Thursday, August 19, 2010
Hero
Years ago I saw the Chinese Wuxia film "Hero," and loved it. Anytime it's on TV, I watch it again and again.
While the film was criticized for its undeniable Maoist-leaning undertones, I thought it was visually stunning. The use of different colors to illustrate the differing versions of the stories being told was fascinating, and vastness of the scenery mirrored the vastness of the country.
But, what intrigued me most about this movie was the martial arts sequences. The swordplay was so unusual, and completely unlike Western sword-play. The sweeping of the swords was accompanied by graceful wrist motions, and fluid bending of the legs.
Two weeks ago, after nearly a year of studying, I completed learning the entire Yang-style long form in my Tai Chi class. Tai Chi is, of course, a Chinese martial art, and while it's generally associated with the solo forms done in parks by senior citizens across the country, it actually is much more involved.
Having completed my solo Yang form, my Tai Chi instructor informed me that I was now ready to move to the sword forms, and directed me to purchase a sword. My first Tai Chi practice sword arrived in the mail yesterday, and I'm headed off to class today to learn my first sword form.
I'm so excited.
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Sounds great! I'm impressed.
ReplyDeletePicking up martial arts issomething on my to do list. I'd like to lose another 40-50 pounds first so I have it on my list of adventures for 2011... enjoy the Tai Chi sword experience.
ReplyDeletePatrick, Learning a martial art was also on my "to do" list for years, so when a friend of mine, who has a black belt in Karate, mentioned that she had begun to study Tai Chi, I knew my time had come.
ReplyDeleteDon't wait to start to study Tai Chi. If you're trying to lose weight, start studying now. It's gentle and the calories burned will help you on your journey.