What skill/technique are you learning right now?

That looks nice! Good luck with learning. Do you have a video of the double cudgel form, by any chance?

Nice! I imagine learning ballet is not easy at all, especially by yourself, so this sounds like quite a challenge. I had a time when I used to watch some ballet videos and the skills of those dancers were incredible, so I admire anyone who can do ballet What resources are you using, if I may ask? Are there youtube tutorials or something like that?
Are you still doing Taiji as well?

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In the past months I have finally heard a full explanation of Kururunfa kata. Too bad it was just before Christmas and I got sick just after Christmas, so I didn't try it since then, but (that would such a clever move!), I wrote everything down on that day, so I will return to my notes I shall do the same for Sepai. I am rusty with it now.

As for Taiji, I am still learning the fan form, the Cannon Fist form and just last week a new course started for a broadsword (Dao). We have only learned a few skills with the sword, not started the form yet. It is a rather short one, but supposedly difficult to learn the techniques well. It looks really nice, though
I feel like learning three forms at once might be a challenge and I hope I wont get overwhelmed, but I enjoy all of them too much to give anything up
I am glad I get one extra hour each week to work on the fan form, so I am a bit more sure with that one. I was just told a new class for the fan form will open in March and I was asked to teach it... I am not sure if the explaining would be done by the teacher or not, but either way, I again feel like I should work harder. And learn and ask about all the details I may not be sure about.
We also have the school anniversary coming in a few weeks with some demos. I will be a part of a group performing the fan form, but I am not sure if I would do anything else. A sword (jian) for is a possibility, so I feel like I shouldn't forget to practice that one, either.

 

Oh, wow, 7 forms! Now three sound like a walk in the park I can't imagine working on 7 at once at all. Even thought it was too much as you say, I suppose it indeed is a good experience and a way to test your ability to learn. The 3 I learn are really quite different (well, I haven't started the 3rd, yet), but it should be different enough as well.

I just saw the cudgel video you posted and it looks really nice. I have seen a Taiji form with cudgels which is taught by one of the former students of my Taiji teacher and it also looks really nice. It is a bit of a pity it must have been learned from a different teacher as my school doesn't teach it. Smacking each other with the sticks does sound liek fun, too

 

I am actually working on a bit of baguazhang training, tea cups, also working on twisting, as in the photo below, but not stepping, just going left to right

 

Learning the same weapons in both arts does sound like a good idea

Oh, is covid still on the loose there? There are very few (reported) cases now. And I suppose the current variety is fairly mild. I haven't really heard about covid in a while. But it may also be because we have presidential election this very day, so the news has been full of that. It stirred a lot of emotion among people and no one cares about covid at the moment, I guess.
But I do understand, it is better to be safe than sorry. I hope you will be able to figure out a way to practice with ease. Sparring with a mask on sounds exhausting, but also like a hardcore training Good luck.

Those look like nice basic exercises.

 

Which lineage of baguazhang are you studying? I find it fascinating an art less than 150 years old has so many variations, probably a testament to the way Dong Haichuan taught I suppose.

I'm working on making the palm changes smooth on two circles and also the hook knife changes.

I'm addition my teacher has kindly started to teach me his xingyiquan so I'm working on the five elements generating short power with them, and also single hand pushing which is heavily used in his xingyiquan.

 

Currently not officially training any lineage, just considering a return. But I have trained in Yin 8 palm and Cheng 8 palm and I also learned a dragon form (at least I think that is what it was) however I am not sure what lineage, possibly Jiang. But this was all over 25 years ago. Xingyiquan I have done a lot of, Hebei, but have not done that in awhile either due to knee issues. At one point I considered teaching Xingyiquan, Looking into possibly returning to that as well, but it would be Shanxi if I do. But I'm getting old so we'll see.

I am currently working on Wing Chun in a Ip Man > Leung Sheung lineage

 

That where I am at these days, basic stuff

 

My baguazhang comes from Cheng as well, through zhao daoxin, disciple of Zhang Zhaodong. My teacher studied with Zhao's disciple in Tianjin for a long time.

He is mainly known for his baguazhang and Yiquan but he was an indoor student in Li Cun Yi's lineage's xingyiquan before he met his current teacher. I'm enjoying the difference between the two arts and the way they express their power and intent.

 

One thing I have noticed is the basics are the art, but it's the depth you put into those basics that change the more experience you have.
I can do the same basic green dragon extends its claws as my teacher but what he is doing internally and mentally will be totally different to what I am concentrating on

 

Did a little Yiquan in the past too, but no teachers close to me. Know some great ones in Toronto, but I'm thinking almost 400 miles is a bit to far to go to train regularly These days all I do is standing post

 

A hot shower and stretching is how I start each day. Then I start listening to some of my favorite artists, like Sia, Rihanna, Jamiroquai to set the mood.

After that I might eat a little protein, then start moving. Whatever comes up, even putting away clothes, is game.

Ballet is a relatively simple dance, compared to boxing. A few positions of hand and foot. The hardest part is twisting your hips and knees and feet. The arm positions are a lot easier for people with decent arm strength.

Yes, it's all Tai Ji.

 

I want to get a decent grounding in baguazhang and xingyiquan before asking if I can learn Yiquan. There is enough in our lineage's bagua to keep me learning for a lifetime I think. And it's post training just moving post training lol

 

Very good plan

 

In addition to the baguazhang and xingyiquan I'm learning I'm still refining my Kali padded stick sparring and also stick and knife sparring, the knife changes the intent, angles and distance in sparring a lot.

In grappling I'm working on my kimura game as usual and also adding in more straight wrestling rides and cradles to set up my submission game.

I'm also working my baguazhang throws and body shifting/work into my takedown game and also the body work/shifting and striking from both Bagua and xingyi into my striking sparring

 

Oh blah blah blah wit all yer exercises!

Everyday I'm executing real world application of my exquisitely developed tactile sensitivity to discern and if necessary lightly adjust/correct/catch my -(99 in about 3 weeks)- mother's balance as she walks from place to place about the house.Esp when her knee starts to trick.

Which is about as real world type of application as most of us are ever going to consistently use our skills for.


(Disclaimer for lurkers-the above statement while actual in fact is for humorous purposes only.Although the last sentence may well be true).

 

This has such a Once Upon a Time in the West vibe. Henry Fonda in my nightmares.