Swords and Sharks

 I got a new broadsword last Thursday! And I wanted to talk about the differences between it, and my old one, and also what changes it has brought about in my form. I was going to write up a list, a pros and cons of each but I figured, in true Chinese fashion, I would use a metaphor instead (more Tiger, less Dragon,)

This new sword is more Shortfin-Mako less, Bull-Shark. 

Makes perfect sense, blog over! (but just in case this random comparison to two aquatic predators doesn't make as much sense to future me, or anyone reading this, I will elaborate)

This new sword is significantly lighter and thus much faster (fun fact! The shortfin Mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) is the fastest known species of shark, able to reach 50 kph!). My old sword was made of thick plastic, and the weight made it difficult to amp up the speed in my form without losing control of the weapon. This increase in speed has really helped me work on my intensity in the form (although writing this out I realize I should have been able to reach high intensity while still moving at a slower pace, need to go back and try that!) and also to work on keeping my techniques clean, good stances, good flow, while moving at this new pace.

The weight wasn't a complete drawback of my old sword though (fun fact! The Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is one of the heaviest shark species reaching ~701 pounds), it really helped my to find the flow between techniques when I was first building my broadsword form. Using the Bull Shark sword felt like having a conversation, it would move its weight with me at some points, and counterbalance me at others, it felt like we were both performing as a team. But like I mentioned, sometimes it would overpower my own will when doing the form when the weight would become too much for me to control as the sword moved farther away from my center. This is why I wanted to try getting a new weapon. 

If the Bull Shark sword felt like a conversation, the Mako Shark sword feels like an intense listener. If the Bull Shark sword felt like a partner, the Mako Shark sword feels like a tool. It is way more responsive to the commands I give it, it allows me to do what I intend to do when I swing it (for the most part, I did only get it a week ago). I'm still trying to get used to the new weight and center point of this weapon, more than once I've found my center or balance is off because I'm still using the muscle memory of that heavier Bull-Shark-sword. 

However, despite the bumps in my technique it feels like my whole form has been refreshed (destroying my technique so I can build it back stronger). Not only do I have a new sense of excitement with my form like I did at the beginning of the year, but I'm also making more progress on improving my techniques in the form. Because I was so often fighting to keep the Bull Shark sword in control, I was paying too close attention to the sword and missing out on what I was doing. Missing small details like my hips being moved slightly off, or my knees being locked, pulling my center up into my shoulders, etc. 

I don't want this blog to come across as "whew glad I finally got rid of that heavy piece of trash sword" and instead recognize the value in both weapons, and understanding that they can give me different insights into the same form, and my kung fu as a whole. Realizing that just like those two shark species, each one has it's own niche it fits into. 

(if you're wondering why sharks, that's the first thing that popped into my head when I tried to articulate the overall differences in feeling between the two weapons, maybe its the shape of the tip of the broadsword resembling a sharks dorsal fin? Not sure, other than it just has ~* shark vibes* ~)