There was a quote about control...

 This week's blog has been a tough one to start.  Mentally, I don't feel I can do this today, but deep down I know it is exactly what I need to be doing right now.  

 

I reacted to a situation today in a way I am not proud of.  I may have over reacted, and I know for a fact I was not looking at things in a positive light.  However, I think that because I recognize my thoughts and actions, I can reflect on them, learn from them, and hopefully react differently if it happens again.  It's important to keep things in perspective and keep what the issue is really about in front of you.  

 

The same applies to Kung Fu.  If you are doing a form or techniques and they just don't feel right, stop.  Listen to your body and see or feel what is going on.  Is your brain engaged somewhere else?  Do you have an injury you are unaware of?  Are you mentally or physically exhausted?  Think about where you are at, before you become frustrated with the journey.

 

The time is now

My brain feels full and it's been difficult to concentrate. I also had a lot of potential today, but instead I vegged out - read a book, played some games, and did some crafts with my daughter. I guess if you think about it, it was a good day. Most days I am running around or at least it feels that way, so today was a needed break.

I was thinking about forms yesterday (today too to be honest). I was breaking them down, and trying to really see what it is we are doing in the form. When am I blocking and countering, what am I blocking, and why I am moving in the directions that I am. These are things we need to be aware of - and they will be different for everyone. I might be gouging someone in the eye, while the next person might be striking the throat. The idea however, is to be aware of why you are moving the way you are, and to install purpose into your forms.

During one of the classes this week, a black belt mentioned that all of our Kung Fu is in our forms. There lies the base for our sparring and our techniques. Fortunately for me, I love forms.

Insert segway...

Although, while I love forms, I watched some MMA girls fighting this weekend, and was totally inspired. I know I am not as comfortable sparring as I could be, nor am I comfortable on the ground. But as of right now, I want to get in there, and get dirty. I'm stoked!!!

Snow?

Some days, this blogging thing is really difficult, although I do have to say that usually once i get started, the words/ thoughts just flow.

The snow this weekend, made me happy. I know, what kind of a crazy person am I? It's just that it hasn't felt like winter, and there was just SO much of it, it was simply awesome! I was once again humbled by my youngest daughter's attitude though. We watched through the window as someone in a pick up truck tried to get unstuck in our parking lot. We watched several people come and go, all trying their best to get this person out, but to no avail. Then after a while, my daughter said "We have to go help! We just have to!" And she asked my dad to pull them out with his truck. So we all went outside to help. The girls armed with their shovels to help dig them out, and me to push if needed or whatever else. And my dad did get this lady out of the snow and on her way.

It was a really good thing my daughter did. I felt so proud of her. And then Sunday we went out to shovel our senior's driveway, and the girls loved every minute of it. And I am proud to say, that volunteering this year was their idea. It's so easy to only see what is in front of you - and to forget the compassion and empathy we are instilling in our children/ students.

I thank Kung Fu, specifically Silent River Kung Fu, for helping me raise such amazing young women.

Pyramids

Training as a pyramid - it starts with the basics, your building blocks. Everything we do at higher belt levels, are all based on what we learn as a white belt. Those basics are what we build upon - your thrust punches, your horse stance, your bow stance, your front thrust kick, side heel thrust, roundhouse etc.

As we move up in our journey, we tend to focus on the new combinations we have learned, and are eagerly looking towards the next ones. We mistakenly assume that by practicing these new combinations that we are practicing our basics. Yes the basics are in there, but they are not really being practiced in a mindful manner.

I guarantee that if you watch a sihing or sifu practice, you will see them practice a lot of the basic techniques from our white belt curriculum. Why? Because if we let these fall, then all the rest of our Kung Fu will follow. We need to have a strong base in order to continue to build upon it.

Say you have just gotten your yellow belt - but you were looking ahead to what you get to learn as a blue belt and tried those techniques. What do you think would happen? Most likely, they wouldn't make sense, and wouldn't feel right. We have to progress incrementally. By building up, brick by brick. Doing something before you are ready, is going to set you back.

We are all different, and learn at different speeds and in different ways. But we all need to keep our basic building blocks in front of us regardless of our learning abilities. Never lose focus on where you started, and always practice your basics.

Time

 I have been thinking about time and how fast it can pass.  I am watching how fast my children are growing, and how it feels like only yesterday they needed my help with everything.  Now they grow more independent every day. 

 

I have also been looking back at my journey in Kung Fu.  I started 9 years ago, and it seems almost like yesterday I was learning to tie my white belt.  I realized the other night, how much I have learned, but that there is still so much more.  The learning will never stop, and that keeps me going.

 

Time doesn't stop, but how we use it can create many opportunities.  10 minutes here and there throughout the day can add up to a lot.  It's also important to be aware of your time, so that you don't miss anything.  

 

 

 

A cup of tea

It feels like this year has been off to a rocky start. Maybe not, but that is how it feels. There has been change galore, and some upheaval as far as my routine goes.

I have felt restless, and when I am feeling this way, it is important that I sit back and really think about the reasons. It's important for me to consider where the restlessness might take me, and the impact it will have on those around me. Because if I choose to forge ahead, without considering what I am really doing and why, I could leave disaster in my wake.

There are always consequences to our actions, (or inaction) and I cannot stress enough the importance of thinking things through. It is a lesson that I continue to learn, and I hope that one day it comes easier. With practice, discipline and hard work, mastery will come.

Not the end, but the beginning

Congratulations to all the new Sifus!  A night like last night is truly a night to remember - it marks the beginning of your journey.  You have set a high standard for yourselves, and your hard work, dedication, and discipline have set the pace for the next group.

 

It's important to remember where you started as a white belt, and to keep that path in front of you.  You guys have grown in so many ways, and I find it so inspiring.  Keep up the fantastic things you have been doing!

 

I want to thank everyone who made last night possible.  Without all the help, and expertise it wouldn't have been the fantastic event it was.  Your efforts did not go unnoticed.  And another thank you to everyone who made our silent auction possible... You all make me proud to be a part of Silent River Kung Fu.  

And now back to your regular program, while I sit back in my recliner, sicker than a dog.