Littledragon
Above The Law
yudansha said:... that's not the kind of reflexes I'm talking about...
The beginners start out (this is how I've trained) building up neglect for pain. Instead of punching bags, you'd be given specially moulded walls to punch for half an hour. Then, they'd put you in different stances to build up some muscle (since you're a beginner) ... especially for legs ... then you'd be doing push-ups to exercise your heart while working some muscle groups in your arms to warm up. Between each, you are given rest for not more than 30 seconds. Then, you'd be asked to lie on the mat while the instructors walk on you and stand on you (imagine an over 150lb assistant standing on a 10 year old beginner) ... you'd be lined up lying down with your classmates and the assistants would walk from one person to the next. (ofcourse some 'praying' and meditation ... I still don't get what they were saying in those).
When forms are taught, they are perfected. The sifu doesn't do more than 2 or 3 forms per class. Emphasis is on repetition. The forms are then practiced in a situation where another student must get at you and you'd use the just practiced technique.
Wu-shu is very acrobatic (fluid motions occuring in a swift manner), but the way I was taught, it was also a way to build up strength.
Do they teach you how to prevent a tackle or where to strike in a street fight??