CJ

What size patio blocks are you going through? I've seen some different size blocks. Are you left or right handed? Sifu said most of us that are right handed will probably develop that hand first. I'm still having trouble controlling my fingers on the chop as well. When I first start out, I can keep them open on the right hand. As I get into the routine and fatique sets in, I have to fold the fingers. I don't even try to keep them open on the left because they just flap together from the beginning. I'm a little less strong on my left due to an old injury that nags me while doing the excercise.

Si Hing Rob

Well I started out using the standard red block about 1 inch thick that you can buy at Lowes. They look like the ones on YouTube. I am trying to get myself to be able to break the many 1/2 blocks I have lying around (so if you need some please stop by and take what you want..lol) I recently found some thicker seemingly re-inforced gray blocks about 1.5 inch thick. I can definitly tell a difference between the two. The gray still break easy enough though (with the right hand). I am right handed and that is definitly my stronger side. My left I try to work out more so to even it up. However, the eneergy transfer gains on my right seems to be higher. I think a lot of it is psychological as well. I know I am right hand dominant and thus understand what my expected outcome should be. However, my left hand I have doubt. Ever tried to break a block with doubt? Not very easy! Focus and visulization help out a great deal though. My back hand still needs some work as I found out last night..lol. Well unfortunatly I am going to mis kung fu class tonight as I have work so I am off to do micro stuff. Keep training hard.

I know you missed class last night. I know you said you were going to test the back handed brick break, so I told Sifu "I hope he didn't break his hand". I haven't given myself a test yet so I don't know if I could break that sucker or not. Good job. I'll give myself a month or 2 and then I'll come over and get some of those extra blocks. That's if you haven't broken them all...LOL. The block was 1 inch thick. What was the area (length and height)? Maybe you'll get to class on Thursday. I won't because then I'll be doing micro stuff (and Blood Bank too). On with the training.

Rob

Nope I didnt hurt my hand at all. However my backhand is not quite strong enough yet. Unfortunatly I am going to mis iron palm this Sat. as well as class Thurs as I have a wedding to attend in PA. The block size is 1-1.5 x 8 x 16. Like I said depending on red or gray. About $1 or so at home depot. I need to try wood at some point..don't really know why I went straight to block. The good news is that I will be taking my bags even to the wedding in PA. I am sure the bride wont mind. Hung Gar!

Is that why my darn finger nails seem to be getting longer faster? That's going to be aggravating once we start the claw strike. I still have a bruise on my thumb. I have one on my middle finger knuckle on my right hand the wants to stay. I had to stop wearing my wedding band because my knuckle keeps flutuating in size. I may be able to get it on, but it takes a lot of oil to get it off. Having to take it off before striking the bag everyday was becoming painful. This tells me my hand is getting a little thicker at least. Hopefully more positive things to come.

Si Hing Rob

I put my palm to the test this weekend and bought a couple of bricks for the breaking. I did a good 20 to 30 minute IP workout then put my palm where my practice is. I broke my first brick this weekend and did so with very little effort. When I broke that one on my front porch, my kids heard the noise and wanted to see what happened. I obliged them and broke another one so they could see it. The second one was much easier than the first because at that point I knew I could do it. I had the confidence on the first brick but in the back of the mind there's always "what if it doesn't break", but once that one folded the other was like oh well. I used the palm strike for both breaks. I tell you what though, that 2 inch thick block of brick sure looks intimidating at first. I wanted to try an inch and a half or so first, but the Lowes I went to only had the 2x7x14 block available. I'll wait a little while before I venture to the chop, backhand, or finger strikes. Maybe a long while for the finger strike. Brick one down (without a hand full of calluses)on with more training.

Si Hing Rob

Cool. Yes, I can see how the confidence thing plays in. I am glad your kids think you are Hulk now. *L* And yes - good idea to hold off a little while on the finger strike. But thanks for sharing - boosts the confidence of the whole group of us!

Q

A smile will gain you ten more years of life.
Chinese Proverb