"Im-puh-ressive!"

So, I do wushu.

Casey asked me about it yesterday after noting my sweatshirt (emblazoned with the name of my kwoon). It seemed more of a polite question than an expression of genuine interest (I could be wrong about that, seeing as how I was dead tired when I spoke with him), but it's something to write about, and I'm more than a little behind.

What's wushu? Well, there are a couple of guys that are relatively famous that perform wushu. I say "perform" because it's basically a very flashy form of kung fu. The forms are not designed for combat, but for looking like a total bad-ass. Wushu competitions are usually form competitions, and as far as I know do not include much in the way of sparring.

Think "movie martial arts", and you'll be on the right track.

That being said, this shit is hardcore. The forms, while not long, are hard and fast, and use your entire fucking body. Not long after you start wushu, you find a new muscle group you did not think existed, and the only reason you know it does now is because it is howling at you in pain. Endurance is necessary. Strength is required. Flexibility is a must. Being able to kick over your head is not reccommended...it is mandatory.

I've never been the healthiest guy. I have had a plethora of medical problem since (literally) the day I was born. Suffice to say that I've never been in posession of a great abundance of the traits listed above. However, I do have an excellent memory, and I'm a very fast learner, and these help me immensely.

I'm currently learning a Southern form. Kung fu is typically divided into several groups. One of these divisions is between Northern and Southern. Northern kung fu involves a lot of jumping and kicking. Southern kung fu has lots of low stances and fancy foot/hand work. Southern style seems to fit me more, as I lack the ability and confidence to do a lot of the "flippy-shit" required for Northern style. Even so, I have to learn a Northern form next, so I'd better work on that.

What I'm really looking forward to is weapons. I've wanted to get my hands on a Chinese broadsword for approximately my entire life, but I've always been of the opinion that if you don't know how to use the weapon, you have no right owning one.

This post has been a bit ramble-y, so I think I'll wrap it up.

And finally: your moment of Zen.