Hello AMAI Family!
In this blog series we will be posting reminders of what the students worked on the previous week. This could be helpful to make sure you know what you or your child should be working on while at home. If you need extra help on any movements or sections of the form then talk to your instructor about adding A Virtual Membership onto your current membership to unlock videos that breakdown every section of your form and every technique! Congratulations to everyone that passed their tests!
Lil' Dragons: The Lil' Dragons worked on their Dragon form this week and the techniques we worked on this past week were their "Pounce" and their "Dragon Leaves the Cave." To practice their pounce parents hold a ball or pillow out in front of their children. Students should hold a bow stance as their shoot their hands up and bring them down grabbing onto the ball or pillow using their dragon claws. Students should be able to hold the object up and then carefully hand it back to their parents to show control. For the dragon leaves the cave parents can grab onto their students shoulder and students can bring their same side hand up and over their arm to break their grip as they push down. After breaking their attackers grip they should bring their dragon claw up to strike towards the attackers chin or neck! Keep up the good work and don't forget to practice the form!
BASIC Program: BASIC Program students worked on sections 1 of the Fighting Form! Focus on stepping back into a fighting stance as quickly as you can and keeping your hands up to defend yourself. The techniques that the Basic Students worked on are "Jab + Cross" and "Half Step Middle Punch." To practice the jab + cross students can start in a left side fighting stance with their hands in guard. Students should punch with their left hand making sure to strike and pull back as fast as they can. Immediately after their first punch they should punch with their right hand. Make sure to turn your hips and shoulders to increase the power in each punch! For the half step middle punch start in a left side fighting stance with your hands in guard. Students should step out with their left leg making sure to end in a horse stance. Students should punch with their right hand aiming for the middle of the torso. For all of the punches students practice make sure knuckles are vertical and not horizontal. For an added challenge try to knock out 15 push-ups, 30 elbow to knee crunches, and a 45 seconds Horse Stance!
Kids BBC Program: Last week the Kids BBC students learned sections 1 of the Great Power form. Practice section 1 at home at least 10 times before next week! BBC Students can also practice their "Straight Punch" by starting in a fighting stance with their hands in guard. A straight punch is very similar to a cross punch, but instead of pulling back after striking students should hold out their fist with their knuckles pointing straight up and down. Students should also lower their target to the body rather than the head or shoulders! BBC Students can also practice their "Uppercut" by starting in a fighting stance with their hands in guard, students should drop their elbow down to waist level and then shooting their fist upwards and out in front of them. For an added bonus try leaning in the direction of your striking hand as if you were dodging an opponents punch! For an added challenge try to knock out 20 push-ups, 30 elbow to knee crunches, 10 frog leaps, 25 Jumping Jacks and 45 seconds of your Horse Stance!
Adult/Teen BBC Program: Teen and Adult BBC students learned section 1 of the Great Power form. Practice the application drill you focused on in class! Students should also go over their "Straight Punch." To practice your straight punch students should start in a fighting stance with their hands in guard, the straight punch is very similar to a jab and cross, but instead of aiming for the head and shoulders your target should be the body. After throwing a straight punch it is important to hold out your fist rather than bringing your hand back into guard. Try practicing sections 1 at home 10 times before your next class! For an added bonus try doing flat palm, knuckle, and fingertip pushups for 20 seconds each. As well as 20 seconds of knee slap and elbow to knee crunches, and a 2 minute horse stance.
Weapons: Weapons students learned a few exercises to strengthen the wrist, students should also work on their La Na Zha (Low block, Press, Thrust).Students also learned section one of the form. Practice section 1 ten times before your next class!
