By Sifu Lloyd Fridenburg
Editorial
Spring grading season is once again growing to a close as summer reaches out to embrace us in the warmth and relaxation of vacation season.
Although summer is a time of relaxation the Academy doesn’t—except for one week—take a vacation, and neither should your Kung Fu training. It’s easier to maintain your Kung Fu skills and conditioning through the summer than it is to take a complete break for the summer and then try to regain it in the fall. For those students, particularly children, who do take the summer off we wish you a safe and enjoyable vacation. However, it is generally not realistic, unless you can prove to us that you have maintained your skills over the summer, to plan on grading in the fall. But don’t despair! The next grading is always just around the corner.
It’s easy to let your Kung Fu training slip during the summer; sometimes it’s hard not to become complacent. Here are a few tips to help your summer training:
Tips to Help Your Summer Training:
- If you are planning a fall grading what better way to prepare than to train during the heat of the summer. You’ll have much more energy on a cool autumn day if you get used to training in the heat.
- If you do not keep up your training during the summer, it is not realistic to plan to grade in the fall. “Cramming” the absolute worse way to start your grading preparation. It is your responsibility to know what the various cutoff dates are for your rank, and to plan accordingly. As instructors it is our job to teach; as students it is your job to learn! Everything on our curriculum is taught on a regular basis, but instructors have no idea what you personally have learned and what you have not. Know your requirements and make sure that you have learned everything in plenty of time
- Don’t forget to drink plenty of water before and during your summer training. This will help prevent dehydration. Be sure to hydrate well before your Kung Fu classes so you remain hydrated for the full duration of your class if necessary.
- Summer is a great time to work on details. Your Kung Fu will improve drastically if you take time to hone the details when you’re not under pressure. Training for a fall grading will be much easier and less stressful if you have taken the time to truly learn all aspects of your techniques, forms, SD, and sequences.
- Even if you can’t come to class on a regular basis, you can still practice on your own. Except for sparring, there is nothing that we teach that cannot be practiced anywhere. Set aside a half-hour or hour and give yourself a thorough workout. Even a couple of times a week will give you a tremendous advantage when you return to class.
- Those wishing one-on-one instruction are invited to inquire about private or semi-private classes. This is an effective way to focus on specific details, one-on-one with a WKFA instructor.
Remember that when it comes to learning new moves in forms or sequences you must ask the instructor in charge of the class if you are ready. Never hesitate to ask to learn more if you think you are ready.