I’m still thinking about the goals for this year. In yesterday’s post, I talked a lot about Taiji and Bagua and the weapons I want to learn/how hard it is to find a Double Sword Form. I did add one more actual goal, and I’ll add a few more in today’s post (probably).
I’m still dealing with the lingering aftermath of getting double-vaxxed and my bloodwork done on the same day. That second shingles shot was no joke. Even though I knew that going in, I was not ready for how much it was going to lay me out. K and I were talking about it, and she said she had never felt as shitty as she did with her first shingles shot. My first one was pretty bad as well (I always react badly to shotslvaxxes), but nothing like the sceond one. My right arm (pneumonia shot) is fine. My left arm (shingles shot. I got the bloodwork done in the back of my hand.
Side note: Whoever invented the butterfly needle is a genius. Seriously. Changed my life)
is still slightly puffy and sore. The real issue is that I’m still exhausted, like I had the flu. I was doing the Swimming Dragon Form today, and by the end, I was fatigued–and sweating. My teacher has always said that if you start sweating lightly, you’re fine. If you start sweating profusely, you should immediately stop.
No, wait. It was when I was doing the Double Fan Form that I started sweating and felt really fatigued. Fortunately, I was able to retain all the movements with minimal problem, but by the end, I just wanted a nap. I had hoped I’d be able to do a full routine by now, but that isn’t the case.
It’s been almost two full weeks since I got the shots (will be two full weeks in eight hours), and I’m really glad I work from home. I can’t imagine dragging my body anywhere feeling like this.
Back to my weapons.
I think I’ll polish up my Double Saber Form next. It’s gotten a bit sloppy, which makes me sad. I love this form, and I love the double sabers. So, yes, I think that I need a refresher on the form. I’ve done it once, I think, since getting my shots. Hopefully, I will be able to do it all the way through when I’m up to practicing it again.
I am not worried about the Sword Form or the Saber Form because they are the first two weapon forms I learned. Same with the Solo Form–I’m pretty comfartable with that (well, not with the changes my teacher’s teacher has recently made, but I’m getting there).
6. I will teach myself another whole form in this year. I am not sure which one. As I mentioned in the previous post, I would love it to be the Double Sword Form. However, I can’t find one that is Yang-style. I have found several Double Sword Form that use hook swords (which is badass for sure), but that’s definitely not in my lineage.
I’m not saying that I wouldn’t do a form that was not Taiji or Bagua, but it has to be something I can teach myself. The double hook swords look to be too energetic for me–and too dance-y. It feels more performative (at least the ones with women doing it). Still athletic, but not my cup of tea. Hm. I’m watching a guy doing it at the same kind of competition (ushu), and it’s still dance-y, but not nearly as much.
And there are some guys doing the Shaolin Double Hook Form, which is more muscular.
Ok. I found one Wushu version that is less dance-y and more athletic, which I like better. I have included it above. It’s so fast and clean–and it’s completely not my thing. One thing I really don’t like about the Wushu competitions is the fondness for handkerchiefs tied to the weapons. It’s reminiscent of the tassels of yore, which I also don’t like. The tassels are an integral part of the forms, so I’m glad that there are non-tassel forms as well. Master Liang loved him some tassels, so that’s a big reason the tasseled weapon forms were taught back in the day.
He also set the forms to music because he really liked to dance/perform. My teacher’s teacher redid all that, and the form makes more sense now. Countwise, I mean. The Solo Form never felt quite right with every movement being an even count. Also, Taiji is a living form, so it makes sense that my teacher’s teacher would tweak the form over the years.
In addition, teaching to Americans is very different than teaching to Chinese people. What would work over there does not work as well over here. My teacher was very patient with me as I questioned everything she told me. Not in a malicious way or even a belligerent way, but because I had been burned by my previous teacher who was not trustworthy as a teacher or as a person.
My current teacher never got upset when I pestered her with questions. What’s more, she would tell me if she didn’t know something, and she promised to do her best to find an answer to me. I appreciated that much more than vague platitudes (which was something my previous teacher gave me) or empty promises. I work best with the truth, and as time went on, I trusted her implicitly with anything concerning Taiji (and now Bagua as well).
I think in a year, I can learn another whole weapon form and polish up the forms I know now. I’m going to say that the Dauble Fan Form will take me until the end of the year, which should give me plenty of time to teach myself the remaining nine or ten movements.
I don’t want to go on with more goals because six is enough. I may add smaller goals throughout the year, but I will be happy if I accomplish the six I have set forth in these three posts.