Student Feedback

Troy D. · Assessment Follow-up

Ho,

Troy D here. Sorry it has been a while since I checked in last. I should let you know where I am at and what I am doing.

I have taken the comments in my Grey Sash assessment to heart. In fact, that's mostly what this email will be about. As far as my techniques go, I am currently working on the flaws that were mentioned in my assessment and making a conscious effort to fix them.

But more important was one thing that was noticed in my tape. It was pointed out to me that in natural stance there was an imbalance in my shoulders, my right shoulder was lower than my left, and that it could have been caused by an injury or by one side of my body being stronger than the other.

I have had back pain as long as I can remember. My mother had back problems. I have a pretty physical job and I just thought it was something I would have to live with. After I received my assessment feedback from you, I decided to follow your suggestion and go to a chiropractor for the first time ever.

I found out my neck was not in the right place, nor was my lower back and hips. I do not know how this happened, but it must have been quite a while ago, long enough that one side of my body had become stronger than the other to compensate for the imbalance in my spine and neck.

I have been seeing this doctor for about ten weeks now. When I started, I decided to take some time off training for a while. I thought it would be better to fix this now instead of trying to adjust later. I did not quit training completely, but I would only practise ten minutes here and there, not enough to write down as a training session. I did keep up with the stretching and strengthening exercises.

I have a way to go yet in my chiropractic treatment, but it has made vast improvements so far. The pain after a day of work or even a good workout is almost gone, and my balance has gotten much better. If this had not been pointed out to me in my assessment, I would have done nothing about this.

So I wanted to thank you and also Sifu John, as he was the chief grader on my tape. I have recently started to train fully again and everything is going better than before.

I do not want to take up too much more of your time, so just a couple of quick questions. First question: What is "Golden Bridge"? I have failed to see it mentioned in the White Sash tape but it is in the workbook.

Second, I would like to purchase a uniform. If you could get back to me about what you need from me for that.

Thank you very much and be well,
Troy D.

Academy Note

For completeness, part of the Academy's response explained that Golden Bridge is performed in Horse Stance, or another stance, with both arms extended squarely in front of the shoulders using Iron Palm hands.

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