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.
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
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