Tue 22nd July 2014/Went 3 x different MA classes

Mon 21st July 2014/Went Krav Maga, Brixton, St Matthew's church

The teachers said the venue will be changing to Crystal Palace, instead; until 1st September when classes at St Matthew's church will resume, again.

(Fri 25th July 2014/I went to Crystal Palace to discover where the new Krav training place is. It was easy to find. Only I aready missed the 'beginners' class, yesterday: 6:45PM-8:45PM.)

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Tue 22nd July 2014/Went 3 x different MA classes

10AM-12:00 Camberwell Green kick boxing at Ferndale Leisure Center/(£7.00 class fee + £3.00 to get in. £20 for monthly membership; then, getting in is FREE; but, the class will still have to be paid for. Teacher: Julian.)

6:30PM-8:30PM Chinese Community Center, Leicester Square, TKD (2 FREE classes/this is class no 1/a black guy is the teacher; forgot his name?)

9PM-11PM Chinese Community Center, Leicester Square, Bai Ji Quan (Teacher Xin, Chinese guy)

SUMMARY OF EACH CLASS

Frankly, after the kick boxing in the morning; my legs were feeling pretty sore; after taking kicks against the pad on my thigh; my thigh ended up being pretty deeply bruised.

The TKD I wanted to check out; because I thought it looked pretty. I still do think that. Plus, it's good for teaching one how to kick.

The Bai Ji Quan, is a hard Shaolin form of style; but, extremely effective especially up close.

CONCLUSION

After already taking 2 classes, today; I wasn't sure I'd still have enough energy left to go take the 3rd; but, somehow, I seem to have managed it. I think, the real reason why though is because the TKD teacher went real easy on me; not making the lesson too difficult; thus, I still had strength available to do BJQ.

I really don't know how long I will continue with doing these lessons; far more likely than not something will have to stop; as I'm totally flat broke. So, I might end up chosing to go only to one class, alone; as opposed to all.

Tue 8th July 2014 KM/DWP/MA

Tue 8th July 2014

KRAV MAGA SPARRING SESSION IN SUNHIL'S PRIVATE HOME

9AM I had an appointment with Sunhil(29 Apache[?] Road, Brixton), a Nepalese guy, who I met in Krag Maga class at St Matthew's church in Brixton, to go and do some sparring. I was meant to arrive at 9AM; but, I was late by 1 hour; so, eventually, I arrived at 9:30AM instead; he did not complain. We both went into the garden, and, did some boxing; followed by some Krav Maga self-defence; and, also, some knive disarm work. We both wore shin guards/groin guards; and, the hitting was light as opposed to hard. It was interesting sparring with him; as although he is shorter than me; he is also quicker; and, really quite strong. I'm not exactly sure; but, he is at least my equal as a boxer; and, is a far better kicker. Being we are both beginners; therefore, I can't honestly say I learned an awful lot from him...though he did show me a few of his own techniques; but, out main aim is to practice stuff so that we don't forget; and, also, to sharpen our awareness/reflexes/timing/conditioning/-etc.

He said he had to meet up with a friend who came calling at the door, Michael; with whom he goes to Brockwell park to play tennis. So, when Michael came; he wasn't too interested in learning or studying martial arts; so, we both stopped; and, I left for home; leaving both of them to go and play tennis together.

Sunhil said he would call me again, next week. I left him a business card with my name/address/phone number(home/mobile).

PRINT MAKING AT DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY

2PM-4PM Curtesy of Paxton Green Time Bank, I went to Dulwich Picture Gallery to do some 'print making' practice. We drew flowers, first, by using a pencil; then, after we drew over the pencil marks onto a paint slab; which thus produced a coloured in print on the other side of the paper we were drawing on. Finally, we were given frames to store our drawing in. Personally speaking, I was happy with the result.

4PM-5PM Afterwards, we were given a FREE gallery pass to go and see 'prints' made by Ben Nicholson, and, his wife; as well as, others in his group. The prints were interesting; but, honestly, most were not that great; with the exception of a few. Anyway, I enjoyed looking the exhibition; which otherwise I would have missed completely.

CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS COMMUNITY CENTRE, LEICESTER SQUARE: BAJIQUAN

8PM-11:30 PM Two weeks ago I went to look at the martial arts they practice in Leicester Square, Chinese Community Centre. They have 2 there: TKD(6:30PM-8PM/£???)/and, BAJIQUAN(9PM-11PM/£5.00).

Then, last week I actually took a Bajiquan lesson.

This week I decided to go back to learn some more; and, especially, to refresh my memory so that I don't forget?!

I like the lesson; but, I can't honestly say that I understand it...being just a total complete beginner; I know that my moves are all wrong...! However, I figure that with sufficient practice I might be able to get it in the end...?

TKD: FREE CLASS NEXT WEEK: JUST REMEMBER TO TURN UP 6:30PM

I also inquired about TKD; and, was told I would need a uniform to practice; but, the chinese lady said she wasn't too sure about the price; I must go and consult their web site, instead. TKD: 0751 7437 300.

RODE MY BIKE THE LONG WAY AROUND THEN HOME

12:00 Midnight-2AM. I rode home the long way around: Leicester Square, Picadilly, Waterloo, Westminister, Lambeth Bridge, Vauxhall, Stockwell, Clapham Common, Clapham South, Balham, Tooting, Tooting Bec, Tooting Broadway, Streatham, Streatham Common, Crown Point, Norwood Park, Earnest Ave, -etc. Eventually, I arrived home somewhere around 2AM.

In fact, I still feel rather energetic, and, want to go back outside, again; but, then, I think, it might well be far better if I were to let myself get some sleep.

I need to do some running around the park; which I haven't been practicing for a few days now; due to Achilles Tendonitis injury playing up.

010714 Went Kung Fu in Leicester Square

9PM-11PM Tuesday July 2014 I went to the Chinese Community Center in Leicester Square to go and practice doing some Kung Fu.

Last Tuesday I went there to watch. This Tuesday I actually went there to participate in taking an actual lesson for £5.00.

I was told to come along on Saturday at 2PM to do a FREE session if I wish; and, also, to check them out during the weekend.

When I first went in, they were still practicing Taekwon Do. I saw 2 oriental girls practicing together; with the same Kung Fu teacher conducting the lesson.

Then, after TKD had finished; it was my turn to go and learn.

I have to admit that learning anything 'new' can be pretty damn difficult; and, so, I find myself making mistakes all over the place!

1, The first difficulty is trying to remember all of the moves?
2. The second difficulty is trying to get those moves to work correctly.
3. The third difficulty is it's one thing to practice moves alone, and, in air; but, not so easy to do it in real life against a willing, and, highly cooperative partner.
4> The last difficulty is to get the moves working against a partner who is totally uncooperative, instead.

Right now, I'm still going through the remembering stage, quite frankly.

Anyway, I hope to take many more of these Kung Fu classes, in future. The atmosphere was one I liked; where the focus is intense; and, of course, they do strike you; but, not with dead serious intent; so you still come out of the lesson feeling perfectly ok. I thought I would get hurt; but, no, not at all. Far from it, I actually enjoyed the rough and tumble. I also very deeply appreciated being allowed to practice doing breakfalls with any mats.