This article is about my 2nd-year fitness accomplishments in Qufu Shaolin Kung Fu School. If you want to check what I have learned after one year of training Shaolin Kung Fu in China – CLICK HERE.
Full Splits
2nd-Year Fitness Accomplishments
One of my main achievements for this year was FULL SPLITS.
- Doing splits became possible every single day regardless of the training intensity.
- Doing splits is not that painful anymore. I still can’t do splits without a warm-up, though.
- I can do a full-side split, which was impossible in the last year.
- During the Power Stretching, my leg is much further than in the last year.
What helped me improve flexibility:
- Time. It was the second year of constant stretching.
- Less training. Probably, if I had trained full time as before, my body wouldn’t be able to recover fast, and the flexibility wouldn’t improve that much or at all.
For sure, muscle training does not contribute to gaining flexibility. If I had just stretched, the improvement would be much faster. However, if I want healthy joints and a strong body, both muscle training and stretching need to be applied.
Train Less, Gain More, Guilt-Free Workout. Did It Work? – Ch.3
This Kung Fu Year Was Easier For My Body Than The First Year HERE IS WHY?
Stronger Body, Improved Jumps
2nd-Year Fitness Accomplishments
Below are my small fitness accomplishments. They weren’t really my goals. But I noticed them because I was unable to do them in the last year.
- 10 min heavy skipping rope
In the last year, I had difficulties doing regular skipping rope for 5 minutes. But it was because I’ve always done it during a warm-up, and I didn’t want to push myself too much. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have the energy for the class. This year, during my own training classes, I have been able to do 10-minute heavy skipping rope, the one that Muay Thai fighters use.
- Pistol Squat
In the last year, I couldn’t do a pistol squat. Most of the time, my thighs and knees were painful or tired. On some days, I had even difficulties doing Pu Bu stance. In the second year, I was surprised when I did a full pistol squat without much struggle.
- 4 min Plank
In the second year of my Kung Fu training, we have done a few Dragons Warriors challenges. One of them was a 5-minute plank. My fitness accomplishment was a 4-minute plank.
- I can do aerial on two mats if I have a good day.
- I almost achieved Front Handspring, but I still need to work on it.
- I tried backhandspring. I can do it with one supporter without landing on my head which was a case in the last year 😉
I Broke A Brick
2nd-Year Fitness Accomplishments
12th of April
I broke a brick!!! After Qigong and Conditioning class. I stayed to watch a friend trying to break a brick. He didn’t manage to do that. The other student took the same brick and broke it without a problem.
- You made it look so easy – I commented. – I really would like to be able to break a brick – I added.
He smiled.
- Here – he pointed at the brick on the sand. – Try it.
I hesitated. I wasn’t really in the mood to hurt my hand. I already tried to break a brick yesterday. But, something pushed me to take this brick and put it on the marble desk. I prepared myself as instructed by my Master a long time ago. Mabu position, relaxed mind, and body. Directing Qi into my palm. I swung my arm a few times, imitating that I was breaking a brick. I aimed into the middle of the brick, hitting it with not really much power. Surprised, I broke it!
GOLD MEDAL
2nd-Year Fitness Accomplishements
Apart from daily training, in this year there were many other events that I consider as accomplishments 🙂
1. I HAVE PARTICIPATED IN TWO KUNG FU COMPETITIONS THIS YEAR:
- The first competition (which was actually my 2nd kung fu competition that I have participated in) was small, and it took place in Liangshan city on the 28th of July. I won one gold medal for a fan form and one silver for a staff form.
- The second competition (but generally a 3rd kung fu competition that I have participated in) took place in October 2018. I am very happy and proud to take part in it, and it has definitely a spot on my list of achievements. It was Zhengzhou International Wushu Festival. I won one gold and one silver medal. Click here to know more about this amazing, mind-blowing event!
2. HALF MARATHON – 21km run. I had the possibility to run it for the first time in my life with a score of 2h 09 min.
Kung Fu Forms That I Have Learned
During this year, I didn’t learn many forms. As I said before, I was focusing more on my own training.
2 Kung Fu Forms that I have learned:
- 2nd Guo Jia Shaolin Grading Form,
- 7 Star Fist Form.
3 Qi Gong Forms:
- Ba Duan Jin (based on Master Zhang teachings),
- 6 Healing Sounds,
- Health Rejuvenation Exercise (Qigong form created by Master Zhang)
LEARN SHAOLIN KUNG FU ONLINE
This amazing 6 week Shaolin Kung Fu Basics Online Program is taught by an authentic Shaolin Warrior Monk from Shaolin Temple, a current headmaster of Qufu Shaolin Kung Fu school. IF YOU ARE INTO MARTIAL ARTS, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT 👍
Here, a special gift for my readers. Use this DISCOUNT CODE when joining the Shaolin Kung Fu Online Training: TrainWithBasia
