day 168: forms

forms:

• bagua 64 palms

we started the day with finalization of rides to the tournament, as well as distribution of kung fu uniforms. apparently, Sifu learned that everyone going to the tournament is going with full uniforms, and so as a result decided that we needed to make sure that we had something presentable as well. the plan right now is to obtain some uniforms through a vendor in Taiwan who seems to know Simon, and then work on more traditional uniforms after the tournament when time is not so pressing.

bagua 64 palms

continued the plan from last Saturday, with everyone working on continued refinement of 64 palms. generally, Sifu says people are getting better, with their versions of 64 palms coming closer to his standard of presentable. however, he still sees a need for refinement.

with respect to me, Sifu said today that my performance of 64 palms used too small of a circle, and that i needed to use a larger circumference. he said that i should even expand it beyond the standard, which is the perimeter marked by 8 steps, to something even bigger. he believes that my body type has a reach that goes beyond the standard-sized circle, and that it's constraining my movements. he also noted that this is something that will also be ameliorated with continued practice in long fist--which is something i've spoken to him about working no during this coming year...but that's a post for another time.

we finished the day around 1:00, after Sifu had managed to review forms of all bagua and baji students.