How to absorb new forms/techniques?

[moeman]

I'm new to this forum so sorry if this question has been asked and answered before.

I'm having decent success with learning the forms I've been shown, but it seems like when Sifu offers me new movements, they just evaporate. I then must turn to a classmate and work through everything with them as though I'd never seen the material before. They, of course, are quite happy to help in any way they can, as am I with students even newer than myself. Our school has a great climate for that. I always show up early and work with other students before class, and stay after class and work for another hour.

So far i've learned what in our shool are the 12 shaolin excersises (basic and quite short), ling po, law horn and small circular fist. Our school also teaches chin na, and I've learned a few dozen of those techniques as well as some shuai chow (sp?) falls and tumbles.

I've just started learning the first of the 10 shaolin (long fist?) forms, which is number 6 or short strike. This is incredible stuff!

I'm just wondering If any of you use some kind of system or mindset which i can adopt to absorb better when i'm working directly with Sifu. I will admit that as my training is progressing, I do find it easier to learn. I love things just the way they are, but I feel like I'm just dim sometimes. Maybe this is the nature of training. By the way, it's preferred in our school not to study videos or take notes. Sifu or a higher sash is always quite available to us for questions or to help with forms.

[blooming lotus]

That's tricky and a very individual thing. I normally tune into their qi and get their flow on then its easy to get the flow of the set. If you have the flow, you can fine tune on your own time if your in-class time is short. It's funny you say that you train before and after with other students. I have never been involved with a school where this is acceptable nor would I have any inclination to do this. ????

[mickey]

Sounds like you are overwhelmed by the magnetism/charisma of the Sifu. This can be stressful and can interfere with the learning process. If this is the case, try having normal conversation with your Sifu before class and realize that your Sifu is a human being. Also, never be afraid to ask to see something again or ask question while you are learning from you Sifu. It is the interactive experience that fosters learning and lesson retention.

mickey

[moeman]

Thanks for the ideas. Yes, I think that I put too much pressure on myself when I'm actually being shown a form. I'm not sure It's just Sifu though, since it happens with some of the higher sash students who may be running a class. And actually I feel pretty comfortable with everyone and speak with Sifu often. Whatever it is, I need to stay in the moment.

It'd be fun to visit other schools to see how others are run. I normally arrive about 20 mins early just to run through a few forms with a couple of the other students and try and shake off the stress of the day. Our official in-class warm up is about 20 mins, then about 20 mins of forms, then the rest of the class is dedicated to one of four focus areas; forms, chin na (which also includes free sparring), shuai chow, and kicks. Each of these rotates. Our class runs about an hour, and the advanced class runs an hour and a half, and has a more directed focus based on the class attendees.

Since our class is the last class of the day, our Sifu allows, even recommends we hang around after and work on whatever we want. Actually, he does this for all classes, It's just we have no time limit. Usually I'll find a couple of other students and run through forms, chin na, or whatever. Also, we usually have free sparring during our after class time, plus dedicated sparring time as above, and on Saturdays. I should say that all this out of class time is always supervised by either Sifu, or a higher sash who's running class.

Thanks again guys.

[norther practitioner]

Just give it time.. as moves and things get more familiar, you'll pick up things like forms in a day or two....:D

[SifuAbel]

Learning forms is like learning a song.

The hard part is that you first have to master your instrument before you can play.

Your first task is learning how to learn.

Learning the language of the style. You are still in the phase where you know "ma bo", for example, as something you have to think about. In a little while the concept of "ma bo" will be more naturally ingrained in your body. Its sort of like speaking. You don't have to think about how to articulate the words, they just come out.

For now it seems you are getting too much information at once. Perhaps you should tune back and only work on one new move a day. Little by little your brain will be able to absorb bigger chuncks of movement.

[joedoe]

Give it time. Once you understand your art better, it will become easier to learn your forms.

[Daredevil]

Originally posted by sc_guy
- Don't learn with your "brain", learn with your "body".
- Don't look at others when you learn it. Close your eyes. Don't think just do it.
- Be good at the basic stances. Form is just movements from one stance to another.
- Put more attention on your legs then your arms (energy has to be generated from your leg first).
- Coordinate your body so your legs and hands will "start to move at the same time" and "stop to move at the same time".
- Try to "only see your body move" not "your hands move". Turn your body instead of turn your arm if you can.
- Think about your arms not your hands.


In my experience, this is very valuable advice. Use it.

[moeman]

Wow!

Thanks to all for the great advice. SifuAbel - The learning to learn comment is exactly what I needed to hear. I can remember the first few classes actually having to look in the mirrors to figure out where my hands and feet were. I had no awareness at all. That's getting better now. My stances are getting deeper and my movements are becoming a bit more fluid.

SCG - You're right about learning with the body too. It's like I've started to get some kind of muscle memory. I'm going to try and block out others and see how that goes. Also, I've started to carry a little notebook. That's got to help. Although rushing right home after class and doing the new stuff a few times - in the different environment away from class - has helped a lot also.

It seems what I need to work on most is to have more patience.

Thanks again.




:)