I missed Monday’s practice due to work obligations. However I did train over the weekend. Everything I do now is focused on two things: 1) April tourney and 2) May Cho Dan test. I can practice 85% of the test material at home and I’m taking advantage of any free hour I get. I can even go through “self-defense” and “one-steps” like they are mini-forms or katas. However, you really need a partner to fully practice them. Still it’s better than nothing.
Tournament preparation depends on what I decide to do. For sure I’m competing with weapons and I might break. I’ve been swinging those chuks for a year now. Given all the time I’m putting into this kata I’m already getting tired of looking at them. So I imagine after the tourney I may take a break from them.
What else?
Last Monday one of our students took an energetic kick to the ribs. She had her chest gear on but the blow still made her sit down. What we assumed (hoped!) was just bruised ribs or a strain turned out to be cracked ribs. So she’ll be on light duty.
It’s now a certainty that after May Sabum v.2 is taking a break. So this will end our satellite school which in some ways is sad considering all that we’ve accomplished in five years and two Sabums. Still, she’s also fighting a recurring injury and just plain needs a break.
Anyhow, this makes it certain that I’ll be moving on to another martial art this summer. I started taekwondo 10+ years ago, stopped, then started it up again and will hopefully make the school black belt official come May. I also started kung fu then stopped. So I’d kind of like to close something related to that second circle. This is why I’m leaning towards Chin Na. I’ve located three serious kung fu schools in the area. There are other martial arts schools that claim to offer kung fu but after calling them I get the sense it’s spackled on fu, much like some schools do with BJJ. One of the legitimate schools is too far away. The second is well beyond my price range. This leaves the third that actually offers an entire chin na curriculum which is designed for those of us coming from the hard arts (karate, taekwondo, etc.). So if I like what I see when I eventually visit this kwoon then this school may become my new home for a while.
The other option is aikido. I met someone at a work-related event who practices aikido. So, after a conversation, I have a standing invitation to come and watch them practice at their dojo. Aside from “Steven Seagal Aikido” via the movies my experience with it comes from the old dojo where I had boxing lessons. They also taught Gojo Ryu Karate and judo. I sat in on all three classes but that was 10 years ago so I really don’t remember much. Sabum v.1 is also studying aikido and he really likes it. So, this may be an option too.
Either way I’ve had three over-40 martial artists contact me via e-mail. All three have made the transition to softer arts due to injuries from the hard arts. Given the injuries I’ve sustained in two years and almost eight months I think I need to let discretion be the better part of valor here. However, I am very much hooked on the martial arts I so will continue to keep thrashing in some manner.
~BCP
