Out of My Comfort Zone

A week ago our kids came home with their report cards.  Our one son had a recent assignment which he had to write and present a speech in front of his classmates.  On this report card under the English heading were the comments complimenting him on his speech but with the added comment of ‘take a risk.’  As I read on, there was another of the same comment under another subject.  Along with the comment was an explanation of how he needed to feel more comfortable speaking in front of a group of people.   The suggestions of looking up and not at your shoes, slowing down etc. were given.   As we were talking about how the presentation went and how he felt, I tried offering some suggestions of my own for next time.  A little later that evening I got to thinking and realized, he is just like me. If I have to speak in front of people, I get nervous and I have a hard time getting my thoughts out (they sound much better in my head).  Even as far as participating in the Tiger Challenge, I have in the past come up with as many excuses as I possibly could every year, when in fact I was just a big chicken.  I have had a fear of speaking in front of people for as long as I can remember.  I’m not sure where it all started; I think it’s just part of who I am.  I would rather be a behind the scenes gal than a, here I am gal!  Since starting kung fu, I have had the idea that I would only go so far because I didn’t want to have to go out of my comfort zone and have to actually go up in front of a class for warm up or God forbid have to instruct someone else.  I had this line that I truly did not believe I could or would cross.  Well, I am taking baby steps as far as this challenge.  I know that the opportunities to get up in front of a group are good for me, even though I still don`t like it.  I did participate in the tournament the year before last, however, it was only because our one son told me he wouldn`t go in it if I didn`t.  Talk about pressure!  Sifu Shiplesky has very graciously given me the opportunity to go through portions of curriculum with students in the morning classes; I thank those students for their patience.   I have, when asked, done warm ups without coming up with some excuse.  In the last week as opportunities have risen, I have heard the words `take a risk`, and find it a push for me to go beyond where I feel comfortable.  I know this isn`t going to be an overnight transformation, but I am definitely aware that I need to and want to change.

Alana Regier

Recovery Road

Today, for the first time in 10 days, I did some pushups and situps. Actually it's the first time in 10 days when I could do ANY physical training. Why this path of detox from hell and then pick up the virus from hell was chosen for me, I do not know, but alas it was chosen for me. I must say that the one big gift (and there were many) that I gleaned from this whole 3-ring circus was that I learned a lot more about my body, how it works and what my definition of health actually is.

Detoxification is hard on both the body and the immune system because it's a cleanse, and in my case, getting rid of anything to do with past diseases, inefficient fuel systems, and shoddy workmanship. As a result my immune system was knocked down and just the right setting for a virus characteristic of a RAGING sore throat, congested upper lungs and productive cough set in. I think the only time my throat was that sore for that long was when my tonsils were yanked out. I could not speak at all for 4 days. This is me we're talking about here people!! I went to my chiropractor on Wednesday and he said that I was pretty messed up due to the process I was going through. But here's the neat thing: after he adjusted my neck and spine, it was like my whole lymph system drained and I felt a whole lot better within a couple of hours. He asked me if I had regrets going through the detox from hell. I said no. Frustrated yes (temper tantrum in the middle of the night because I can't sleep, my throat is sore, I'm coughing, I'm coughing up junk, I can't sleep, my throat is sore, and I'm tired of all this!!!), regret the process, no.

As I write this blog, I am happy (relieved and overjoyed) to no longer have a sore throat and am able to speak. I was almost overjoyed to do my pushups and situps this morning and am looking forward to going back to class and getting back on track with my training. Even though I sweated buckets, it's just not the same as sweating from a workout. And being dragged down is just not the same as being tired from a butt-kicking fitness class or a class where "someone" has the itch to do a million kicks followed by a shuttle run. Yeah, I'm glad to be getting back where and what it's all about.
Sherri Donohue

The cards we're dealt

This week has been the week of news that will definitely create some challenges with my training. First bit of news was that Chelsey got into her master's program. Super awesome for her but that means I am moving to Vancouver. I am not sure on the logistics of this %100 but I will most likely have to leave by August.

Then this morning I went to the doctors to get my knee checked out and he believes that I have torn part of my cartilage in my right knee. I have an MRI scheduled for the soonest they can get me in, which is who knows when. This is hard because I am not good at resting, I am not good at taking things easy and I like doing things. I am not careful and I don't take care of myself that well so this is a major shock to my lifestyle and I don;t really know what to do. I am also frustrated with myself for getting hurt in the first place.

Craig Janzen
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Silent River Kung Fu

9 of 52 Waiting

Its been a weird week,  lots of things in limbo ... so I sit here in my office doing things like filing & bookkeeping (HATE bookkeeping), practice my forms, and wait for responses from lawyers, banks, insurance agents, clients, family members, friends etc.  I find this kind of thing annoying as I would just like to get 'it' done.  However it is good practice for me ... I have been working on 'waiting' for the whole of last year and now into this one.   I have to wait for the lead when dancing, wait for other people to make decisions (I have opted out of being the one who plans everything) and wait for other people to finish talking.  I know its kind of a strange task to set for yourself but I have come to the realization that I actually prevent other peoples development and growth by butting in and taking over.   Along with this goes my tendancy to give advice and verbal commentary on everything ... I am waiting for someone else to talk, so to everyone that needs to practice talking and social skills or just needs someone to listen to them ... I invite you to talk to me and I will practice my 'waiting' and 'listening' (another aspect of waiting) skills. 

Sifu Beckett

Mutiny

I know the week isn't over yet, but I've had a good week. Although my Monks Spade still has a very far ways to go, I know I'm gonna get there. I've has several people strongly advise that I wear a helmet when I'm swinging that thing. I guess it looks scary with a few close calls- that's what I'm hoping for. I don't feel out of control, and I do know when to abort. That's what I want, something that looks like a whirlwind of terror, but where I really am in control. Yes, I have a few skin cells missing from my hands. Mainly from my right thumb, so at least I'm consistently off. Easier to fix, no?

However, I've hit a small roadblock- there's a move I'm trying to get comfortable with but it won't let me. I roll the spade behind my back, and each time my right shoulder threatens mutiny on me. Huh.

On another note- I'm playing an April Fool's joke on Dean and the other project manager. I've rotated their desktop 180 degrees. Too bad I can't figure out how to invert their mouse icon too... Office mutiny, so much fun!

Wow.

This week has been spectacular.

All of my numbers are looking fantastic, and I feel that I progressed more than I had expected this week. I've had a lot of 'me time,' more than anticipated and I feel great. I haven't felt this way about my training in a long time.

I got to see my grandmother this week. She's 87 and just moved into a seniors home in Saskatoon. I love sitting down and talking with her. She's always so happy and seeing her this week made me think about how lucky I am to have her in my life. I love her with all my heart, and she teaches me how to be the most loving, and nurturing person that I can be.

That's all for now.

Sifu Wonsiak

Hotel Room and a Laptop

I'm writing this from a hotel room in Red Deer. I'm out of town for the week in training seminars for work. With work on the brain I realized I've never posted about my new job. Since coming back to Kung Fu I've been asked, "where have you been?" a lot so I thought I should maybe explain a bit. This may prove yawn worthy.

I graduated from N.A.I.T last May with a diploma in electrical engineering technologies. The engineering is thrown into the official name to make it sound fancier. It means I am an electrical technologist. It was a two year program and I disappeared from kung fu sometime in my second year so I could focus on school. After I graduated I got a job as a designer for FortisAlberta.For anyone unfamiliar with the company, they are a large electrical utility. They own approximately 60% of the distribution power lines in the province. My job entails designing and managing the construction of power lines all over the province. It's kind of a mash up of civil/electrical engineering, surveying, land, material ordering and project management.

So far it's proven to be interesting and very challenging. There is so much for me to learn and I like that. I think its important for me to be challenged, to always be thinking. I dread the day I start going through the motions. Its both comforting and depressing to see so many people I work with having 20-30 years in with the company. I am still in a bewildered state. Adjusting to the change from dead end job to actual career. So for the past 10 months work has been a dominant force in my life. Therefore I'm sure I've been talking about it more than people would like and glazed eyes are all to familiar.

I'd be lying if I said that this hasn't interfered with my kung fu. As I'm adjusting to my new found state I'm remembering the other more important parts of my life, parts like Silent River. These other parts are starting to get the attention they deserve and it will only get better.

It's got me too!

I got the brain blahs! I am still making my body move and train, but my brain in not interested in thinking much. I'll be back next week.

On the upward swing..

This week is definitely better...and I couldnt even tell you why. Its like a switch got flipped and I'm back to wanting to practice, and enjoying it too. Thank you to all my team that encouraged me last week! One interesting thing I read today was to examine the way you exercise/ do things; do you start enthused in Sept, but bottom out in Dec? Start over fresh in Jan, die down Marchish? Good for awhile then completely distracted by summer? Starting to sound a bit like school semesters?????? What a wake up for me, because I am TOTALLY like that. Now to figure out how to either reprogram or use it to my advantage...

Drag Yourself thru it and Shake it Down

I'm not sure if its the time of year, when everyone is tired of snow and cool weather, that we get a little down. Seems to be a common feeling,  getting in a rut. A few of the blogs and some of the conversations I have had at the gym all point to a lack of enthusiasm to train.
It might be a coincidence  but March is the 3rd month of the year and this is about the time a body needs a shake up.
What I'm saying is every routine needs a change approximately 6 weeks to 3 months depending on what you are doing. The body adapts and the mind gets bored.
So what if you have to do  1000 reps of something by year end, lets say a form, and you are only a quarter of the way in? Shake it up by changing the time  you are doing it, by changing the section you focus on or the tempo at which you practice.
Whatever it is you are working towards change the routine to snap the body back to attention.
If its the mind that is not interested anymore, drag it along for the ride. Ignore the negative talk in your head.
As they say "just do it".
A lack of enthusiasm comes from a lack of motivation, a lack of motivation comes from a lack of inspiration. Try and remember what motivates you and what or who inspires you. Why you do the things you do.
The body is quick to respond to a change in training but the mind needs to come along for the ride sometimes until it gets on board again.
Don't be discouraged by the "blah "feelings. They are normal and to be conquered on a regular basis.
Just as Mr. Hamilton's blog states , "going thru the motions" is not necessarily a bad thing, having no motion is not so great however,so drag yourself on the mat and give the mind a shake down!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Run, walk, run, walk

Now that we have a new family member it has become my job to walk him each saturday and sunday morning(not sure when I agreed to that, but oh well). Last year one of my goals was to run a 5 or 10 km race, but I failed miserably at running all together. I used to love running everyday up until I was about 22. Then I made the idiotic choice of becoming a smoker, which I did until I was about 35. When my wife became pregnant with my daughter we both made the smart choice to quit smoking. At the time we were dancing 4 days a week and were quite active, so I didn't experience any big weight gain. But from age 38 til when I started kung fu in November of 2010, I only played a little slowpitch(which is short sprints) or walked occasionally. I went from about 185 to over 225 pounds in that time. The inactivity had hit harder and deeper then I realized. When I started running last year, it was with way to high an expectation and no idea just how much work it was going to take. The last 2 weekends I have started running 1/2 km, walking 1/2 km as I take Dougle(our new dog) for his walk early in the morning. This much more practical and realistic approach is working well so far. Fitness class has helped alot with my cardio and general fitness, I have put alot of time and effort into working on good form and technique( which I continue to do each day). But I need better endurance and flexibilty if I want to grow as a martial artist. Both of which are goals for me this year. Both are progressing slowly and I'm happy so far. Fortunately I have a young dog to help pull this old dog along. Hopefully if I fall flat on my face, he won't drag me too far before he stops hehe.

I Had Already Named her Crutches

I had a.. week, last week. I can't say bad week, although there were a few rough spots, and I don't want to say good week because it really was rough.

On Sunday, en route back from my parents I had to swerve around a kitten who was dragging itself across the road. I stopped, and it was immediately obvious that her back was broken. Otherwise, she seemed okay. I took her to the vet, with the hope that she could still be saved, and maybe become a wheel kitty. The vet crushed that quick- she would be unable to clean herself, purge herself, unable to do anything another cat would. To me, it was a matter of would this cat rather be bound to wheels but otherwise safe and happy, or dead. The vet managed to convince me that she would never be happy. I still feel guilty, sad, and a bit angry at the situation. I knew this cat for maybe half an hour, but I cried for her, and I miss her.

On a better note, this Pink Method is working. In 1 week, I'm down 5lbs and 3". Boo yeah.

Friday was awesomely awesome. I received invaluable feedback from Sifu Hayes regarding Tai Chi Broadsword. The amount he managed to fix in me on Friday makes me excited for next class. How much further will I progress then?

Yesterday was fun. Of course I made the mistake of wearing my good shoes to the kwoon renos. Ah well, didn't stop me from wearing them now.

I am away in BC for a few days and computer access is a bit limited. So just a quick note to say I have had a good week and have not forgotten about my kung fu here in BC. I will write more when I get home.

Healthy meal #3

Hey everyone time for another meal, this one is full of veggies so enjoy

Grilled chicken veggie mix

5 oz white chicken breast
1/2 Red/Orange/Yellow pepper chopped
1/2 medium onion diced
1/2 medium tomato diced
1 cup of fresh mushrooms sliced
1 tbsp Olive oil (for cooking with)
Spice I recommend Mrs. Dash


After cooked place on plate and add:


1/4 cup crumbled light feta cheese
2 tsp finely chopped parsley


And there you have a nice and healthy meal. Also i encourage you to be creative with these meals i am posting, make it your own. I put these ingredients on here because i like them, so if you want to change it go right ahead, because sometimes you can create something that is better than the original recipe. Have fun

Sihing Langner

No Tomorrow.

This past week I was reminded in a very simple way the
importance of living in and for the moment.
This reminder came from a simple email of an incident that
occurred while a fellow worker was driving out to a work project. During this
drive a spruce grouse was accidently struck and killed by the vehicle. Flying
around enjoying its natural habitat one moment and killed instantly by a high
speed vehicle the next!
This sort of misfortune is not uncommon to wild birds or animals,
nor is it to us humans. It is important to keep in front of myself the
importance of taking advantage of the moments I have and to remember that there
may not be the opportunity to correct what I have done wrong. Most important
for me is to ensure that I don’t take for granted the fortune I do have, in my
family and the opportunities which present themselves.

Darcy Regier, Silent River Kung Fu, Stony Plain, Alberta.

Going through the motions

Sorry I'm late getting this out, had some internet problems this week and it took shaw a bit to figure out the problem. Hopefully no more internet connection problems. I have been feeling a bit blah last week. I'm still doing my routine each day but mentally I'm not as sharp as I should be. I think this is partly due to my work load and also that I am so looking forward to spring. I haven't been able to practise stick as much as I would like due to the fact we got a new dog on the 10th. He's an amazingly good pup(8 months old), but as soon I pull out my staff he thinks its play time. It will be so nice to be able to just go out in the back yard or the park behind my house when the snow all melts. It will also work well for forms as I will have tons of rooms to do them and not have to stop and shift all the time. I have been trying Sifu Prince's idea of doing a form in a 3x3 foot square at times, it is definately a challenge.

Here's looking forward to warmer, snow free weather soon.

Spring Break

It's finally here.

I love spring break haha. With no kids classes and no school, it gives me a lot of time to focus on myself more so than everything else. I can expect to get a boatful of my numbers caught up by the end of this weekend. I'm staying in Saskatoon this weekend with my cousin while my mom takes me baba an hour from Saskatoon out to Quill Lake to see everyone out there. I'm there until Tuesday, and i'll be home by myself at my grandma and grampas house while she's in school.

It should be a good week.

8 of 52

So I have been consistently using the I Ho Chuan tracking sheet that Sifu Rybak shared with me and its working pretty good. I got a little ahead on the situps, a little closer to catching up on the pushups, Sifu Masterson and Kichko sparred with me on Saturday so that number is now 4 not the lowely zero.

All week I have been dealing with lawyers, bankers, insurance agents and accountants. Its all to do with the purchase of a commercial condo that we are already settled into and the companies year end which is the end of March. Unfortunately while in college I did not take lawyerize and as it is all written by lawyers ... its a foreign language. I am a well read, reasonably intelligent woman and not only can I not provide an answer I don't even understand most of the questions ... it makes me feel pretty stupid actually which is a downer.

Doing things like my forms and situps etc has been a relief rather than a requirement. Instead of the phrase 'thank god its friday' TGIF ... I am introducing 'thank god for kungfu' TG4KFu

Talk to you next week.

Thankful

One common theme that seems to be recurring over the past few weeks is the idea of being thankful and humble for what we have. Injuries that I have sustained are a painful and acute reminder that, although I have worked hard over years to be where I am at in the present, it can all be taken away in one fell swoop. I'm back to training hard, but my back and elbow injuries are constant reminders to be thankful and humble for what I have accomplished. These injuries are also reminders to not slack off, and to not take any talent, skill, or experience for granted. Negative situations and experiences that have occurred in the past few weeks are also reminders to be constantly aware of and thankful for what I have in life. Again, one thing that has been hammered into my mind is to never take something for granted, lest it withers away into a distant and painful memory.

That's all I have to say for right now, but I have a funny feeling that another blog post will be following quite soon.

Sifu Harrigan

De Ja Flu

On Sunday I wrote that I was in the middle of detox as a result of eliminating wheat from my diet. Little did I know, I lied. That was the middle of the brain/headache detox. Now my body has decided to go on its world tour and here I am in Round 2: the body. Since Monday afternoon I have been experiencing every flu/cold/lung infection/ear ache/sore throat symptom that I've ever had in my life plus drinking enough water and green tea to raise the Titanic. Yep the traveling circus of symptoms has come to town and they party hard. I will point out at this time about 14% of people experience symptoms like mine while the other 86% experience other symptoms. I'm not sure as to whether I should feel special or not.

So how could I tell that I didn't catch the flu or a cold? With diseases there is usually a progression of symptoms. Mine are haphazard, showing up when they feel like and also don't last as long as when in a disease process. Even though I can have a nap a few times in the day, my mind is sharp. Here's the interesting (and trippy) part: when the symptom shows up, the memory of when I had that symptom previous also shows up. Quite a few times I've thought "yep, remember when I've had this before and I have that feeling again." The good news is once it's gone it's gone, however I don't know when this traveling circus has completed its show and, believe me, the symptom du jour is getting real old. However, I must hang in there as I've come too far. I will also add that the Wheat Belly Facebook Group has been very supportive.

I'm very happy to say that Dennis has joined me of his own accord in this wheat-free journey. He wants to see if he will have lung issue relief by going wheat-free. As he puts it: try it for a month and if nothing happens, wheat wasn't the issue, but if something does, time to pay attention. Sage wisdom. So far a facial rash has disappeared and his hernia has shrunk. I am hoping the list of positive changes grows.

Since I have given wheat the boot, I have no urge, craving or whatever to put wheat in my mouth. Gag! I do find it amusing how people interpret the elimination of a "food group" as limiting when in fact, it's the polar and extreme opposite: it's very liberating, however one must be willing to go down that learning path.  For me, it's exciting as I get to explore more raw cheffing skills as well as my chocolatier habit. And yes, all is healthy and tastes fantastic (strawberry coconut macaroons anyone?). Sifu Brinker said in our I Ho Chuan meeting that an injury is an opportunity and I feel the same about eliminating a food out of my diet that is big-time harming me. I can either progress wisely, work through the "issues" and come out on the other side a healthier and happier individual or I can have have a hissy-fit, stomp my feet, and want the square peg to fit into the round hole. Since the latter is over-rated, I chose to progress wisely. On with the journey.
Sherri Donohue

Funked out

Ok, I admit it, I'm still in a completely funked out mood. I can't seem to get enthused about training, exercising, anything. I actually dread coming to class (and while this isn't new, it does get old fast). Once I'm there I'm fine! I enjoy working hard with everybody, love the learning, but this still gets me almost every time. Part of it could be the possibility of testing this year--which freaks me out. Could even be the snow! To steal an expression, I'm in a real I DONT WANNNNNNAAAA mood and I'm digging in my heels even when I dont really know why. Sorry for being a downer team, but thats where I'm at.( But yes, I am still doing pushups!)

My Memory Is Not What It Once Was

It has been a few years since I have been in school.  I haven’t had to write assignments, read books because they are required or memorize anything more than what was written on my to do list for quite some time.  For the last month I have been working on memorizing ‘Mastery’ by Stuart Emery.  I had it figured that if I worked on a sentence every day, maybe two days, I could have it memorized and feel confident with repeating it when the time came.  I have discovered that although my memory has never been top notch, it has gotten even a little less reliable as time goes on.  I have not had the regular practice of retaining information since college, so am more than a little rusty. My methods of studying and retaining years ago don’t necessarily work anymore.  I use to be able to do my studies in front of the television, with music blaring in the back ground and a group of friends visiting, all at the same time.  Now I need quiet, no distractions and need to be focused and in the right frame of mind.  I have a copy of Mastery taped on my bathroom mirror, so guess what I see every morning as I am getting ready or at night while I am brushing my teeth?  I have recited it onto my ipod so I can listen to it on a walk, when I am in the car or just relaxing on the couch.  I have made my morning walks with the dog my time to test my memory.  As I pass neighbors I think to myself, they must be thinking ‘there goes that crazy woman talking to herself again’.  I have found if I say it out loud it seems to stick, so the entire neighborhood may possibly know Mastery by the end of April.  I am happy to say that thinking outside of the box has worked for me.  I am ¾ through and am reciting in my sleep.

Alana Regier

Me Minion

The other night I laughed when Sifu Freitag asked me to be her minion. I said sure, whatever you need.

In my mind how easy that would be, just carry out tasks as they are given to you. That would be great.
I imagine minion work as mindless tasks to serve the greater purpose, but then I thought more about it.
Even the most minuscule task supports something of a greater value, without quality at the bottom end  something along the way suffers. It may not be significant enough to be noticed and maybe strengths in other areas can manage to compensate but you are still going to hold back the full potential of what could have been if all effort was not put forth in a mindful way.
Even the minion needs to make decisions about the task in front of them. Its the difference between a good widget or the best widget ever of all times!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

An accumulation of distance

Things have been going fairly well lately with the exception of a few bumps here and there. My numbers are staying pretty close to where they should be and now I have to work in some kilometers. I never was much into running. I didn't see the point in running some where if there was no fire or a bear chasing you. Waking up at 5:00 a.m. to go outside and run to no where and back.

Well that perception will soon change, seeing the benefits of learning to run is something to look forward to. My wife is a long distance runner so I'll learn how to run properly and gradually build to a solid endurance and measured distance.Then I have something to gauge off of and try to improve my distance or time. An added bonus to this is we get some time together, thats a tough one around this house, much like everyone else trying to make a go of it with work, children, life. I'm sure this is understood all too well. I'm going to research lengths of pools, walking/ bicycle paths, and in door tracks to try to get as many ways to travel by your body power as I can and rack up some kilometers.

I very glad to hear that some of our injured teamates are starting to recover already and chomping at the bit to get back to training. You are setting the bar for hard cores on this team, good on you guys for displaying drive, determination, and patience. Thats all I really have this week, until the next.

Brian Chervenka

Nice To Have Some Help

Since this year has started I have been very fortunate to have my wife Judi aid in my day to day routine. Our routine has evolved over the past few months and will radically change in the next few that’s for sure. What has helped is her understanding that I need time each day to dedicate to my routine and training. Today was a great example as we were finished doing our grocery shopping and heading home. We were expecting company this evening and I had a few things to take care of, she made a point of saying I should put these things off for later since I still have to get my training in. She was right that these trivial things could wait and my O.C.D. tends to take over from time to time. I can’t say enough of how much this helps me continue forward with a coach in my corner letting me put in the time and pursue my goals. I have no doubt in the near future I will have to adapt again and am thankful that she will understand and help in continuing down the road. Sifu Bryant

Progress

Hello I am so happy today, because I found myself a bicycle and now I am determined to ride to school and kung fu. It has been so long since I last ridden a bicycle I am so excited. I am really hoping that by doing this i will be able to improve my cardio and fitness. Right now I am waiting two weeks until I get my bicycle, because it is on lay away. Also I am getting my push ups and sit ups in and i feel great. Fun fact did you know there is over a hundred uses for the word up, if you don't believe me you can check the internet out for your self. There is not only progress for me but for others around me, which makes me want to do more. Today I start to look forward to the next day , but i still appreciate the present.  And to quote a line  you all have might of heard of already, from a certain panda movie "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present." everyone have an awesome time, because i know i will.


Sihing Langner

Betty Ford's Cousin

It's been a little over 2 weeks since I gave wheat the boot from my diet and now I'm smack in the middle of detox. Let me tell you boys and girls, this is no trip to Disneyland. In a nutshell, this is painful but what keeps me going is what's on the other side. I've detoxed from dairy amidst a raging allergy, but the symptoms were nothing like what I'm experiencing now: lethargy, heavy fatigue, brain fog, Friday the migraine set in, and continua-headache since that rotates over various points of my head and makes sneezing feel like my temples are flying to adjacent provinces. Even though detox is common when cleaning up one's diet, wheat (particularly the gluten within) is special, very special.

What happens with wheat once consumed are a couple of dramatic effects. The Amylopectin-A breaks down very rapidly into glucose thereby causing a rapid intense spike in GI glucose, a dump of insulin from the pancreas to bind to the glucose and take it to the cells. However the cells are not in need of the glucose so what happens is this glucose is nicely and conveniently stored in and among one's kidneys, liver, pancreas, and abdomen thereby producing belly fat and lots of it that just does not go away despite how much cardio/weight training/physical activity one does. Here's the interesting (and addictive) part:  the gluten breaks down into gluteomorphin (a pseudo-morphine) and  binds to the opiate receptors of the brain. Now we are talking chemical/pseudo-drug addiction,which is what I am detoxing from now. The opiate receptor detox is very similar (though not as intense) as detoxing from heroin. Charming.

But wheat is the staff of life!! It's in the Bible!! And that is true, but it's THAT wheat that's the staff of life, not the mega-genetically manipulated wheat of today. Wheat has been genetically manipulated for growing seasons and conditions, mold resistance, gluten content, yield intensity, and has also been hammered with intense ammonium nitrate fertilizers to also crank up the crop yield. Oh yes and let's not forget Roundup and other such herbicides. Farmers had to fight Monsanto scientists not to put the "terminator gene" into the wheat. What we have today looks like wheat, sort of resembles wheat in baking and cooking (positive effects so it's all good, right), but when it comes down to the genetic level is a far cry from the original wheat and what can tell the difference is our bodies. What we have is a product of the Green Revolution of the 50's and the result of that product is celiac disease, gluten and wheat sensitivities and allergies (wheat dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis), as well as an alarming rate of obesity and the list is just getting started.

As I see it, the detox is worth the pain to get to yet another milestone of healthy. I recommend reading  the book "Wheat Belly" by William Davis MD (cardiologist) as it's an eye-opener.
Sherri Donohue

Family

Over the last couple of days, I have been observing the folks that I train with (not in a creepy way). I was watching how they react to feedback in class, how they focus or not during open training, and how they react to each other.
I especially noticed how they responded in class to instruction and what they did with it. It seemed like each person perceived the instruction in a slightly different way, I think this is pretty normal. The completely amazing thing is how do our instructors figure out how to reach each and everyone of us, in our own special language. I realize it is partly our responsibility to tell them if we don't understand but they get us (each one) and work really hard to make sure that we understand the concept/move that they are teaching. I call this concept amazing because it is gift that they have, to figure us out, talk to us , to teach us.
I looked around at open training yesterday and was pleased to see how many people were there. There were all different belt levels and age groups, some were really focused trying to remember the moves in a form, while others were visiting with their training partners and sharing war wounds. Sometimes you can tell if there is major school event coming up by the number of people at open training, as I looked around yesterday, I realized that all these people were working on being better martial artists. Too cool!
I noticed that everyone there also was willing to stop what they were doing to help someone else. I think that is what creates such a warm family like atmosphere in our kwoon, the willingness each person has to help advance each other's training.

A Good Week.

This week was really great.
My physio therapist gave me the okay to do my forms again, and I couldn't be happier right now. I'm able to go through all of my tai chi without my knees swelling. Talk about progress =)

I also might get accepted for a $2000 internship with a hospital next summer in the surgery wing. It's 6 weeks of work, and I'm really excited about it. I'm glad to be pursuing something that I'm passionate about.

Sifu Wonsiak

Was I a Snob?

OK, so I just posted a journal already today. The thing is, that was one I drafted a few days ago, and I am so excited about my kung fu today, that I just had to write another one.

I had a fantastic kung fu day today! I was at the school from 10:30 until just before 3:00. I find myself jumping ahead with my kung fu so much every day, that I wonder just how bad was I before, really? By that I mean, how much of a snob was I? I am actually a very shy person when not in my own surroundings, and sometimes even when I am. That alone sometimes comes off as being a snob. But I know that I have not been the most friendliest black belt in the school. Because of that, I have missed out on a lot, and I am discovering now, just how much.

At the black belt classes, I am now having conversations with people that I normally wouldn't of had before. It wasn't that I would not talk to others to be rude, but I was just in my own little world, with my own little thoughts and my own little attitude, and my own little comfort zone with people I was comfortable working with and conversing with. Now, I like to work with people outside of that comfort zone, and chat with those who I have never chatted with before. I am kind of surprised and know that I shouldn't be, but people accept me and are friendly with me.

I am finally feeling for the first time, that yes, I do have a kung fu family. We are all united with the direction we want our lives to go. I am getting to know more of the students and I feel like I am making more of a connection with the other black belts. I like that. I have always very highly respected Sifu Masterson, and looked up to her for guidance, even though she has never known that. I like getting to work with her more now through the I Ho Chuan. Sifu Rybak and Sifu Kichko are others that I have always sat back and watched and liked, but never really got to know, until now.

I still wonder every day, why there is such a change in me and my attitude. So what if I am doing the I Ho Chuan requirements. Why should that make such an impact in my life? How has all this opened my eyes to things that I was too blind to see before? I don't have those answers yet, but when it is such a good thing as this, why question it? Just go with it!!

Darting on into the Public Eye

One of the most terrifying things for me that I have to look forward to with the I Ho Chuan is having to do demos. I have great anxieties over this and the thought scares me to death. I don't like this feeling and I don't want to have to go through this every time I have to do a demo. I have decided to prepare.

What I have done is slowly introduce myself with my dart to the public eye. The first I Ho Chuan class, I got to play around with my dart in front of everyone in the class, but not doing the form. (there really isn't enough room). I just tossed it around. That wasn't too, too bad because everyone was busy with their own weapons. The next thing I started doing was to pull out my rope dart and play around with it after the kids Tues classes. Then I moved up to Thurs evening at the I Ho Chuan get togethers. I am amazed at the difference I feel with my dart. I am far more comfortable doing it in front of people, and I actually do the whole form, rather than just toss it around, in front of others on both Tues and Thurs evenings. I don't even feel worried about the people that may be watching me.

Today, after the open training, myself and 2 other black belts were still hanging around when one of the black belts asked if they could see my rope dart form. Ok, so I am not so comfortable as I thought. This was somehow different. Because they were my peers? Because they were people I really respected and looked up to? Whatever the reason, my heart rate increased at the thought of doing it in front of them. I did it anyways, and it wasn't too bad. Then as I was about to do my form again, about 4 people came through the door from the renos next door. Now I really had an audience. I did find myself not as focused as I need to be when doing my form, and with the rope dart, focus is everything. After a couple times, I relaxed enough to ask for feedback on one of the techniques that I had been having troubles with. The feedback I got was very valuable, and I am looking forward to putting it to work this week as I practice. It was very much appreciated!

I really, REALLY, want to become comfortable doing my dart form, or any form, in front of others. I am sure it is like anything else. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. hhhhmmmmm. . . . why can't things just be easy the first time?

Go Pink, or Go Home

I've officially started a new program today called the Pink Method. I hate calling it a diet, its just a formal healthy eating regime. I don't believe in diets, but I do believe in healthy eating and lifestyle. Its broken into four phases; Reset, Primary, Shred and Preservation. They're exactly what they sound like- Reset is boosting your metabolism, Primary is introducing slow carbs and fruits with workouts. The Shred is meant to get you over the lull you can hit, and Preservation is, well, to keep you where you're at.

My mom actually first heard of this on Dr. Phil I think. After I read through it, it seemed logical and well, very doable. I've struggled with other methods that tell you to eat nothing but chicken and brown rice, or eat a bazillion times a day ( I struggle to find the time for once or twice a day).

That is the other thing I want to change about myself. I do consider what I eat, but I don't place enough importance on how I eat, when and how often. I eat when I have a minute, which usually doesn't happen until 2 or 3 in the afternoon, and sometimes not until after class. Or, I find the time for lunch, but then supper gets pushed back until 9 or 10pm. I don't even try for breakfast, unless I wake up two hours early to catch a ride with Nick into town.

But, as Sifu Brinker said, the UBBT was his original excuse to do something for himself. So I've made a promise to myself to put this first, and ultimately myself before work or laundry or schedules.

I'll keep you posted.

The Engagement Party

Since our I Ho Chuan meeting last Saturday I have been thinking about being engaged and, more importantly, how I'm engaged in my training and otherwise. Even though I'm pretty hooked into my training, there are ebbs and flows and it can always improve. The same goes for my glass art. I have noticed that I'm not as engaged in my sock knitting and the reason is because I knit my socks when I was watching TV or a movie and since I'm doing less of that, my sock knitting has also declined. Have to think of a solution for that.

So what happens when I fall off the wagon, which I will do at certain times and in various areas? Well first to see what the falling off was all about. Next, how can I avoid that the next time? Here is, I think, the more important part: forgiving myself and getting back on the wagon regardless of where I am and how far I've come. As I see it, the reasons why I'm twirling around on this planet are to strive to be the best me I can be and learn all I can in this lifetime. Pretty simple, huh?

As for a cockatiel update, they have been moved into my office and am living under a screen tent that helps keep the dust confined. They are adjusting to their new digs even though they have to sneak up on some things and I am adjusting to moving, rearranging furniture, cleaning, and decluttering. I believe this system will work, just have to give it an honest shot.
Sherri Donohue

Inspirational People

Sihing Regier wrote on, “What inspires people?”

Answering this question may be a real eye opener for me. Do I really want to know the answer? Am I being the inspirational figure that I’d like to be? I feel I’m most attracted to or inspired by people, people who have something of value that I’d like to see in myself. I don’t mean materialistic items, I mean things like a true appreciation for life (like Sifu Masterson’s Aunt), people who have a contagious smile, people who portray a true sense of inner peace, people who are not selfish, good listeners, people who appreciate themselves, people who care for the environment and their surroundings, passionate teachers and friends.

There was a clip shown on T.V. a while ago, I believe it was a Special Olympics clip of a group of individuals with Down syndrome, they were running a 100m race and about half way through the race one of the contestants fell and all the rest of the runners turned back, picked up the fallen and all crossed the finish line hand in hand. That clip will never leave my mind!

There are many inspirational people through history who have had the courage to change things for the betterment of others and sacrificed themselves to do so, such as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma – “Great Soul”), Martin Luther King Jr and Agnes Gonxhe Bojaxhiu (Mother Teresa).Inspiration can come in many ways, but I feel the importance of inspiration should come from within....how do I inspire!

Darcy Regier, Silent River Kung Fu.

What inspires you?

How does a person inspire another?  This seems to be a question that has been out there a lot lately.  We are hearing it in regards to the Pandamonium, kids’ classes, shovelling teams etc.  Everyone is different and is very individual as to what motivates and inspires them into action.  There are so many sources of inspiration for people, whether they are movies, books, a sermon at church, a beautiful day or another person.  It may be an example someone else sets.  Someone may see the difference it makes for the individual doing it or for the people around them who are affected by the actions.  It may be a needed kick in the butt by someone who we respect.  Maybe it’s just that word of encouragement that just makes you want to try again or a little harder.  It may even take some dramatic event in our life. Or maybe it’s time that one person is willing to give to someone else, with nothing expected in return.  Is there a better gift then time given?  Take for example the seniors we shovel for.  These people are so truly grateful for what complete stranger are willing to do for them.  There are continual words of thanks, along with plates of cookies.  It seems like such a simple thing but yet has such a huge impact.  These seniors pass comments along to family and friends of these acts of kindness.  These actions go way beyond just the driveways but out to a whole community.

We all have those people who have made a difference in our lives, maybe a parent, teacher, friend or a complete stranger.   The value of inspiration should not be underestimated; it truly does change people’s lives.  We need to be very mindful of our words and actions and take advantage of opportunities to inspire when they present themselves.

Most of us have run into those times of frustration and discouragement when our approach to inspiring just doesn’t seem to be sinking in.  Sometimes it would be much easier to just give up and move on to another opportunity.  Maybe we just need to think outside of the box and come up with another angle.  These are the opportunities that may be the ones that could really make a difference in the long run for someone.

 We all have ugly times in our lives, but we also have a choice as to what we do with it.  We can step back, get angry and have a little pity party for ourselves or we can turn it around into a learning experience that can change the situation into something positive and maybe even inspire someone in the process.

Being new to the whole ‘blogging thing’, I have come to realize how great it is to keep in contact with other team members and up to date with everyone’s successes as well as the stumbling blocks.  So many times a person runs into challenges and struggles or just a bad day, and it is reassuring to know that they are not the only ones.  We have the capability to encourage and inspire each other along the way. I am inspired daily by all kinds of things.  I am so thankful for those inspirations, and at the same time hope to be able to pass it on to those around me through my words, actions and attitude. 

So what inspires you?

Alana Regier

7 of 52

So Sifu Rybak emailed me her I Ho Chuan tracking worksheet and I made some modifications to it to suit my requirements and have it saved to my desktop (computer). I gathered all my stray notebooks and scraps of paper and posted it all to the tracking sheet. The biggest hole is the sparring, it is currently reading '0'. Yikes! Unfortunately I have a previous committment on Thursday nights when most of the I Ho Chuan members get together and work on stuff so I will be bringing my gear to open training on Saturdays, hopefully someone will be available to spar with. Sifu Rybak and Sifu Weibe are also going to add sparring to our Monday night after class time.

 Master Brinker told me at the I Ho Chuan meeting that my reluctance/failure to record my daily regeim indicates to him that I am not fully engaged in my training. So I am taking this to heart and whether or not I actually understand the importance/benefit/relevance of writing everything down I will do it anyway and trust that it will become clear to me. What has helped with this is Corey's blog.

The girls (Brandi & Melanie) told me about a blog that one of their fellow students (Corey) wrote and in which I found a great deal of relevance. My insistance on following my own path and determining my own future may actually be holding me back. It makes you think thats for sure!


http://balancedlifeskills.com/home/2011/09/08/concious-conformity.html

with apologies to albert

So last week was not much of a week.  I mean, it existed--time passed at one second per second.  But I slacked off, and became bored because of it.  But I'm back on the horse.    

It seems to me that restlessness often serves me better than discipline.  Another way to think about this is that on some mornings I manage to get up mostly out of spite.  

Sifu Robertson

Slowing Down

On Friday I tore something in my back while deadlifting. It was an interesting feeling, as I felt something in my lower back pull and tear during the lift. With this, I was incredibly bullheaded and stubborn, and didn't drop the barbell. I committed myself to the entire lift, while feeling the strain and damage occurring throughout the lift.

I won't lie; it was a neat but horrendous feeling.

With this, I am reminded that I need to realize the extent to which I am training (with powerlifting and Kung Fu), and to keep a humble heart and swallow my pride. If something doesn't feel right...don't do it. Simple enough, but a concept that many people (such as myself) need to grasp fully. In addition, listening to your body is an integral concept that martial artists and athletes need to fully take to heart. Friday was an off day for me, and I should have listened to my body more. Fatigue and a lack of desire to train (because hey, we all have off days where gumption is at an all time low) was hidden by ego and a desire to lift.

So far, the back is doing well, and Range of Motion and strength is almost back to normal. Lower back injuries are no stranger to me...I believe this injury is an opportunity and blessing in disguise, forcing me to slow down at times and to swallow my ego and pride. Injuries are also a form of empathy training. A sudden loss of ability and comfort forces one  to open their mind, and instills a greater degree of respect for injuries and disabilities.

Still not a Happy Panda for not being able to actively attend classes on Friday.

Fear of Commitment

Sihing Jon Robinson

I know what you're thinking and this isn't a blog about my love life. This is about my follow-through. I'm not talking about my golf game either. This is a blog on how I can't seem to stick to things. I'm not, of course, lamenting over my lack of magnetic powers.

What I'm trying to say is that I don't often finish things that I start. In my life's so far I have started many things and I leave behind me the evidence of a person with a short attention span. Picture, in your mind's eye, half-done crosswords littering my metaphorical path, hundreds of workbenches with thousands of projects wondering why their creator abandoned the so quickly, the husks of half-conceived ideas like road kill lining the highway. I was going somewhere with this, but I'll get back to my point later.

I've got a handful of finished things to my name. The reason for this is that I often leave things off and fail to return to them. Let's take this blog post for example: I actually started it and wrote about half of it before the weekend but forgot that I didn't finish and mentally checked it off as done. Luckily, I am finishing it RIGHT NOW and will soon take it off my huge "to-do" pile and set it in the tiny tray marked "done".

Another thing that I've left until later was getting my black belt. For two years now I've failed to finish what I started. This time I'll get it (fingers crossed), but that's not my point. Over all of these years of not finishing my training for black belt, I haven't stopped. With an endless collection of unfinished things behind me, I still dragged my kung fu along, never letting it fall completely to the wayside. There were times when I could have stopped but didn't. My effort hasn't always been the best, but even in my low periods I kept showing up.

I've been doing Kung Fu for 7.5 years and haven't given it up. I can't say that about many things in my life yet. Kung Fu is something special.

Moving forward day by day

This year is going so much better for me then it did all last year. I have finally started to get a set routine of push-ups/ situps each day. Plus being more aware of my time and doing 5 and 10 mintue segments of various parts of my training when and where I can fit it in, is working well for me. Even though the stress level at my jobsite is growing, and so to is my work load. I find I'm not stressing out like I used to in the past. I still hate having to lay a good worker off just due to the fact we are short of work. But I no longer allow the negative feelings that creates, dominate my thoughts. Being in the kwoon as much as I am definately helps me. I find I leave the outside world behind when I enter the door. I focus, work hard, learn, get corrected and relearn over and over with no stress or negativity. Then when I leave the kwoon and head home each nite the stress I left behind at the door is no longer as pressing as it was. I still have miles to go, but I finally feel like I'm moving forward again. I know I have been on a long plateau for some time. Now I feel like I'm moving uphill and that feels great because I'm making progress again. It sometimes feels like I'm trying to fill a tanker truck with a thimble when I look at all that there is to learn. But then a calm voice enters my head and says of course its gonna take time, enjoy it. That's what I can say has really clicked for me the most. No matter how hard the workout or form or technique I'm trying to learn, I'm thoroughly enjoying kung fu on a level I haven't before. As Sifu Brinker says ( and I truly get it finally), there are just things you can't do YET.

Mr. Hamilton

Inspiration

The I Ho Chuan class Friday and the meeting on Saturday gave me a motivational boost. It reminded me of what I can do instead of what I can't. I tested the knee out today doing some forms to see how it does. It seems to hold up alright so long as I take it slow and avoid putting too much weight or strain on it. I'd like to say thank you to all my wonderful teammates for reminding what this is all about.

Blind to the obvious

I have to admit I really didn't understand the valuable tool of a hand written journal when it came to my Kung Fu. I thought the real way to my Kung Fu is through hard work and discipline; blood, sweat and tears. Just do it. Why would I want to sit and write about Kung Fu when I can go beat my heavy bag or keep doing form reps or practicing with my weapon. But after starting to log my daily/ weekly requirements it made sense. How else can you really improve something if you don't step back and break things down on paper. My hand written journal was very vague and not a lot of attention to detail. For example I would write down said requirement and just simply a number. I have to be more descriptive and record what kick or form I'm working on and what problems or improvements are occurring and why. Where is the problem in my side heel thrust that makes them so difficult for me. What advice or example or improvement have I consulted or experienced and recorded on what date and for what form or kick. None, just a number and catagorized under kicks. So as of now I write down exactly what I am doing specifically and what feels right and what sucks. While I did a couple of reps of da mu singh I noted my flow with the dragons whip transition into the spinning back kick, my center was off and I rose in my stance. My high back stance is unstable due to lack of flexibility in my hips. Then when I stretched I worked on my hips and legs and recorded it under my stretching minutes and specifically why. As the quest for center and improvement carries on I now have references to specific details of my own account and what problem solving tools have I used or have been taught by my Sifus and piers. After these thoughts finally penetrated my thick skull and broke through my cast iron wall of stubbornness, I felt rather foolish for not seeing the advantage in the first place. Hence, Blind to the obvious. Until next week.
Brian Chervenka

untitled

 

Had good classes on Friday. Saw an increase in my numbers for the bag work. I've been working on keeping control of my breathing and quieting my mind. My numbers are still low and I have a lot of work ahead of me to get them up. 

My second class I added onto my stick form I am creating so it is coming along slowly. It is challenging working on stick in my apartment without breaking to much stuff or scaring my cat. If it wasn't for the extra time in the kwoon I would probably have to practice in the snow.

Craig Janzen
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Silent River Kung Fu
 

Balance

Over the course of the last few weeks I have continually been working on my weapons form, specifically the nunchuks. I have found that I have needed to slow down segments to get the proper vectors and let the weapon do the work as opposed to myself. I have broken down certain components of the form to concentrate on and then build out from there. I have to admit some days it just doesn’t come easy, I have found that is the time to walk away for a few minutes to clear my head and then come back to it slower and more relaxed. If there is anything to learn its patience and persistence, small changes can make a big difference. I recently found this video of a bike rider in Scotland. The cinematography is great but what I took away from it was his persistence. You have to fall A LOT to get these sequences right. As the saying goes don’t let fear and common sense stop you. Think about how much of a connection this guy has with his bike, it’s an extension of him knowing its balance and centre. At one point in the film you see him taking a drink and can actually see his arms bruised up from falling and getting banged up. Yup dedication to what you love. Way Back Home Sifu Bryant

All Is Well....but I have already said that

So here I sit, trying to think of something to write. I want to write about how fabulous I feel about where I am but I am afraid that I am talking too much about that. I want to write about this amazing journey that I am on but I am afraid that I have already done that. I want to write about my incredibly supportive family but I am afraid that I have said that too often. I want to write about how fulfilling it is to have a pet family that makes me laugh everyday but I am afraid that I have done that too. I want to write about my amazing training partners, new and old, but I have done that a few times.
So I am not really sure what to write about....I do have one bit of news. After years (9) of wondering why people get up so early in the morning to practice kung fu, I have finally discovered the answer. I have attended the 6:40 class a couple of times and discovered that I really enjoy getting up early and doing kung fu. I totally get why all those people do it all the time, it is fantastic! I am not sure if it is because it is still dark but it feels like there is hardly anyone else in the whole world that is up and doing anything as cool as we are. The students are dedicated and hard working and I am looking forward to getting to know them and watching them grow.
This week I will discover how it feels to work until 11 pm and get up for the early class the next day and then work until 11 pm again. Wish me luck :)

Social problems

Hello again one of my personal goals this year is to become better at socializing, and our meeting at the UBBT for me was very intense and nerve racking. for me teaching in front of a class and talking with people is two different worlds, because when you are teaching you are in charge, but in the UBBT meeting I had to talk about myself, and how I was doing. When it came to my turn I did not even say everything i wanted to say, because i just could not handle the pressure. just standing there with everybody listing to what you are going to say. I feel like what ever i say i will be judged harshly and unfairly then looked down on, but i know that the UBBT is not this type of group, but that is how i feel, like i am not meeting your standards, even knowing the standards are my own. Talking like that in the meeting was very hard for me and i am not looking forward to more meetings, but I know it is something i must do, not only because i am supposed to show up, but for myself as well.

Sihing Langner

Let's Keep Going!

Well, it has been another great week in the life of a martial artist! I am pleased with how I am doing with my requirements. By that I don't mean the numbers and how many I am doing of everything, but more important to me, is my attitude towards my training, and towards myself as a martial artist, and towards other areas in my life as well. I see such a huge difference in myself, and having this positive attitude really makes life so much easier and funner, and more rewarding. I know I keep saying this week after week, but I just can't get over the difference in my whole outlook on EVERYTHING since I made the decision to commit to my training.

I still keep a running record of all the time I spend on my kung fu. Last week, I decided to average it out. I do kung fu on an average of 2 hours every day. Wowzers!! Two months ago, I couldn't find the time to do 10 minutes every day. I don't really know how I managed to find the time, but I just did. I want to do these requirements and I want to do them well, and I want to do them to the best of my ability. I have found a schedule that works well for me, and I stick to it. I get up early every week day to do my workouts at 5 before I go to work. This works best for me because I do have a full and part time job, and I am very involved with my family. It also works well, because it relieves a lot of stress knowing that my work outs are done, and I am fresh and not pooped out from work. More often than not, I go work out with my close friend in the evenings as well, but these workouts are just an added bonus, as I have already done my morning one. This keeps me on top of things and often ahead.

For me, keeping a schedule is everything. Getting up each morning at 4:30 to go work out has come to be a part of my regular weekday routine. I never have to ask myself, "should I, or shouldn't I?" There is no decision to make. I already made it. I made the decision when I said, "yes", I would complete these requirements. It was up to me to find a way how. I think, for me, I have found the way to do it.

Another part of my daily routine is my readings. I read every night before bed, and part of the readings I do is reading "Mastery". I don't want to get all freaked out at the end of the year and feel a rush to memorize it. So, I read it every night before bed, and at the very least, I read parts of it. Now, I don't need to read the words of certain parts of it, because I have already read it so many times, I know it off by heart. I do part of my meditation at night as well, because that is when it is the quietest in my community, and it gives me a chance to evaluate my day, and myself.

My journaling has become a regular part of my Sunday. This way I don't have to try and remember when I journaled last. I write my journal on Sunday, and it's done. Period. If I journal again on another day of the week, again, it becomes a bonus, but I know that my minimum is done because I did it on Sunday. This is also the day that I take time to read other journals, and gain from them.

Thinking about all this let's me see the regular structure of my daily life that I have now, and was perhaps missing for some time. I do like to be spontaneous, and I often am, and I have my free times to do as I like, but structure is good too. I see my training as becoming a very structured part of my life. My kids have adjusted to my schedule as well, and they know that when I say I can't do something like babysit a grandchild because I am doing kung fu, there are no more questions asked. They know this is a priority for me and they respect that.

I write this entry, not for the benefits of others, as selfish as that may sound, but more for myself. On the days that I am not feeling so terrific, I will come back and read this, and rekindle my attitude and enthusiasm for my training, as well as the commitment I have made and why I have made it. I know there will be those days, as I would be ignorant to think otherwise. But bring them on! I think I am ready for 'em!

Limitations with no Boundaries

After the group discussion yesterday, I realized there are a few people around with some injuries these days. Not the usual, pulled, sore or overextended type injuries but long term damage that requires months and some even years of reworking. Its a gift in disguise they are told and I have witnessed in the past where this seems to be true.
I have managed to avoid serious injury over the years. I have had my share of black eyes, torn muscles , etc, but nothing that put me down for a long period of time where I had to rethink my methodology.
 I would imagine a limitation of this nature would slow you down first and foremost. You would now have to pay attention to how you move so  as not to induce pain or aggravate a problem.
Now , this is where I could learn something, if I slow down and I mean really slow down, and pay exclusive attention to what my limbs are doing  in conjunction with my core in conjunction with my balance and feel  every muscle placement then ask myself right or wrong , feels good ?feels bad? I may have a chance of changing for the better.
I am guilty of rushing through my forms, my applications. I have a misconception that they feel good now so I add speed prematurely. The result is a short changing of power and completion.
So, I imagine injuries and limitations force the issue.
You have no choice but to revisit the movements in an almost tedious fashion but the results can be priceless.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

STAIRS

SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2012 I am moving forward, Day by day things are improving. They maybe only the slightest change, but over time small things add up to substantial changes. For instance at the movie theatre last night I was able to decent the stairs without feeling like I would miss a step and fall. My right knee was able to hold my weight without buckling, Stairs have been my challenge over the last year. The walls in my house have become my balancing point, I have worn a line in the paint on the walls on either side going into the basement. We live in a split level home so I do a lot of stairs a day. Some people do push ups to challenge them, to get there numbers up, I do stairs. You would be surprised how many stair cases do not have banisters on them. A total nightmare for me. I am not there yet however. I still cannot balance carrying a cup of liquid down the stairs without spilling it.I loss half my cup of tea on the stairs on the way down, our entertainment centre is in the basement. I still have to resort to sitting on my bum and sliding down to save my tea. So my push ups are only at twenty good one a day but ask me about stairs and I can tell you they are great. This also relates to forms. The sword form I'm trying to learn has a few spots in it that needs half turns without stepping out of your stance. I can work up a sweet just thinking about it , but they're coming. So yesterday at our meeting for I Ho Chuan I was trying to talk about numbers and couldn't bring myself to say " I do stairs" I am telling you all now and hope you cam relate somehow to this challenge I have set for myself. Posted by linda shipalesky at 7:02 AM

Dragon # 5

Meet Dragon # 5. Dragon 5 is special. When I was making him, I felt an energy that was quite unlike before and it was amazing. The adrenaline was pumping and it was thrilling as this is the best dragon I have made yet. Just about done and I thought this dragon would be great for the silent auction at the Fine Art and Wine show this Saturday. Then..... BAM!! The punty broke and Dragon 5's wings broke off. ARGGGHHH!! Ok, don't panic, repair and into the kiln. Ok, done, whew!! All is good.. so far.

I took Dragon 5 out of the kiln and all was great even though I needed to finish his tail. I showed him off stating how thrilled I am of the dragon and mentioned the silent auction. I got home, opened the container and a wing was broken off. Arrrgh again. Back to the torch to fix, finish, and into the kiln again.

Dragon 5 is now great and ready to be delivered. I showed him to the show organizers and they were thrilled. Just before I left Dragon 5, I gave a final inspection. AAACCKKK!! A flaw (minor crack) so I took him home to fix, but I had a needling suspicion. At home I inspected further and there was another flaw, one I'm not so sure about fixing properly. Now I'm REALLY getting the feeling this dragon does not want to be sold, he wants to stay with me. Right then and there I made the decision that Dragon 5 is my dragon and that I would make another.

It dawned on me yesterday the significance of Dragon 5. The 5th month of the year is May, which, happens to be the birth month of my deceased brother (reason why I wear a dragon tattoo on my right arm). Tears come to my eyes and I knew that Dragon 5 is my dragon, period.

I have come to discover that my dragons have meanings based on the energy they hold. Dragons of fun and laughter, of prosperity, of abundance, of protection, of safety, of inner strength and confidence, and so on. I don't decide what qualities my dragon carries, they do. I merely sculpt them and bring them to life.

Dragon 5 is the dragon of inner strength, courage, and commitment, very much a powerhouse and so  was my brother. As for Dragon 6, he's the dragon of fun and laughter as he has a goofy look on his face. He makes me laugh and he is quite happy to make his new owner laugh too.
Sherri Donohue

A Slow Week...

I don't have much to blog about this week. We have a shortened week in school so I have no classes tomorrow, but I am for some reason absolutely wiped out. We have a realtor coming in to look at our house on Monday so we've been cleaning... a lot. Haha. It's been quite a bit of work. My physio therapist cracked my back for me today to loosen everything up and it's really sore. I'm going to take it easy tonight so that I can come back swinging tomorrow.

As far as my numbers go,

I've been getting a lot of my kilometers done in physio because he puts me on the bike to warm my knees up, so I'm pretty happy about that. Same with my squats. Those numbers are soaring.

I really need to work on documenting my acts of kindness though, I should probably start carrying my book around with me...

Sifu Wonsiak

Simple Moments

I have caught myself saying, over and over again “I can’t wait till summer!”    On one hand I am saying I run out of time and on the other, I seem to be wishing the days away.  The last week and a half has been a real bummer for a lot of people.  I think most of us are ready for spring not the start of winter.  However, it is amazing what a change in attitude can do for oneself and everyone else around them.

Take this last weekend for instance.  After shovelling and pushing snow yet again, it was hard to look at the snow coming down and smile.  Stepping back and looking at it from a different angle changed how I felt.  Instead of seeing the mass of flakes as another shovelling project, I actually just enjoyed the peace and beauty of them. 

Our family is very much an outside type family.  If the sun is shining, even if it’s raining, we will most likely be outside enjoying it somehow.  Who said you can only enjoy the outdoors if the sun is shining and the grass is green?  On Sunday afternoon we all decided a little fresh air was needed, and set out for a walk.  It was beautiful.  It was fairly warm with big snowflakes falling.  When we got back to the house, nobody was quite ready to go inside or call it a day.  We were a little limited with what we could do with the snow; no gardening, trampoline or badminton, but we shovelled off the patio chairs and started a fire in the fire pit, sat around with hot chocolate and tea, as the snow continued to come down.  It was absolutely great!  Talk about quality family time. These are the times to take advantage of; everyone has slowed down, are without distraction, just talking and enjoying the moment.  What a great day!

Alana Regier

Enjoying Retirement

So a quick note on Liu Bei Sr., I spent some time with him this Saturday afternoon. He was cozy in my bedroom, but I figured he's old enough to have his own bedroom now, and so he'll be moving into one of the bedrooms upstairs. I gave him some TLC before the big move, dusted him off, groomed his horsehair and gave him a new shoelace for his mouth. Currently, he's just hanging out on the top of our staircase. He's grown since last you've seen him, and he's just waiting patiently for me to take the bedroom door off it's hinges before he settles in.

Oh, he says hi and eat your lettuce.

Sifu Rybak

Have I Got a Deal For You!

The "downside" if you will, of making glass art is the necessity to sell it to a) make money and build a business, b) use up the glass I have (that's the theory) so I can buy more and c) avoid having a huge stockpile of nice, pretty, shiny stuff. However, there is one slight little issue: I'm not wild about selling (or marketing myself). When I think of selling I think of the typical pushy salesman leaving the customer being taken advantage of and that is someone I don't want to be. However, a fact of reality is that if I don't sell/market myself, I'm as affective as being the sole occupant on a deserted island for moving my wares. So guess what my coaching call was about this week? Yep, selling/marketing.

I am learning that the key is to sell/market authentically and the only one who can really market my product is me. The whole deal is to show my excitement and passion for what I do and what I make and (key point here) is to be rock solid confident that what I make is darned fine stuff. Ok, the last point I need to work on, but get me on the subject of glass, I light up like a Christmas tree on steroids. There is one other key factor and that is to be unattached as to whether the person buys in or not which can be trying when a show is going slow. However, I learned from my coaching call is to "get it out there" and be real.

As of today, my wares are now in Gypsy Chicks, a New Age store in Stony Plain and I'm excited about it as the owners are fantastic and the store has a good feel about it. Not only that I made a pipe (yes the herbal smoking variety, but what herb is used is not up to me), couple of them actually, and I posted the pictures on my Facebook page. Within a couple of hours, one was sold and I had inquiries about more of them. I think the Universe is trying to tell me something.

As for my training, I'm having the best year ever and I'm really happy about where I'm at and what I'm doing. I love my fan, love designing a form for it, and am very glad I made the weapon change. A couple of weeks ago, I gave wheat the boot and that's been going much better this time around. Last time I switched a starch for a starch and my body revolted. This time, I'm high raw and my body is very happy about that. Life is grand.
Sherri Donohue

6 of 52

So I figured out how to get the picture on this blog page to fit better ... believe it or not I am the only tech support the company has ... kind of scary huh!

So I did something to my neck/upper shoulders and my push ups are suffereing as a result. You know how when you work your muscles they will start to ache and if you continue they will feel like they are burning. Well I was pulling off 30 real push ups and the rest were getting done from the knees better than before but not awesome. So I don't know what I did but after about 10 real pushups the muscles jump directly to the burn feeling ... my neice who is a physiotherapist said not good ... so I have stepped back on the real and am trying to be content with 10 and the rest done from the knees. Bummer! I was feeling a bit smug about how well it was going. Its the one step forward and two steps back situation.

I got a whole bunch of things done ... the ziplinning, managing emotions understress course, the alpha mind course, and my auditor recertification program. The recertification was tough because I have to repeat it every three years and the 'Smidlap Company' (made up not real) has not improved its safety program from the last however many times I audited it.

Because I broke a toe while in Hawaii and my foot swelled up pretty bad I was unable to do the snorkeling which is a serious drag because I learned how to swim last year just so I could do that.

I am trying to take the successes and failures in stride and not let everything stress me out this year. As a list maker and do er type of person I found the I Ho Chuan requirements last year made me crazy. I was up ... I was down. I was ahead ... I was behind. It seemed I could not get everything done and still do my job and have a smidgen of a life left. I was always frantic trying to get one thing or another caught up to the requirements. And as far as writing things down ... well it was pathetic. This year so far my progress is better although some things are still happening in starts a spurts. Looking forward to seeing my team mates on Saturday at the meeting maybe they will have some insights to offer.

Update

I don't have much to say for this week, but will provide a quick update. This week has been an interesting week, to say the least. Concerning Kung Fu, it has been a week of regaining lost ground and recovering. My elbow has recovered, and I'm working to regain lost ground in regards to the numbers. Concerning some of the numbers, I am behind. However, I'm concerned mainly with maintaining continuous forward momentum, and realize development at times will be very slow at times. I see personal development as a sinusoidal wave...in your journey forward, you will have highs, and you will have low points. With the numbers, I'm not terribly worried, as long as I'm progressing forward. I want my journey in the I Ho Chuan to be me developing a sharper focus and motivation in my martial arts training and powerlifting, and to develop my intellectual, emotional, and spiritual sense. The numbers are a guide and a quantitative way to keep focused, not the end itself, so to speak. If you have x amount of forms to do, are you doing the forms purely to satisfy the numerical requirement, or are you trying to perfect your forms? Are you mindlessly repping each form out, or are you mindful of the technical and artistic beauty inherent within each form?

Concerning my last blog post, I've been able to regroup and consolidate, and now know the path that I'm on. In addition to that, I'm on the start of an additional journey which will be interesting, to say the least. I'm nervous to see where it goes.

Other than that....not much else to say.

Sifu Joe Harrigan

Ski Meditation

I will be the first person to admit that I can sometimes have an attitude problem. I do recognize it and try real hard to deal with it when it plagues me. This happened last Sunday while at church. I really didn't feel like being there, and so I left early. I went home, packed up my cross country skis and away I went. I skied for over 2 hours. It was amazing! I went west across a farmers field, and then north making my way through a bunch of trees. The sky was overcast and light snow was falling, but I was sweating hard, and enjoying every minute. In the trees, I felt like I was back home in BC. The atmosphere was very quiet and peaceful. As I skied I focused my mind on the rhythm of my skis moving across the snow. There wasn't much else for noise, except the odd bird announcing my arrival.

The further I went, the more and more I could feel my attitude fade, and by the time I was finished skiing, it was gone completely. I had an interesting experience while crossing the middle of the farmers field. I stopped, and felt a sudden need to fall to my knees. I did, and then I held my arms out to the sides, ski poles in hand, and with my eyes closed, I turned my face up to the sky. And right there in the middle of the farmers field with no one around but the birds. . . I wept.

Keeping cool

This past week and a half has cost me some numbers and a lack of staying on my game. It sure doesn't take long to fall behind in your numbers if you have unexpected deviations and you can't meet as many of your numbers or requirements daily that you want too. Normally when this occurs I start to beat myself up on self discipline and accountability, and of course fish for justifiable (in my mind) excuses. I'm not doing that anymore. As long as I can get anything of something in each day I am going to meet my requirements. I have been staying positive and telling myself its going to work out and it won't be that hard to catch up and remain focused on what exactly it is I am trying to accomplish. Of course its not easy and you have to be mindful at all times. This is a very difficult challenge to anybody. Nothing beneficial comes easy, it takes hard work and failure can happen, but thats how we learn and improve. I find if I tell myself its not that bad and approach it from an on lookers point instead of being in the trenches things work out well and I see success ahead, its easier to keep cool and not start to develop that sense of overwhelming and doubt in yourself, freaking out over numbers or something that hasn't been started yet. This is where a very common and very modern habit comes in, I quit. This is just too much, I don't have time, I'll try again next year, all excuses we hear and at times, use everyday somewhere, at some time. Well to hell with that! Full steam ahead for the I ho chaun team 2012! One more thing that has been great for learning and drive is reading everyone elses expierences. It gives you a great sense of never being alone and some really good insight. Until next week.

Brian Chervenka