Shut Up And Punch: On Breathing Through Your Nose

September.

The month when mother issues REALLY start to come to the forefront of my training.

Kids' school functions, family celebrations, a new team-taught course I'm participating in, and prepping my Geography students for the first exams of the semester are all sucking up my time and mental energy. This weekend was the first of Si-Fu Oram's seminars that I've missed in I-can't-remember-when. It fell during my anniversary get-away, so I can't complain...much. But it was hard to chill out when I knew my Si-Hings were surging forward without me. I missed the mat.

What I really needed to do was BREATHE.

The subject of breathing came up during one of Si-Fu Shoellhammer's classes, recently. I suppose I'd been a bit too talkative that evening (who ME???) and at one point, Si-Fu reminded me that there were "many benefits" to breathing through my nose. Curious, I asked what they were. "You mean, besides not talking?" he smirked. I shut up and went back to the combination at hand.

After class, though, I cautiously asked again. Here are the ones he offered, though he explained that there were more:

WHY WING CHUN STUDENTS SHOULD BREATHE THROUGH THEIR NOSES

1. It warms the air. As it passes through the sinuses, the air is warmed in its longer path to the lungs. Warm air is more readily-absorbed within the lungs than cold air.

2. It slows the heart rate. When we experience moments of conflict, our brains tell the centers of adrenaline production to pump this chemical into our systems. This speeds up the heart, which prepares us for the human fight-or-flight response. However, at rates of over 100 bpm (beats per minute), fine motor skills begin to decrease. Not a good thing in a fight situation. Missing a critical punch is the stuff my nightmares are made of. Breathing through the nose can slow the heart rate enough to maintain the coordination necessary for overcoming an adversary.

3. It increases saliva production. Breathing through the mouth dries up your saliva. With the mouth closed, however, the tongue rests on the roof of the mouth, which actually increases saliva production. Saliva nourishes the mouth and throat, and moist airways allow for a more efficient flow of air. (Might I add, from personal experience, that a dry throat also HURTS?)

4. It protects your teeth. If your mouth is open, your teeth and jaw can be more easily broken by a hit to the face. Keeping your teeth together can also prevent you from biting your tongue accidentally--or on someone else's purpose.

Such simplicity. Each of these seemed perfectly reasonable. And what's more, when I was in L.A. for a class the following week, I started breathing through my nose and I found I was more focused. Why? Well...

Maybe it was because I just shut up and punched.

Wing Chun and The Butterfly Effect

No, I didn't do exceedingly well on my testing. I passed, but not with the high marks I would have liked. But that was three weeks ago. And something's changed.

The Butterfly Effect states, in essence, that if a butterfly flaps its wings in the rain forest, the movement of air in that one spot affects all of the other molecules of air around it. This creates a cascading series of events that can ultimately effect the course of a larger event--that movement of air becomes the seed from which a hurricane develops.

In a similar sort of internal butterfly effect, I've often found that a shift in one life circumstance leads to shifts in other parts of my life. Each change supports the next until what once seemed unimportant suddenly becomes life-altering. In Wing Chun, something as simple as a shift of one's balance or a movement of the hips can realign your center, lead to new openings, and change the course of a confrontation.

Si-Fu Shoellhammer's class in Millbrae has realigned my center in ways I never imagined.

Up to now, I've only been able to drive or fly down to L.A. every other weekend, leaving huge gaps in my training. Now I'm able to stay focused, reinforce the neural connections I'd built, and I'm internalizing more of what I'm learning. In the Millbrae class, I have the chance to ask questions, I'm getting more personal attention (I love attention), and the slower pace has helped me to work on my structure and breathing. Funny, you don't think about breathing much when you're doing it. And yet, it's become one of the most important parts of my training.

Add to this the fact that my husband agreed to join me in the class. At first, he was nervous and somewhat unsure of himself. But he was diligent about practicing at home (even more so than I was, to tell you the truth), which encouraged me. We practice together the basic movements, allowing me to focus on my own structure as my husband slowly builds his. We often discuss basic principles and strategies of Wing Chun over breakfast. And I finally have someone with whom I can share what I've learned during my visits to the Academy in L.A.

We've both started shaping up. I can feel my hips again (after two kids, I'd almost forgotten I had them) and my clothes fit better. I've saved a lot of my pre-baby clothes (what woman doesn't save at least one pair of pants, just to remember?), and might even fit into some of them again soon. And my husband? God bless 'im, the man-boobs are finally starting to shrink.

I've gotta say, it's helped (ahem) other areas of our marriage, as well. Heck, just having time alone on the way to and from class has turned it into a date night. I know, sad but true. Welcome to the modern world of parenting.

When I was in L.A. last weekend, the senior students started feeding me real punches because they could see how much my focus had changed. I'm no masochist, but the energy of a real punch felt good!

Between Si-Fu Oram's seminars and Si-Fu Shoellhammer's regular classes, I'm starting to feel like more than just a lowly white sash. I'm starting to feel like I belong...right where I am.

Who Needs T.V. When You Have Wing Chun?

Si-Fu Eric Oram and Si-Hing Robert Downey, Jr., training on-set

Sorry for the long absence. I’ve been doing my best to enjoy my summer vacation and have spent more time running up and down the state for classes than I have in front of my computer. But I'd rather be doing Wing Chun than sitting in front of a screen, anyway.

A week ago, Si-Fu Oram (who is currently co-ordinating fight sequences for Iron Man 2) was forced to change the upcoming sash testing date from a Tuesday to a Saturday, so I now have no excuse for not going. Nevermind the fact that I have to leave at stupid o’clock that same morning, in order to accommodate a previously-organized Friday night sedition session of part-time community college faculty. One week. Now, less than that. By the time I post this, I’ll be staring down the barrel of the weekend. Urg.

One new development has been extremely helpful. Si-Fu Tom Schoellhammer, who graduated from LAWCA, is trying to build a following on the Peninsula—his Millbrae Rec. Center courses started this week on Monday. My husband signed up, so we got a sitter for the kids and made a date of it. He was nervous, but Si-Fu went easy on us and my sweetie did quite well. And while there haven’t been enough classes yet to truly help me with my testing this weekend, I’m ecstatic to finally have an instructor who knows the style I’ve been trained in, and who will likely continue to teach in the area. Six consecutive Mondays for $40, total? You can’t beat that.

The best part? My husband finally understands exactly where my bruises come from. And I have a training partner!

Still, I’m stressing. I know I have the offensive pak-sau/punch and the defensive lop-sau/punch footwork down. We actually practiced the latter in Si-Fu Schoellhammer’s class on Monday. But offensive lap-sau/punch? I’m still not 100% sure. I know that I’m stepping forward, pressing my opponent’s balance, but which stance am I using for which punch coming at me? I combed through YouTube videos until the wee hours, last night, to no avail. Every one of the instructors who had posted there used a different term. Annoyed after watching too many modified versions of Wing Chun, I gave up and went back to Spider Solitaire.

This morning, my husband and I practiced our stances in the kitchen while the kids ate breakfast. When I looked over, they had the same fascinated, slack-jawed expressions on their faces they exhibit while watching cartoons. I turned back and grinned.

I mean really, who needs T.V. when you have Wing Chun?

Photo © 2009 CraveOnline Media, LLC

http://www.superherohype.com/news/ironmannews.php?id=8348

Catching My Breadth

After sitting on my last post for a while, I started thinking that perhaps I've got some more crap to let go, in my life. That rotten ex took more than just a ring from me...but is facing him going to solve the problem? Highly doubtful he'll give it back. So why put myself through the ringer all over again? I have more important things to worry about. Like testing. And surviving Si-Fu's classes.

I missed the last round of exams. Since I'm only able to make it to classes once every other week, and the Saturday classes are oriented toward chi-sao, I've been missing out on the Basic Training and am really feeling the lack. I didn't feel ready at all--I would have made a complete ass of myself in front of the whole Academy. Hell, the five year-olds in the kids' classes know the Wing Chun pledge better than I do. No, really. Those little guys rock. But not me. Not right now, anyway.

My experience in Si-Fu's class two weekends ago really rammed it home.

You see, the only class that Si-Fu teaches on weekends is the black sash chi-sao class. He often includes sets of basic movements, as well, but mostly it's partner drills (such as bon-sao/lap-sao combinations like these, demonstrated here by the pros). But this class is also geared toward students who can already demonstrate the difference between a defensive and an offensive pak-sao (sorry, couldn't find a good video for these). Honestly, do you know how long it took me to get the difference straight? I'm still not even sure I have it down solidly. I know that was the one thing I blew mightily on my first test.

I haven't been able to make it to the Friday night Basic Training classes in several months because I've been watching a soon-to-be-divorced friend's kids after school. Which of course makes it tough to get to L.A. in time for class at 6 p.m. It feels like this gap in my training is threatening to swallow me.

Immediately after my black sash class on Saturdays is the gold sash course (the gold sash being the highest level you can attain in this particular program). After the break between classes, Si-Fu has kindly allowed me to sit at the edge of the mat and jot down notes from the earlier class, any useful information shared by my Si-Hings (senior students), and the lovely golden nuggets of wisdom Si-Fu happens to let drop. I'd been drawing diagrams, scribbling quotes, and making mental connections between the art and life-in-general. I'm not just cooling down, I'm processing what I've just learned.

In other words: I'm catching my breadth so I don't end up out of my depth.

Two weeks ago, the black sash class ran over time and, effectively, blended into the gold sash class. During the water break, I spoke to Si-Fu for a few minutes and he asked me if I'd be staying for the rest. I was surprised, because I'm not officially a gold sash student. It's one thing to observe the class. It's another entirely to be out on the floor. I told him I'd like to continue to stay and take notes, if he'd let me. "The best seat in the house is on the mat," he replied. Say no, at that point? I think not.

So, I bowed back onto the mat. And immediately turned into a drooling infant. At least as far as the other students were concerned, I'm sure. I was struggling just to put the combinations together in the right order, while the rest of them were moving into the realm of thinking creatively, fluidly pushing past the set movements and testing each other for openings. All of them were kind and, for the most part, patient. But there were a few annoyed sighs and some barely-disguised frustration at being stuck with a total neophyte. Honestly, I can't say I blamed them. They paid full pop to learn, not to teach. But I suppose there was a lesson there for both of us.

This weekend, Si-Fu wasn't there, so the next most senior instructor ran the class. My husband and kids were in town with me, so I wasn't able to stay the extra hour. Part of me was glad--I didn't want to be on the mat, this time. The class is amazing, but a little scary for someone who grew up in a family where looking like a fool was right up there with the worst of social sins. I'm not sure I'm ready to join the ranks of the more serious students. Not because I don't want to. But because my training hasn't gotten me far enough, yet.

Summer officially begins on Thursday for the kids. And you can bet I'm going to make the most of it. Momma's got a ticket to ride, babies. I'll be flying into L.A. for the Basic Training class once again, come hell or high water. It's time to get caught up, kiddies.

Oh, and one other thing...
One of the gold sash students from the L.A. Academy recently moved up to the Bay Area. I had hoped to meet with him to train and now he's going to be teaching a beginner's Wing Chun class at the Milbrae Community Center. The class runs six successive Monday nights in July and August. If anyone's interested, please leave a note in the comments section below, and I'll post the details here. It's only $40 and totally worth a try. I think my husband is even going to give it a go. (Crossing my fingers--I need a work-out partner!) I'll be there for sure.

Hope to see you on the mat!

Walking Into The Lion's Den--Gracie Jiujitsu

I've been watching YouTube videos of martial arts, lately. Just about anything I can find on Wing Chun, of course. But this week, I discovered a show called Fight Quest. It's a Discovery Channel series showcasing two fighters who travel the world learning different martial arts disiplines and recording their experiences. After watching all the Wing Chun pieces, tonight I found the Brazilian Jiujitsu segments (see the first segment, above). And--

Shit.

I remember this stuff. All too well.

In college, I dated a martial arts expert. A crazy-ass con artist who still goes by his nickname (but I know who he really is). He was so deeply into Gracie Jiujitsu, he hung out at the home of the Gracie cousins on a regular basis (don't ask me which ones...there were a lot of them in L.A., at the time). I learned a lot, living with this asshole and his sparring partner. It was quite an education. Though I wasn't actually training with them, I was around them all of the time and I couldn't help but learn some of it.

Mostly, the guys found it fun to tie me into knots. That was my training. Practice dummy.

After training in Wing Chun, I'm sure I'd rather know how to keep from getting to the pavement to begin with. But if I was ever there, Gracie Jiujitsu would be the tool I'd want most to use.

Learning it, though? I don't know if I have the mental fortitude to walk back into the lion's den and learn that evil ex's style.

Then again...he still has my high school class ring. He borrowed it once, said he'd lost it at his boxing school. I know it was a lie. Like so many other lies he told, I believed him at the time because I was kind and trusting and loyal. And naive. And just plain stupid.

But I know where he teaches. And I vowed once to someday get that ring back. He took it like he took a lot of things, from me. But this is one thing I can get back. Certainly not with Wing Chun or Jiu-jitsu (I've gained a little bit of wisdom since I was 19). But...

Someday it's going to happen. Someday.

Maybe...

Momma's Gettin' A Bruise On

So this weekend I gained my first real "battle" wounds, a set of bruises I can be proud of. That's right. I traveled almost 750 miles, round-trip, on Mother's Day weekend just to get beat up.

I'm actually looking forward to showing off when I teach tomorrow. I feel like these red marks might give me some measure of street cred with my students. Don't fuck with the teacher, dude. She's not afraid to get a black eye--and she may take your ass down in the process.

This weekend, I worked hard trying to learn a new technique. And I spent time after class taking down notes on the different styles and suggestions of each of the more senior students that I practiced with during class. "Different partner, different energy," Si-Fu said after each exchange. And he was right. I learned something new from every person I came in contact with.

From Jonathan, I learned to "snap" each move to put power behind the motion and throw my opponent off balance. From Craig I learned to move from a snap to a more fluid combination of one move into another as we drilled bon sau/lop sau/punch combinations back and forth. From a third student I learned to keep my center of gravity low--not because he suggested it, but because he was taller than I was and I kept trying to reach up to him. When I realized I was doing it, I dropped my weight and, though it felt awkward at first, I managed to find the sense in it, as his punches went over my head more often than they came at my nose.

It was a tough class and I was sweating madly by the end. All I could think was, Damn why I can't I just live closer? I'd be a pro in two years flat, if I worked this hard all week! Well...maybe.

I consider myself both lucky and priviledged. I'm not sure what it was that put me in Si-Fu's good graces, but after my black sash class, Si-Fu let me sit in and audit the more advanced gold sash class. He allowed me to do the same the last time I was there and both times I feel like I've pulsed forward further for having been able to sit quietly and take notes. In fact, I think it's been the most valuable part of my training, so far.

It's getting late tonight and I want to post this ASAP, so...I'll share more quotes and stories tomorrow.

Until then, if you're one of the parents I see at my daughter's elementary school drop-off, I promise those marks are NOT the result of domestic violence. No, really. Promise. I actually had a kick-ass Mother's Day weekend.

One Class At A Time

So it's official. I've started the black sash training. Somehow, I feel like I'm learning less than I did in the basic training classes. It took me a while to figure this out, but I think it's because I know how much more is available to me, now--and how little of it I actually have time to experience.

It's like living in a town with a small, one-storey library with enough books on the shelves to keep me busy for a long time, but not so many I couldn't read them all in a lifetime, then discovering a big-city library the size of a mall, one town over. It's overwhelming. I still have the same interest and I'm still going to the library just as often, but there's no way on Earth I'll ever be able to read all of those books with an every-other-weekend visit.

It's another mental hurdle. Well, there have been others. And there will be others again. One class at a time, right?

Quite honestly, it feels good to hold the big-city library card in my hand.

The best part is that I've started to deepen some of my friendships with the more advanced students, or Si-Hings. It's as if joining the program shows you're serious and you intend to stick around, so people are more inclined to take the time and get to know you. It's like any other milestone in life, I suppose. Welcome to the Married People's Club or, Congratulations--you're in the Mommies Clique! Thankfully, this school isn't that obvious or obnoxious about it. But still, the feeling is there.

When Si-Fu invited his students to join him at an inspirational stage performance, recently, of course I said, "Yes." I had hoped there would be time after the performance for some conversation--I'd like to get to know Si-Fu a little bit as a person the way I've gotten to know my basic training instructor. Call me silly, but I find myself more motivated to learn when I like the person I'm learning from. A college instructor, myself, I've found that when my students enjoy the lectures (and the person giving them), they come to class more motivated and ultimately retain the information better. I wish I knew a specialist who could explain that to me, but there's probably some chemical reason for it. Whatever. It works.

Unfortunately, I have yet to talk to Si-Fu one-on-one for more than 60 seconds. It's frustrating that he's so aloof and I've taken to wondering more than once if it's something about me that's kept him at bay. Without a channel of communication, I can't know for sure.

Instead, I've found myself turning to the other senior students for companionship and guidance (not for training, mind you--that's the job of the instructors). I've been a shoulder to cry on, a networking contact, a counselor, a friend. And they've been many of the same things for me. It feels good to be connected.

After that stage performance, I had one of the best conversations yet with a hard-working student who's been kind to me from the very first weeks of my classes. I discovered that she and I came to this discipline for many of the same reasons, and stayed at this particular school because we both felt an indescribable calling. And the more I connected with her, the more I felt inclined to stick it out and stay in the program, despite the hardships of long-distance, cost, and my own mental machinations.

I tell my Geography students that the best ways to survive a college course are to 1) get the instructor's attention so he or she ends up teaching to your abilities and interests, 2) make a friend so you can encourage (or shame) one another into making it to class and you can study together, and 3) just get in the door--because being there is half the battle. So far, I think I've done those things, though I'm still working on #1 with Si-Fu.

Now is the time, he says.

Yep, Si-Fu. Right now. So notice me, already.

Oh I forgot one very important college survival technique: study your notes when you get home. I keep forgetting that one. So, if you'll excuse me, I've got homework to do.

One pak-sao, one roll-punch, one day at a time.