Tonight was the first I Ho Chuan class of the new year, and of the new team. I thought it was amazing that even though I do not attend classes at Stony during the week (excluding Fridays), I recognized every face there tonight. It gives me the feeling that this team is going to do amazing things. SRKF has broken new ground in previous years, and I don't doubt that this team will again this year.
Sifu Brinker talked about keeping motivation and focus throughout as being the key to mastery. I can attest to this, not because I have thus managed to accomplish it, but because I have not. I know I lose focus and motivation quickly. My first, second and third time around blatantly tell me this. But, I have the solution. I want to develop the first ever Sifu Brinker bobble-head, complete with a little button that you can push any time you lose focus and it'll spit out motivational phrases. "Where am I? What am I doing?" or "Only 80 more push-ups" or " The answer is... 42".
But since I first need funding for my plan, I need to think of a more immediate solution to my lack of motivation. And, I want to figure it out and implement it before I fall behind. Proactive, it's a new thing for me.
I don't think there is any other way other than to make sure I'm fully engaged with my team mates. I am the loner that tries to do it on her own, the one Sifu Brinker mentioned tonight. I always have been, and its been difficult admitting that I can't do it by myself. I remember it being a part of my speech at my blackbelt promotion ceremony, talking about my ability and independence and blah blah. I got it so wrong. I cannot be alone in this now, just as I was not alone in it then. Horrah. Lightbulb. Finally.
By the way, I'm not a dragon, I'm a rat. But, big or little, we all need family!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Take a Chance on Me
For the last couple months its been a struggle to find the time to eat, clean, sleep. I'm home only on Sundays and Tuesday evenings for any length of time. But, its okay. I finally feel good about what I'm accomplishing, what I'm helping others accomplish and in my general direction regarding my training. Nick says he misses me, but fully understands what I'm doing an why (although he thinks I'm a bit crazy).
Its a struggle, and Sifu Brinker is right when he says you find you can't relate to people who are not martial artists. They don't understand why you would be willing to sacrifice home time and free time for a "hobby". The abuse we put our bodies through, the sacrifices, the incredible devotion it takes to live the stuff we teach. My usual response to "why would anyone do that?" is to smile & shrug. I've tried to explain, and the only person who's come close to understanding is my dad.
When I think of my training, the sacrifices I make are not the first things I think of. I think about who I am because of it about who I wouldn't be if I never joined. I think about whats its given me, not what its taken. The ability to walk with confidence, the ability to catch my coffee before it hits the ground, the ability to take joy in how the snow covers the trees, how it gets so quiet at night, to recognize each and every moment for what it gives us.
Its strangely satisfying, listening to ABBA and mending a dragon. You have to live it to understand.
Its a struggle, and Sifu Brinker is right when he says you find you can't relate to people who are not martial artists. They don't understand why you would be willing to sacrifice home time and free time for a "hobby". The abuse we put our bodies through, the sacrifices, the incredible devotion it takes to live the stuff we teach. My usual response to "why would anyone do that?" is to smile & shrug. I've tried to explain, and the only person who's come close to understanding is my dad.
When I think of my training, the sacrifices I make are not the first things I think of. I think about who I am because of it about who I wouldn't be if I never joined. I think about whats its given me, not what its taken. The ability to walk with confidence, the ability to catch my coffee before it hits the ground, the ability to take joy in how the snow covers the trees, how it gets so quiet at night, to recognize each and every moment for what it gives us.
Its strangely satisfying, listening to ABBA and mending a dragon. You have to live it to understand.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Happy Happy I Ho Chuan
Its already a new year, and I know I need a game plan. Fist step is completed- enlist myself once again. Step two was determine my requirements.
This year I tried to change my thought process when I set my goals. I added skydiving, not because I want to try to fly but because I have always wondered if I have the ability to stay calm in specific situations, and what better way to find out than jump out of a plane? I thought of a situation that would guarantee scare the heebee jeebee's out of me, induce panic and raise my hackles. I figured it was the same as getting hit for the first time- you really have no idea what you're in for the first time you take a heavy one to the body. I have no idea what a full on panic frenzy, scared stupid situation will do to me, be it turn me into a blob of sobbing jelly or Iron Woman. Well, I'll let you know when I find out. I'm aiming for the second scenario.
Next is learn sign language. I've always been impressed and a wee bit jealous of bilingual people. I think its an invaluable skill, having the ability to communicate with more of the population. I considered French, since I have several years of high school French to work with (but je suis, tu est, il/elle est, nous sommes, vous etes is about all I remember). I considered Spanish, since I've had language barriers with people I've worked around. Eventually I settled on sign language. Empathy is a huge part of what we do and teach. I cannot imagine how hard it could be to loose the ability to verbally communicate. Perhaps if I learn sign language, one day I may be able to use it to help someone communicate at a grocery store, gas station, ball game, who knows.
For the mastery of two forms requirement, I choose Tai Chi, Monks Spade and Tai Chi Broadsword. It reminds me of a buddy's t-shirt "There are three types of people in the world; those who are good at math and those who aren't". I have very specific reasons for each form I choose. In previous posts I've mentioned Tai Chi as being my nemesis and my sidekick. Still true today. I love Tai Chi, I can feel how it changes my body mechanics, induces flow and chi, teaches balance, strength, harmony. I'm a very visual learner. If I am learning a new technique, I'll watch Sifu Brinkers' hands, feet, knees, shoulders, hips, and absorb how they move, when and where they go, why they move, how they flow together. I watch for the correlation between whats happening and how he's getting there. There are underlying principles in Kung Fu that can be seen in everything we do. I have a harder time seeing these things in Tai Chi. I see the way Sifu Dennis moves. I see what she's doing, how it induces flow and relieves stress on the joints, forces you to move in alignment with your body. But for the life of me I can't translate it into my own body. So, I ask her for help. A lot. A good example being Carrying the Tiger to the Mountain; Sifu shows me, breaks it down, works with me, corrects me, encourages me. I follow beside her and I can mimic what she's doing, but the minute she is gone I lose it. I feel like I'm always mimicking instead of making it my own. Hence, make it a priority and do it a thousand times until it is my own.
Tai Chi Broadsword is another one, for all the reasons I listed above. But now, lets put a weapon in my hand and do it all over again.
Monks Spade. How to explain this... I need to challenge myself. I need to get myself into the best shape of my life, strengthen muscle and build endurance. What better way than to heave around (with technique!) a big, long, heavy weapon, which will force me to build muscle, endurance, patience, dedication, commitment, confidence?
These aren't all my requirements, but I think they're the ones what needed some explanation. And, they'll give the other blackbelts challenges as well- Sifu Dennis will get to spend loads of time with me (insert wink here), Sifu Freitag will have to think of a way to peel me off the wing of a plane, and everyone will have to get good at dodging when I'm practicing the Monks Spade!
This year I tried to change my thought process when I set my goals. I added skydiving, not because I want to try to fly but because I have always wondered if I have the ability to stay calm in specific situations, and what better way to find out than jump out of a plane? I thought of a situation that would guarantee scare the heebee jeebee's out of me, induce panic and raise my hackles. I figured it was the same as getting hit for the first time- you really have no idea what you're in for the first time you take a heavy one to the body. I have no idea what a full on panic frenzy, scared stupid situation will do to me, be it turn me into a blob of sobbing jelly or Iron Woman. Well, I'll let you know when I find out. I'm aiming for the second scenario.
Next is learn sign language. I've always been impressed and a wee bit jealous of bilingual people. I think its an invaluable skill, having the ability to communicate with more of the population. I considered French, since I have several years of high school French to work with (but je suis, tu est, il/elle est, nous sommes, vous etes is about all I remember). I considered Spanish, since I've had language barriers with people I've worked around. Eventually I settled on sign language. Empathy is a huge part of what we do and teach. I cannot imagine how hard it could be to loose the ability to verbally communicate. Perhaps if I learn sign language, one day I may be able to use it to help someone communicate at a grocery store, gas station, ball game, who knows.
For the mastery of two forms requirement, I choose Tai Chi, Monks Spade and Tai Chi Broadsword. It reminds me of a buddy's t-shirt "There are three types of people in the world; those who are good at math and those who aren't". I have very specific reasons for each form I choose. In previous posts I've mentioned Tai Chi as being my nemesis and my sidekick. Still true today. I love Tai Chi, I can feel how it changes my body mechanics, induces flow and chi, teaches balance, strength, harmony. I'm a very visual learner. If I am learning a new technique, I'll watch Sifu Brinkers' hands, feet, knees, shoulders, hips, and absorb how they move, when and where they go, why they move, how they flow together. I watch for the correlation between whats happening and how he's getting there. There are underlying principles in Kung Fu that can be seen in everything we do. I have a harder time seeing these things in Tai Chi. I see the way Sifu Dennis moves. I see what she's doing, how it induces flow and relieves stress on the joints, forces you to move in alignment with your body. But for the life of me I can't translate it into my own body. So, I ask her for help. A lot. A good example being Carrying the Tiger to the Mountain; Sifu shows me, breaks it down, works with me, corrects me, encourages me. I follow beside her and I can mimic what she's doing, but the minute she is gone I lose it. I feel like I'm always mimicking instead of making it my own. Hence, make it a priority and do it a thousand times until it is my own.
Tai Chi Broadsword is another one, for all the reasons I listed above. But now, lets put a weapon in my hand and do it all over again.
Monks Spade. How to explain this... I need to challenge myself. I need to get myself into the best shape of my life, strengthen muscle and build endurance. What better way than to heave around (with technique!) a big, long, heavy weapon, which will force me to build muscle, endurance, patience, dedication, commitment, confidence?
These aren't all my requirements, but I think they're the ones what needed some explanation. And, they'll give the other blackbelts challenges as well- Sifu Dennis will get to spend loads of time with me (insert wink here), Sifu Freitag will have to think of a way to peel me off the wing of a plane, and everyone will have to get good at dodging when I'm practicing the Monks Spade!
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