healthy Meal #11

hello this is just a healthy soup idea i had so enjoy!


1  can low-sodium canellini beans
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 large onion
2 carrots 
2 stalks celery
1 small zucchini, 
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves 
2 tsp chopped fresh sage leaves
1/4 tsp black pepper
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
1  can no salt added diced tomatoes
2 cups of baby spinach leaves

If you want you can add any kind of meat to it if you want.


Sihing Langner

 

Guns Goals & Motivations

I have been thinking of what my goals for 2013 I Ho Chuan will be, and one I have thought of is to take at least 3 people shooting. There are several reasons, some self-interested, some a bit more broad.

My personal reasons are that I like to go shooting, shooting is something that needs practice, and I did not make time to go last year.

The next reason is the more broad based one, education. A gun is just a tool, and the more familiar a martial artist is with these tools, the more likely a successful defense, or if they end up in possession of a gun during a confrontation, the ability to use it safely. I have told new shooters that a gun is like a chainsaw, no more (or less) dangerous. It does not make someone a psycho killer any more than a chainsaw makes you go to Texas and start massacring people.

One of the last times that I went shooting, I took someone who had never shot a pistol before, and only had Hollywood for a reference. Now, if you watch many movies, you know that a) the good guy just waves his gun in the general direction, often while executing a summersault or other gymnastic action, and either fires a single round which magically hits his target like a heat seeking missile, or b) fires 47 rounds from a single magazine, all of which miss any innocent bystanders, and instead hit the bad guy like a freight train and throw him through the nearest plate glass window. Bad guys of course never hit the hero, but also miss all innocent bystanders.

The reality is that shooting is a skill, not a special effects department. This seems to have a lot of parallels with the Martial Arts in my view. Another parallel is in the weapons laws, which, in my opinion are racist and sexist. Racist in that traditional weapons of the orient (two pieces of dowel and a string?) are against the law, and sexist in that almost all “ladies guns” or “purse guns” marketed to women in the US are specifically prohibited in Canada to the law abiding citizens (criminals, by definition ignore these laws).

So every person that I can take shooting is one more person that knows the truth, and will be less likely to swallow the propaganda of those that would take my guns away.  
 Dennis Donohue
http://dennisdonohue.blogspot.ca/

Volunteer

It’s a rewarding experience to volunteer. More often than not , you get back tenfold what you put into it. I am proud to be part of a school that advocates volunteer work and puts the time in the community to practice what it represents.

It is great to see so many step up to the plate and put their names in for different projects.

However, it is disappointing when the volunteer commitment becomes optional in some minds .

Volunteering should be treated no different then a paying job. You have made a commitment to others, a group, and the community. There might not be a paycheck at the end of the month but there are rewards you can reap or you can miss out on.

I was disappointed to hear and see how some do not respond to a call out for shovelling snow. Its understandable that people are not available but it is not understandable when you don’t let your group or team mates know you are unavailable.

Would you not call back your boss if they left a message on the phone for you to come in for some extra work? I don’t understand the silent response when someone from a snow shovelling team makes a call-out. At the very least respond, this allows those who have taken the initiative to coordinate in a timely manner know the resources they have at hand. Just simple consideration is all.

I am hoping its just the beginning of the year glitch, we are all adjusting to the heavy hand of winter but tomorrow is December, we should be a finely tuned machine by now, like tactical snow police!:)

Let's Run With it!

I actually laughed out loud when I was first approached about doing a fight scene with my rope dart.  What are they thinking?!!  But, I should have known better.  Every time I have doubts, I end up seeing the vision as clear as a bell later on, and I get it.  This is the same.  I came home, researched some stuff, watched some you tube videos, brought out my rope dart video, started trying different things with my dart, and all of a sudden it didn't seem so ridiculous.  It definitely peaked my interest.

 I have only been working on my fight scene for a week, and I am totally engrossed in it.  It gives me something more to work on, and forces me to take my rope dart up a whole new level.  It's new, it's exciting, and it is sooooo much fun!  I can't seem to get enough.  I worked on it at 5 am this morning, and was quite ticked off when I had to quit and leave for work.  I wanted to do more, and more, and more. 

The Gravy on the Side, Not the Meal

So I had a scare last week, and it sure put things in perspective for me. I've been working diligently on my Tai Chi, and I'm happy that I can see progress, but when I had a fellow student come up to me and say "so your degree grading is this weekend, eh?" I had a mini freak out. No, it wasn't last weekend, but the thought shook me up. This thing can happen at any time, and I need to be perpetually ready for it. The time I have now needs to be icing on the cake, not the bake time. It needs to be the cherry, not the split. You get my meaning.

I feel happy with my Tai Chi (but it still needs work), but now I'm scared I've let other things slide. I had Mastery memorized at one point, but I've let it fade. I was working on fixing some areas in Lao Gar, but I don't think I've practiced them enough to make the changes mine. And I haven't picked up my spade in a month. Ak.

With everything going on, my own training is slipping. And this is bad.

http://dogsthinking.blogspot.ca/

Back to school Mr. Madison

Today I took the first step towards academic mastery. That might be a bold statement but I did apply for school today. Struggling to find work as a graphic designer, coupled with attending lectures on both landscape and architecture have made me really question what it is that I am doing and what I am wanting to do. I still love the look of a beautiful piece of design and think that design is still vitally important to our society in some aspects, and I am not entirely quitting it but I am moving on to something I find more rewarding. I am interested in architectures influence over peoples moods and can impact learning especially in institutional settings. If all goes to plan by the end of the next 4-5 years I will have finished a masters of architecture.

 Sihing Craig Janzen

Along Came a Thought

Okay, so I'm having difficulty coming up with a blog post so I'll write down some of the thoughts I have floating around in my head.

1. During the show last weekend, I was told the location of a scientific glassblowing place from an unlikely source just of of nowhere. I think that's a conspiracy message considering that the words "scientific" and "glassblower" are stated in my goals.
2. The producer for the Pet Lover's Show in Abbotsford phoned me to ask if I would be in their trade show in February, but alas, it's on the same day as our Chinese New Year's banquet and black belt ceremony. Now I have to make a choice. Bah!!
3. Monday was an amazing day because I took a stressed out friend on a fun trip that was a "need to know" basis. I knew, she didn't. Great game, who's my next target?
4. I was convinced that I needed a new (much stronger and consequently, more expensive) piece of equipment to make fabulous (and more) nut and coconut butters. A blog post snuck up on me to reveal what's done at almond farms to make almond butter. It turns out that an adjustment of technique was needed. Eureka!! Technique adjustment: where have I heard that before?
5. Pushups: coming along and taking it slow. Really stretching out that arm.
6. Storm system moves in and (again) I am sans migraine/severe headache. Woohooo!! Yep, diet does make a difference.
7. Been perusing a raw chocolates recipe book, can't wait to get started. Where are my testers?
8. What do I want in life? To have fun, learn lots, be creative, be healthy and active, contribute, and have my weight's worth in chocolate available at all times. Need to pack on some more muscle.
9. Working on my theory stripe for Sihing, bogged down with anatomy and physiology question. Can I just hand in a few of my textbooks for the answer? Sometimes the more one knows, the more complicated it gets.
10. Picked up my knitting needles again, working on a fun and frilly scarf. Realized that since I punted watching TV, my knitting has declined. Need projects I can put down easily.
11. Shin bone on a specific part of the chest hurts. Wear the Zena boobs next time and yes, there will be a next time.
12. Maple syrup instead of agave in my brownie recipe: good move, tastier brownies.
13. Vocal cockatiels = weather change. He's really singing a tune, anyone want an accurate weather forecaster?

Until next week....
Sherri Donohue
Hot Torch, Room Full of Glass, and a Kung Fu Kwoon

Silent Screams

I know we are not to look at our I ho chuan requirements as things to "check" off.  As I get closer to completing them, it is hard not to look at it that way.  My children are starting to look at it that way.  Just yesterday my daughter said to me, "mom, I can't wait till you are done all these requirements".  We were trying to schedule a time for our annual family gathering to put up my christmas tree.  Just a couple weeks ago, we were trying to schedule our annual family gathering/christmas crafts and baking event.  With the holidays here, everyone is busy with christmas parties on the weekends as well as me with my kung fu.  It makes it very very difficult to schedule anything.   Friday nights are classes, and so is Saturday, along with open training, and sometimes meetings, or demos or demo practices.  There are things that I have gained from being a part of this very special team that I know for a matter of fact that I cold never have gotten anywhere else.  What I have gained can never be taken from me, and it will benefit me in so many aspects of my life, for the rest of my life.

Sifu Brinker says we don't make sacrifices to do our I ho chuan, and I am not sure I understand that.  Perhaps it isn't a sacrifice because we gain so much in return.  I have had to be left out of church events, family outings, weekends away, and time with friends in order to stay true to my commitments with the I ho chuan.  I sound like I am complaining, but I am not.  I am just stating things as they are.  Have the "sacrifices" been worth it.  ABSOLUTELY!

I think perhaps too often I use my kung fu as an escape.  There are often a lot of days where I feel like this little person is inside of me screaming their head off.  But on the outside, I smile and put on a good face, and wait for things to pass.  No one knows I am absolutely dying inside.  Heartache, depression, frustration, and a ton of other feelings all wrapped up in one big gift package.

I have had to be strong all of my life it seems, and some days, it's just tiring.  Some days, I wish I had someone else here to be strong for me.  Someone to lean on, if just for a little while.  Someone to say, it will be alright.  So, on days like that I dive into my kung fu.  Kung fu quiets the screams.  This past Sunday was an example of that.  I worked out at the gym with my friend at 7 in the morning for a good hard 90 minutes,  then after dropping him off home, went to the kung fu school for a couple of hours. Sundays are the worst for me as I have too much time on my hands to think.  I go all out from morning till eve on 6 days of the week, and then Sunday is a slow day for me.  I am left with my own thoughts and those thoughts, far too often, go deep.  That is a curse for me.

Maybe this is too much personal info for this blog, but hopefully this will be one of those that no one reads anyways.  Life is good, and I am truly blessed with good health, good stable employment, fantastic kids, and grandkids, who themselves are very healthy..  Who could ask for more?  It just seems that when things go rough at work, it is hard to be a leader, and, I am told by  the leaders above me, I am too hard on myself.  Right now there is a lot going on at work, and a lot more responsibilities being added to my role as a supervisor.  Top that up with all my I ho chuan requirements, getting ready to grade, planning a kids demo, planning my own demo, teaching 7 classes a week, attending another 4 classes a week, training on the side, trying to keep up with my volunteer work, be an active mother and grandma, (nana), pay attention to my extended family, worrying about old age and retirement financing, try to make sense of heartbreaking decisions my kids make, work at rising to my potential and expectations of others, and above all, be a good example and leader at kung fu, and to everyone around me.  It's exhausting!  People tell me a million times, "I don't know how you do it all".  I always just shrug it off and say, I do what I have to do.  Cause I do.  I don't mind it so much most days, but lately I feel like my life is going so darn fast, and it is running away from me.  I guess that comes with being so busy.  Time flies.  I know a lot of it has to do with the season.  I absolutely do not like the cold weather.  I miss the sun and being able to be outdoors more.  In the summer I am away in the mountains most weekends, and this really helps me to regroup, and keep my head on straight.  In the summer, I take more time for "me".  I miss that this time of year.

So what does all this add up to?  I don't really know.  I just know that on this day, at this time, I feel as I do.  It is what it is.  I also know that time will continue to pass, I will continue to grow on my journey, and things will be different tomorrow.  Nothing is as constant as change.

Rest and Relax

This past week has been challenging for me because I have been sick again! I have slept a lot, read a lot, knitted a lot and rediscovered that I love to build puzzles. I don't sit still well but that is the only way I can get better is to rest and relax. When I build a puzzle, I totally zone out and let my mind go, could this be like meditating? I like moving mediation the best but could building a puzzle and letting your mind go receive similar benefits? I will continue to practice and report my results.
Until next week, stay healthy and don't forget to look after yourself
http://mantismantle.blogspot.ca/2012/11/rest-and-relax.html

 http://umpteenmonkeystyping.blogspot.ca

The Inner Power of Peace and Calm

This was forwarded to me from a dear friend a few days ago.                                      
                                                            .........................................
Do you remember the Star Wars movies and the great wisdom that came through the little character, Yoda? One of his great wisdom teachings has stayed with me a long time.
Luke asks the wise one, "How do I know the right decision to make? Among all the many decisions, how do I know the one that will be with the force?"

Yoda looks at him and says, "You will know through peace and calm. You will know you're on the right track when you're not feeling frantic, when you're not feeling anxious, when you're not struggling with different parts of yourself. When you get to the right answer and the right decision that is yours, there will be a peace and calm that will come from within you and radiate from you."
                                                      ....................................................
I think its remarkable advice and insight. This is so much of what I’ve been working towards for the past few years and which has developed in me through kung fu. When I first read this, I felt this total understanding of what Yoda said.

When we speak of control, this is absolutely what needs to transpire inside ourselves. Once this stage of mind control is achieved everything will change, our total thought process and mental and physical results will be altered.

This is very exciting for me as my journey has been to achieve this quality within myself.  It is far from over, but to feel what I need to feel within is the beginning of a new stage in my journey.
I feel the true test of where this new insight and development is within me; will be revealed in my sparring ability. I know it may sound way out there, but I feel this certain peace and calming over a lot of who I am and through my approach to who I am I what I do.  So, I’m looking forward to my test.

http://darcyregier.blogspot.com/

Darcy Regier

My Challenge.

So I set a challenge for myself to do 100 minutes of sparring for this past week.   I am close to finishing my 1000 sparring minutes, but that isn't what brought me to this challenge.  A week ago while sparring in the sparring class, I got punched in the nose pretty hard, and also in the stomach.  I covered it up pretty good, but I actually had a bruise on the bridge of my nose.  I really needed work on keeping my guards up and finding ways to get in on my opponent.  So I decided to focus on my sparring skills this week and challenge myself to do at least 100 minutes of sparring.  I did 130.

I got off to a great start with 40 minutes of working out on the heavy bags on Monday.  I focused on always keeping my guards up, and trying different combinations.  I worked on my projection step and coming in low on an opponent.  I was so thrilled.  It felt great to push hard with this workout.  Not only that but I figured if I could do 40 minutes on my first day of the challenge, I could do at least double my goal.  Then on Tuesday evening, I sparred quite a bit in class.  I really am enjoying this class, as it gives me a chance to spar with different belt levels and work on my own skills.  By the end of Tues, I had already sparred for 65 minutes.  I was going great guns, but then things slowed down, and I didn't get a lot of time the rest of the week to work on it.  Wed evening I spent time with my daughter, and Thursday evening I had demo practice after teaching the kids classes.  I did manage to get in a quick 10 minutes of working on the bag before the kids classes started.  Friday was busy again with evening classes.  On Saturday, I killed 2 birds with one stone by working on sparring skills in my fitness class.  I was hoping to help out some fellow I ho chuan team mates as well, to get in some sparring minutes.   I spent an hour at open training after my fitness class, but used all that time to work on my rope dart.  So by Saturday I had done my 100 minutes, but I wasn't happy with just reaching my goal, I wanted to beat it.  So today, I did another 30 minutes of boxing on the Wii with my son. 

Putting this kind of focus on my sparring has in no way made me a great fighter, but it has definitely made me more aware.  When I was sparring in the sparring class this past week, I was always aware of my guards, and worked harder to keep them where I needed them for protection.  I am happy to say that I didn't get punched in the nose either.  I also tried out my combinations that I had worked on, on the bag.  I actually made a hit or two.  So nothing remarkable, but it is a start for me.  Total number of sparring minutes for me so far. . . . . .904

Just Relax!

This last week has been kind of blah for me.  I’ve been feeling a little under the weather since Wednesday, and still not feeling wonderful yet today.  Tis the season for bugs!  This week I have been trying to focus on relaxing my shoulders.  I have been told repeatedly the last couple weeks (and on other occasions) to relax, let my shoulders down; if only it was that easy.   I seem to catch myself constantly with my shoulders up right under my ears, whether it is doing a form, driving or even cooking supper.  What started as being careful after injuring my shoulder four years ago has turned into a bad habit of trying to protect it constantly.  The tension, numbness and pain has become an expected part of each day for me.  It is very rare for me to have a full night sleep without numbness turning into aching pain starting in my shoulder and going to the tips of my fingers (no wonder I’m so tired).   Over the last couple of years the numbness has started to hit during the day.  Certain things in class can trigger it (even just standing with my hands behind my back), washing the car with the pressure washer and even vacuuming.   I’ve been told to avoid things that aggravate it, but most times I don’t even know what that may be until it’s too late.  For the last year I have been trying the massage, chiropractor, acupuncture, Recovery etc….  with only temporary results.  So this week I’m back to the basics.  I have been trying to be very aware throughout my days to relax and let the shoulders down.  I have to admit it has not been easy and I am still catching myself constantly but it’s a start.  Crumb, just caught myself again as I type this!

Alana Regier

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

 

 

Colds to Cancer

Raymond has been home sick for three days now. Whenever I am home nursing him, I always think about health in general.

Our biggest investment to ourselves is the well being and maintaining of our health. That means Water, Food and Sleep.

Lets talk about food. Since it’s a blog , I guess I’ll just do the talking.

I am a firm believer in keeping yourself fuelled with wholesome nutrient rich food. Not just for optimum training and a shiny coat but for the days sickness comes calling. If you are running on all cylinders you are more likely to overcome flus, infections and other nasty stuff a lot quicker with less discomfort.

Unfortunately, I have seen too many around me affected by cancer in one form or another. A friend of mine contracted stomach cancer a while ago, we used to lift weights together. She was strong, in good shape and an avid health nut. She is down to 90 pounds now but her cancer is in remission. She is by no means, back to normal, but everyone is amazed by her condition after going through such hell.

This isn’t a scientific observation but it seems to me , if you look after yourself you have a better fighting chance.

As I sit here, waiting for the next ” ..mommy, can you get me…” I think about a comment from Sihing Chervenka, - trusting the food manufacturers,... the nutrients are not the same and what is that stuff their putting in our food?- I agree with him.

I also ponder on Ms Donohues great research into the matter. I shall have to bother her some more.

Colds to Cancer- our food matters.

Process

I saw this photo the other day and I speaks very loudly to me and maybe to many members of the I Ho Chaun team.  Thank you to Master Brinker and the other Sifu's for forging the path and process for us to follow. 

P is for Pushups and Progress

I have gotten the "all-clear" to start doing pushups again and strange to say, I am thrilled about that. It turned out that the issue with my shoulder was not rotator cuff (insert big WHEW!!) but a substancial sized knot/spasm/contraction in the tricep head. A good round of acupuncture and electrical tens current fixed that issue. After treatment I was instructed to let my arm rest for the next few days to a week and then start the pushups slowly so I don't re-spasm the muscle. Started back at the pushups yesterday with so far so good and I am taking it slow. The funny and cool part about this is that the combination of practicing stick and having acupuncture in the same spot left a bruise on my arm right in with my dragon tattoo. The bruise is right under the dragon's left nostril so it looks like he is snorting out smoke. One of the coolest bruises I've had.

Okay so enough about me even though this blog is all about me. However right now I want to shine the spotlight on Dennis. As I have blogged before Dennis has COPD and is undergoing treatment via inhalers as well as eliminating gluten and suspect allergens (the best we can) with the latest being Sensodyne toothpaste. Dennis describes all of this in his blog http://dennisdonohue.blogspot.ca/ that is well worth the read not because I'm married to the guy but because he gives valid points to think about.

Anyhow I watched Dennis' class on Monday and was quite impressed and surprised as to how well he performed in class. Sifu Masterson led a very good and active warmup through which I kept an eye on Dennis to see how his lungs were holding out. He was strong (for him) throughout the warmup that was longer than usual. Even though he was winded in the end, it was not as severe and took a lot longer to set in. A point to note that winding for Dennis is hypoxia (think strangulation) not heavy breathing like the rest of us. I can tell when Dennis winded because his shoulders are slouched forward, he can't think or remember worth a damn, and just does things that are "huh???!!".  Some of that was evident through his forms after the workout, but he has improved greatly from where he was. Even during the jogging part of the warmup I noticed he had a much greater sense of confidence about him. For me to see the changes in him is both relieving and thrilling. He is on the right path for sure! We often talk about his progress and the changes he is seeing. The biggest thing for Dennis, besides breathing easier, is the realization that his lack of inactivity was not wholely due to his laziness, there was indeed a physical inability. Yes he's not exactly the "leap to the pump" type of guy (unless there is a problem to solve), but his resistance to exercising has decreased and he is enjoying the physical activities more. To me, that speaks volumes.

There was something that made Dennis' day that I'm going to share here. Dennis is on the Snake team next year and has started posting his blogs on the I Ho Chuan site as well as his own. To his surprise there was a comment on his IHC site post, however, it was where it came from that was the surprise. The comment was from a sports medicine Doctor from New York stating that she liked his post. Very cool way to end the day.
Sherri Donohue
Hot Torch, Room Full of Glass and a Kung Fu Kwoon

2 km run

Hello everyone, I have just did something I have not done since my first boot camp. I was able to run the whole 2 km without stopping, after san sao class. With the help of sihing krebs. It was not the fastest run, but i did it, and i could of not done it without sihing krebs. On the 7th lap i wanted to stop and start to walk, but it was sihing kreb who pushed me forward giving, me enough strength to finish the rest of the way running. So i would like to invite anybody who is interested on Tuesday to come run with me after san sao, around 8:30 P.M. I will assure you  that i will make it every Tuesday. Also I am hoping to eventually to increase the number of kms i can do, but with hard work and determination i will do it some day. It was definitely a hard run for me, but i have not felt so happy about my running in so long, and also happy with myself. So once again thank you Sihing Krebs for pushing me and i hope we will be able to continue this routine, work permitted. I never thought i would feel so over joyed with running. Not immediately but a little after i am done running. Kung fu, school, work, life all being balanced on this crazy looking titter totter, yet i have never felt more ecstatic to do it all.


Sihing Langner

4 in 1 catch up post.

I have some time to post my blogs today. I'm going to paste them all to this blog so there won't be 4 posting by me today.

11/8/12
Just finished 3 nights of budget deliberations, there's lots of balancing that needs to be done when we're dealing with a $45 million budget. Many things to address; what services level do we want to provide, what service levels do the residents expects, how are we going to fund major projects, how much do we need to put away so we're financially sustainable in the future.  

I found that prioritizing the budget and making decision about what needs to be addressed now vs later is very similar to my journey in Kung fu towards mastery.  I few weeks back I prioritized my goals and responsibilities to see where they all fit into my journey and how I would accomplish them. 

My path towards Kung fu mastery may be slowed a bit but I can see the parallels as I travel down the paths of mastery in my other facets of life. 

www.wchoy74.blogspot.ca

11/9/12

I managed to save my big toe nail by draining the blood and pressure built up underneath the nail. Everything  looks good now and the nail doesn't look like it will come off.  Bonus! 

Now, I hurt my little toe on my left foot.  My body was here at the Kwoon but my mind wasn't.  We were using the heavy bags and I forgot where is was. Kicked the base and OUCH! Did that hurt.  I've drained it a couple of times now but it's still black under the nail. So I'm thinking that its not going to reattach itself. 

This just goes to prove that sometimes we go through life in auto pilot don't really remember how, what, or why we are doing something. But in the end it's done but it really doesn't mean anything. 

Like our training, mindless training is not effective and most often wasted.  Intense and focused training will generate greater results in a shorter time frame. 

Remember that the next time you bow in for class. Where are you and why are you there. 

www.wchoy74.blogspot.ca

11/11/12

Had the privilege to participate in two Remembrance Day ceremonies, one arranged by the high school and the other one by the Legion. 

I always feel very thankful during this time. Looking at what I have and where my life is and wondering what it might be like if these veterans hadn't giving so much for our freedom. Many perished in the line off duty, those that come back carry a heavy burden that not many people can understand. All this so I can have the freedoms and privileges I do. 

I hope society doesn't forget about all the sacrifices made by past, current and future members of our armed forces. 

www.wchoy74.blogspot.ca

11/19/12

Nice to have a lite bit of time today. No meeting to prep for or any extra reading. I'm been mentally drained the last couple of weeks with every thing on my plate. Being mentally exhausted sure drains you physically. 

Somedays I find it very difficult to motivate myself to practice Kung fu when you're drained mentally and physically.   The last couple of days I feel run down and slightly under the weather, hope I can shake this in a day or two. 

Training as been slow lately but I'm getting a few push ups and sit-ups here and there. Enjoyed breaking boards at class the other day, haven't done that in a while.  I always get an adrenaline rush breaking boards.

www.wchoy74.blogspot.ca

So..... how did it go?

The most popular question of the weekend for me, so…. how did it go?   Two days later and I’m still not sure how to completely answer that.  How I’m feeling has changed a few times from Saturday night up until this very moment as I reflect and think about the day and this entire last year. 

After walking out of the kwoon Saturday night and crawling (yes crawling) into my vehicle, I felt happy. My happiness wasn’t with my feeling on how I performed but rather that I had, after so many doubts, taken the risk and tried.  I came home to a quiet house, made a couple of phone calls to a pacing husband and brother, then took my dog for a walk (2km route was all I was up for), not quite believing that the day was done.  

For me, this was accomplishing another challenge.  I don’t do well up in front of people and add the pressure of an exam, well seems to me a recipe for disaster.  However, I made it through the day and was still on the right side of the grass (or snow) at the end of it.  The day was humbling and exhausting.  I couldn’t believe how exhaustion can take away the details of technique.  Techniques I had practiced over and over again got sloppy and some details missed.  It pointed out some very obvious things I need to work on as well as things I wasn’t even totally aware of.  I came out overwhelmed and couldn’t believe just how much I had learned throughout one day. There is no doubt after Saturday that I have totally just started learning, this is truly just the beginning of how much there is yet to learn. 

I have started three lists since Saturday night for myself.

1.)    What to do differently to prepare

2.)    What I need to work on

3.)     What I learned (everything I could remember)

Overall, it was a good day.  It pushed me physically, mentally and spiritually beyond where I thought I would be willing to go. 

Alana Regier

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

 

I Am Happy

I've started my 2013 requirements recently, and no I haven't completed most of my 2012 requirements. I don't have the time, but I'm making the time anyways.

A big one that I'm starting, struggling with but starting, is cutting back coffee. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal to most, but to me its huge. Since I started university, coffee has been my emotional blanky- if I'm tired it perks me up, if I'm stressed it relaxes me, if I'm cold it warms me, if I'm mad it calms me and if I'm sick it soothes me. And this is just for starters. Now do you understand why I have resisted so much in the past? And yes, I'm sipping my coffee right now, as I type about how amazing it is and how I'm cutting it out. Not completely, just reducing it to one cup a day instead of one pot or more.

The other new requirement I've started is a journal- a private gratitude journal with a twist. When I was younger I was fairly artistic, something that I miss now and enjoyed then. Gratuity is something we can all use more of, therefore I've combined these two ideas. For example, a couple weeks ago, when I got home from class the snow was falling gently, it was dead silent and beautiful. I just stood there, under the dim streetlight and watched it fall, trying to see the individual flakes for what they were- beautiful. It was the kind of thing that just made me happy to be alive, made me breathe and as Sifu puts it, to recognize where I was and what I was doing. So, my second journal entry was a picture of snow, crisp and beautiful. The first entry was simply "My Art Journal", written pretty with pretty things around it. The fact that I live a life that allows me to have the time and resources to dedicate to making pretty pictures on paper- thats pretty amazing in itself.


http://dogsthinking.blogspot.ca/

I puked!

http://umpteenmonkeystyping.blogspot.ca/

Who parked this elephant on my path?

Working 10-12 hrs a day, everyday can feel almost like a life sentence. It takes its toll on every aspect of your life. Family time and events that cannot be attended because you have to work. Training takes an absolute beating, even after you are on the ground, it keeps kicking. But do we stop fighting or carrying on? No. As long as your heart and your intentions to better yourself and the well being of your family and beliefs never lose their potency, the fighting never stops. I have been in a very difficult position lately regarding my family and my training. I am on the ground and literally taking the better end of a good life beating. Knowing that I'm missing classes, looking into my daughters eyes when she's asking me," when are we going swimming again?" My wife saying to me she only sees me for an hour or two a day and am I working next weekend. Knowing the longer I am away from the kwoon the more I am going to have to catch up. The I Ho Chuan team practicing demos and now I am one of those guys not there and I can see that pause that occurs when its someones cue and they're not there. Its almost comparable to a hollow because that individuals energy is not present on the team and everyone just stares, its not complete. Wondering if this is what its going to be like the higher you go up your career ladder and is it really worth it. Dealing with bean counters and their complete lack of reality outside of their handy stats and production curves sent down from the "think tank team" that have their heads completely pounded up their butts. Handling 4 crews and 25 personnel and a job thats all on you. Not being able to get in much attention to my requirements or training, and as far as journaling goes. Well, I have really dropped the ball on this one. I didn't just drop it, I shot it with a grenade launcher. So what do you do? If you read my last blog, you already know. Stop and reset. How can I apply kung Fu here? What part of my training tools can I execute, knowing full well this is all part of my journey and acceptance is the easy part. It is what it is, and I chose this path. How about the obvious? Recognize that this is the process of mastery and one of the challenges I must get through to advance to the next level.

It would be so much easier to go back on the tools and just roll with everything I know and pull my days off like a cake walk. Thats not advancing towards mastery. Staying where I am and working hard to perfect the level I am at now is the place to be. Think of it like learning a new form. Alright now I am back up on one knee. Ignore the idiots and advance past them, prove to myself and the ones working with me that they can count on me to lead them to a successful project and teach them how to hone their own skills and embrace their input to better my own. A solid group of professionals that operate as a finely tuned machine. Regaining my composure and now standing. Expressing to the I Ho Chuan team that I am sorry I am not there but I am practicing my hand and weapon forms as much as I can. So the next time they see me its like I haven't skipped a beat. Standing upright now and shaking my arms out. Assuring my daughter and explaining to her that I have a long christmas break coming and I am working to better myself and my family and we'll have tons of fun for 10 days straight. Hanging with my wife and catching up on some we time, that I'm sure will involve presents. Keep practicing as much as I am able and keep my heart in my training. Knowing I can catch up and enjoying the journey. The Kwoon and Kung Fu aren't going anywhere. Knowing kung fu is not something I do to kill time, but its now growing into my life style and what I have installed so far is solid and will get me through. Leaving shattered mediochracy behind and advancing closer to mastery. Now I am brushing the dust off I and am standing in a solid stance. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go kick an elephants ass.

 

Level 10, Lazy or...

Originally posted to my blog November 10, and the link was cross posted on Kwoon Talk by my wife.

Level 10, Lazy or...

I just read Sifu Princes blog "Level 10" and had some thoughts on why I have often not operated at level 10 myself. From the time I was an infant, I have had below normal lung capacity and lung issues, but not bad enough to warrant medical intervention. The side effect of this was that I did not enjoy any type of exercise that required cardio endurance, which happens to include most sports. I was not physically inactive, but favored sports where I could put in a short burst of effort, then rest. The other factor was that I am easily bored by repetitive exercise, such as weight lifting (Zoning out about the time my blood-oxygen levels would have dropped, I wonder if there is a connection...).

I joined the military as a young man, which has some mandatory fitness goals, and did OK in that department, but never excelled physically. A funny thing though was that the military uses push-ups as a disciplinary exercise, where any infraction (real or imagined) earned push-ups as punishment. So although I did a lot of push-ups, I did a lot less than many of my peers, as I quickly learned not to be caught doing whatever it was that was earning the push-ups.

Forward a few years, and I started King Fu with my wife, who is much more motivated than I am, and some things have changed. My initial motivation was to get rid of a bit of middle aged spread, and learning some valuable skills sounded good too. At this point the aversion to push-ups had to be dealt with, so I did them, but never enjoyed them (they were still too close to punishment in my value system). The main saving grace for me was a combination of stubbornness and cheapness, as I did the math and figured out that if I only went to one class a month, it was a very expensive class, but if I went to all my classes and open training, the cost of an individual class was pretty cheap, so I made a decision not to skip classes without a substantial reason, especially if the reason was that I was just feeling tired or lazy.

Now I am up to brown belt, and have a medical diagnosis of COPD, a variation of asthma. I have discovered that certain brands of toothpaste aggravate it, and have removed as many other factors that could aggravate it as well (such as pet dander from Sherri’s birds) and gluten from my diet. The learning in this is that the asthma has been affecting many of my behaviours towards physical exercise. The lack of oxygen during exercise made sure that I was not very good at most of it, the lack of social acceptance that came with the lack of physical prowess further cemented the attitudes I was developing, and exercise used as punishment was the icing on the cake. My normal reaction to doing something that taxed my respiratory system was to avoid it or dial it back until my oxygen levels came back up, which also explains my aversion to weight lifting (it’s hard to concentrate on good form with low blood oxygen levels). I had always assumed that I was just lazy, and had many people confirm that self assessment, and was quite comfortable with it until I became involved with Kung Fu. Slowly the incompatibilities of “lazy” and “Kung Fu” became more apparent, as I did want to learn, and did try to improve. I told my doctor that I was concerned that I was winded after walking up four flights of stairs at work, he said that I was in good health for someone my age, I might just be getting old. I accepted this, and carried on doing my best at Kung Fu, even pushing myself hard enough at the shuttle run to become physically sick from the effort. My skills were improving, I was progressing, but my stamina remained poor.

This didn’t change until I failed my annual medical breathing capacity test (someone my size should be able to move 3 liters of air with my largest breath, I was actually testing out at 1.2 liters). I work in a plant that contains asbestos, silica dust, coal dust and many other nasty things that can affect lungs, so Workers Comp mandates annual testing, then medical follow up too rule out workplace causes. I was eventually referred to a lung specialist, tested and diagnosed with COPD, or chronic obstructed pulmonary disorder, with an unknown organic (read non-work related) cause.

Drugs were prescribed, the house cleaned and the birds moved to an area where their dust would not affect me, and a connection was made with when I first started using Sensodyne toothpaste and when I started having the more serious problems. I have removed Gluten from my diet, as it can cause an assortment of issues, including inflammation of your joints. My joints have improved, and I no longer get the “arthritis” feelings n my hands and wrists with weather changes, and if gluten was causing inflammation in my joints, my lungs could have been affected as well. I suspect that the gluten has been causing problems all my life, and the toothpaste pushed things over the edge.

My lungs are getting better, my stamina is noticeably improving, and with it many other facets of my Kung Fu are also improving (one down side, at last Saturday’s fitness class and forms seminar, my lungs held out enough that most every other muscle was worked to exhaustion, with the following 3 days being painful to move)

The conclusion to this post is for others to look at why they are not able to perform where they want to be, and to see if outside factors are the root cause. The lung issue has modified my behaviour over the years, it will take time to change it, but I am seeing positive changes now that something has been done. I hope that this post can help others in the same situation I was in, as ignorance is not always bliss.

http://dennisdonohue.blogspot.ca/

PS since this was published, I have found that toothpaste alergies are far from rare, and gluten sensitivity is quite common as well.

Operation Pistachio Part Two

I really don’t know what to say, this is my second day...now third/ attempt at trying to put something together. I’m still in awe that someone would do this for me. I really had no idea as to what Operation Pistachio was all about until I returned home from an I Ho Chuan class, at which I received a book of goodies. Amongst the goodies was a letter and a bag of pistachios, they were so good...oh yah the letter. The letter explained the reasoning behind this offering.....The box was filled with items to help keep me engaged with my I Ho Chuan requirements. It was truly one of the most thoughtful gifts that I have ever received or it may have been the nicest kick in the butt I’ve ever received! To receive something of this magnitude, made me think why and who would do something like this!

When we as SRKF students speak of our family within, that’s all I could think of when I saw Sifu Rybaks smiling face as I walked out of the kwoon that evening

                                    .....................................................................

As I sit here in my small room at camp, I am surrounded by all the treasures that filled that box, except the re-breakable composite boards (pretty tough to effectively use those alone). With that being said I think the intent of the project is moving in the right direction. I have posted stuff on my walls, spread stuff on my desk, which is unusual for me, because my desk is usually a bit more orderly. But, for some reason it feels right to keep it as is.

Thank you so much Sifu Rybak and the I Ho Chuan team!

http://darcyregier.blogspot.com

Darcy Regier

Excitement and Frustration

I am super excited about doing my forms! I think that I have had a break through and I am excited to explore it more. I think that I have been on the verge of this discovery for a while now but I just needed to let it happen. I have had glimpses of awareness in my movements when I have been training really hard but it always seemed slightly out of reach and it seemed to have taken a lot of work and concentration to get to that moment. The other day I was working on Kempo 1 and suddenly I could feel exactly what I needed to change. On another day, I was doing Hung 1 & Hung 2 and could feel where the flow was and where it definitely was not. I have been pushing myself for this insight for a while and until now have only had a glimpse of it. I think now I can correct the parts of my forms that I have been trying to figure out. I just needed to let it happen. Now the work begins! I think that I am going to do all my forms really slow (like Tai Chi) but still try and maintain the same moves so that I can figure out how to change things. I have already started with Kempo and although there is tons of work to do,I am happy to have a direction.
Now for the frustrating part, my bronchitis is almost all gone and all that is left is the damage. I am still having a hard time breathing when I try to do anything cardio and I get tired easily. Last night, we did some drills and I pushed myself until I had no strength left (which felt really good!) but that left me so short of breath, I couldn't believe it. So I am left with the challenge of pushing myself a little but not so much that I halt the healing process. It seems like it has been a while since I had to take it easy while I heal and had forgotten how much I disliked it. (okay, it makes me kinda cranky!) The positive side is that I will improve my forms immensely as I do them slowly and focus on the details.
That is what is happening in my little world this week,

 http://mantismantle.blogspot.ca/2012/11/excitement-and-frustration.html

Be the Bullet

This past week the morning class worked on board breaking (by the way thanks Sihing Choy for bringing the boards!)

Anyways, it made me think about force and how we apply it. Sometimes we strike like a bullet and sometimes we strike like a dead blow hammer. Both can deliver a lot of power and we govern how much we use and combine when we work with our partners to ensure no one gets injured but when it comes to striking shields and boards we should be the bullet!

More penetrating then pushing. More focus of the energy not only to a small target but through the target. Striking in such a manner should contain acceleration that starts at the beginning- 0mph and peaks at the end-100mph.

I notice when I hold the boards for people I can tell right away when they struck the board like a hammer and when it feels like a bullet. When the board is hit like a dead blow hammer I feel it translate through my body and can tell which direction the dull force was heading, those ones tend to hurt a little.

In contrast, when  I am left holding the pieces of wood without little movement to my body or even arms, I know it was a bullet.  All energy penetrating in a localized area and very little translating through the holder of the board. This becomes the sum of all we practice, form , speed , power , accuracy and the realism is little splinters on the floor…too cool.

just 5 mins a morning..

I know I posted this on kwoon talk, but I need to put it here too--it so encapsulates some of the tools I've learned in the last 2 years, to help me move towards mastery, and my dreams and goals. Starting off each day--just 5 mins!--to set your energy, clear your mind and focus on whats important. Even knowing these tools, I still forget, or get busy and miss, but what a difference when I dont. I especially cant wait until my basements finished and I can put up my goal board again! www.omharmonics.com/special/video/daily-rituals check it out!

Tai Chi

I can't believe I am saying this, but I am glad that Saturday is finally here.  I have been waiting all week for the Tai Chi class today.  Who would have thought?  Tai chi is not my most favorite thing to do, I have to be honest and say that.  Still it is part of what I have to do, and I know it is beneficial to me.  Having said that, if I have to do it, for me, I have to do it right.

I went to tai chi last week, and sifu Dennis showed me one very small thing to do with my feet to improve the transition from cloud hands to single whip.  Wow!  It makes the world of difference when I am doing the form.  That one thing made the whole hour of class worth being there for.  That wasn't the only thing I got out of class either. 

I am so determined to lick this tai chi, and get it right.  It is so difficult for me, and I seem to be struggling more than most.  I just can not get the sequence in my head.  Muscle memory doesn't help either because after single whip you could have cloud hands, snake creeps down, high pat on horse,or fair lady at the shuttle.  You have to be so incredibly focused to know which single whip you are at.  Going slow increases the difficulty of this.  I gain little bits and pieces of good strong memory of how the form works, and then days later, I lose it again, and things just don't make sense.  The most frustrating part is that I get real good with it, but then I doubt myself, stop and get all screwed up.  When I look at my notes, I find I was doing it right after all.  The stopping and starting seems to set me back.   This is why it helps me immensely to do the form with someone else, because then there is constant continuum, and I am confirmed that I am doing it right.  We finished the black belt class last night doing tai chi together as a group, and I don't think sifu Masterson realizes how beneficial that was for me.

So, this is why I am excited for tai chi today.  Tai chi is a HUGEMUNGOUS challenge for me.  And when I get challenged with something, I like to kick that challenge where it hurts.  I push myself to succeed.  Going to the tai chi class is going to help. 

So Fast

Hello well time sure fly's by it feels like only yesterday when we started I Ho Chuan. Coming near the end i find myself reflect on the past on what i had accomplished this year in the i ho chuan team and in my personal life. I have realized that i have  become more vocal of a person at Kung fu and at my school. I have learned how to use sais, and i have almost completed one of my personal requirement to get 80% on all 30 level courses. Here is a list of which course are in the 80's Math30 pure, physics 30, Bio 30, Chem 30, even math31 happy about that one, i am not done the last three yet but my marks are above 80 right now. Although i am not blind to the failure i have committed in the past either. if anything i embrace them, because those failure teach me what  i should do for next year so i do not mess them up again. Like always keep engage with the little things because they are just as important as the big things in your life that you have to do. Also i learned that if your not giving your best then your not actually participating or your sick. Also like what level of engagement are you at 10 being the best or 7 or 8 or less. I strive for 10 and try to maintain 10, because  it is just so much more fun when you are trying to be your best. well i guess that is all i have to say for this blog until next time remain extraordinary and never ordinary.

Sihing Langner

Fun

I've been thinking about my UBBT journey, past present and future; looking at the goals I've chosen, what worked, what didnt, what I learned. One thing i've both noticed (and had pointed out to me) is I have lots of discipline; that parts not so much a problem. So it makes it sometimes easy to pick goals that are very task based; 50 000 pushups for example. Break it down, make a plan, implement. Yes, I do get lazy, screw up, dont do it, same as everyone else, but for my little brain, having a hamster wheel to run on makes it happy. So I dont really want to do more of those. One element I've noticed that is missing in the hamster wheel; fun. Most of the things I do, I do because I 'have to' or 'committed to'. I dont do very much just for FUN. I'm thinking that needs to be in my goals this year--not sure how to word that, or what it will look like...hard to qualify and if I HAVE to have fun, it may just take all the fun out of it! What IS fun for me? What does it look like? Can I stifle my responsible side long enough to have fun? Should be an interesting challenge...

My Dream, My Journey

Sifu Brinker, in our last meeting, asked the question "where are you and why?" I pondered that question and I have my answer.

I am following my dream, my dream of being an international glass artist. I'm international now, but where I want to go is far beyond where I am now. I have pieces in my head that are ripe and ready to be born. Now is the time. I also have a dream of showing people, through my baking and chocolate skills, that gluten and dairy-free is not only possible but tastefully rewarding. I also am following my dream that I am here on this planet to make a difference, to contribute in a coaching way to people who are walking similar paths to which I have walked. More on the latter in 2013 so stay tuned.

My business is not based on a widget, a franchise, or a proven business model, it's based on my dream, my passion, my fire and I'm not stopping until I fully live it out. Anything or anyone who gets in my way, be forewarned. Where I am now is because of the courage to follow my dreams despite my fears, despite my short-comings, and despite what others think and say.

The I Ho Chuan isn't my journey, it's one of the tools to keep me on my journey just like all of the courses and programs I am taking, have taken and will be taking. By rocking it out in I Ho Chuan and my courses/programs, I also rock it out in my journey: the reverse is also true. I have tools and support in place to keep me on my journey, to punt my arse back on my journey, and to celebrate my victories along the way.

I am where I am in health and longevity are based both on my medical background and my gut instinct that what we are taught and told isn't necessarily the truth or the way it's to be. I don't buy into the "reading glasses at 40 ish", the "arthritis at 40+", the "middle aged spread", or the "get your flu shot". I also don't buy into the "doctor knows best" or "we the government program (throw in pharmaceutical company as well)" know what you need and will provide for you. I am my own doctor/nutritionist and do my own research to feed my body and my mind the way that's best for me. I seek out experts who live "off the beaten path" and a lot of them have walked the path I walk now.

In short this is my life, my dream, my journey and where I am is based on my results. Events happen, but what I do in response to them is my choice. I am where I am at because of the choices I have made along the way. Where I am at is where I am at, no judgement, just observe, make a choice and take an action that supports my journey.

I like this quote that was said during the Quantum Leap program I am now finishing. "Hold the dream, don't ever let it go. Hold out for a miracle and show the Universe (God, higher power) that you are willing to do the work."
Sherri Donohue
Hot Torch, Room Full of Glass, and a Kung Fu Kwoon

Hey all, I posted this on Youtube last night but got distracted and then fell asleep and spent the whole day thinking I'd done it. It wasn't until halfway through the beginner's class that I realized my folly. Here it is!!

http://umpteenmonkeystyping.blogspot.ca

walking and food

Since moving to Vancouver I have been able to drastically cut down how much I use my car. The city has a great public transit system that can get me pretty much where I need to go and I also put in a lot of kilometers on foot. The downside is that it rains. Almost everyday for the last month or so it has rained, which I know is not as bad as the snow. So when the rain let up for a couple days we took advantage of it and headed down to the beach too look for materials for a project I am working on. I took the photo above of the sun setting.

While on the subject of being inside I have been baking lately making my own bagels, flat bread to go with homemade hummus and pizza dough to go with our homemade sauce. I find baking, actually cooking in general to be very meditative which is nice because it balances out the stresses of job hunting. Another bonus is that by creating my meals from scratch I am more aware and have more control of the ingredients in the food that I eat.

Craig Janzen
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

The discipline of reset

 

Slamming on the brakes of your life ride is by far the most beneficial way to stay on the cool. Sure flying down the life highway in a manic rage or pulling off a set path to fly through any obstacle at mach 9 is great too. But after awhile things start flying apart, sense of direction is distorted, incompletion is evident and eventually it all falls apart and your stuck dragging your feet. I have found that when things start to become overwhelming or problems arise being stressed does nothing for rational thought. Whether your being pushed at work, home, training, or education you have to stop and tell everyone and everything around you to take a hike until YOU are ready. Its your life and yours alone. Its more than obvious people have become accustomed to being pushed past their limits and beyond. There is nothing wrong with being pushed to your limits, in fact its a great thing, thats what makes us stronger and wiser to everything. But when its forced by other things or other people and no longer can be dealt with by the individual. Then it becomes unhealthy. Life is going to always be tough, thats a given, but it shouldn't have to be a ball and chain. Take the time for your self to reset and look at what your doing, where you need to be as a professional, or a parent, or as a martial artist. What corrective actions need to be taken to procede on the calm, and what garbage needs to be dumped out of your little red wagon of life to lighten the load. We all carry issues or things we don't need to or have to. We are all confronted with time lines and trivial things, past or present. Look at things for what they are, is it really worth the energy or should we just smash them or set them free and move on. Things are always going to drop in front of you or beat you down. Stop, plan, take a deep breath and knock it the hell out. Carry on the way you see fit because we only get one shot if you look at the big picture. We only get one shot to raise our kids and plan our own life and where we want to be when travelling has to be done at a slower pace. If none of this makes sense, then you need to buy a motorcycle, and thats another blog.
 

One Step Forward, Two Back

I’ve had a hard time writing this week.  I’m not sure how to put into words where I am or how I’m feeling.  Plain and simple, I have been feeling exhausted and kind of burnt out. 

I have struggled trying to figure out if what I am feeling is ‘normal’ at this stage in the game.  I have had the feelings of one step forward and two back.  Last week ends forms seminar was another of those two steps back.  I had for the most part learnt the Lau Gar form from watching video.  Although a great tool, it’s not perfect.  Most details in the form I missed on tape.  So for over a year I had been practicing and building muscle memory that wasn’t right on.  Trying to change those habits isn’t as easy as I would have hoped. I learned an incredible amount in the 4 hours last Saturday and a big thanks to my very patient instructor.   When it came to performing my form in front of everyone at the end of the day, there I choked.  Not only did I have to perform in front of people but I found myself thinking ahead instead of focusing on what I was actually doing at that moment.  I was trying to remember and process everything I had just learnt and my brain hurt.  I heard the little voice in my head saying “when you get to … make sure you don’t forget…” and “remember not to …”   

Then there is performing in front of others.  I have for 39 years let this fear stand in my way in many areas of my life.   I have tried to figure out where it originated from, but can’t for the life of me come up with anything.  I grew up in a loving and supportive family, I had good friends, I wasn’t put down or belittled, so where does this lack of confidence come from?    Somewhere over the years I have allowed this to continue and let it hold me back from doing a number of things in life.   The past two years in kung fu has pushed me little by little out of my comfort zone.  This year alone I think I have made steps forward (little they may be). After 39 years I can’t realistically expect change overnight, so this is something I am going to have to make a conscious effort at continually. Guess what’s on my mind for my 2013 challenges!

 I have travelled along this journey for six years now.  I had no idea at the start the incredible ride this was going to be.  As students of Silent River, we are all working towards mastery, toward something out of the ordinary.  It’s not supposed to be easy, it’s supposed to challenge us so we can grow and become different and better people than when we first started.

 

Alana Regier

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

 

November 11th

A designated day to remember....but there is so much for us in Canada to be in remembrance of! How many of us take this day as "the" day to focus on all that we have to be grateful and thankful for? I'm as guilty as anyone, as I admit to being unintentionally selfish and thinking that my little world is so terrible. It is quite the opposite and if I lived more in the moment as I'd like to, then there would be no need to have this day as a reminder. Everyday should be a day of remembrance!

Thank you to all who have served and continue to serve our Country to provide us all with continued hopes of peace and love!

Darcy Regier

http://darcyregier.blogspot.com/

Bodily Stress without the Physical Impact

Night shift has further proven to not be my friend during this last two weeks. As I got further and further into my shift I found the physical stress on my body to be more and more dehabilitating. My knees were swollen, and I was feeling the pain within the back of my legs, my right hip which has been an issue for me in the past was also enflamed and I was feeling femoral nerve irritation....not to mention neck and back irritation.

I felt as though my hours of sleep were sufficient, but I didn’t feel refreshed went I woke up. For me, night shift takes a huge adjustment; from day to night transformation (sleeping with ear plugs and blackened out windows and only seeing a couple hours of sunlight each day), eating schedule adjustment, dark/light adjustment (always staring into equipment lights and or a computer...in the night), and very little exercise...I can’t forget about the camp expansion construction that is taking place while us night shift guys are trying to sleep, fun stuff! After roughly 14 hour shifts I had a tough time getting to the workout facility, I felt exhausted in the morning after my shift and didn’t feel much better when I woke up, which didn’t help my mental state any. I felt that if I’d attempted the gym that it would have created more damage.

Once I returned home for days off, it took me 4-5 days to get out of my nocturnal state and to start feeling half way mentally normal, but my knees and hips still didn’t recover even after 11days into my days off. I had undergone an acupuncture session 6 days into my two weeks off, for general stress relief and hip treatment. The hip treatment wasn’t successful, but the stress relief always feels good....the lift in endorphin level is always welcomed.

My rejuvenation during this shift change was rough and I chose to sit out on my first Friday black belt class, but after coming to the realization that this was not in my best interest I joined in on the trio of Friday classes on my second weekend and felt a million times better mentally and without excessive physical strain (progressing wisely) my body responded well and did me good.

I know my mind responds well to physical activity and for that I need to maintain consistent action with this while I’m out of town. While working out of town, I will need to reschedule my time around my work hours to ensure that my physical needs are being accounted for, otherwise my days off will continue to be consumed with rehabilitation. It’s kind of like crap in crap out... because there are always repercussions to an individual’s actions, even if not intentional....the result is similar.

Darcy Regier

http://darcyregier.blogspot.com/