It's All About the Name

Forms...  Patterns...

It is common in martial arts to have a series of movements that are prescribed and learned to practice the art.  They have different names depending on what art you are choosing to study.  The name of our series of movements in kung fu is form.  This is important because it indicates what the focus of the practice is.

When we first are learning our forms, we honestly are focused on the pattern.  There is a sequence that we need to learn and commit to memory.  Some people find this stage easier than others but none the less, all must go through this stage.  It is common in the stage to be more focused on what is coming next, to have long pauses while we remember where we are and where we are headed and simply to forget it all.  This stage is honestly only the very start of the journey.

The second step is where we will spend the rest of our lives working - form.  By the very nature of the name, the focus is not on the sequence or pattern of movements.  The pattern is critical to the practice but it is not the key focus of the practice.  The key is to be focusing on mastering the form of each individual moment within that sequence.  It is the practice of seeking mastery of each movement and intent within the sequence.  It allows a structured way in which to practice these deeper concepts. 

It is not enough to say that you know the form.  We must move past knowing to mastering.  Part of the requirements of the IHC program is to do 1,000 repetitions of two forms throughout the year.  There are two ways this can be accomplished.  You can take the approach that you must just get it done and just blow through the requirement like it is a hoop to jump through.  (Just a hint, this is not the intent behind the requirement at all, not to mention would be incredibly boring.)  The second is to focus on the mastery of each moment, intent and movement within the form, practicing and applying an eye for detail.  This is can frustrating at times but if this is truly applied, it will not be boring.  Out of the struggle and frustration will come growth that can can't be realized through mindless practice.  The art of kung fu is so rich with detail that you will never, ever run out of tweaks in the mastery journey.