Its already a new year, and I know I need a game plan. Fist step is completed- enlist myself once again. Step two was determine my requirements.
This year I tried to change my thought process when I set my goals. I added skydiving, not because I want to try to fly but because I have always wondered if I have the ability to stay calm in specific situations, and what better way to find out than jump out of a plane? I thought of a situation that would guarantee scare the heebee jeebee's out of me, induce panic and raise my hackles. I figured it was the same as getting hit for the first time- you really have no idea what you're in for the first time you take a heavy one to the body. I have no idea what a full on panic frenzy, scared stupid situation will do to me, be it turn me into a blob of sobbing jelly or Iron Woman. Well, I'll let you know when I find out. I'm aiming for the second scenario.
Next is learn sign language. I've always been impressed and a wee bit jealous of bilingual people. I think its an invaluable skill, having the ability to communicate with more of the population. I considered French, since I have several years of high school French to work with (but je suis, tu est, il/elle est, nous sommes, vous etes is about all I remember). I considered Spanish, since I've had language barriers with people I've worked around. Eventually I settled on sign language. Empathy is a huge part of what we do and teach. I cannot imagine how hard it could be to loose the ability to verbally communicate. Perhaps if I learn sign language, one day I may be able to use it to help someone communicate at a grocery store, gas station, ball game, who knows.
For the mastery of two forms requirement, I choose Tai Chi, Monks Spade and Tai Chi Broadsword. It reminds me of a buddy's t-shirt "There are three types of people in the world; those who are good at math and those who aren't". I have very specific reasons for each form I choose. In previous posts I've mentioned Tai Chi as being my nemesis and my sidekick. Still true today. I love Tai Chi, I can feel how it changes my body mechanics, induces flow and chi, teaches balance, strength, harmony. I'm a very visual learner. If I am learning a new technique, I'll watch Sifu Brinkers' hands, feet, knees, shoulders, hips, and absorb how they move, when and where they go, why they move, how they flow together. I watch for the correlation between whats happening and how he's getting there. There are underlying principles in Kung Fu that can be seen in everything we do. I have a harder time seeing these things in Tai Chi. I see the way Sifu Dennis moves. I see what she's doing, how it induces flow and relieves stress on the joints, forces you to move in alignment with your body. But for the life of me I can't translate it into my own body. So, I ask her for help. A lot. A good example being Carrying the Tiger to the Mountain; Sifu shows me, breaks it down, works with me, corrects me, encourages me. I follow beside her and I can mimic what she's doing, but the minute she is gone I lose it. I feel like I'm always mimicking instead of making it my own. Hence, make it a priority and do it a thousand times until it is my own.
Tai Chi Broadsword is another one, for all the reasons I listed above. But now, lets put a weapon in my hand and do it all over again.
Monks Spade. How to explain this... I need to challenge myself. I need to get myself into the best shape of my life, strengthen muscle and build endurance. What better way than to heave around (with technique!) a big, long, heavy weapon, which will force me to build muscle, endurance, patience, dedication, commitment, confidence?
These aren't all my requirements, but I think they're the ones what needed some explanation. And, they'll give the other blackbelts challenges as well- Sifu Dennis will get to spend loads of time with me (insert wink here), Sifu Freitag will have to think of a way to peel me off the wing of a plane, and everyone will have to get good at dodging when I'm practicing the Monks Spade!
Sifu Rybak
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