Children's Class Weekly Re-Cap, July 11-13
Lil’ Leopards
Because young children learn the best through play, we often utilize games to develop our Kung Fu skills. This week in Lil’ Leopards we played our “shark” game. In an ocean of coloured dots, the students were challenged to find a safe path through the “sharks”. This type of game not only develops our spacial awareness and problem solving, but also our balance and reflexes because we have to react quickly while also being careful not to fall off the dots into the shark infested waters!
Kung Fu At Home: Ask your child if they know their last name.
Tiny Tigers
In all classes, including the Tiny Tigers, we often utilize our warm ups for both static and dynamic stretching. Both types are incredibly important for our overall physical conditioning. Through stretching we increase our flexibility and strengthen our muscles, including all the tiny little ones we don’t use very often, while also learning how to take good care of them so they stay strong and healthy for many, many years. Dynamic stretching, in particular, helps us develop our balance and control. This is vital in mastering many of our Kung Fu techniques, especially kicks, where we need to utilize many muscles, all while standing, or pivoting, on one foot. In the clip above, you will see the students doing one of their favourite dynamic stretches that we call “roll back and splat”!
Kung Fu At Home: Ask your child to do 3 “roll back and splats”.
Young Dragons Level 1
A primary focus in Young Dragons Level 1 this week was the Vocabulary of Motion curriculum. This includes “combinations”, where we combine 2, 3, 4 (or more!) techniques into one sequence (or sentence) that flows with speed and precision. This is high level curriculum that will be a staple in the students’ training as they progress up the ranks and is integral as they begin to spar. We specifically worked on an advanced combination called “Jab/Reverse/Roundhouse/SpinningBack-kick”, which you can see them practicing in the clip above.
Kung Fu At Home: Remind your child about the Horse Stance Challenge given to them by Sifu Rybak!
Young Dragons Level 2
In our Young Dragons level 2 class, we seized an opportunity to work on our forms in small groups, utilizing our many black belt instructors. Some of our students were lucky enough to spend that time 1-on-1! If ever in doubt on what to practice, we will always recommend practicing forms. A single form repetition allows our students to practice a variety of skills and techniques (kicks, punches, blocks and strikes), while also challenging both mind and body in things like balance, flexibility, strength, stamina, intent, flow and harmony. A single form includes an enormous wealth of knowledge and an infinite number of lessons. It doesn’t take long to learn a form, but it will take a lifetime to master. This week’s focus was specifically on 2 of our school forms, Lao Gar and Da Mu Hsing.
Kung Fu At Home: Remind your child about the Horse Stance challenge given to them by Sifu Rybak!
Special Announcements for All Classes
No announcements at this time.
