Now it’s Axel’s turn to show off some sword form (Since it’s often a circus in my room with people coming in and out, I thought I might as well film it).
One happy [sword-bearing Shoalin] family: Myself, Chris “Luka” and the Kung Fu summer school kids.
Tolik and I are so badass. But Maria, the sneaky German, finishes Tolik off then comes for me. A stab [from] the back.
Xiaolong Kung Fu classmates Jin and Chris
Xiaolong Training - July 2012, as per Jin (my South Korean classmate Dong Jin Lee). The video is his property.
… best served scented with wildwood flower.
I have finally found a way to conquer and scare my Shifu: my oh-so-very-soft-fragrant-and-feminine perfume bottle.
He came to pick me up from my room this morning so we can run an errand outside of school together, and he sniggered at me for letting him wait for a few seconds so I could wear some perfume before I left my room. He muttered, “Ugh, girls.”
It was an opportune moment. Inspiration hit, and something inside my mind twinkled.
He was standing a few steps away from me. A smile slowly crept on my face.
I whipped my perfume bottle out, and started spraying it all over him, on his arms, and on his clothes. He leapt away from me in shock (men are so goddamn feeble sometimes!) and shouted that he didn’t want to “smell like a woman” during training.
But alas, I was on a roll. I chased him out of my room and down the hall with the bottle in hand. And what do you know, it doesn’t matter how many Shaolin Kung Fu forms you know, you can’t battle rose-scented dew as it permeates the air around you.
The power of spray bottles is absolute.
Girls have their weapons too, and next time I’m not holding back. I have a full arsenal: silk flower pins that I can sneakily pin to his shirt before training, body splashes, nail polish, and … lip … gloss.
[Yes, I’m evil]
But in all honesty, I thought wildwood flower smelled nice on him.
Chris, one of my favorite guys here (He always comes knocking on my door everyday with hot and fresh Xiaolong gossip and I love him for it!) VS Tobias, the Christian fanatic (He uses terms like “fornication” and “false idols” in casual talk, bullies anyone significantly smaller in size than him and swears like a trucker. I forbade him to talk to me after a recent argument).
Chris (aka Luka) is the shirtless one.
And I’m delighted to report — though it’s not very zen of me to be spiteful— that he kicked Tobias’ ass.
This is a Sanda or Sanshou friendly spar (it’s not what I’m doing. My training is in Taolu). Also, Chris is not using any kicks because Tobias hasn’t learned to block them yet.
This is one of my favorite Kung Fu forms, Xiao Luo Han Quan! The slideshow is from my Shifu’s blog.
These are patterns from a Shaolin Kung Fu form called “Xiao Luo Han Quan.” The series of pictures, of Shifu Yong Hui and another teacher, show how these patterns can be used in combat or in an actual fight.
Shaolin Kung Fu forms are known for their dance-like flowing, perpetual movements (especially in the Northern school, of the Shaolin Temple of Henan Province, where “smooth flow” is emphasized). It’s hard for some to imagine how these forms can be used in real fights.
However, with practice and enough force, and under the guidance of a skilled master, the same form patterns can be used in self-defense, to inflict injury or to defeat an opponent in combat.
It must be noted that Shaolin Kung Fu is a defensive technique, and Shaolin-trained students, warrior monks and experts must never begin with offense and should try to avoid fighting. However, if fighting is necessary, they should be able to hold their own and overcome their opponent.
My Shifu during a Shaolin wushu workshop he was giving in Europe a few summers back. His blog is now up and running. Check it out!
