The art in martial

Prior to beginning martial arts, I did not think of it as an art form, but merely a way of fighting. As I continue to learn, I see more and more of the art form in the movements that we do. Just as in dance, the smallest of details can change the look of a form (kata). The position of your hands, where you are looking, and the depth of your stances all make a difference. Watching my daughter perform her form is like watching her dance. Her fluidity and grace are beautiful to watch.

A weapons form can be the same thing. Have you ever watched someone performing a form with fans? Beautiful....

When I began learning form 1 my focus was: a. remembering the direction I should turn and which hand to use (I still get confused!), b: putting power and intensity behind my punches.

The number of movements in form 2 were greater but the focus for me was still on getting the kicks and punches correct.

Form 3 added more movements from many of the different systems that we learn in Tao Hsieh Wu Shu and some of the movements were definitely more artsy.

Form 4 begins to look like a dance with many of the movements flowing from one to the other. You can truly see the grace in our style when watching this form.

This leads to question do our forms add more grace as they get harder or is the student beginning to gain an understanding of the movements? Soke Geniesse will often tell us to flow like water. I believe by the time you are learning form 4 this concept begins to sink in.

Amazing....