Forthcoming seminar

http://www.yizong.org/uk/classes-seminars-information.htm

The above is a link to the english language version of Luo Dexiu's website, detailing his itinerary for this year's seminars.

Just as last year, he will be giving seminars in both Manchester and London, though earlier this time, due to the timing of the Olympics.

Please note that the Manchester seminar will be closed-door, so only Yi Zong school students and instructors will be allowed to attend.  The London dates, however, are open to all.

 I was lucky enough to attend last year and found Luo Laoshi to be a very gifted and yet amazingly accessible teacher.  Despite my being a newcomer (at that time, training at the Manchester classes for less than a year), I found him happy to demonstrate techniques to/on me and he took great pains to communicate some very valuable tips and concepts to both myself individually and the class as a whole.

Anyone interested should use the contact details on the site to contact the instructors/organisers of the classes to arrange either a class or attendance at one or more of the seminar sessions.

More on pandiculation

For my own reference, as much as anything:

http://baillement.com/stretching-fraser.html

Pandiculation's what you need...

Covered the topic of 'pandiculation'in bagua class on Friday.

http://gravitywerks.com/pandiculate-your-way-to-health/

One of the things I like about our class at http://www.manchester-bagua.org/, is that our instructor discusses training tips and matters of interest, not just in martial arts terms, chinese medicine & folklore terms, sports terms or even through physical activity, but also using science and, especially anatomical concepts.

More class-related news, too - will have to work a lot harder from now to keep my training on track.

Progress

Baguazhang was great tonight.  It is slowly starting to feel like some of the concepts, body skills and techniques are beginning to stick in my head - well, body would be a better way to describe it.  Can't wait til next week's lesson now - might go to the one on Tuesday just to get my fix a few days earlier.

Tonight

Baguazhang class again tonight and I am very much looking forward to it.

Even better, I have all of next week booked off work which should, simultaneously, allow me to attend both bagua classes that week and work some more training into my day.  I say should as nothing is certain when you have a baby in the house.

Surprisingly, though, even with Freyja to take care of, I still have sufficient opportunities to train daily.  I really need to step up the intensity, though.  That shouldn't be too hard, but will require some discipline from me and plenty of hard work.

I am thinking jiben shou fa practice in the mornings, before getting ready for work.  Then tian gan and/or maybe some palm changes before bed.

Ah, Tian Gan, my nemesis!

Class tonight was great.  First back after a haitus but easily got back into the swing of things.

Did a lot of strength training and such.  Found that things are starting to come together for me (my 'ban' is much better than before, but I still need to work on my legs).

Now I know what I need, all that is required is practice!