Seminar Day 1

Day began early with a quick trip to SFO, Glenn and I however, were late as the plane from China arrived  a half an hour early...........doesn't happen often! found Master Yang chatting with a woman from Shanghai that he met on the flight......it's still a big thing to get to come to America.  Then gave him the scenic tour of San Francisco by taking the long route first to Chinatown then to Japantown.  He was impressed with all the Chinese people and businesses.....Chinatown he said felt just like Beijing!!  Then we got him to the place he is staying....then off to lunch...we took him to Mai's...an excellent Vietnamese Restaurant on Clement St.  Good cold noodles, and five spice chicken.  Then at 3:00, we had the first series of private lessons....he spent time first showing Qinna and explaining the role of yin and yang in application.  Then afterwards we worked on Kun Lun Fan 3.......Fan is one of my favorite weapons.......this form passed down from Dong Hai Chuan was originally the fan form of the Ching Emperor....he added the Bagua Footwork to it.  All other forms you see nowadays was made up recently....as during the Emperor's time only his Family was allowed to use the fan.  We also spent some time discussing form and intent............while like music, as Stephen brought up in some of his comments on AnD...............Wushu is still another layer more difficult.....smoothness and intent must be mastered in practicing.....then you must forget it and try to harmonize with your opponent.....somewhat like Jazz..........but then you must break the rhythm to hit your opponent...but in such away he isn't even aware of what happened! All Martial Arts in the end is intent driven.  True you must be relaxed and smooth, your body must act in reflex....but without anticipation or thought..........and with power and speed!!  Ok, gotta go time for Day 2!!