Hello AMAI Family!
In this blog series, we will post reminders of what the students worked on during the previous week. This gives you or your child ideas for how to practice at home between classes. If you need extra help on any movements or sections of the form, talk to your instructor about adding a Virtual Membership onto your current membership to unlock videos that break down every section of your form and every technique!
Last week was the second week of our Fall 2021 Quarter. Don't forget that next week, 9/12-9/17, is Stripe Testing for Lil' Dragons, Kids BASIC, and Kids BBC!
Lil' Dragons: The Lil' Dragons continued working on their Nan Quan form this week. They learned the techniques "Tiger Claw" and "Back Fist." To practice Tiger Claw at home, have your parent or guardian hold up a pillow, or set it up against a wall. With your right hand, hit the pillow with a strong tiger claw strike! Make sure to keep your Tiger Claws nice and sharp! You can also practice Tiger Claws with your left hand. Practice your Back Fist in the air and pretend you are fighting an invisible ninja opponent--try to practice the step backward with your left foot before you throw a powerful Back Fist with your right hand! Challenge yourself to try doing some push-ups and sit-ups every day.
BASIC Program: Students in BASIC Classes began learning Section Two of the Five Stances Form. At home, students should focus on their Horse Stance this week. Try to get your toes pointed in and bend those knees for a super-steady horse stance. Once you've mastered that, work on your "Snake Creeps Down" into a drop stance! See if you can get your toes pointed in the same direction. It doesn't have to be a super-low drop stance at first, but see how steady you can make it. To work on your endurance, knock out 15 pushups and practice the swing kicks that we learned in class.
Kids BBC Program: This week, the Kids BBC students learned Section Two of the Golden Crested Crane form. Welcome to all of our new Green Belts who just graduated from BASIC! In your warmups, work on your jabs and crosses; see how fast you can make them! Try to knock out 20 flat palm push-ups every day. Challenge yourself to practice Section One 10 times and Section Two 15 times before you come in for your next class! Since this form is shorter than usual, you can be more specific when you practice; look for your Crane Style hand tools during your form practice. This week, practice your Crane Style hand tools: crane's beak, crane's neck, and crane's wing. Don't forget to work on your balance with your Crane Stance as often as you can.
Adult/Teen BBC Program: This week, the Adult and Teen BBC students continued working on Section One of our Golden Crested Crane form. Welcome again to all of our new Yellow Belts who just graduated from BASIC! In your warmups, focus again on your line kicks; in your crescent kicks, focus on the balance and posture. For the swing kicks and forward toe taps, work on maintaining consistent timing and posture. Since this form is shorter than usual, aim for repetition this week--practice Section One a few times every day if you can! Work on your balance by trying out a one-legged squat. Don't forget to work on your endurance as well with your pushups, crunches, and horse stance.
Foundation Weapons: In Foundation Weapons class this week, students began learning Section Two of their 16-Step Straight Sword Form. When practicing, remind yourself of the anatomy of your sword before you begin. Then, be sure to stretch before you start, as flexibility is important for a clean and beautiful form! As you practice the form, remember to watch for your targets and keep your sword fingers and stances solid. Practice your forward flowers and reverse flowers until they are clean.
Advanced Weapons: In Advanced Weapons class this week, students began learning Section Two of their Yin Shao Staff Form. When practicing, make sure you hold your weapon correctly and practice holding it even before you begin practicing the form. Work on your Cloud Parries and practice your Forward Flowers until they are clean. Make sure to maintain the correct stance with every movement and strike in your form.
