Dynamic Balancing Boxing class
Written by Rachel
     

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Working with Sifu Waller

Having learned the introductory skills, a student is required to train as a martial arts student and pay fees of £50.
This enables the
student to work through more material and to be tutored closely by Sifu Waller himself.



The lesson starts at 7:00 PM


A martial artist needs to have self-discipline, focus, control. There is no scope for sloppiness. The tai chi lesson starts at 7:00 PM. Be there on time.


Fundamentals


Having learned the first qigong exercises the student is now required to increase their martial focus.
There are weapons drills, stretching exercises, combat skills and sections 1, 2 & 3 of the Long Yang form to learn.
The student must also revise and
mirror the entire form sequence. This is a challenging part of the syllabus where home training really makes a difference.


Arrival
- stand or partner

Upon arrival, partner up with another martial student. Push hands, monkey paws, da lu, yielding exercise. But nothing too vigorous or noisy please.
If you missed last week, perform full circle qigong.
If you have a standing qigong challenge to perform, just get on with it.



7:00 PM - Warm-up

Tai chi chuan students perform a variety of warm-up exercises as a group.


Assessments for grading

Students who want to be assessed by Sifu Waller need to arrange this at the start of the lesson.


7:30 PM - Form

Tai chi chuan students work on sections 1, 2 & 3 of the Long Yang form with Sifu Waller before mirroring the form. Sections 2 & 3 are longer and more interesting.
These can be practiced by anyone who can perform section 1 adequately. Once the entire Long Yang form pattern is familiar, the student works through stages 2-5.


Do your form

Don't ask for form corrections until you've run out of moves. If you know section 1, then perform the entire section before asking for corrections/new moves. The same applies to section 2 and section 3.
Students who know the entire Long Yang form should not be asking for corrections before 7:40 PM.


F
orm changes

When you are taught the form pattern, it is the pattern that you are capable of performing. As you get better, this will change. Familiar moves alter as your skill level improves.



8:00 PM - Partner work

Revise basic partner work, yielding basic skills, martial concepts and weaponry. Aim to train with as many different students as possible; ranging from new starters to higher graded students.
Or spend 30 minutes practicing monkey and and pushing hands with as many different practice partners as they can. The aim is to do the exercise until your body takes over and the movements become reflexive.


Hair and nails

If your hair is long, you will need to tie it back (using a soft tie. No clips or pins). Nails need to be short in order to avoid injury to others or being injured yourself.
These are healthy & safety concerns in every martial arts class.



Unfit? Injured? Poorly? etc

In martial arts, if you attend the lesson, the assumption is that you are fit enough to train. If there's anything preventing you from training properly that night, Sifu Waller's lesson is not suitable for you.
Instead, ask to train in Rachel's class until you're able to resume martial training. For further insight please read Dave Lowry's book In the Dojo.
 

Student: I seek liberation and freedom.

Master: Who binds you?

(Zen mondo)
 


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Page created 18 April 1995
Last updated 15 March 2021