Seminar

I taught in the forms seminar on Saturday and found it to be a great experience for me.  I had messed up on the date of the seminar and thought it was this weekend coming up, not last weekend.  Because of that, I had made plans to go hang out in the mountains with a friend, and help them with a project at their cabin.  I was really looking forward to this and so when I had to cancel, it was a difficult decision.  Although I had committed to my friend that I would go away with her, and help with her project, I had also committed myself to the I Ho Chuan.  Part of that I Ho Chuan commitment was to participate in the forms seminar.

Yes, I was  very disappointed to not be able to go to the mountains, and perhaps a bit bitter as well.  If I really want to throw honesty into it,  I felt like "here we go, kung fu rules my life".  Kung fu does rule my life as it is always in me and with me, no matter where I go and what I do.  Still I wanted to go to the mountains.

Somewhere during the day, a transformation happened and I was so glad that I participated in the seminar.  It was a lot of fun teaching, but most of all, I learned so much about Loa Gar that I really had not known before.  I have never had to pick apart the form so precisely before, and in such fine detail.  There is so much going on in the form that I had no idea.  I also learned some things that I have been doing wrong for many years now, but am anxious to fix.

An added bonus, for me, was working with so many black belts, all in one room.  I felt that we were united.  I felt the support of each of us to each other, and to the students we were teaching.  I also think I gained a bit of confidence as a leader.  The part about giving feedback terrified me at first, as I am always so paranoid about speaking out in front of others in kung fu.  I put that behind me and put myself out there.  I think I did OK.

 Part of the seminar was watching all participants perform in front of the black belts and other students.  It was interesting my feelings as Sihing Tymchuck went up to perform, as I had worked with him on Loa Gar.  I didn't even want to watch as I was nervous for him, and anxious to see him achieve personal success.  Sifu Brinker leaned over to me and said, "this better be good".  Even though it was said in good humor, he had a point.  Our students reflect our teaching abilities, and as they shine, we shine.  Mr. Tymchuck did great, and I was happy to see that he was pleased with his own performance. 

All in all, I feel that it was a very good day, and time was well spent.