Man, I've been following this thread almost since when I began training in SD. I've wanted to learn the Eight Immortals system, and CSC is the only school that teaches it anywhere in my area (yeah, I know, it'll take a while to get there--but I'm willing to work for it). I became skeptical as to SD's intents, and the ability of its students, even though they gave me no reason to (i.e. often beat the crap out of me)and I enjoyed my training immensely---just because I'd been following this thread. Since then, I've been introduced to several styles in elementary forms, and some a little more complex. The 3 bird (dove?) forms of brown belt and the cranes are definitely right up my alley (yeah, I'm one of those athletic, really flexible/quick guys). My sparring has changed greatly. I've always used my animals first (tiger, usually), even before straight up boxing (the kickboxing we're accused of displaying). But bird has become my MO. It's best suited to me. Funny how that happens. You want one thing, but find something better suited for you in the process.
So if there is a strength to SD's approach to teaching, it's just that. You might think that you know what you want, but ultimately, you don't always know what you want. And as for its effectiveness in teaching everyone---well, it sucks. But it's the right way to teach the right kinds of students.
Anyway.....I've decided to stick with it, and I fully trust my instructors at this point. Do I really have a choice? Not sure. Still debating that one. All I know is that their senior students absolutely destroy me in sparring. I've picked up a lot of fighting knowledge and philosophy, and have become infinitely better at what I do. Our best fighters are usually mantis and internal guys/gals, but I know by now that that's not my cup of tea. But with 3 schools in Atlanta/MetroATL, I've found several "mentors" to get me along on my particular path. If I can fight in my birds like they do--which is to say, completely effictively--I'll consider it success enough for me. Until then, I'll keep practicing everything else as well, and look forward to the Immortals.
So, I decided yesterday to write a post collecting all the information contained in the thread as it pertained to SD, like a compendium of supposition and surmise. It utilized both pros and cons. It was twice the length allowed by KFM's engine, and I considered breaking it up, but had to leave work right then. So I saved it in Word, and intended to post it this morning. When I thought about it last night though, I kept hearing the tone of the post in my head--it read like a human interest story. I sounded incredibly human; it was a martial art that had its controversies and hardships, its triumphs and downfalls---and I decided not to post it, unless anyone actually wants to read it. When it all comes together, all those little SD inconsistencies kind of reinforce each other and explain each other. It's funny....it all sounded so disparaging at first, when I stumbled on this train wreck thread. But it kind of educated me to the game we've got here.
And now, all I can say is this (ala JP, GT, KC, BQlin...): I love to train. I just want to train. I love what I'm doing. If I could, I would marry it.
Anyway....that's that. They've managed to sucker in a skeptic (oh, and I am such a snarling little skeptic, at that.)
Good luck, guys. The story doesn't matter anymore. Nor do the cosmetics. SD is SD. It isn't anything else. All the rest is just fashion, nothing more.
Get over it.
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Originally Posted by godzillakungfu
