In my head

It's been a strange week. I've been having a hard time getting out of my head about my training. I am having one of those lulls where I have no confidence in anything I do. I have been doing a few different things to try and clear my head this week- mostly taking the bike out. I don't know why being on a motorcycle is close to meditation but it works. Tonight I took a ride out to the kwoon to drop off my assignment and I came close to laying down the bike. Someone wasn't paying attention and made a left in front of me. I truly believe that if I wasn't in the moment and totally focussed someone would be picking me up off the pavement right now. What an adrenaline dump that was.

It was a good reminder to stay in the moment and stay focussed on what I'm doing right now. I am going to work on making my training like meditation for me, something I can do and shut my brain off to the million and one voices and thoughts that are constantly surrounding us.

Andrea Prince

My List

I've rewritten this blog about half a dozen times and it's all coming up flat. So I have decided to make a list of what I am grateful for since my last blog. Here goes in no particular order:
Dennis
Tiger Challenge Kung Fu Tournament and all of the people involved in organizing and running it
My performance in the Tiger Challenge
My team mates in the Tiger Challenge
My UBBT team mates
Kung Fu (including I Ho Chuan)
My dogs
My squawky cockatiels that I feel like BBQing sometimes
The bird feeders that I feed the outside birds with and the birds that feed from them
The apple, pear, plum, and cherry trees are in bloom
The hummingbirds are back
My home
I'm accepted into Leduc Craft show
My garden and hoop house that I'm prepping for planting
Green smoothies
Chocolate
The books I read and DVDs I watch
My glass studio
Getting my white forms stripe
Feeling that life is pretty great
My Vitamix (best blender one can have)
My mentors, Kung Fu and otherwise
My health and fitness
My broadsword even though it stabbed me during my warmup at the Tiger Challenge
My desire to always improve
Sifus who are picky on techniques and forms
Chocolate: it's just worth mentioning again

It's a partial list and it makes me feel grateful for what I have, the people in my life, and who I am and striving to be.

Sherri Donohue
Silent River Kung Fu, Stony Plain, Alberta

tournament

It was a busy weekend with the tournament for our school. It was very cool to be able to see everyone compete...the little ones were awesome! I especially like watching the black belts to see how I could improve and where I'm heading with my training. I do wish more had come out to participate...but I know how hesitant I always am too. Maybe the pictures and video will encourage  more to come out next year if it goes again. I was mostly happy not to lose grip of my spear and skewer someone so all is well!
The next day was nice to, enjoying the come down from the tournament, and doing some kayaking. Which is alot of circular movement too--hips,shoulders, legs and arms all moving together in the harmonies...kung fu is everywhere.
Krysta Lowery silent river kungfu student team

Tournament

It was a good tournament again this year although that was what I expected. Even though I did not enter, I did help out and was a holder for a lot of peoples board breaking. Some of them were not successful but at the end of June, they will get another shot for their black belt test and this time I will be one of them.

Kevin Lindstrom
Student UBBT Member
UBBT 8
Silent River Kung Fu
Onoway, Alberta, Canada

The Tournament

Yesterday began with some positive self chatter. I was not really sure how the day would go but I decided when I got up that I would face the day with calmness and confidence. Throughout the day, I had to remind myself of this little talk but I did manage to meet my goal to stay calm. I performed everything that I set out to do with more confidence than I ever have before and it was a pretty good feeling.
We had our annual tournament yesterday and it was an amazing day. Right from the very beginning, it felt like we were all going to give 110% of ourselves to make this a great day. We did it! Everyone dug in and helped each other with different tasks and events. I didn't feel like I was competing with anyone but myself and that really contributed to the family like atmosphere that we created.
I have been working with a group of people since October to master a group form presented in an unusual way. Some of the group members had to learn some of the form, some had to remember it and we all had to figure out how to present it in the coolest manner possible. With a lot of guidance from our Sifu, we managed to sift through our self doubts and persevere when we weren't sure that we could pull it off and we did it. While we were performing, it felt like we were moving as one unit, I felt totally connected to each person in the group at the same time. It was the coolest feeling ever! I was so excited that we had accomplished what we came to do that I nearly forgot about the medal presentation. We won the gold. I guess it looked as good as it felt. What an amazing group of people. Sihing Gamble, Mr. Gamble, Miss Donahue, Miss Rice, Miss Topley, Miss VanBokel - my hat is off to you all, you are a shining example of what one can achieve when they set a goal and work towards it through thick and thin.
Congratulations to all who participated in all parts of making this a great day.
Sihing Kichko

It may be our last tournament

Yesterday marked our annual Tiger Challenge, which allows both locations of our school to compete against each other (and ourselves) in a warm community environment. It was a great day.

This year, one of my UBBT goals was to compete. It didn’t matter if I placed at all, I just wanted to continue to get more comfortable performing under pressure. I did alright with my individual hand form, and placed second. I don’t feel I deserved my first place in the team hand forms and I hope I didn’t let my partner down. It was a form I have done hundreds of times, as it is one of my favourites. However, when I went to perform it with said partner, by mind/ body was still in deep with my previous form. So right off the bat, my opening bow was the wrong one. Oops. Then twice more I went into a different form and caught myself. The reason we got gold is because we were the only competitors. It was still a learning experience for me, and in the past it may have frustrated me to screw up so publicly, but I was able to laugh it off yesterday. I know it was my worst performance ever, but I think because of the environment I was in, those that train with me are aware of my abilities.

I missed seeing my girls do their team weapon form, but they did very well and earned a very nice silver for their efforts. And I did get to see my oldest daughter perform a fight choreography with partner, and I was proud of how well they did.

It might have been our last tournament due to circumstance, but if it was, it was a fine, fine day to end it with. I am proud to be a part of the Silent River Kung Fu family.

Having Fun with Kung Fu

This has been a really good week for kung fu training.  I have been recording good numbers with respect to my UBBT goals and am developing confidence and creativity in board breaking.  We had an opportunity in our morning class to practice our board breaking skills with Sifu Prince, who has been an inspiration to me with respect to board breaking, among other kung fu related activity.  This has been a fun time and I am looking forward to participating in board breaking at our in-house tournament this weekend.  Have a great weekend all!

Allan Gamble
Student Member
Silent River Kung Fu, Stony Plain, Alberta