A reason

I'll be honest here. I am not in the most positive frame of mind right now, but I don't want to blog about anything that isn't positive. So I have put this off since yesterday, but as I sat here staring at the screen, something came to me. And of course it always spirals somewhere else...That's where blogs can be great.

I thought about a picture my youngest daughter drew for me a few months ago, and I have it in a prominent spot at my desk at work. I look at it several times a day and it just makes me smile. Every single time. Basically, it's a picture of the two of us. She used a bottle or cup or something to make perfectly round heads, and then drew the rest of us through her eyes. The best part though, is her caption. "I'm sorry for the big heads mommy." I love the innocence, and the honesty there. The head size doesn't matter to me, it's that it was drawn for me from the heart. And her caption just humbles me.

And that is one of many, many reasons why I love teaching kids. They are innocent and honest (most of the time, depending on age etc.). Saturdays are probably the best for me (it's also one that I didn't leave when my kids moved up). They have the brightest smiles, and I love hearing about their days, or the simple things that are important to them. Sometimes I even get hugs!

So that is something to keep in front of me when I am having a not so good day. (our Kung Fu babe Julia is also a highlight for me. It's been wonderful to see her grow, and to just revel in the wonder of being so small). Thank you for sharing her with us.

Where did it go?

This past year has gone by very quickly. Maybe it's just me, or perhaps I just noticed it more this time around. Regardless, I am trying to measure my steps. Where was I standing 15 months ago, and where am I now? I know I have moved forward, but there have been many times that I have gone backwards. But that's the journey right? We have to pick ourselves up when we fall, and keep moving in a forward direction. And by surrounding myself with like minded people, I have a village to help pick me up...

Centre

" Centre" is something we refer to a lot in Kung Fu. It is where our power originates, where we are most grounded. It's something we need to continually work on in order to improve.

If my stance is not correct, then my centre is off, and my chi cannot flow. Your centre resides in your hips, in the area beneath your navel. Having our feet,/ hands, knees/ elbows, hips/shoulders aligned will define your centre.

That being said, if one of these things is off, then so is your centre. It's easy to think we are in a good stance, when in fact we are not. If something is done incorrectly enough, it'll feel right. It's also easy to blast through our forms or techniques because they feel strong, and while it may break a board, it's muscle, not technique.

We you move from one stance to another, do your hips stay low? Or do they rise? Do you fists always return to the hip or do they stray sometimes? Ae your legs aligned with what you are doing now? Or are your feet already moving on to the next technique?

Your centre can also be considered as your purpose. They why in what you are doing. Why do I train in Kung Fu? Why at Silent River Kung Fu? Do I just want to be a fighter? Do I want to improve my well being, and what I can offer my family and the world? Do I want to go home with a sense of wonder or excitement because of what I have learned today? It's easy to get discouraged when something is hard, but when you know what your purpose is, well, it should help to keep you going.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Lu Ping An

 

It means "walking in peace and harmony". And the very definition of this will vary from student to student. For me, it means being peace and living in harmony with the world around me. (That includes people).

 

So what is "being peace"? For me, it means having peace in heart and mind, and having everything that you do, be done with peace in mind. That could be the result, or the very intention of your act.

 

There is so much anger in the world today and its hard to imagine how one person can change that. But if we all take "Lu Ping An" and live it, I know that we are planting the seeds of peace, and promoting harmony wherever we go.

 

I don't always feel peace in my heart, as I struggle with many emotions, the big one now of grief. However, with that being said, by being mindful, taking time for me, and breathing in and out, I can surround my feelings with peace. That may not make much sense, but it's hard to explain.

 

I guess what I am trying to say, is that if we believe in walking in peace and harmony, how can we not spread it? And it can start with the little things. Acts of kindness being a big one. How can you not put a little peace in someone's heart by doing something nice? And by treating our environment with respect and dignity, we promote harmony.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Foghorn Leghorn

No, he doesn't have anything to do with this blog, but I knew I had to start writing, and start somewhere because these things don't write themselves.

I had an "aha" moment on Fridays and I am trying to keep it in front of me. Sometimes it's difficult to remember what finally made sense unless unless you start to practice it immediately. Have I? Honestly, no. But I have been visualizing it a lot. That helps, but I need to put it into action. Right now.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Where am I? What am I doing?

It's a question Sifu Brinker has put to us many times over the years, and it's a question I have been thinking about this weekend. I have been reviewing my weaknesses and my strengths, and where I wish my Kung Fu to go. That's a hard one though, and that is where Mastery comes in. I feel torn - I know I want to keep up my knowledge in the curriculum, as I have some holes that have developed quietly over time. But I also want to master a few forms - which I feel is a strength. So do I let my curriculum stay in maintenance mode so I can aim for mastery on the few forms I love? Or do simply pick one or two forms, and a small selection of the techniques to master? Huh, I think I just answered my own dilemma. Isn't blogging great?

Know when

 

When it comes to anything really, but in my case my Kung Fu, it's important to know when to slow down and take a different path. I have made some bad choices in the past with injuries, and I'd like to think that I have learned at least a little. We have to train smart if we want to keep training well into our senior years.

I have chronic tendinitis in my wrists and have noticeable swelling in my left thumb right now. So the trick is to tape myself up and stop when it starts to become uncomfortable. I have had many injuries over the years, and some will stay with me for life. I have learned to adjust, and have focused on other aspects of Kung Fu.

It is easy to let our egos lead us - to tell ourselves that we feel fine, we've healed enough to go hard. However, Kung Fu is about humility. Putting our egos aside. Learning empathy.

But we also have to think about our mental health as well. While it isn't visible on the surface, it can create more challenges than a physical injury.

My point with this crazy ramble, is that we need to be aware of the state we are in, and remember to progress wisely.

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy