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 fourth week of our Fall 2021 Quarter. That means we held Stripe Testing for Lil' Dragons, Kids BASIC, and Kids BBC!
Lil' Dragons: The Lil' Dragons had a chance to prove their practice this week in Stripe Testing. They were tested on their knowledge of the Nan Quan form by performing as much as they can of their form on their own. Bronze stripes were awarded for performances with more than half of the words, Silver stripes were awarded for performances with less than half of the words, and Gold stripes were awarded only to Lil' Dragons who could perform the entire form with no cues! Great job everyone. Keep up the great work and practice this week.
BASIC Program: Students in Kids BASIC had the chance to earn stripes this week in Stripe Testing. Students who could perform their form were awarded a Black Stripe. Students who could tie their belts correctly were awarded Bronze stripes. Students who could demonstrate a proper drop stance were awarded Silver stripes, and students who could hold a horse stance for 60 seconds were awarded Gold stripes. Congrats everyone and keep up the good work!
Teen and Adult BASIC students continued practicing their Five Stances Form. This week most students got an opportunity to perform their forms in class for their classmates. The focus is on stances and flexibility this week for your practicing: try to practice in front of a mirror and watch that your feet point in the same direction for your stances, especially in your bow stance and horse stance.
Kids BBC Program: This week, the Kids BBC students also earned their stripes in Stripe Testing. To earn a Black stripe, students performed Section One and Two of their Golden Crested Crane form. Bonus stripes were awarded for students who could perform additional skills proficiently. Bronze stripes were awarded to students who demonstrated a proper Crane stance. Silver stripes were awarded for students who could use a Crane's beak hand tool to catch a falling bean-bag 3 times in a row. If you didn't earn a bonus stripe this time around, keep practicing, and get ready for our next Stripe Test week in October. Great job, everyone!
Adult/Teen BBC Program: This week, the Adult and Teen BBC students continued to practice Section One and Section Two of our Golden Crested Crane form. We spent time working on the Self Defense applications from the form this week; practice them on the air or a classmate this week if you get a chance. In addition, work on your Crane Stance; try to hold it for 15 seconds on each side, every day.
Foundation Weapons: In Foundation Weapons class this week, students began learning Section Three of their 16-Step Straight Sword Form. Begin every practice with stretching to improve your flexibility. Aim for repetition as you practice your form--try to practice Section Three on its own, and then repeat it with the full form. Don't forget to look for your targets before each strike.
Advanced Weapons: In Advanced Weapons class this week, students began learning Section Three of their Yin Shao Staff Form. As you move further along in the form, don't forget to review the basic strikes and techniques you learned, focusing this week on your 2, 4, and 6-star blocking, as well as Reverse Flowers. Continue to add Shadowboxing into your practicing, starting with a short combo and working your way up to a 5-movement combo.
