Down Sydrome Divas Defy Disabilities.

This is not Kung Fu related  but I thought everyone might enjoy a laugh.

Names have been changed though :)

What is unique and amazing about the school's program is they take these special needs adults, train them, and then take them all over the world to perform. I work with the top students once a week on a ballet piece. Within those top performers there are two Down Syndrome Divas. Karolyn is one, and so is Dani. This is a story about how we lifted Dani ;)

"We are going to do a lift." I said. "I know you have done it before, so we are going try lifting people to see who lifts best."

"Does everyone get a turn to be lifted?" Dani asked in her soft vowel way of speaking.

"Um, well....we'll see. Maybe we can all have a turn. I...just... I really need you as a "lift'er", because I can count on you to be strong." I blundered. I always have to be careful how I speak, turning every "no" into a compliment.

"But I've never been lifted." Dani protested.

I could only shrug and directed my efforts to others in the group. After several attempts, I made up my mind. We were lifting a girl named Kate. To deflect the curious and eager stares of the others, I casually told them, "I was going to think about." And let them know next week.

Dani was insistent. "You said that WE ALL can have a turn." She wasn't going to let me out of it. Clearly there were others in the group we would not attempt lifting. They weren't complaining. Why did Dani have to be such a diva?

Lainey, the most renowned and strongest of the group, turned to me and blatantly said. "We have to lift her. If we don't, she won't stop. Let's just get it over with."

"Ok, but I'm going to spot her." I resolved, thinking of the injury liability I may be forcing on these special needs women. Dani, though known for her immense and amazing flexibility, was not known for being particularly petite.

I placed my hands on her hip bones. The bones were they taught the men to hold in partnering, took the male ballet second, remembering to lift with the legs and not the back. And together me and 6 special needs women hoisted Dani off the ground.

Her eyes lit up, and in a moment was gently placed back on the ground.

"Yes! Finally! I did it." Her face gleaned with unbridled happiness one only feels defying gravity.

"Well, I made my decision. We are going to lift Kate, and wow look, it's time to go." I said before anyone else got any ideas.

I grabbed my things, and passed the owner in the office.

"Great day today. We worked on a lift." I said grinning.

"Did Dani ask to be lifted?" the owner smiled.

Casually, I replied. "Yeaahhhh, we tried it, but we are going with Kate."

This week in Kung Fu.

Proving there is no attractive way to photo an arm ;)

Kung Fu was good this week. Lots of Fighting.

As you can see by lack of arm muscle tone and slight bruising. I have not developed the monk's legendary qi-gong. Qi-gong is energy that can be released to any part of the body making it stronger and more powerful.

This energy release can make any part of the body harder. For example the scull of a Shaolin monk can be up to 4x's stronger than that of a regular person. This is after hours a day of banging their heads against something hard for years ;)

This hardening of certain parts of the body is known as "Ironing". So you can have an Iron Scull, Iron Neck, Iron Forearms, and hey guess what guys? You can even have Iron Crotch. Video below for your amusement. (Disclaimer. I do not participate in any Qi-gong training :)




I fought "R" for most of the time Thursday. Was way more intense and exciting than usual. Though, I was slightly concerned about one of us loosing some teeth, snapping an Achilles, or neck strain, or a snapped olecranon process. Definitely was clipped in the jaw once. It was fine, just surprising. I slightly hit "R" in the face like 5 times. I sometimes don't have control of my wildly swinging fists. But I know if ever had to really fight "R", I would probably lose.

Saturday Class was much more basic. Line drills, form work, minimal partner drills. I did almost run "S" off the floor. I wasn't trying to plow him down, I was just trying to do it right and not hit like a girl. Pun intended.

Disneyland and Kung Fu

I normally go to Disneyland on MLK day.

Thank goodness I've found something that is almost as good as going to Disneyland.
Key word ALMOST.

And hopefully when I am a legitimate Kung Fu Master I can join the Jedi Training Academy at Disneyland. Just like these girls.

Ballet and Kung Fu Dance Partner

Had to drag myself to Kung Fu. Literally had to will my legs to carry me in.  Like those days when the last thing you want to do is strip down and do ballet... But then those classes are the best ever. Same thing in Kung Fu.

We always start with stretches. I've taken quite a few dance classes that start with stretching. And honestly, I've always felt stretching in the beginning of a class a nuisance. Does nothing for me unless I'm warmed up.

Then across the floor for line drills usually starting with front stretch kicks (aka battements). I always try to kick as high as I can, even though my legs protest cause they've been conditioned to only kick so high after plié, tenu, degagé, rond de jambe...etc etc etc. My left quad started protesting through uncontrolled spasms past 110˙, so I was forced to kick lower.

I like to watch people do their line drills, and figure out who would make the best dance partner. Cause I miss partnering (not pas de duex...no pointe blah) but modern partnering. "R's" kicks were really high, he'd probably make a good dance partner.

Then punches twice down the line. I went first. Remembering how I always tried to go first in dance. Except the one difference is I knew the terminology in dance and could recall movement through verbal instructions. In Kung Fu...I'm like, "Um I can't speak mandarin." But yes I'm still gonna go first.

I worked with "R" on form applications. It was great because "R" is pretty good...really good. So I can actually kind of attempt to do damage and he'll block it. He actually told me to go in for the strike rather then bush softly or mark it. Though I am going to need to work on my iron forearms because I am still sporting bruises on my arms a week later.

"R" would make a good dance partner. hehe

There is an off Broadway Show that is all Kung Fu and Dance and Partnering. I want to see it.

This one is good I promise ;)

I learned how to put gifs on a blog. These are about Kung Fu :)

 In Kung Fu we get to use weapons.

 You get to fight people... (just like this actually)

This is how I probably look in Sanda.

I may have told some people this...

This is how I feel during Kung Fu, cause it's tough.

Yes I just made one of these :)