This week has been so fulfilling for me. I'm bursting at the seams with confidence and acheing like never before at the same time. I achieved one of my UBBT goals this week by passing my orange belt test. I am so happy to achieve this, but also humbled by just how much more there is to learn. I am approaching my Kung Fu in a step by step, goal by goal manner now. It's is not so overwhelming then. Setting mini goals that progress to the big goals is definately working well for me. My wife tells me I have changed so much since I started Kung Fu. I see and feel some of the changes, others are of course scewed by my perception. But I do feel I'm on a much better road then I was 8 months ago. Thank to everyone at the Kwoon for the encouragement and advise. It is very much appreciated.
Yesterday was boot camp. I had heard going in just how much of a great experience it is to participate in.The sense of accomplishment I am feeling right now far outweights the soreness in my muscles. Stairs are my nemesis atm, but it was so worth doing. I challenged myself physically and mentally in ways I didn't even know I could. Sifu Brinker was so right in how the 2 km run at the end would bring the day into focus. I was running along the road just wanting to finish the best I could no matter how hard I was gasping or how much ache in my side hurt. I actually finished the run with a better stride then the first half of the run. I just tried to relax, breath and run like I was the only one there. I could hear the wind in the trees, the birds, the traffic out on the main highway. I just tried to take it all in and continue moving forward. I know I haven't completely realized how much I have learned and gained from this experience. I made some awesome friends and got to know friends I already had even better. Everyone was so positive and encouraging. There can be no better environment or setting to be in to grow in ones Kung Fu.
I have taken but a few steps on what I plan is a long and fulfilling journey in Kung Fu. The miles and challenges ahead will be many. But I think with a positive attitude and an openness to learn and grow that it will be a truly amazing journey to experience
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Week 24 Stepping Up
This past week I have been going over all my curriculum from both white belt and yellow belt level. I'm going to be testing for orange belt in week 25 so I have been putting in extra time reviewing. There sure is alot to go over. So much information and technigues have been shown and presented so far. I am humbled by how much more there is to learn. At the same time I ready to bear down and begin what has been descibed as the next level in my training. There is going to be a big learning curve at the beginning as usual. But just because I can't do or know some things "yet"( as Sifu Brinker would say), means I just have to stay positive and work that much harder at my practise and my classes. I am so looking forward to the challenge.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Week 23 Time to reflect
Our UBBT meeting this past week really got me thinking. I have to admit I have been doing well in some things, ok in others and just coasting along at times as well. When Sifu Brinker said we should be putting about 2.5 hours per day into our Kung Fu, I have to admit my mind went "but how". But upon reflection I realized maybe I can't do that much in one bunch but little packages throughout the day. Even while at work.
I do get my push-ups and sit-ups in each day, for me in the last hour before I go to bed is what is working for me at this time. I get up at between 4:30 and 5:00 each day for work. I make my lunch, have some breakfest then drive 40 minutes to work(longer with construction delays). My morning routine helps me prepare for the day and get ready and organized to set my crew their tasks for the day. I would like to try doing my pushups and situps in the morning but that would mean getting up at 4:00 am roughly. I have to admitt part of me balks at that idea. But I am going to give it a shot for a week at the end of the month or beginning of July.
I have been focusing so much on my physical status( how I feel, weight I have lost, strength, flexibility) that I don't think I have been as aware of the mental training I have been doing as well and need to do, to grow as a martial artist. Time to get some reading in and to ask more questions in class each day. There are so many great people full of knowledge in the kwoon, I should be accessing that knowledge more readily.
This past week and a bit has been great for achieving my goals that I set a month back. I have gotten all my stripes to be able to test for my orange belt. I'm excited and nervous all at once. I know that the next level is going to be a huge learning curve and challenge. I want to do well and truly absorb as much as I can while still remembering to keep doing the basics I have learned so far. That's the one thing I have to do more of in my training at home. I do the forms alot( love them still, I know crazy), but even just practising slide stepping etc is very important and I have to figure out a good and balanced practise schedule for myself.
Almost half the year has come and gone and I need to rededicate myself to my goals, the Sifus at the Kwoon, the UBBT team and to the journey I began 7 months ago. I can't allow excuses to get in the way of growing as a better human being. So here's looking forward to an amazing second half of the year.
I do get my push-ups and sit-ups in each day, for me in the last hour before I go to bed is what is working for me at this time. I get up at between 4:30 and 5:00 each day for work. I make my lunch, have some breakfest then drive 40 minutes to work(longer with construction delays). My morning routine helps me prepare for the day and get ready and organized to set my crew their tasks for the day. I would like to try doing my pushups and situps in the morning but that would mean getting up at 4:00 am roughly. I have to admitt part of me balks at that idea. But I am going to give it a shot for a week at the end of the month or beginning of July.
I have been focusing so much on my physical status( how I feel, weight I have lost, strength, flexibility) that I don't think I have been as aware of the mental training I have been doing as well and need to do, to grow as a martial artist. Time to get some reading in and to ask more questions in class each day. There are so many great people full of knowledge in the kwoon, I should be accessing that knowledge more readily.
This past week and a bit has been great for achieving my goals that I set a month back. I have gotten all my stripes to be able to test for my orange belt. I'm excited and nervous all at once. I know that the next level is going to be a huge learning curve and challenge. I want to do well and truly absorb as much as I can while still remembering to keep doing the basics I have learned so far. That's the one thing I have to do more of in my training at home. I do the forms alot( love them still, I know crazy), but even just practising slide stepping etc is very important and I have to figure out a good and balanced practise schedule for myself.
Almost half the year has come and gone and I need to rededicate myself to my goals, the Sifus at the Kwoon, the UBBT team and to the journey I began 7 months ago. I can't allow excuses to get in the way of growing as a better human being. So here's looking forward to an amazing second half of the year.
Monday, June 6, 2011
week 22 gaining confidence
This week I have been gaining alot more confidence in the forms and technigues I'm doing. The practise I have been putting in is definately paying dividends. I have really been working on the last 3 stripes I need to test for orange belt. One of them happens to be my blue which is centering(power and speed). It has been a real struggle for me to be conscious of my center and how I'm moving as I kick, push and block. But the last few weeks have been much better, mainly due to my attitude change. I have been trying to be much more positive about everything I do, and it is making my days much more enjoyable and fulfillling. Instead of getting down on myself or being negative about something, I look for the silver lining as they say. Even a few people at work have commented that they can't understand how I can be so upbeat and chipper. I just reply that I am trying to enjoy life and only concern myself with the things I can improve for the better. It has definately lifted a ton of stress from my shoulders. Now I can say my grey hair makes me look distinquished and not just old hehe. Small steps and progression. But so important to the overall goal I believe.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)