Wushu Hype
Aug. 16th, 2007 11:36 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
batskeetsOkay, so I HAVE to blab about Master Chen.
I'd heard vague mentions of Master Chen and his general awesomeness from various people at UO Wushu who either previously or currently train at my current wushu school. Back in... February I think? Katsumi and "Jimmy" were wailing because Master Chen apparently had to go back to China, and they loved him to death. Erika also had good things to say about Master Chen. A few weeks ago, David asked me if I'd ever practiced with Master Chen; I said no, and both he and Ken nodded vigorously, as if to say, "that guy is the real deal."
So, after all the hype, I went to practice on Tuesday, and was finally faced with the man himself, and he *totally* lives up to the hype. Holy mother of GOD.
See, the Head Instructor has a pretty illustrious history in wushu; I've seen old videos of him in his heyday, and he was the real deal. He was a very serious competitor, and still has a lot of expertise, but he's older now, and you don't see him actually *doing* those routines full-out anymore. Our other Head Instructor is similar--lots of medals, expertise, and skill, but she's also retired from competition. You'll occasionally see her demonstrate the smallest of movements and it'll still make you go, "Wooowww," but those demonstrations are rare.
Master Chen, on the other hand, is a younger guy, and he has the more relaxed-and-groovy attitude to match that, and a certain honesty and constructiveness. He seems to really enjoy teaching; he has fun with it, and likes to get to the root of the problems you're having. Instead of "Good," and "Wonderful,"--which, by the way, doesn't actually *mean* Good or Wonderful, darn those tricky Chinese--he gave out corrections that actually worked, even for small stuff. (like my awful tendency to look up instead of forward)
He's also still in competition shape--or at least, closer to it, possibly because he's younger--and he's more than happy to demonstrate movements in awe-inspiring fashion. He could totally kick your ass, but he doesn't act pompous about it at all. He seems like an instructor who also wants to be your friend.
I am definitely a fan. I hope he sticks around, because I think I can learn a lot from him. :D
I'd heard vague mentions of Master Chen and his general awesomeness from various people at UO Wushu who either previously or currently train at my current wushu school. Back in... February I think? Katsumi and "Jimmy" were wailing because Master Chen apparently had to go back to China, and they loved him to death. Erika also had good things to say about Master Chen. A few weeks ago, David asked me if I'd ever practiced with Master Chen; I said no, and both he and Ken nodded vigorously, as if to say, "that guy is the real deal."
So, after all the hype, I went to practice on Tuesday, and was finally faced with the man himself, and he *totally* lives up to the hype. Holy mother of GOD.
See, the Head Instructor has a pretty illustrious history in wushu; I've seen old videos of him in his heyday, and he was the real deal. He was a very serious competitor, and still has a lot of expertise, but he's older now, and you don't see him actually *doing* those routines full-out anymore. Our other Head Instructor is similar--lots of medals, expertise, and skill, but she's also retired from competition. You'll occasionally see her demonstrate the smallest of movements and it'll still make you go, "Wooowww," but those demonstrations are rare.
Master Chen, on the other hand, is a younger guy, and he has the more relaxed-and-groovy attitude to match that, and a certain honesty and constructiveness. He seems to really enjoy teaching; he has fun with it, and likes to get to the root of the problems you're having. Instead of "Good," and "Wonderful,"--which, by the way, doesn't actually *mean* Good or Wonderful, darn those tricky Chinese--he gave out corrections that actually worked, even for small stuff. (like my awful tendency to look up instead of forward)
He's also still in competition shape--or at least, closer to it, possibly because he's younger--and he's more than happy to demonstrate movements in awe-inspiring fashion. He could totally kick your ass, but he doesn't act pompous about it at all. He seems like an instructor who also wants to be your friend.
I am definitely a fan. I hope he sticks around, because I think I can learn a lot from him. :D
