Well, in answer to Sifu’s challenge, I am blogging today
about my experience of performing my form in front of someone not within the I
Ho Chuan group, and receiving feedback.
My options are pretty limited. Aside from a couple of equipment operators,
the odd time a heavy equipment mechanic, and my dual personality, there really
is very limited persons to complete this task.
Since I don’t like my alternative personality (always eats my snack
food) I was stuck with the equipment operators.
So, me in cover alls, steel toe boots, hard hat and safety
glasses completed Kempo on a very lumpy dirt site. And from his perch on the D6, taking a deep
long drag from a cigarette offered no criticism of sorts, just a simple
question. Where do you think your gonna
use that?
Aha, he had opened up the opportunity! No, not the opportunity to knock him off the
dozer track with a flying kick, but rather the chance to explain how forms are
instrumental in the practice of our style of Kung Fu. This led to a very good
conversation regarding the martial arts with a person I originally pegged as
having little to no interest in any activity whatsoever.
This was challenging because it forced me out of my comfort
zone entirely. It forced me away from being
a closet martial artist. Truth is, how
can you make an impact, be an activist for anything, or influence somebody if
you lack the confidence to just get out there and do it.
I had kinda the same experience a month ago,(redneck, oil patch, helicopter industry tough guy).
ReplyDeleteThe comment was "that stuff doens't work in the real world"
I could see how a flying kick to remove him from the D6 cat would have been the easiest way to explain things, however, explaining the full concept of the martial arts without losing the audiences attention is the real challenge.
But you are exactly right Sihing, there is something lost when you are a closet martial artist.
Excellent blog!
I love how you write so I can easily visualize what you're talking about. And this was a gooder!
ReplyDeleteSifu Rybak
I agree with Sifu Rybak. I also think its great that you came out of the closet. I know this isn't something that most of us martial artists exploit, but it feels good when the opportunity arrises to share your passion! Good on you Bro!
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blogs. This was a great one. You can always catch him when he isn't looking, and is least expecting it. Then show him what you are really all about!! KIAA!!
ReplyDelete