pack. Said goodbye to everyone. I know I should of said more but I just shook everyones hand and left. Jeremy and Megan joined me in the cab. We picked up Hanah, Ori and Alan. Said goodbye to Ori and Alan at the hotsprings then picked up my ticket. We went to nice coffee place in Yantai. Which their isn't many as coffee shops are not big in China. But it was very nice. Arrived at the train station, hugged everyone, said my goodbyes and off I went. As soon as I turned away from everyone I felt alone, it was great.

"facing what consumes you, is the only way to be free" Hatebreed

Michael

China 7 months: Leaving Party 2

Every Friday almost the whole school goes out in there individual cliques. As their was a duel leaving (Craig and myself) alot of people went to "Caro", a restaurant. The Mantis crew; Seb, Simon and Frank were there, as well as Jeremy, Megan, Hannah, Ori and a number of other students.

I had 2 huge bottles of beer, 2 plates of fried chicken, 2 plates of kung pow chicken and about 70 "meat on a sticks". It was good! Everyone was merry and having a good time and even students from the other academy were there. I ate, like everybody else, like an animal and between us all it came to a grand total of about a one pound each.

Off to karaoke we went. I did the mandatory drunk Michael thing and again carried Hannah into the Karaoke place. This time the room was filled to the brim with Lawoi. Already drunk and singing away. Sang Faith by Limp Bizkit with Jeremy but this time I moshed hard and screamed more. Swinged danced with Megan again. The crowd seemed to be impressed as we were given applause. But I was not as drunk as before and so realised I was stepping on her feet a lot. Not as good as I thought. In my inebriated head I thought I was a cross between Patrick Swayze and John Travolta. Thanks Megan for not mentioning it. Though at one point she did stand on my feet while we danced so as to protect hers.

Later when the crowds had left and there were only about 5 or 6 of us, Hannah gave a little speech about me leaving. I can't really remember the words but I do remember the sentiment and my appreciation of it at the time. Thank you Hannah.

Shaolin students "letting their hair down".

Megan and I trying to choose a song to sing

I think about 2am Jeremy, megan and I decided to call it a night and said goodbye to the hardcore crew of Karaoke Militia in which Welshy seemed to be the leader, fyi named that as he is from Wales.

Carried Megan to the taxi in the pouring rain. I could of slipped but my Mantis stance training and the fact I'm a bit of Ninja made sure I didn't. The night was great and I would like to give a big thank you to "James the Aristocrat" for paying for the karaoke bill. I tip my virtual reality top hat to you oh kind sir.

It's thanks and recognition time. Thanks to the Mantis crew: Sauded Seb, Mad Franky Fredericks and Psycho Singing Simon. Thanks to Seb for getting me through the repetitive forms training and generally being a good guy. Franky for being some one to bounce my crazy side off and being very enthusiastic about his training. Simon for simply being a psycho and singing. All are great guys.

Frankie

Seb

Thanks to Ninja Matt and Dangerous Dave for introducing me to Ninjitsu.

Thanks to Jeremy, Hannah, Meagan and Ori.

Jeremy for being a cool looking arian version of John Travolta and having a typical Hollywood smile with a cool laid back southern American accent. If he does not make it as a kung fu master he should head for Hollywood. Also for being a great guy.


Hannah for being a good conversationalist, an interesting character and a having a kind heart.


I spent more time with Megan than anyone when outside of training. So I would like to thank her for keeping me company, our interesting conversations, making me laugh and being a beautiful person.


Ori for being a good friend and a fantastic room mate.

Good thoughts for you all are heading your way.


Trust in God and Tie Your Camel Up (Sufi saying)

Michael

China 7 months: Leaving Party n.o 1

1st leaving party



As i am leaving Jeremy, Megan, Hannah and I went out to Muping for some market food. I like the market food in Muping and I'm slowly getting used the over crowded roads full of staring Chinese, bikes, motor bikes and cars. The smell of burnt cooking fat wafting through the air definitely lets you know where you are. Their are market stores selling fruit, useless pieces pf tack, food vendors cooking noodles, meat, pastries and sometimes insects.



As we sat down we were greeted by the mandatory smiles, stares and pointing at of us, the "white devils" by the locals and unexpenctantly a welcomed cool late afternoon breeze. Which was much needed as it has been sweltering lately.



We ordered noodles and I think octopus and meat for Jeremy and I, but mostly for me. As I was leaving we decided to have a jug of beer. It tasted good and must of cost about 40p a jug.



About four jugs later we walked gingerly to the next street to play some street pool. It's great. The pool cues need new tips and the tables are wonky. We played pool on the street, drank some beers and ate some chocolate. Two bottles later we decided it was time to leave for some karaoke. We staggered to the taxi. Went a few minutes down the road and we were there. When I start carrying people I know I'm a little tipsy. So I carried Hannah into the Karaoke place, slurred some unintelligible nonsense at the woman at the desk and was duly pointed into the direction of the karaoke room. The Chinese there are used to Lawoi (foreigners), as the guys from the academy frequent it quite a bit.



The room was huge. A smiling china man brought in a crate of beer and left promptly. The room was too big for us four so megan, bolstered by her alcohol consumption went looking for a room we could occupy with some Chinese. I knew this was not going to be a problem as she is white, blonde and has blue eyes and it's mostly Chinese men that karaoke. We went next door where there were about 10 Chinese guys and 1 woman, drunk and having a good time. As expected they were very happy to have four Lawoi in the room especially as two were white, blonde females. A few beers later my top was off and I'm jumping, megan is dancing, Hannah is chatting and Jeremy is chilling, it's all good. They sang one song and we sang another. At the end of each song a score is given, so it was good fun. We even got some rock/metal in their with Song 2 from Blur and Faith by Limp Bizkit. Which I loved. It was a really good party atmosphere. My next memory was of an irate guy smashing a bottle, then the same dude holding onto Megan a little to inappropriately. So I grabbed Megan said she was with me. The next thing I know our cab driver said we should leave, so we did with this idiot not knowing when he has no chance still pestering Megan. This is when I started running through my Mantis lessons and wondering which move I should use to take this fool out. We got to the cab and for some reason the cab driver would not move. So this idiot was still bothering Megan through the window. He wasn't being nasty, more of a nuicance. But still I had selected hammer fist to the left temple if he continued. Running through my head was the wondering thought of how much it would cost to get myself out of trouble with the police if this goes down. I would have to take him out plus his mates. Anyway we all shouted at the cab driver and he got the hint and moved. After we chilled it was the decision on where to go to next.



It was decided that Ali Babas would be the place. It's a pool place with a bar and dance area. Again I carried someone into the place but I can't remember who. Straight to the dance floor. I start jumping around like an E user on a mission with Megan and Jeremy. Hannah takes a seat and chills. I know I had some more beers and I believe these are the order of the events that occurred. Feeling good, and confident in my dancing abilities and the shameful fact that I watched every episode of Strictly Come Dancing, I felt it was my chance to step things up a notch. So I attempted some swing dancing moves with Megan. They felt great and I'm sure they looked brilliant. I'm just glad I was able to throw Megan around and no one getting hurt.



Later that night Jeremey fainted on the dance floor. But he was o.k. I got tearful whilst hugging Hannah as I was missing Yuki. I hate drunks that cry. Chatted nonsense, danced some more, hugged a few people, mounted a few people then I think I carried, at the same time Hannah and Megan to the cab. I'm not sure but definitely someone. Arrived back at the academy at about 5:30. Hugged Megan as it was her idea, went to my room and collapsed on my bed.



I want to thank everyone on that night as it will be a very fond memory for a long time to come.



Peace People



Michael

China 7 months: Plans

Finish my travels in either Japan, Australia, or Canada by which time it will be 2009-10 then work for 3-5 years in London, and in that time save 30k-50k, become a CHEK II, PICP II, Bio-signature modulation practitioner, NLP Master, Hypnotherapist, HLC III and Neuro-Muscular Therapist, to have established myself as a writer and established myself on the national/international lecturing circuit. After that time I think Yuki and I will consider living outside of England. Maybe France, Italy, Thailand, Japan or Australia. Then over the next 20 or so years own several properties around the world, have written several books, produced several DVDs, own my own clinic, produced my own courses, have completed my Acupuncture, Osteopath, Naturopath courses, have had a kid or two, then between the ages of 60 and 70 when I reached my strength peak, my posture is at it's best and my muscle to fat ratio is at it's best I will start my Physics and Criminal Psychology degrees.

I've met so many people who really do not look forward to maturing but I cannot wait. The sheer amount of knowledge I will know, the people I will meet and the person I will become, excites me.

Much happiness to you all.

Michael

China 7 months: Steak, Training and Tea

It just doesn't get better.

Jakies is a restaurant in Yantai that specifically caters for the foreign appetite and makes a very nice steak. For the students it's a real treat to visit a here and use the toilet, honestly. If you've been to China you know what it means to be in a nice, clean toilet by yourself.

I had myself a steak and it was good. It cost a lot but was worth it. Afterward I felt perfectly content and realized that steak has to be plentiful on my spiritual path. Also had chocolate milkshake and it was good. Possibly the best I have ever had. I think I will have another steak and shake night before I leave.

Thursday was a good day. We conditioned are limbs against the tree in the morning and in the afternoon worked on the application of techniques. Later I trained myself and had a great session. The school bought some new weights. This new aquisition coincided with my body finally gaining some strength back. When I first arrived my body recovered slowly from weight training and I felt tired and weak but I feel if it is back to almost normal. Here is what I did for those who are interested:

Usual warm up of bodyweight movements.

Focus was on speed and perfect technique

4x4 cleans into full squat 55kg

4x5 power presses 20kg

3x6-8 sumo deadlifts 105kg

3x6-8 Wide pronated pull ups 10kg

10x uphill sprints

Body weight eccentric circuit to elicit some GH and IGF

Wide squat x2 25/10/X/0

Wide pronated pull ups x3-4 10/0/X/10

Press ups x3 15/10/X/0

The circuit was done twice.

A great session.

Later that day Megan and I met after dinner and sat in a local garden that has chairs and a table and chatted for about an hour and a half with a cup of green tea. No one goes to this garden so its very quiet and peaceful and the night sky with the mountains and a full moon made a very beautiful backdrop. A fantastic day.

Namaste and Chi

Michael

China 7 months: Lies, Leaving and new room mates

The influx of newbies has increased the summer camp feel, especially as they all seem to be 18 year olds without a clue. The girls get dressed up and put on make up only to walk round the school grounds. It really isn't the sort of place for that. The guys are pissed off because they don't want any distractions, which young girls prancing about are, and the girls who came here to genuinely train just think their stupid. Some of the newbie guys are a little dunce to.

Not really Shaolin Martial Arts material. Go home!

Ori and Hannah have had enough of this place and have left to another academy in Muping. The new school specializes in Mantis and also teaches traditional Shaolin, as oppose to the Wushu type that is taught at Kunyu Shan. Wushu is more theatrical than traditional. I reckon by the end of the month another 5 students would have left. The summer camp feel at this place is a bit too much for some people and also the lies and deceit which goes on here. Nothing seems to be straight forward, there is always an ulterior motive to the goings on at this academy when it involves communication of anything to the students. Though from what I have learned and have been told this is Chinese culture not just the academy. The less anyone else knows the better. It really is strange, even if the truth would be better to say, the Chinese lie out of instinct and habit.

I now have two new roommates; Vincent and Frankie. Vincent is a cool American kid with some social interaction issues and Frankie, a Dutch, dangerous dude with some impressive martial arts skills.

Dutch, dangerous and deranged; Frankie

Students are also leaving quite fast. Five left just this week. It is always quite emotional scenes when students leave. Students build up quite strong links. It's almost like a family. Three of the five that left have been here for nine months and the other were very friendly and well thought of guys. Three of them were in Mantis. So now it is just I, Seb, Simon and Frankie. I suspect I will see my Mantis brothers Dan, Dave and Rob again, especially as I have invited them to Japan if I get there. If you guys ever read this I just want to say it was a pleasure meeting you all and I wish you luck in what ever you do.

On Tuesdays we do a "power training" session. I have been taking it for the last 4 sessions and it is so much better than what it was before, in my own opinion. The previous sessions consisted of benching and sit ups, so something had to change. The new session is basically a really good warm up, mostly consisting of body weight movements then on to a race event. The race starts with a side crawl of about 40metres, then fireman carrying some one on your team for 20m then swapping shoulders for another 20m, then a single arm are farmers walk with about 20kg (heaviest dumbell) for 40m then a 40m sprint. Sounds easy but it is quite challenging. The weather has been getting increasing hotter and more humid here. Last Tuesday was particularly bad and as a result after one round of the race pretty much everyone including myself felt feint and dizzy. We all layed on the floor of the Mantis training room like wounded soldiers. I have now changed it to a more strength based session. I even asked if we could push the schools mini van as part of the workout but Master laughed and said it would be to easy.

Mantis boys after a training session

I have been feeling physically very good lately and as a result have some new goals: to rip our boxing bag with one backhand, hit a tree so hard that chunks of it start falling off and to do a one arm pull up. Also I have set myself the challenge of frog jumping the mountain stairs all the way to the top and then crawling on my hands all the way down. Sounds easy but there are students here who genuinely find it hard to walk up the stairs. The 35+degree heat coupled with the humidity and altitude should make it interesting. I need to find someone willing to do it with me.

The walks I have after dinner are fantastic and one thing I am going to truly miss from here. I usually end up at a river by the waterfall. The pictures below are of what I would like my eventual living place to look like. It is more beautiful and calming than the pictures convey. Lifu, the dog in the picture sometimes joins me.

We had another grading but I had not learned the new form we are being taught so was not graded that day. It was a little boring as all the newbies were doing their Shaolin basics. But there were some good ones. I am now thinking of adding Canada to my list of possible travel destinations, so as to study Systema. It's a Russian combat system that seems interesting. Canada because I've been told that one of the main teachers resides there.



The insects are getting bigger and badder. The mosquitoes are attacking everyone whilst they sleep. I wake up with bites all over me and Dan had about 50 bites on his hand. His hands were swollen for days. I've put a net over my bed and that seems to help. You can hear the insects during the day. There are 2 distinct sounds. One sounds like a screaming electrical cable with Bi-Polar and the other sounds like a billion crickets. During the night the frogs or toads sound like a million ducks are outside our window, it's quite strange. And now there is a swarm of Dragon Flies flying around the academy. China is not the place to be if don't like insects, lies and heat.



Wishing you an insect free day


Michael

China 7 months: Syringes, Cups and Lies

Ori has been having trouble with his rib cage on the left side and low back for a while. He also managed to drop a rock on his foot whilst helping build a new training area, and it hasn't stopped bleeding for three days. His rib and back have been causing him disrupted sleep at night. On Tuesday he went to the hospital for acupuncture to see if that could help with at least with the pain.

Ori, Nick and Joakim arrived at the hospital that I went to previously for massage. Apparently the acupuncture department doesn't work on Tuesdays so the cab driver took them to another hospital. They arrived and explained the problems. Nick was first to receive treatment. Nick had injured his knee the week before and has been unable to train. The doctor inspected the knee then wrote a prescription for him. Nick went down stairs, paid for the prescription and brought it back up. It was 3 vials of liquid. The doctor proceeded to mix them together to make a fluorescent pink liquid then brought a syringe with a 3 inch needle. Sucked it up then injected the unknown substance into his knee. Later that day when I saw him he was hobbling, but before it was impossible to tell if he was injured. Joakim had nothing wrong with him but went along for the ride just to try out the acupuncture. Instead of acupuncture he got suction cups. Basically the doctor lights a flame by the cup to use up all the air and then quickly places the cup on precise parts of the body where because of the lack of air, creates suction. He had two cups and everything was fine. The doctor recommended that Ori have the cup treatment to. So he did but with a difference. The doctor made little incision before placing the cup. So when the cup was on, it sucked blood out! When I saw Ori later he looked like he had giant pepperonis on his back and left ribcage. The treatment did not seem to do anything but cause pain and discomfort.

Not Ori

I am having Karate Kid moments. Just like Daniel (Karate kid) didn't understand the training or its purpose until his teacher showed him that painting railings and washing cars were actually blocks. I am having similar occasions of clarity and understanding in regards to my form that I have been learning. Unexpentanctly during sparring, the forms movements, with out any pre-determined intention display themselves to us (Seb to) automatically during an attack. It all just started to make sense and is continuing to do so. Even during Ninjitsu class the form movements are easy to apply. This is helped as Praying Mantis and Ninjitsu have similar principles and application.

We have water back. It is a relief. The rivers look so much healthier.

During the weekend I had acupuncture. Their were about 15 needles sticking out of my back. I had bought my own needles as I am not really comfortable with using the hospitals. It was a very uncomfortable feeling. I felt as if i couldn't move.

In Ninjitsu we practiced disarming someone with a gun. It was not really disarming but more like how to have the attacker shoot themselves, which was really cool. I really like Ninjitsu and am really looking forward to practicing it in Japan.

Over the weekend 15 new students turned up. A lot of newbies. I do not mind new people but because of the sheer number, and that their are now 3 to a room instead of 2 which was originally placed on the website. Their seems to be a slight resentment and has created a lot of tension among some. Ori and I are still waiting for are 3rd room mate. A lot of people are going to leave simply because their has been one thing after another. There is a distinct lack of communication and professionalism showed by Su (academy owner). This lacking has caused students to question his true intentions, and is leaving students thinking he is a liar and is simply taking the piss out of them. None of this bothers me as just keep training and I know I will be out of here in just over a month.


Keep cool everyone

Michael

China 7 months: Drought

We have had no water for a week. Their is a drought out here. Actually that's a lie, we have water between 6-8pm. This 2 hr window is for close to 50 or so students, to shower and wash their clothes. The 3 showers and 3 washing machines are not really adequate but it seems to be o.k for now.

It started raining on Tuesday but stopped on Friday so not quite enough to stop the drought but at least it's a start.

A dried out river bed

I'm ill again. This time it feels like I have a cold. So I've missed 2 days of training. Which I'm not happy about.

I have been thinking about living alternatives to London. I have now on my list for further investigation; Italy, France, Hawaii, Bahamas, Tasmania (Australia), New Zealand and Japan. I just can't see myself living in London anymore.

My plan for my little journey as, it stands is to leave Shandong aug10, then into the Henan province till nov 10, then onto Thailand till feb 10, then another 3 months traveling Burma, Laos, Cambodia, so about may 10 I should be back in Thailand again for another 1-3 months, than by aug 10 live and work in Japan for 3-6 months by which time it could be feb 09. May even pop into Australia if I have the money and inclination. Right now these are just ideas. So I don't know for sure. But I really like the idea of working and living in Japan. And yes, if any of you want to visit you'll have somewhere to stay.

Saturday Hannah and I went to the cave (8 immortals) after breakfast to meditate. The weather was very humid so we were sweating like crazy just 10min into the walk there. The cave is right at the top of a bunch of steps where we do the stair run every Friday. It takes about 30min to get there. Once there Hannah told me a little history of the 8 immortals as she has a book on them. Would tell you about it but I've forgotten, sorry. Then we started meditating. It's very quiet there. All you can hear is what nature intended you to hear. It started to rain a little, about 10min after we started which just added to the bliss. I like the sound of rain. The fact I was sniveling because of my cold did little to ruin the experience. After we just walked back slowly having a very pleasant conversation.

On Sunday I went back to the cave to meditate again but this time it was just me. When i got there i found a Chinese family sitting out side. On weekends their are a lot of visiting Chinese, as the cave and national park are tourist attractions. I went into the cave, layed down my Buddha book my friend Kemi gave me and was not 10sec into meditating when my "spider senses" started tingling. I turned round ready to deliver a Mantis hammer fist, but when i opened my eyes i was presented with a young Chinese man about to take a photo of me. I got up and he and his girlfriend gestured if they could take a photo with me. I didn't want to ruin their day so i did. One of their mums took a photo. The guy and girl on either side of me. The guy had his arm round me and the girl was very close, like we were long life friends or something. The bad thing was that i was sweating like a nutter and the top i was wearing was soaked through and had not been washed in a week. They seemed happy to have met and had photos taken with a foreigner, even if he was sweaty.

Later in the day, after lunch, I, Hannah, Megan, Jenny, Jeremy, Sid, Keenan and a South African guy who I have forgotten his name went to a close town called Muping to grab a bite to eat. We had a look round and decided on a small Chinese café that had pictures on the wall in which we could point to. Between 7 of us as Keenan didn't eat we had about 9 dishes, 3 noodle soups that all tasted great and everyone apart from me had a soft drink. It all came to a grand total of 1.40 GBP each. Going back to London is going to be so hard. My usual lunch costs me close to 15 GBP.

Being stared at in Muping

The plan was to head for a massage after eating. We ended back at the place where I was viciously and maliciously assaulted. I started having flash backs and went into a cold sweat. I hear those are common symptoms of post traumatic stress syndrome. I was ready to drop to my knees and fake an embolism when Keenan said he would like to go to the hospital and try out the acupuncture, I quickly put my hand up and said "me to". We arrived and I did most of the talking to explain the issues. I know this sounds impressive but all I did was point to a part of the body and said "bu hao" and "torne" which means "not good" and "pain". Jeremy had an issue with his knee and was first. The female acupuncturist brang out the needles that were wrapped in a once white but now brown cloth. They were reusable needles so I quickly looked at her pointed to myself and said "tui na" which is Chinese massage. Jeremy and Keenan had the acupuncture and I had the massage. There was no assault but a very good and professional massage. I felt good after, so did the guys. The two 45 min sessions of acupuncture and 45min of massage came to grand total of 1.60 GBP each. It would have been 50x that in London. I think I'm going to go there again.

The crew; me, Ori, Lindsey, Megan, Jenny and Hannah

Hope everyone is well

Keep cool

Michael

China 7 months: Grading Day

Today has been a good day.

It was grading today. Instead of the normal morning training we simply practiced before the big public critique.


I was not nervous at all, more excited than anything else. I actually like performing in front of people. Seb was still not fully loving the idea. After practicing out side and generally chatting for a bit the master called us in and looked pretty serious. He called Seb and I in front of the class and instructed us to perform the form. About half way through Seb forgot a move and the master went off on one. As he went on and on I thought to myself that this has to be the worse pep talk, ever. I was really disappointed by him. It showed a weakness in his ego as I feel he was behaving this way because he was worried about what the other masters would think as oppose to helping Seb and I. The talk did not affect me at all, as firstly it was not entirely directed at me and secondly I was looking forward to the grading but did alter my view of my teacher.

Scott performing a spear form


The time came and everyone had brought from their room small benches in which to sit and watch. The ones that are grading are easy to see as they wear signature clothing. The long timers are given a full on kung-fu suits when they join and the short timers such as my self are given a kung-fu style vest to wear. On one side of the yard are the students and the other side, the masters. The grader performs in between the two. When they have finished grading they walk off to applause at which point one of the translators runs to each master to collect a score.
No one apparently fails a grading but the score is collected and is written on the students' certificate when they leave.




As I was sitting excitedly tapping my feet watching the grading another new student arrived. It seems recently like a new student arrives about every 5 days. The new guy sat next to me. He looked like a 60 year old tramp. A very unusual sight when you're surrounded by reasonably athletic 19 year olds. I found out later his an Italian with a Russian accent looking to study full time Tai Chi, which actually is not on offer here. Seb said when he walked past him he smelt like alcohol and their seems to be overwhelming feeling among a lot of the guys that his going to kill us all. I'll keep you tuned on that, if I am able to.



I observed the masters observing the performance and wondered what they thought. My master told me that his master would have him hold each stance for 30min and I don't think his over exaggerating at all. All the masters must have practiced daily for years to obtain the skill they posses. I know for a fact when the Chinese train foreigners the training is rushed, simply there is not the time and Westerners generally do not have the patience. As a result when some of the students perform I think it must look a little sloppy to the masters and the fact that westerners have tendons and ligaments all over their body especially on the back of the legs I think just makes it worse for the masters to watch. In my opinion some do look sloppy but others do look amazing.I think the best performance apart from obviously mine was by an 18 year old, from north England named Mark. When he done his sword form, it looked amazing. It had power and grace and not just for a westerner.

Mark performing a Drunken Master form

Mark arrived here with his friend from school, Dan nearly 10 months ago. Dan is in my class and I can tell you now they are both 18 and dangerous. Really a couple of good guys and both, I think propel each other forward. I really would like to see them when they my age. When they get back home I think possibly they're going to save up again and travel to Russia and study Systema, then move on to Thailand for Muay Thai and maybe even to work in Japan and study Ninjitsu.

Dan performing a Mantis sword form

At 18 I wanted to do something like that but my friends preferred going to the pub and/or playing computer games. I also made the regrettable mistake of going to college. Well these are the mistakes you make in your youth.




Then came my turn. Seb had just finished. He nodded as he walked past me. I jumped around a bit like someone who was about to enter a boxing ring which later I found out people thought was quite funny as everyone else holds their hands together and look very serious. In all honesty, the way I was feeling I was ready for a fight not a form. I clasped my hands together bowed before walking on and before I knew it I was walking off with my hands clasped. I barely remember performing. I can't remember what I did. As I was walking everyone was clapping which is kind of mandatory anyway.



Later, I had people congratulating me on my form. A lot of people said they have not seen the Mantis basics performed and was impressed. Everyone pretty much commented on how powerful and stable I looked. I don't know if that's code for you wasn't graceful and fluid. One of the mantis students filmed it, I'll see if I can get it on for you to see. I have to view it first.



Later was the stair run. My last recorded time was 35.16. Unfortunately last week I missed the run so was looking forward to making up for that today. I was up and down in 7.30min so if I kept that pace it would be completed in 30min. But keeping that pace is extremely hard. After the 2nd one I was pretty much exhausted and wanted to stop which I would have done if it wasn't for my desire to beat my time. When I was tired I just looked down at my watch and instantly knew what I had to do. After the 3rd I was pouring with sweat and breathing like a maniac. This is when the motivating voice of Mr. T popped into my head shouted "move fool". I would like to personally thank my mental vocal reenactment of Mr. T as I completed the run in 31.12. I think the average time for most is about 40-45min and the fit guys who have been here the longest, is about 30min. Lets see what next week brings. Hopefully some new running shoes as the ones I have are slowly being worn down.

"Move fool"

Saturday was a completely uneventful day of watching Bewitched, Mind Body and Kick Ass Moves, eating crap and lounging around like a slob. Though I had a nice chat with Yuki on Skype and later was treated to one of the most beautiful midnight skies I have ever seen. It did bring a tear to my eye. You don't get nights like this in London.

Sunday again like Saturday was lounging around, watched Open Season, half of Kiss of the Dragon and ate like a loser. Just in case it sounds to luxurious here I should let you know we have no water as they have a drought here. No water, for washing, showers and toilets. I can't begin to tell you what sights I've seen and the smells I've encountered when I've walked in to the toilets.


Finished my second book; Conversation with God by Neale Donald Walsch. A very good book. Basically the author claims to have had conversations with God and documents these conversations. I would definitely recommend this book. Ori refers to this book as his bible. It is more in tune with my line of thinking on God.




Good Chi to all that read this.


Shake and bake, people



Michael

Away for a bit

I'm off to a meditation centre in Thailand. Their is strictly no contact with the outside world. Maybe there till the 28th December. So no blog posts until i'm finished there.
Have a good Christmas and New Years in advance, just in case i'm still meditating.

Peace, Love and Compassion

Michael

China 7 months: What's Been Happening

What's been happening

It's getting hotter. I'm sure it was in the high 30's today. Their seems to be a direct correlation between the temperature and the amount, size and color of the bugs. They're everywhere and they bite.

One of the new students in my class was bit by some wasp like thing with green eyes and visible fangs and another student was bitten by something that left fang marks in his arm. The student with the fang marks became convinced that his arm was going to fall off or that he's arm will need to be amputated. His at the hospital right now having it checked out.I check my shoes for scorpions every time before I put them on. Four doors down from me a scorpion was found in one of the students rooms. If you take a 10 min walk from the academy you will find a bunch of women selling fruit and surprisingly in a blue bowl beside them, scorpions! Not for pets but as a snack of some sort. I think you're meant to kill it then fry it. Not surprisingly it apparently tastes like chicken.

I have a grading tomorrow. Students are graded each month in front of all the students and masters by performing a form from their particular martial art. The Preying Mantis "basic step" form lasts only about a minute but is very intricate. I'm actually looking forward to performing tomorrow but Seb, another Preying Mantis student is not, in his own words he's "bricking it".Seb started a week before I arrived and is staying a year. He has to be one of the funniest guys here. At first I thought he whined to much but he does put the effort in and I can see his mind and body changing every week. It would not surprise me if he looked like Bruce Lee when he left, he now has a bit of a beer/fast food gut, but it is going.

I just want to mention what I've noticed about the Chinese apart from what I've mentioned already. Chinese men love to huck up flem and spit. Every morning I'm greeted by one of the masters hucking his guts up and spitting in the communal sink; nice. In fact I would say they take pride in it. The more flem you can accumulate with the most amount of sound, the higher up you are on the hucker hierarchy. They don't seem embarrassed at all about picking their nose or farting in public. They don't use tissue when blowing their nose. The floor holds a perfect place in which to aim the snot. They also seem to love singing when ever they can. What embarrasses most westerners the Chinese take pride in, such as one Masters love of techno music and the Venga Boys. I'm embarrassed for him but he doesn't care, he just turns up the volume.
I would tell him he's a loser but i'm afraid he would kill me with his little toe and i think hearing

Boom boom boom boom

I want you in my room

Let's spend the night together

From now until forever

Boom boom boom boom

I wanna double boom

Let's spend the night together

Together in my room

before i departed would create so much hate in me that i would be sent straight to Hell where they probably have Venga Boys on a 24hr loop.

Vengaboys=hell on Earth

Hope all is well

Keep the chi real

China 7 months: The Week

This week has been up and down as I had a fantastic weekend but the week seemed, at times tedious and uneventful and I have been ill for most of it. I don't think my digestive system likes the food here, though it is better than I expected it isn't what I would call good. I really really want a steak! I have decided to cut the poisonous porridge from my diet as I think the boiled eggs will be better.

Beautiful

I sparred with Ori on Saturday and came to the conclusion that I need to sort my life out. I am fitter, stronger, leaner and faster but was being slapped about and for some reason I found it hard to hit him. It was not finding the target that was the problem but my brain would not let me cause harm to another human being. This is something I plan on rectifying.

Watching the *Ninjitsu class last Saturday it became clear to me that combat comes down to footwork, timing, distance, angles, technique and reaction. The speed of your reaction and the reaction you want your opponent to have i.e. do you want them to go backwards, forward, flex, extend, do want to break, push, remove or cause pain and psychology is probably the biggest factor because if you have all the physical requirements but your inner voice is screaming "no not the face, please not the face!" you will be beaten worse than a skin head at a Black Panther convention.

Timing, speed, footwork and to look good in black

A lot of question have been running through my head lately, like, what am going to do when I get back to London(if indeed i do go back), where do I want to live (country), who am I, career etc. There are so many things I would like to do but it comes down to money and time. The mountains create a perfect backdrop to having such thoughts run through your mind.

Best place to come and ask questions and sit waiting silently for the answer

Every Friday all the students get to do the stair run which is grueling to say the least especially in 35 degree heat. My time last week was 35:16 so was really hyped about smashing my time this Friday but my stomach was not really up to it, so instead i went to the cave where apparently Zen Buddhism started. I went before when I did the stair crawl with Tom but haven't been back since. It was great, after spending very little time meditating in the cave I left feeling completely relaxed and calm. I had no question to answer and everything made sense again. Those 8 Immortals really do have an affect or maybe the incense they use in the cave is "special".

The 8 Immortals

*Two of the students at the academy are quite accomplished in the art of Ninjitsu (2nd dan and 5th dan). They have kindly offered to teach once a week on Saturday.

I hope everyone is well.