On the other side

My oldest daughter has moved up to the Advanced Teen/Adult class and it has definitely been an adjustment for us. She is settling in well, but I am finding it really different being on the sidelines. For numerous reasons, I am not on the deck, but instead I am on the bench with some other parents.

It is hard on one hand, as I want to jump in sometimes to help. However I am finding that I am learning a lot by by observing. It is a completely different view from the bench, and it's neat to see what you miss by being directly involved.

I highly recommend that if you ever find yourself sidelined due to injury or illness that you attend class anyway. By sitting out, you can learn a lot - and there are so many things that you can apply to yourself.

Centering

I am practicing staying centered. It isn't always easy when multiple things are being thrown your way.

I am struggling with this as I write. There are many things going on right now and I am hoping that the practice of blogging helps to center me.

I am sitting outside right now, and have taken a moment to close my eyes and just be. I felt the sun on my face, heard the breeze in the trees, and my mind was completely empty for that moment. It was wonderful.

Its important to center yourself while training as well. It is too easy to get focused on realism, and to forget about technique. It is important to try to recognize when that is happening, and to stop for minute and empty your cup.

Contemplation

As I sat in the emergency room with my daughters tonight, I got to thinking. Well I did after a snarky conversation with the triage nurse. I asked a seemingly innocent question, to which I felt my answer was both snarky and not really an answer at all. But after I sat down, I started to realize just how many people come in, and just how many might go through there in a single day. That is when I realized that I asked a question that is probably asked a lot, and she is busy, so her short snarky answer was not on purpose but simply a response to the situation. I can’t blame her for that.

That led to me thinking about how we encounter these types of situations all the time. When we are cut off by someone in traffic, or how someone might push you aside when you hold the door open for them. There is a chance that they are not trying to be rude, but could just possibly be dealing with an emergency of sorts. We don’t know. So I am going to try to exercise this more, by taking a moment to let the annoyance pass, and then forgive them for their wrong because I don’t know what the reason for the rudeness is.

The Path of the Most Resistance

Sometimes the most difficult path is the easiest one. While cutting corners can seem like the thing to do, it isn't the way. Take your training for example. It would be simpler to only do the absolute minimum required to achieve the desired result, however you can not achieve mastery this way. Improvement will not occur, as there will only be room for sustained mediocrity.

Sometimes injuries sideline us, and it can be very tempting to stop training completely, or go to the other extreme of pushing through it. There is a way of keeping up your training without aggravating them further. Basically, it boils down to mindfulness. Know what your limits are and working around them. While I don't always follow this advice, I am trying.

I overdid it this week with the renos, and I don't regret it at all. However, now that the tendinitis has flared it's ugly head once more, I am going to have to stay mindful of my activity so that I can heal. Not easy, but it's not supposed to be. If it was easy, then mastery is far off in the distance.

Back to School!

Tomorrow is the first day back to school for many of our students, and I am sure it wrought with both anxiety and excitement. It’s nice that the kwoon is closed this week for the kids (and their parents) to prepare. Not to mention our annual renos.

The Advanced Black Dragons had their last class of the summer outside at Rotary Park. It was fantastic weather wise, and the kids had a blast. I did too. I do it for the kids, and for myself - as both an end to summer, and a kick off to the new year.

This week is a nice break as an instructor in two ways. One, to regroup and refresh myself. And two, to be able to put some sweat and blood into the kwoon.

So, until classes start in September - Don’t forget to keep practicing!!!!!!!

Tai Chi

I had something else written and when I went to post, it just didn't feel quite right. I guess I should have posted it anyway and carried on. Oh well.

Something that has been really good for me, is learning Tai Chi. The process of it relaxes me, and the movements bring me peace. It has helped me through some injuries by giving me strength, both mental and physical. I truly believe that while it will show you every injury you didn't know you had, it also strengthens all of the little muscles.

I also find it really resets me after the Lil Leopard class. Whoever planned that was really thinking! I love the Lil Leopards and the energy they bring, but I need a break after all that cute chaos. It's like I get all pumped up, and then that energy is quieted and spread out within me in the Tai Chi class.

I also feel, that for anyone who needs to work on flow, this is the class to take. It forces you to slow down, and really feel your body and what it is doing. (And the atmosphere is wonderful) (Was that subtle?)

Reno's

The annual renovations at the kwoon are an important part of our training. We become more accountable for our training, and our spirit becomes embodied in our kwoon. It is the process of putting our sweat and blood that makes the school what it is, and it bonds us to the other students as well.

Every time I step into the school, I am taken with the efforts that are constantly being put into it. Some of us are more visible in the school with what we do, and others operate quietly in the background. It is all those efforts combined that make our Kung Fu school what it is.

Sometimes being a leader is what you do quietly in the background while things are buzzing around you. Sometimes it is rallying those around you for a common cause, such as tiling. A lot of effort is going into our place of training right now, and I hope that those leading that transformation are aware of how much their efforts are appreciated, and that those offering their sweat and blood are also appreciated.

No, I am not at the school today. But my heart and soul is with those students there. I am proud to be a part of Silent River Kung Fu.