Since I began this particular journey, one thing has stood out to me, beyond all else. The hardest thing, so far, is flexibility. I'm 10 moves in and five of them require crouching in different positions. And when I say crouching, I'm talking low. Going from standing position to way down and back up, over and over, is a lot of work for your legs, especially if you're not a runner or something.

Warming up isn't optional. It's important to get really warm, so you can feel it in every joint and muscle, and then do a few runs through the form at a slow pace, before you start putting speed or power into the moves.

Here's a random internet personality demonstrating this form...

Being something of a visual learner, I do have to see new moves a few times, before I can copy them, and then it's just a case of tacking each new move onto the end of the existing sequence and going through it a few times, until it settles itself into the routine.

If you've ever looked at those beautiful flowing movements in Kung Fu and wondered if some of them were really just there to look nice, the answer is no. Every rotation of arm, every wide gesture, every curve of wrist and every flowery, beautiful ... dance-like movement, serves to block, deflect, grab, strike and unbalance an opponent, to aid in your own balance, and to set up another powerful attack (one after another, until the opponent is defeated) - As I learn these movements, I find more and more uses for each one, and the experience of learning them becomes that much more enjoyable and worthwhile.

To call this a martial art is fitting.

But as I move into it, I have begun to crave aspects of Wing Chun that I enjoyed, and I suspect that I'll be working those back into my life, soon, as well.

Update: The five fist form is becoming natural and I can now perform it at a good speed, with accuracy and power. As with all my adventures in small steps, I am sticking with this for the long haul, and as I get more serious about it, I feel huge benefits from it, which I am excited to explore. l'll be starting the second form this week and you will hear about it soon.