week 18 Forms workshop was amazing

I finished week 17 with a forms workshop on saturday. 5 hours of doing Kempo1 and learning about 2/3's of kempo2. I so enjoyed this. It was hard and I managed to get some of the worst blisters I have ever had on my feet. But I learned so much about the form and what I needed to work on. I can't thank Sifu Wonsiak enough for putting up with this old fart for that whole time. As they say the devil is in the details. And there are so many little things that I will aways be working on to improve my forms. Good thing I enjoy doing them so much.

My classes this week were a little off due to the blisters that tore open right at the end of the workshop (who knew a hardwood floor was so much tougher then my feet). I'm gonna have to start going barefoot more often I guess to toughen up the bottoms of my feet. My feet being a bit tender made doing some of the techniques in class a bit challenging but I soldered on and did the best I could.

I beginning to realize that for me learning Kung Fu isnt just about reconditioning and learning the techniques. But also how to work through the aches, pains etc that are naturally going to occur.

week 17, no excuses, just getting behind

Sorry I have been so long getting my weekly journals out. I do keep a daily log and i use that for my weekly stuff. I have just been remiss at getting on the computer at home and doing my journal. So no more slacking.

This week was very rewarding for me. We were doing shoulder rolls in the black dragon class I help out with and one of the young ladies approached me and said she was having alot of problems doing a forward roll. So we went to the side and with some encouragement and lots of practise she was doing really well. To see the smile on her face at the end of class just totally pumped me up.

I am getting so much enjoyment from helping with this class that even when my son progresses to his orange belt, I am going to continue coming and helping out with the kids classes. I get as much out of the classes as the kids do. I don't think I would make a great schoool teacher but helping with the kids in Kung Fu I am completely enjoying.

Week 16 oops overdid it

I went a llittle overboard at the saturday fitness class. I knew we would be running but was convinced we would run 2 km max. Not the 10 km we did. Needless to say I was in alot of discomfort Saturday nite and all day Sunday. I'm older then I like to admit sometimes and until I started Kung Fu I was not very active. I'm really happy with the progress I have made so far this year. When I started I was lucky to do 10 pushups and maybe 5 situps. My endurance and stamina are greatly inproved(with a ways to go I admitt). We did an obstacle course type training in last nites class. And even though I was still pretty stiff and sore I managed the class well and actually felt quite good at the end of it, even if I was tired. I can't say enough about the positive attitude of everyone I talk to in the kwoon. Even when I'm feeling worn out and beat. I get inspired to try my best and excell and truly challenge myself each day. Thank you all.

See you in the kwoon and out in the community. I am making some amazing friends and mentors.

Week 15

This week has been a real treat for me. I have been watching my son's kung fu class ever since he started in September. I noticed a few times that there were only 2 instructors for a class of up to 28 sometimes. This got me thinking that I could help out. But I didn't know if my offering to help was ok or not. I finally got the courage to ask Sihing Robinson and Sifu Brinker if it would be ok to help with the yellow belt class. They both said no problem just suit up.

So this week has been the first week I have helped out. I'm completely enjoying it. Not only am I able to help the young students learn, I'm learning alot as well. I have always found it rewarding working with young people. Whether I was coaching soccer, or just working as the score keeper for hockey. I find the vast majority of kids just want to learn and do their best. That is very inspirational to me. Hopefully I'm having a positive influence on a young persons life. There can be nothing more rewarding then that.

Week 14 Signs of Spring

Yay, the snow is melting, I can see my lawn again. I'm even excited about doing yardwork.(Ask me again in october if I'm still feeling that way lol). I have noticed a number of sure signs of spring this week.

1) You can go outside without a jacket and be comfortable.
2) Dogs heads poking out of car windows as they drive by.
3) Sun roofs open on cars and motorcycles out for a spin.
4) Lost toys appearing as if by magic in the backyard as the snow melts.
5) Pots holes the size of tires everywhere.
6) Die hard rollerbladers navigating the gravel strewn streets.
7) Familys enjoying a walk, pushing strollers.
8) Its light when I get to work at 6:30 am. and its still ight out when I come home from Kung Fu.
9) Rubber boots are a must for the kids.
10) Everyone seems much more content and a feeling of ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, is in the air.

Week 13 Slow and steady

This week was slow but steady for me. I'm getting my numbers in still, but it feels like I've hit a plateau of sorts. I don't feel like I'm making progress, but I'm also not losing any ground. I know I just need to keep doing what I can for extra practise and push on.
The one thing I'm frustrated with myself  is my stamina. I know I'm probably expecting to much of myself, but I dislike getting winded so fast some nights. My recovery is much better which is good but I know I need to get much more consistant with getting on my eliptical machine and improve my stamina.
Work is still crazy and stressful, I'm very thankful I have Kung Fu to help me forget about work and just try to be a better me.

Week 12 Spring is peeking around the corner yay!!

Sorry to be so late getting this out. Some tense and confusing times at work with layoffs starting as my company downsizes due to some jobs nearing completion.

This week was about applying what both Sifu Playters had to say about my Kempo 1 and improve my form.
I was consentrating so hard on achieving really good stances that my arms were being neglected. As in I wasn't getting very good snap in my wrists as I completed my punches and blocks. So then I started working on that and suddenly my stances started to not be so good. It took alot of reps and good work to get both to be better at the same time. Funny how that goes. I'm really pleased with my improvement( lots to go I'm sure, so looking forward to the forms workshop). And I earned my white stripe yay.

I definately like both negative and positive comments about how I am doing. Both help me learn. I find there are times where I'll be doing what is being taught in class and thinking I'm doing ok, but not truly sure. A comment either way helps me to either fix what is wrong or know that yes I am doing the technique right and to continue doing so.

I can't say enough about how amazing our Sifu core is. The dedication and knowledge that is available to every student truly makes learning Kung Fu fun and enjoyable. When I hear from other guys that I work with what their martial arts schools are like( and some are great I'm sure). I am thankful to be part of what I feel is a true extended family.