Kung Fu Diva
Well....I'm on a new mission, and I'm excited! After having studied martial arts (Tae Kwon Do, Jiujitsu, Boxing, Kickboxing, etc...and having left that all alone for a few years--except for teaching the boxing and kickboxing and all the variations thereof), I'm itching to get back into the dojo!
However, I'm not so much wanting to fight this time....I am looking for the more spiritual side of the arts, and also to enjoy and embody the beauty and fluidity of the katas. My body is itching to sweat, train, focus, and contort itself into those beautiful shapes, stances and poses that you see in martial arts forms. Since I already finished my affair with TKD, ending in my blackbelt so many years ago, I now want to explore something different.
At this point, I know that Shaolin Kung Fu is it. That is going to be my next martial arts disclipline. The forms I've seen from Kung Fu (Shaolin style) are the most gorgeous, fluid, acrobatic, amazing ones I've seen, and I've seen a boatload of katas!
And the weapons! I know I'll have to study awhile before I can get to the level of weapons practice and mastery, but I already see myself with the bo staff and broad sword. I learned to use kamas while studying TKD, and I loved it. It's now just a matter of time....
Lady, choose your weapon!
When I see artists doing Kung Fu forms it's like watching a beautiful, strong, FIERCE ballet---incredibly graceful and deadly at the same time. Yep! For me, it will be a match made in heaven. I'm built just for that!
So...I'm trying out classes at different Kung Fu schools in New York right now. The USA Shaolin Temple in Chinatown was my latest. I took an hour and a half class there this afternoon that tested my muscles in ways they've not felt before. It was fabulous!
I'm not sure if that school will be where I study, but I really enjoyed the class. I also learned the first few moves of a form called "Gon bu". Although I can speak and read some Chinese, I don't know what the hell that means. I'll find out soon, though! Assembling my limbs at just the right angles (repeatedly and at mind bending length!)for those few moves has my thigh and arm muscles aching just so....Damn, I'd forgotten how much muscular endurance and strength you need to hold a low front stance! And doing high kicks, leaps and cartwheels during the drills had me elated! I can't wait to start training for real!
I have one more school to try out this week (I've sampled two thus far), after which I'll make my decision.
And then...let the Kung Fu madness begin!
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2 comments:
I bet you definately surprise a few guys.
Yes, tan, I do. In really good ways, too! ;)
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