It has been awhile since I last made a post. The activities still continue: rising, doing the forms, kicking practices and practicing on a heavy punching bag.
The heavy punching bag is quite good for doing chi sau alone. It is not the best but it readily assists in sensitivity – noting where the weight and momentum of the bag is at all times – and footwork. There is a smoothness that can be improved upon daily, weekly, monthly. One can also work on punching it – punching through, not on – or being relaxed while facing weight. This is something that I have discovered works well in the initial forms of rising. Or when someone just wants to test their rising in an elementary process. Currently I go to the gym to work on the bag but after my plan ends in August, I’ll purchase a bag and work on it from home. It will not be so heavy but it will do the deed properly.
Rising is improving a lot. There was a time where I felt the two sides clearly: the front and back. The back would deactivate when focused in the front. The front would deactivate when focusing on the back. It was surreal but it was wearing me out. I don’t have that same feeling nowadays but I know it can be achieved with relative ease. There is a thinness I have approached. I no longer “force” the rising to occur nor do it with transferring “high amounts” of energy up. I have made it quite thin. The rising is a near-constant phenomenon with me now. I try not to turn it off. It is unknown how long and how much rising is necessary to emulate the actions of the grandmaster.
I am able to separate my joints much quicker and easier by simply using the mind. I don’t require too much motion – sticking arms out. I can do it with relative ease.
Working on kicking. I find that moving slowly works well. It assist in helping one to control the joints as well as bring attention to the center of the mass. There is a small marble there. The feeling is quite prevalent. It requires attentiveness though. One must be aware of it for long periods of time for it to become a regular phenomenon. Connecting this [feeling] with limbs and movements, helps one feel there is a backing; a support behind those actions. It feels very secure.
I spoke with Sifu John Kaufman and he’s pretty good with his replies – speed as well as content. His approach is just “to be” which is actually quite nice. I do not have to incessantly focus upon rising as a result. I can “just be.”