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Since the first time I saw a student in the corner, looking like he needed help, I have made myself available to help
continue the true reflection of KIDO. As a teenager, that was more complicated than it now sounds.
First, I had to have the lesson myself. I had to work on it, test it, try it and perfect
the technique.
Then the instructor would explain to me my responsibility for expressing correctly the techniques entrusted to me.
Then when I saw some one in need of assistance, I was qualified to correct, and or instruct
the student in the proper exercise, technique or application.
Every lesson in the Dojo led to the next one. Attendance was mandatory. The training might one day save your life.
*****
Regarding my Tai Chi training: I was first introduced to Yang Tai Chi by Sifu William Diaz (student of Grand
Master Shu Fun Yen) at the Kung Fu Academy of Chicago in 1987. I was trraining in Northern Shaolin Longfist Kung
Fu and Northern Shaolin Praying Mantis Kung Fu under Master Andrew Lee and Master Sui Kwan.
Master Sui Kwan the Director of the Academy told me one day, that I would now train with Sifu Diaz in his class.
In 1989, after a death in my family, I returned to New York after 6 years away, and started training in Sunset Park,
Brooklyn, New York. I met Mr. Din there. After about a year of being turned away, I was finally invited
to stand next to the Master and try his Chi Kung and forms training. At first, I attended class on saturday and sunday
mornings for about two hours. Later, I was invited to go to a park on Grand and Chrystie Street in New York's Chinatown
for a daily class with Mr. Din's regular students. I spent the next 15 years visiting and training with this class.
All the while, training on the weekends and at sunset during the week with the master. No matter how much I practiced,
I never seemed to be doing what his students were doing? I also never found any partners for push hands drills, which
he introduced to me after the first two years. So I waited till I was with him to practice these drills of footwork
and hand work he had introduced to me. We did exercises that were never in the weekly class. Like solid and empty
stepping. Synchronized stepping with a partner. One right foot forward, left foot back, or introduction to roll back,
press, push, ward off. Three steps forward, three steps backward,. Three steps forward, two steps back. Angular
stepping forward leg, angular retreating rear leg. Don't forget to practice each drill on both sides! Introduction
to being soft. Floating, not floating, rooting, not rooting. Relaxing in front, on top, solidifying the back,
the bottom. Many awareness moments of conscious being? Not being, not doing? Too many questions. When I
found someone who spoke some english, maybe they did not think in terms of martial, self defense, of exchange with another?
Always got that:"you very smart", "you learn very fast", "you very good". Even recently, a student I have had since
1996 said during a practice with the Master: I noticed you have a gift for seeing the martial aspect of what the master
shows! I asked: doesn't he show it to you in the manner of how it is used?
Anyway, to be continued.
RT
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