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The Butterfly, the Hurricane, and the Cow Hands

March 25, 2017January 7, 2025Sifu Mimi ChanKung Fu, Sifu Mimi's Blog

Students always love the butterfly kick. It seems to be my signature move. It makes me laugh because the very few films I have worked on always involve this movement. Mulan, Mortal Kombat Conquest, etc.

Growing up I always called the butterfly kick the hurricane kick. Why? My father called it hurricane, so it was the hurricane kick. Fast forward to when I was 16 and trying to learn Cantonese. I started dissecting words and expanding my vocabulary. The Chinese for the movement I was so famous for was Wu-dip-tui, which translates to… Butterfly kick. What!?! For 16 years of my life I called it hurricane and now it’s a butterfly? I was so frustrated! Why would my father call it hurricane? I am not sure really, but the tornado kick in Chinese is a jumping crescent kick, so I am guessing he confused tornado, hurricane, and then the whole thing got jumbled. Either way, it was crazy to have that discovery after so many years. I also have an affinity for the butterfly kick, because it was a move I absolutely could NOT do. I could do gymnastic aerials before I could do the butterfly kick. So what did I do? I practiced and did thousands of them. Maybe 10,000 (DYK: 10,000 is the number of hours for mastery according to Malcolm Galdwell, but before that book came out the number of days for mastery according to the Wah Lum Handbook states… you guessed it, 10,000!)

That’s my short story…

Oh, wait. Cow hands. You are probably wondering why I have cow hands in my title. My mom is the chief tai chi instructor at the Temple. She is a master of tai chi and has been studying extensively for decades. Around the same time of my butterfly epiphany, she also had one of her own. She would teach the students cow hands, because that is what my father taught her. One day she decided to print out all of the moves of the form for everyone and translated the Chinese. The Chinese translation for our ‘cow hands’ was actually cloud hands! My father had been pronouncing it cow hands, but meant cloud hands. Ah, communication. So much fun! I can only imagine how many things have been lost in translation, or pronunciation through the years.

Oh, wait, wait. Did anyone get my title comparison? Hint: any C.S. Lewis fans out there?

Tai Chi at Sea

March 8, 2017March 23, 2017Sifu Mimi ChanSifu Mimi's Blog, Tai Chi

In my previous post I talked about kung fu at sea. Tai Chi at sea is equally as challenging as kung fu, as I need extra balance on a moving ship. Most days are smooth sailing, but there are some windy and rocky sea days that make tai chi really difficult. I admit, when I am at home I rarely practice tai chi. If I do not get my kung fu training in as often as I would like, you can only imagine how frequently I fit in tai chi training. I find tai chi and meditation really challenging because it requires one to move slowly. I try to meditate in the morning to start my day, but my mind is usually racing to ‘get to work’. I’ve been working on reminding myself that in order to ‘get to work’, meditation helps me to reset and gets my brain ready to function properly.

The thing I like most about practicing tai chi at sea is the same things I like about kung fu at sea; the fresh air, the ocean, and the overall atmosphere. I also welcome the challenge of doing chen tai chi and really having to root yourself into the moving ground. Watching my mom do tai chi is inspiring because she really roots herself into the ground despite the moving ship. She is after all the tai chi master. (note: one of the great films of the 90’s: Tai Chi Master with Jet Li)

Our daily routine has been doing kung fu in the morning and tai chi in the afternoon. This might seem odd to those who know tai chi is usually done in the morning, but we meet the needs of our instructors’ schedule. As many of you who frequent the Temple early mornings know, my father is a morning person, so that is when we do kung fu.

Since I have been practicing chen tai chi (the older form of tai chi and the one most like kung fu), it feels good to practice in the afternoon, as I need to be warmed up to tackle it. For me, the biggest challenge with tai chi is the fluidity and pacing. I am so accustomed to kung fu, that learning to slow down and pace myself is not easy for me. However, I know that this is the yin and yang to life, and practicing both kung fu and tai chi will help keep me balanced in the long run.

Which do you prefer?

Kung Fu at Sea

March 7, 2017March 23, 2017Sifu Mimi ChanKung Fu, Sifu Mimi's Blog

Kung fu at sea is challenging. Even though we are on a relatively large ship, the movement of the ship can be felt while walking, sleeping, and most notably while training. I have always loved the sound of the ocean. It is calming to me. When we are on cruises, we usually get up in the morning to work out on deck. The sound of the ocean, the endless horizon, and the fresh air make a nice training environment. I’m a pretty private person, so I dislike the gawkers that pass by and watch or even try to take photos like we are an exhibit. I ‘politely’ let them know that it is impolite to do so, and then we resume our training.

One of the biggest physical challenges at sea is doing bai fut sow.
Holding your horse stance and rooting while the ship is moving is a special challenge, but it is fun. O and I mostly get laughed at by my father, who is often on the sidelines stretching or jumping into 360
sweeps as his ‘warm up’. It may seem odd that I get some of my best kung fu training in when I am not at the Temple, but there are no distractions here…. No phone calls to take, no one to ask questions about the ‘karate’ we teach, or even those that still think we are a Chinese restaurant.

We used to bring our weapons on board, before all the strict security measures. Now we aren’t allowed to bring our swords with us, but we did smuggle in a fan and a retractable stick. Since the Sifu test is around the corner, we are using these few weeks to prep for the test while there are no distractions. The Sifu test is always a stressful time for all of the Sifus in the system. Every 3 years it is mandatory for all the instructors to re-certify. It is an extraordinary weekend of kung fu, fellowship, and fun. I enjoy getting together to brainstorm and share ideas, but mainly it is a family reunion. Since most of us live far away we don’t stay in touch as often as we like, and the test is the perfect opportunity to catch up. This year the test is the largest in history. I’ve been preparing the schedules, seminars, and test format while I’ve been away. It’s funny to be on ‘vacation’, but working as much as I do at home. I have to admit, I’ve gotten more kung fu training done in the last week than the last month! So I guess in order for me to get more training in, I will need to go on more 27 day trips 😉

Any suggestions where I should go next?

The Rio Experience

March 5, 2017March 23, 2017Sifu Mimi ChanCulture, Kung Fu, Sifu Mimi's Blog

I wanted to take a moment during my day at sea to recap the weekend that I had in Rio de Janeiro. Being in Rio was an eye opening experience. The entire trip, although only a few days, seemed like a week. Probably because we were awake over 27 hours the first day we were there, and it was nonstop as soon as we landed. Upon our arrival into Rio, we quickly met up with the rest of the Wah Lum group and went to lunch. In classic Grandmaster Chan style, he already started to gather fans at the Chinese restaurant we ate at for lunch. Before we knew it, there was a congregation of people waiting to take photos with him. He is a people magnet. After lunch, we went to the school and taught a kung fu fan seminar. The students worked very hard, and we enjoyed teaching them since they were so full of energy and excitement. I am so happy that we now have a full time school in Rio.

I have heard rumors of the poverty, bad economy, and crime in Rio de Janeiro, but do not usually judge anything until I experience it myself. I have seen many movies that portray the favelas and criminal activity, but I used to think they were exaggerated. Although many of the locals informed us of the tough economy, everyone still seemed so happy. Perhaps it was the fact we were there to celebrate an exciting occasion, but it seemed more like it is a part of who they are. I often write about gratitude and positive attitudes in my blog, but I always find it admirable when people in far more challenging situations are happier than we are in the US. The students there are

grateful for having kung fu in their life, they have positive attitudes, and they try to stay optimistic. As I walked around the streets of Rio de Janeiro, I said to O that many of ‘our kids’ back home would feel uncomfortable. It’s a big crowded city, and our suburban kids would likely feel intimidated there. Since we have traveled the world, we weren’t uncomfortable, but we were cautious. Although the weekend was positive, we did witness crime while we were there. Cell phones are often snatched out of your hand in the streets if you aren’t careful; but this is a small crime compared to what occurs on a daily basis. We were extremely cautious; we stayed in groups and always had a local with us. The students were such gracious hosts, and helped keep an eye on us foreigners. We practically had bodyguards with us wherever we went. I’m always extra wary if I don’t speak the language in a foreign country. One of the positive results of submerging myself in other cultures is the feeling of appreciation for the luxuries I have back home. The first time I went to China on my own and stayed in a local village, I came home really appreciating my toilet! Ah, the ‘little’ things.

The camaraderie over the weekend was overwhelming. I watched the students interact and help each other with every detail of the event. From helping each other prep uniforms, warming up, loading equipment to transporting us everywhere and buying us treats. Seeing them in motion was like watching a familiar dance.

(Random share: Speaking of dance…after an incredible Tipica Dinner (typical local meal) I was snatched up by a senior local and danced Samba with him. This was to the ‘old style’ samba 3-piece band. We saw many different bands that night as we walked around, but naturally I gravitated to the traditional one. Our attraction to that area was because of these seniors who obviously were maintaining and reviving the ‘old’ ways. Check out our Forró dance here: samba (note it’s not the samba it is the Forró!)

For a moment it felt like we were back home at one of our shows. The Wah Lum way is strong, and no matter where you are, the spirit of Wah Lum always comes through. It didn’t matter that just outside the theater there were thousands of people getting ready for Carnival. We were preparing for a show, and it was a great show! I’ve already talked about how overwhelmed with pride I was with the show in my previous post, but it really made me realize that kung fu and our Wah Lum family really stretches across borders. It doesn’t matter where in the world you are, Wah Lum is Wah Lum, and we are keeping the tradition alive.

PODCAST: O and I discuss our time in Rio and more in my new podcast on Culture Chat. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Making a list, and checking it twice.

February 16, 2017March 18, 2024Sifu Mimi ChanCulture, Sifu Mimi's Blog

I can’t believe my Brazil trip is already around the corner. This is the longest trip I have taken at 27 days in total! 24 of those days will be spent on the cruise ship. Some people think we are crazy for taking such a long cruise, but as I have mentioned before, I love being at sea. Besides, we will be on land every couple of days as we sail from Rio de Janeiro to Florida. Our itinerary includes many cities in Brazil, including sailing the Amazon River. So how do I prepare for such a trip? By making a list of course. I may have mentioned once or several times that I like organization and planning. I make lists for everything. However, I don’t just make lists, I make templates. O always tells me that I could teach an organizational course on efficiency. I don’t know if I’m that efficient, but I thought I would take this opportunity to share a little about my process. (some may call it obsessive, but I think it’s completely normal) Since I’m going to Brazil, I thought I would share my trip planning process for this trip.

I open my the app on my iPhone that contains lists.
I look at my lists and there has already been one created!

Yes, my lists magically appear because of the fairy dust that I sprinkle on my phone every night before going to sleep. Ok, not really. Anytime I go on a trip, I make a ‘list’. If the trip is something that can be duplicated, I make it a template and I reuse the list. I started this process back before I had a computer. I started this on notepads, then when technology was at my disposal, I used Excel. Now, I have moved on to the iPhone App Packing Pro

Each time I go on a trip, if I forget something I make sure to add it to my template. My travel templates include trips for weekends, 1 or 2 week cruises, or work trips. Making the list for this trip is the first time in a while I have had to create a new list. However, I still did not need to start from scratch. I simply used the longest template I had and then added to it any ‘extras’ I needed. For this trip I have made sure to include extra mosquito protection! If you’ve been reading my blogs, you know my relationship with nature, and I am literally going to be in the jungle! Not to worry, I have this to protect me. (left)

This process saves time, and ensures that I have everything I need for my trip. I’m sure many of you are already expert list makers, and are even more advanced packing pros. However, I use this same ‘system’ for everything. Shopping, Wah Lum events or tournaments, kung fu meetings and schedules, etc. I create a master template and then when needed, I update the template.

For groceries, I have recipe lists that upload into the shopping list, so I don’t forget any ingredients. And yes, I often meal plan too, so I have all the food I need for the week. (hey, don’t judge. I get home after 9pm and still cook O a home cooked meal every day!)

I have to dedicate a little extra time in the beginning, but it saves me a lot of time in the long run! I’d love to hear how you plan and prep, so always feel free to leave a comment or suggestions below.

Note: I’ve included links to some of the apps I use. Hope they help!

Lions and Firecrackers and Kung fu, Oh My!

February 3, 2017February 10, 2017Sifu Mimi ChanCulture, Kung Fu, Sifu Mimi's Blog

We are almost finished with the shows for Chinese New Year (CNY). It’s hard to believe in 2 days we did over 30 performances. I’m not sure why I am always surprised, because this has been our tradition… this is our culture. I only know how to celebrate CNY one way: with lion dancing, kung fu shows, and firecrackers. Lots of firecrackers.
When I was younger and the Temple would go out to perform, we had a lot less participants, which meant a lot more kung fu for the few of us that performed. It didn’t matter. We loved it. As much of a ‘mysophobe’ as I am, CNY was one time I didn’t mind the germs or dirt. Rolling in firecracker dust on the parking lot floor was expected. Exciting even! What is CNY without hearing the drums play over and over in your head before you go to sleep, or coming home and finding firecracker remnants in your hair? No cuts or scrapes? That just means you didn’t celebrate properly.
Ask any performer what the shower at the end of CNY day 1 is like, and they will all tell you the same story. You watch the dirt literally go down the drain, you feel the burn from scrapes you didn’t know you had, you feel amazing to be under the warm water, and could probably fall asleep right there in the shower. That is the essence of CNY. The lunar calendar marks the ‘new year’ for us, a new beginning. We wash away the dirt and negativity from the past, recognize the hardships that will soon be in the past, we embrace the warmth of the new beginning, and we feel the challenges of being tired from hard work… But then we get up and do it again.

This is me running into the lion tail this year!

I remember telling my students this year after the floor was wet from the rain, “you don’t need to split and roll on the ground.” Sure enough, they get out there and did the split and rolled around on the ground. At first I wondered why they are doing it, I just told them they didn’t need to do it! Why are they getting all dirty? Then I remember how I was at their age, and what I did as a young performer. The excitement of the shows, the adrenalin, and the fun of just getting messy for CNY. Why would I try to stop it?

It’s part of the tradition, part of the culture.

Photos: Courtesy Karl Simpson and Hao Nguyen

Good fruit comes to those who wait!

January 26, 2017May 20, 2018Sifu Mimi ChanCulture, Sifu Mimi's Blog

Today I did something I never do. I went outside to pick starfruit from the tree outside of my house. I do not consider myself to be overly girly, but I am not what one would consider an ‘outdoor’ person. I have allergies, I don’t like insects, and mosquitos are attracted to me like honey to the bees. I decided to make a fruit basket as a gift, and I thought fresh starfruit from my tree would be a great addition.

When I went outside (ugh), I started using the nifty bamboo stick tool my father made to reach all the high starfruit. I was suddenly reminded of the day the tree was planted. When I was around 9 years old, my father rushed into the house, and told me to come outside to see the tree that would bear fresh starfruit. He said, “You are going to be so happy, this tree will have a lot of fruit. You really likey.” I quickly put my shoes on, as I was ready to eat some fruit! (I loved fruit growing up, and still do) I stepped outside and saw nothing except a little stick in the ground with some branches and a little leaf. I said, “Where’s the fruit?” He said excitedly, “In 10 years you are going to be really happy. You 100% have a lot of fruit.” I grumbled and went back in the house. 10 years? How was I supposed to wait 10 years for a piece of fruit? Why not go to the grocery store and get it NOW? Why wait? I was an impatient child, and had much to learn. 10 years quickly passed, and I had forgotten about the tree. (again, not an outdoors person, so not once had I watered that tree) The tree did bear fruit, and so much in fact, that we always had an abundance of starfruit almost year round. Fast forward 30 years later, and here I am gathering fruit from that same tree today.

My father wakes up before the sun rises and starts his day by going to the Wah Lum Temple to light incense to honor his ancestors. After this ritual, he spends several hours nurturing his plants and tending to his fish. This is all a part of his routine, but it is much more than just simple chores. He is constantly planning for the future, planting seeds today, for the fruit for tomorrow. My father, a true master, has the foresight to know how fruitful and abundant a tree can be with consistent care and hard work. I do not have a green thumb, so I have a lot to learn before attempting to plant a new tree. However, I will continue to nurture the trees that my father has planted, and I will continue the traditions he began. I will also light incense to honor my ancestors, and I will try to practice hard work and patience (foh gee diu jin) every day during every task no matter how big or small.

DISCLAIMER: I was waiting to ‘fix’ this post and improve it, but then I realized I would never post it if I waited for it to be ‘perfect’. I do not consider myself to be a pro blogger or a distinguished writer. I have some fond memories of my Wah Lum journey that I simply would like to share. I came to the realization that I’ve been fortunate to lead an interesting (and unconventional) life to say the least, and I’ve been asked to share. I consider myself to be a private person, but sharing positive energy when there is so much negativity feels right. I hope you are at the very least entertained. So I intend to share my stories either by blog, vlog, or podcast. (all coming soon) Please follow, like, subscribe or whatever the term is!

WAH LUM®

Kung Fu & Tai Chi

Tag: kung fu