I have changed over the last year in a way that I didn't expect. This is my third year of being on the UBBT/I Ho Chaun team and it is different than the others. Yes, I am a black belt now but that is not what has changed so much. It's the numbers! I used to be so focused on the numbers, I have to get this many of this and that many of that in order to have accomplished something each day. Now I am more focused on running to improve my cardio, practicing my form so that I can improve it, doing kicks so that they have more power, and doing acts of kindness because I can. I am racking up the numbers but they are no longer my focal point.
This is what I love about being on the I Ho Chaun team, there are hidden benefits all the time. I didn't plan to become a better martial artist, a teacher, a person, it happens when you concentrate on being a better person today than you were yesterday, everyday.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
HELP
After last weeks I Ho Chaun class, I was sure I would never be capable of learning the Tai Chi Sword.Although there was a lot of learning going on I could not take anything in. Everyone was so helpful and encrouraging but all I could feel was a panic attack coming on.Things have changed for me over the last year and one of them is the way I learn. A small group or one on one in a quiet enviroment works the best. I know from teaching over the years the one thing that I became aware of is that people learn in different ways, some are visual others vocal and some have to process both ways to get the end result.I felt disconected from what my feet were doing to were my hands and the sword were. While the rest of the sword holders are reaching the end of the form I'm struggling near the beginning. I know I can do it, this last few months I have been relearning a black belt form off of a video that Master Brinker made of himself preforming it which I found very helpful. I'm sure I have watched this video over a hundred times.... Is there anyone out there who has recorded the TAI CHI BROAD SWORD, I would be forever grateful to you. Swallowing my pride and talking myself out of a panic attack I am humbly asking for help, Sifu Linda Shipalesky
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Blown away
This week I started out being sick with the brutal flu that has been going around. I went through the worst of it monday and tuesday. I was finally able to eat something late tuesday nite and keep it down. Then being the stubborn guy I am I went to kung fu class on wedsnesday nite. I took something for the sniffles and headache I still had and figured I would just do what I could. We ended up testing for our blue and yellow stripes that nite. I already had both, but have always believed that just because you have a stripe doesn't mean you can slack on it. Blue stripe testing was not bad. I didn't have as much power as I usually do, but I don't think my form was totally sucky. Then we hit the fitness test. Push-ups went better then I thought they would, sit-ups ok. Then we hit roundhouses and I started to run out of gas. I didn't go full speed, instead I tried to concentrate on good form and technique and got through the kicks. Then burpies began. Oh my did I hit rock bottom. By 10 I was completely gassed and struggling. Even Sifu Lietz came over to see if I was ok. Some how I got all 20 done, but it took everything I had to complete. It wasn't til well after class that I realized the change that has occured in me. A year ago, I would have just stayed home, thought I'm sick I don't need to go to class. My mindset has changed dramatically from then. Now I want to go to class and do the best I can no matter how I feel. I am no longer satisfied with just doing enough. I want to do the best I can and push my limits whenever possible. I like the drive I am developing and I look forward to where it is going to take me as I continue my journey in kung fu.
Now for my blown away part this week. I help out with the kids classes on tuesdays and thursdays. I really enjoy doing it and I learn so much from the kids each and everyday. It is very rewarding to be able to give something back to the school and I look forward to it each and every day. This last thursday, one of the yellow belts gave me a hand drawn thank you card. She said it was for helping her so much with her kung fu. I was completely floored and I really didn't know how to respond at first. I did tell her that I should thank her, because I get so much enjoyment from helping all the kids in the classes. It dawned on me that I don't thank those that teach me as much as I should. So here is a start to that, "Thank You" everyone in my classes and to all the Sihings and Sifus that teach and inspire me each and every day. I am truly lucky that I didn't let the opportunity pass me by when my son challenged me to start kung fu. I am also lucky to be part of such an amazing, inspiring, caring and motivating family that is Silent River Kung Fu.
Now for my blown away part this week. I help out with the kids classes on tuesdays and thursdays. I really enjoy doing it and I learn so much from the kids each and everyday. It is very rewarding to be able to give something back to the school and I look forward to it each and every day. This last thursday, one of the yellow belts gave me a hand drawn thank you card. She said it was for helping her so much with her kung fu. I was completely floored and I really didn't know how to respond at first. I did tell her that I should thank her, because I get so much enjoyment from helping all the kids in the classes. It dawned on me that I don't thank those that teach me as much as I should. So here is a start to that, "Thank You" everyone in my classes and to all the Sihings and Sifus that teach and inspire me each and every day. I am truly lucky that I didn't let the opportunity pass me by when my son challenged me to start kung fu. I am also lucky to be part of such an amazing, inspiring, caring and motivating family that is Silent River Kung Fu.
Friday, March 2, 2012
The Trouble with Blogging
I was about to post my blog when I read it again and scrapped it.
Reading it over…, it sounded like a lecture in my head.
“Delete”
This is one of those weeks where journalling (blogging ) is painful, so I will share my pain.
The problem I have always had with blogging is the lack of conversation.
I have no end of things to say or opinions (just ask my husband) but I seem to need that initiation of the topic brought up through conversation.
There is nothing like good old fashion round table debate. Uncensored, no research, no time to pause, unscripted off the cuff wit, sometimes even made up but fun just the same.
Where did that go?
I know this obviously isn’t the platform for what I describe but some days it seems odd to be having a conversation with myself to convey to the blogging ecosystem.
On the other hand, if I didn’t blog about blogging I would not have taken the time to appreciate the art of conversation or the fact that this is not a conversation.
I’ll stop now before I confuse myself!
Sifu Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada
Thursday, March 1, 2012
A moment of calm
Sihing Jon Robinson
I really love sparring. I find it so thrilling and calming at the same time. There is no other place that I can zone in on one task exclusively, with every neuron in my brain focused on the person ahead of me. Almost constantly in my day-to-day life I am seeing everything around me all at once, my eyes flitting to any movement caught in my peripherals. There are so many things vying for my attention all the time that it is hard to keep my focus. All of that changes, however, when there is someone in front of me ready to exchange a few shots. My whole world is that one person for the few minutes that we spar.
This is what I have come to understand as The Void that we talk about in the Sihing Theory. All of my distractions are gone.
The maintenance I owe my car, gone.
The mountain of items on my To-Do list, gone
My stress from putting things off until tomorrow, gone.
My excitement for snowboarding this weekend, gone.
My grief over a death in the family, gone.
Everything that isn't "now" is gone, at least for the moment. All that "is" is the moment. A black hole where nothing exists except them and I.
You can't ask for a better stress release than that.
I really love sparring. I find it so thrilling and calming at the same time. There is no other place that I can zone in on one task exclusively, with every neuron in my brain focused on the person ahead of me. Almost constantly in my day-to-day life I am seeing everything around me all at once, my eyes flitting to any movement caught in my peripherals. There are so many things vying for my attention all the time that it is hard to keep my focus. All of that changes, however, when there is someone in front of me ready to exchange a few shots. My whole world is that one person for the few minutes that we spar.
This is what I have come to understand as The Void that we talk about in the Sihing Theory. All of my distractions are gone.
The maintenance I owe my car, gone.
The mountain of items on my To-Do list, gone
My stress from putting things off until tomorrow, gone.
My excitement for snowboarding this weekend, gone.
My grief over a death in the family, gone.
Everything that isn't "now" is gone, at least for the moment. All that "is" is the moment. A black hole where nothing exists except them and I.
You can't ask for a better stress release than that.
mud heros
Up for some serious fun? Sign up for Mud Hero – the only rope-swinging, mud-crawling, ramp-running, wall-climbing, tunnel-diving, slide-slipping, net-crossing, tire-tripping, un-freakin’-believable obstacle run of its kind that’s 100% Canadian-owned.
Dreamt up by the totally insane Crazy Canucks team, Mud Hero is the ultimate place to scale new summits and conquer your fear of muck, madness and sheer mayhem. Crush the voice of your inner weenie as you crank up the adrenaline and push yourself, your friends and others to make it to end. Without falling over laughing. Then celebrate your epic achievement at the finish line with other totally wild and muddy gals, pals and spectators during the post-race Mud Bash, where there’ll be a BBQ, bevies, live music and more. You’ll grin. You’ll groan. You’ll enter the Mud Zone.
Not sure you’re up to the challenge? Chill. Think laughter and cheers. Not blood, sweat and tears. The toughest obstacle of all? Making sure you and your friends register before Mud Hero sells out!'
Soooooooooo my question is......anyone wanna go? Could be a bonding moment for the I Ho Chaun group......:) Maybe even as a fundraiser!!!!
5 of 52
So its a pretty cool picture. The girls emailed me this from their camera so that I can brag about it. We did 7 ziplines ... this was the longest and the highest ... there is a massive amount of space before you reach dirt underneath me. The weird thing is that I though I was afraid of heights, it turns out however that I am afraid of falling. If I don't believe there is a risk of falling then the height does not bother me. A fine but significant line ... at my age I think I know my strenghts and weaknesses. Apparently I am not as smart as I think I am!
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