Friday night!

What a great night at the kwoon! We worked hard on our foot work in the black belt class, and again in the sihing class. I learned more of the Tai Chi broad sword in the I Ho Chuan class and sparred for 35 minutes after some cool techniques in the San Shou class. I would be lieing if I said I wasn't tired but I am pleased that I went to all the classes. I didn't really chat with anyone or pay any attention to what anyone else was doing, I was very focused on my own training and my own learning tonight. I hope all you guys are doing okay. I am looking forward to our meeting tomorrow and to plumping up my numbers with 1000 kicks and 1000 sit ups. Sleep well everyone :)

Tiring day

Today was all about being there for someone else and trying to get my requirements squeaked in on the side. I feel like I have had several balls in the air all day. I don't think that I did a great job but I got everything done and all are reasonable looked after. I am exhausted! 

Kindness

Not so long ago, I encountered a nice lady at the grocery store. She was leaving the building, leaning heavily on her cane and the railing by the door. I asked if I could help and she let me! The young person that was helping her with her grocery cart had gone ahead with the cart and her second cane, she was not able to walk with only one. So we walked to her car together and she shared some of her story with me. She is a very funny lady and had some interesting comments about aging that I won't share in this family friendly environment. I have thought of her often in the last little while and today I saw her again. She invited me to have coffee with her after we finished her shopping. She continues to have a smile on her face while she looks forward to a cortisone shot tomorrow to help relieve the constant pain she is in from her getting worse by the minute hip! She has one new hip and will hopefully have another one soon. I hope that I can always find something to smile about, regardless of what is happening in my life.
I think I made a new friend - thank you Silent River Kung Fu!

A Day in the Life!

Another great day with the kids, they have so much energy, it's hard not to be in love with all of them. Today we were working on our animal postures and doing an obstacle course at the same time, complete fun and they all seemed to be trying really hard to mimic the postures especially that leopard posture that is so tricky (open X). We did an obstacle course with the Beginner Black Dragons too and they worked very, very hard and all left rosy cheeked and sweating. I love it! We took little breaks from the course and worked on their kicks with partners and they all seemed to be trying their very hardest, that bad it an extra awesome class. One of my thoughts is that our students have to be quiet all day, so they should let some of that out when they come to Kung Fu (it makes me not so popular with the other grown ups!), it makes doing Tiger stance and sounding like a tiger bring the house down. I love when they make lot's of noise!!!
I was at the kwoon practicing before class and I really noticed the details of my form that need work. I did my forms at the tri-leisure centre yesterday and didn't have any where near that much focus. That is just more proof that our kwoon is a magic place :)

Happy

Numbers, Numbers, Numbers

I must admit that my numbers have been in the toilet this week. I'm not proud but I do believe that there will be times where they just won't,can't, don't happen and we will have to figure out (individually) how to factor that into success. I just had this great idea (might not be great when I am less tired), let's do 1000 push ups and sit ups on March 01,2014 to pad our numbers or get us where we need to be I think I need a little boost and that gives us a few days to get ready for it. On that same day, we will try to do twice as many form reps than we have been doing. So that is next Saturday, what a great day to be amazing! Who is with me?

More hours please!

I totally need more hours in a day or I need to make better use of the ones that I have. I realized, as I was falling asleep, that I hadn't told the world about my day. I had an early start to my day taking Katie to her performance and I thought I was making good use of my time by doing errands at that time but then the more things I got done, the more I added to my list! I'm not sure why I do that to myself?!? I can't seem to be satisfied with making a plan, executing it and that's it. Somewhere along the way I decide this is going so well, why not add ten more things to the pile, and then I end with frustration because I didn't complete everything. I will definitely need to work on this!

Teaching moments

I had a magnificent class with the beginner black dragons today. I was going over awakening the dragon with them so we sat on the floor and talked a bit about the form and then we did it together a bunch of times. I felt so connected with them and so a part of their journey, what a great feeling. I love teaching the young people in our school.
I have to mention the proud mom moments that I had today. Katie was in her high school play, Footloose, and it opened tonight. It was fantastic to watch her sing and dance, she looked like she was having the time of her life each time that she was on stage. I am really glad that her dad and I were brave enough to allow her to explore this avenue, she obviously is a natural.

Dignity and Respect

How we treat each other is so important, I am not sure that I can do it justice here.
When you work really hard at something, put everything you have into it and improve so much it is ridiculous and then have that completely disregarded and ignored, you gotta wonder.... Who teaches people to be nice to each other? Who teaches them to treat each other with dignity and respect at all times? The answer my friends is We Do! Our every action that involves other people, is teaching them how to treat the next guy. Let's say you are in the line at the grocery store and you are not having a good day. You are not out right grumpy to the cashier but you are not open or friendly either, what did you just teach that person by your actions? How do you think they are going to treat the next customer? How do you think they are going to treat the next cashier they encounter? Our actions and non actions speak volumes about us and about the people that we meet each day. To the person that you don't acknowledge, you are saying they aren't worth it. It doesn't matter what kind of day you are having, it matters what kind of message you are willing to send to the world. We can change our world one person at a time. We may not always know the results of our kindness, our respect, our dignity, but I am sure that the result is positive. My message (in case it's not obvious!), everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect!

Routine

I don't know what to write tonight. I had a good,busy day, getting back to to routine after being sick. I had a great class with the kids tonight, there was great energy in the room and that is what it is all about!
Sifu Brinker is always talking about people who don't blog being disengaged, I am living proof of that theory. Yesterday was all about resting and looking after me so I could get better, I did not do any Kung Fu, all acts of kindness were for me and I didn't remember to blog at all. Here's to no more missed days :)

Cuddles with my dogs :)

Yesterday I ate something that didn't agree with me, so my start to this day was not easy. Whatever it was that upset my system decided to leave by any means possible. After a couple of hours in the bathroom, wanting to stop living or at least stop feeling, I was exhausted and cold to the bone. I decided to head back to bed to recover my senses. My two beautiful dogs came with me and snuggled up on either side of me, making me nice and warm and able to sleep. They are so awesome! My morning activities left me weak and shaky and I experienced another day without training. This year is definitely presenting me with some challenges each day, I plan to keep meeting them head on!

Ouch!

I hurt my left shoulder, arghhh! I wore out my shoulder a bit doing too many push ups during previous I Ho Chuan teams and pushing too hard during the year prior to my grading. I have been trying to rest it and heal it ever since. I have been trying to perfect my push ups so that they don't put as much strain on my shoulder and I don't do as many reps so that I don't fall into bad technique. So having explained all that, I foolishly did 16 reps in two days with my broad sword. I didn't really plan it well. On Thursday, I did 6 reps to make up for my sick day and my shoulder was a bit sore on Friday. On Friday, I used a lighter sword and did many more reps because it didn't hurt and I was working with other people so it was fun and didn't bother me. When I woke up this morning, I was in a lot of pain and my arm keeps going to sleep. I think that I slightly dislocated the shoulder because it feels better after getting manipulated and painfully moved to it's proper place. I have some muscle pain and aching that will definitely require tylenol before sleep. So now I have to train smartly... I plan to do my form without my sword for a bit and do use some weights to build up the muscles so that they can support the joint.

So Tired

I am super tired! I worked last night until 11pm and then got up at 5am to go back to work for 7am. It's doable but for some weird reason, I couldn't sleep last night and only got a couple of hours before the alarm went off. The only thing that I don't like about being tired is that I have a difficult time turning off the negative stream in my head. When I am getting direction from my teacher, my head is clouded with doubt and negativity. I had to work really hard today to focus on the task at hand, pay attention to what Sifu was telling me to change and not listen to the garbage in my head. I made it and I think that I understand what I have to change. I need to process all that I learned tonight and figure out how to put it into practice.

Happiness is.....

Today I re-joined the Tri-Leisure Centre! I let my membership expire for a couple of reasons; I got sick and wasn't using it, I can go to the Kwoon and practice whenever I want and I was trying to save money. Well, I'm better, I don't always have time to go to the Kwoon and I can save money on different things. The reasons why I like going to the the Tri; I can go to the track or swimming (both I love), I can do my forms in the soccer field and not worry about wrecking the house with my weapons, and it gives me an opportunity to focus on my training for a specific time each day. I am limited in the winter time, not only can I not go outside with my weapons, but I can't walk or run outside because my lungs can't seem to handle the cold air. Today was a beautiful training day! I power walked 2.25 miles, did sit ups, kicks, tai chi, tai chi broad sword and mu long koon in an hour and a half. I was so focused and so in the moment that I rode the wave of contentment for the rest of the day.

stuff and things

Today was all about accomplishing many things in as little time as possible. I feel a little bit like I won! I had to pick up tickets for Katie's play for friends and family, go to the library, run around a bit, go to an appointment and then go to work early for a meeting. At work, there were also many things to do in a short time. It's funny how some days are like that. Well, I managed by making a plan and sticking to it, both at home and at work. I only got the basics done today (situps, push ups and kicks) and I plan on going to the tri-leisure tomorrow morning for miles and forms in the field.

My Chinney-Chin-Chin

Back to routines today, it seemed like a missed a week not an extra day! I'm always surprised how quickly time flies when I have to go to work in the afternoon. I always think that I have more time, can accomplish more things, than is actually possible. I managed to fit everything in today but I did so by the skin of my chinny-chin-chin! Tomorrow is a new day, and hopefully it will begin with the morning class :)

Real rest day!

Today a succumbed to being looked after, pampered and resting! I feel a whole better than I did this morning and I did have to give up a day of training. I usually don't give up that day until I have to because I can't breath, and then it turns into months. Hopefully, I have made the right choice today and I won't be sick for months on end. Tomorrow it is back to business and work too. Today I read, caught up on all my blog reading, crocheted and watched the Olympics. I am in complete awe of these athletes, they have committed their entire lives to mastery.

First Week

This first week has presented some challenges already. The first couple of days were a walk in the park, I felt great and attended the morning class on Monday and got my requirements done in the morning both days. Wednesday dawned with a headache and ended with the knowledge that yes indeed, I had a head cold! I get bronchitis a lot but have not had a head cold in years, I wasn't missing much, I don't like this! I refused to succumb, a cold never killed anyone, I could still meet my goals. I chickened out Wed. morning at 5 am, telling myself that I wouldn't have enough time to work out and get ready for work. It turns out, if I get up the first time the alarm goes off, I can do sit ups, kicks and tai chi before work. I enjoyed making my way through Thursday and Friday knowing my numbers were done. I lied to myself again on Saturday morning, figuring I could complete all my numbers at the Kwoon. I was wrong, between meetings and too much chatter on my part, I was faced with finishing my reps after supper.
So this week I learned that I need to take advantage of all opportunities to get in reps and requirements, and not to dilly dally and I'll be ok.

Saturday at the kwoon!

 You know that I love it, today was made great in many ways. Sihing Tymchuk covered my morning class so that I could sleep in and take care of my cold (thank you from the bottom of my heart:) ), we had a Benevolent meeting and it went great, I really feel like we accomplished things today, open training was good, more chatting for me than usual but I worked on my broad sword form with Sifu Langner and did some Mu Long Koon reps, and then we had our first Horse meeting. There was so much positive energy in the room that it was exciting just to sit there and listen to all the great ideas that everyone had about how to reach our goals (together and individually). I am looking forward to a great year, getting to know everyone and reaching great heights together.
I still feel like crap but I refuse to let it be in charge:)

Sparring

Tonight was my first time experiencing the new Friday night schedule. I loved it! I get to attend all my favorite classes all in one night. What a rush!
The highlight of this night was San Shou, we worked on techniques and then sparred for 20 minutes. I know that I love to spar but I sometimes forget how much of a buzz that I get off of going to that class. First of all, you get to spar and second of all, you are with a bunch of people that love it as much as you do. The class is a safe, friendly environment where you get to work on being a better martial artist, practice your technique and work hard. I encourage everyone to give it a try, I bet each person would have a least one moment that they thoroughly enjoyed. I know that it is late and the days are long but it was worth it to me. See you on the mats!

I hab a head code

I have a head cold! I think I had it yesterday too but I was in denial. Even so, I rolled out of bed and did 150 sit ups, 150 kicks and tai chi, what a fabulous way to start the day. I didn't really start feeling like garbage until 10:30 which was cool. I went straight from work to the kwoon where I managed to do some forms before classes. It was a good kung fu day :)

Making Progress

I had a break through in my guitar lesson today. I have been practicing everyday and really struggling to figure out how to change chords without stopping. Today, my teacher showed me how to slow down and practice to get it right. I think that because of my practicing, I was ready to hear the direction and move forward. I am so excited that my hard work is paying off. It is just like kung fu, if you practice and try doing on your own then you will be ready when your teacher wants you to take the next step. It is also like kung fu in that if you slow down and practice carefully(attention to detail), you will get better.

The Letter

Silent River Kung Fu's I Ho Chuan is a year-long MENTORSHIP PROGRAM based upon the Ultimate Black Belt Test - designed by my friend and mentor, Tom Callos of Hilo, Hawaii. Through thegeneral requirements set by Silent River Kung Fu's Black Belt Examination Board and the personal requirements set by you,
I WANT YOU TO LEARN:

• Your yellow belt, your green belt, your black belt, your kung fu are all about MASTERY.
   
• MASTERY IS A PROCESS concerned with your journey toward your goals. It cannot be about the destination because as you continue to grow and evolve so will your goals and ambitions. The journey never ends.
   
• Many small things can add up to one big thing. Embracing and applying the concept of incremental progression is the CORNERSTONE OF DISCIPLINE.
   
• People you associate with affect your thinking, your values, and your self worth. They influence the value you place on your goals and hold sway over how you choose to live your life. Your commitment and level of engagement are so affected by your social peers that they may be THE MOST IMPORTANT INFLUENCEdetermining your success or failure.
   
• The success of your journey is measured by the efforts you put into it and the quality of the results. Work ethic and discipline will earn you respect but if you are not closing the distance on your goals, your efforts are without substance. Accordingly, progress without extraordinary effort can be attributed to luck and cannot be regarded as a result of your quest for mastery.MASTERY CAN ONLY BE FOUND IN THE EXTENT OF YOUR EFFORTS AND THE QUALITY OF THE RESULTS.
   
• YOUR LIFE IS YOUR KWOON. Your plan for mastery must hold value for your family and your career if you hope to keep your plan a high priority in your daily life. Recognizing the benefit your practice has on those within your sphere of influence, and maintaining that perspective, will dramatically improve your level of engagement.
   
• Failure is only final if you quit. SUCCESS IS BUILT UPON COUNTLESS FAILURES. Your ability to adapt your attitude and your practice to compensate for unseen challenges and setbacks will be the difference between your success and your failure.
   
• Your journey to mastery is YOUR JOURNEY, no one else's. It cannot be compared to another's journey and the scope of your accomplishments can only be completely realized by you alone. In order for your journey to have heart it must speak to you and be pertinent to your life.

• To be RECOGNIZED AS A MASTER, you must define yourself as such in the eyes of your teachers, your peers, and your community. Your personal journey must be transparent and its merit recognized by everyone who follows it.
• 
  
Jeff Brinker
Master Instructor
Silent River Kung Fu
I just thought I'd post a friendly reminder of what our foundation is
Sifu Kichko

Morning Class

I got up and attended the morning class today and I am very glad that I did. I had a lot of fun and I forgot how nice it is to get everything done in the morning. I must confess that I have not attended that class for several months, finding many excuses not to get up, and it felt good to be back. Who knows maybe I'll make an really early morning class soon!

Our Banquet

Last night's banquet was fantastic! I really liked the set up,it seemed like everyone had a good seat to see the awesome demonstrations. Everything looked sparkly and new (could have been the new place?), all the forms that I have seen practiced many, many times looked more intense, more realistic, more fabulous than ever before. There is magic in our banquet; we all work so hard all year and then put it all together for one night and Bam! it's magical.
I always feel like all the people that come are our guests and it is my job to make sure everyone is taken care of and feels welcome. I hope that I was successful and everyone had as much fun as I did.
I love seeing the kids do their demo, they always look so much better on the night of the banquet. I love seeing the I Ho Chuan team and the candidates perform their demos too! They perform at a level that is hard to replicate any other time, just looks amazing.
I was inspired by the speeches given for the charities that we support, they reminded me that it is time to get busy and start planning our fundraising for this year.
I always leave the banquet feeling like there is nothing that we can not accomplish as a group, I look forward to all that we take on together.

Year of the Horse

Happy New Year!

Tonight was fantastic! It is always my favorite night of the year. I love that everyone comes together to share some food, some laughs and some very good times. I love hanging around like minded people, we get each other, we don't have to explain ourselves, it is great! I wish I could go on about this but I'm exhausted and my feet hurt so I'm off to bed :)