Athlete Interviews
I’ve been thinking about expanding some of the content I offer on youtube and wushuzilla. Part of what seems to be lacking for a lot of wushu practitioners outside of China is a way to connect directly with athletes and coaches here in China. Sure, we have Chinese athletes and coaches in the West (or [...]
WTV #2
During the week I had experienced the joys of lactic acid build-up in my chest, shoulders and arms. Fortunately not as much in my legs, although they were still a little sore. Yuan Min, as I had mentioned last time, gave me some homework to do. In hind sight I should have rested Tuesday, done [...]
Xiao Yu in Xi’an
Last night I got a call on my phone from Yue Xiao Yu, alumnus of the Shaanxi Wushu Team, winner of 4th place national ranking in Nanquan and Nandao, and resident of Dong Ming, Shandong where she teaches wushu for a living. “I’m in Xi’an, Mah Kuh!” she said her her high-pitched giggly voice, a [...]
Italian Visitors in Xi’an
Yesterday I was lucky to meet up with two wushu friends from Italiy, Stefano and Claudia. They were visiting, along with a Taiji instructor named Fabio, with a group of Fabio’s students from Italy who study Taiji. They had just finished some time at Chen Jia Gou (Chen Village — the birthplace of Taiji Quan) [...]
Almost back to training!
I’ve been texting with Xiao Yu recently and it seems she is coming to Xi’an for a visit at the end of the month. That is great news since its been so long since I’ve hung out with her (almost a year!). But the even better news is that she said she would help me [...]
Dinner with Athletes and Friends
Last night Ruhi and I had a little dinner party/get-together for some friends. A family who moved back to Xi’an from Beijing last year came (Mother, Daughter, Daughter’s son and a cousin) and I also invited Xiao Yu and her friend Xiao Meng. You might remember Xiao Meng from such blog entries as this one [...]
Getting Back on the Horse … Again (Plus Angelica Cukon!)
And so I made my way back to wushu class with the Shaanxi Wushu Team. Over 2 months away from training and I don’t think I need to tell you that it was a bit on the painful side. 2 days later now, and I’m really starting to feel it in my hamstrings — but [...]
Competition Prep! T-Minus 1 Week
In just 7 days from today the next wushu competition in China will be held in Hangzhou. I am planning to attend, although I may miss a few events due to other obligations. Of course I will try to film as much as I can. (I’m actually behind on my blog from the Hong Kong [...]
My Personal Path to Rock-Solid Stances
With the advice Xiao Yu gave me to improve my wushu technique, I have already started noticing improvement in the transitional power of my stances, as well as in my overall leg strength. I suppose that is to be expected, but it did get me thinking about the most effective ways to improve one’s stance [...]