Robyn's Travels

Reflections from Today’s Choy Lay Fut Workshops

This Sunday, I was able to attend two Choy Lut Fut workshops with Sifu Daniel Tomizaki. The morning workshop involved Choy Lay Fut Applications. In this class, we utilized some of the ten elements (strikes) by applying it with self-defense techniques.  For instance, I learned Kum Jong, which is a palm strike to the neck. The applications class was wonderful because you saw how the strikes could be used in both a defensive and offensive motion against an opponent.

The afternoon workshop involved sparring.  So the techniques we used earlier for application was now being tested in “free-form” fighting. Only in the last couple of weeks have I worked with sparring, but this was my first intensive experience.  I had partner sparring where we would take turns repetitively attacking our partner so we get used to blocking and counter-attacking. It is extremely hard trying to determine how to block and strike the opponent’s open range with the most effective strike instantly.  This will take a LOT of practice.

What surprised me is when we then worked in groups of three people, where one person would attack with three strikes, and then the other person would immediately attack in the same format.  I was not used to having two people surround me and attack as I try to defend myself.  As a result, I had a psychological flashback to the bank robbery I experienced over a year ago.  A few minutes later, I emotionally broke down and tried holding back tears. My partner noticed I was not doing well and suggested I take a break.  I took some time, and explained to my Shi-fu what had happened.  We talked about it and I composed myself, eager to return to sparring.  I was still a little shaken, but able to finish the rest of class.  

After the workshop was over, I talked to instructor Steffani Tomizaki, who reassured me that such traumatic experiences will have an effect in triggering emotional responses while training. She said to not fight it, but instead recognize when it happens and to inform my sparring partner and shi-fu when it happens, so that I take the time to overcome it and work thru it.  That conversation really meant a lot to me, and I felt much better. 

Overall, I gained so much from these workshops.  I am so lucky that I was able to attend these two classes, and I will use the skills learned today to improve my Choy Lay Fut training.  These workshops further reinforced that I chose the right path… I truly love Choy Lay Fut!