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.

Week 11

This past week has been a week of ups and downs. I'm still enjoying my Kung Fu alot. But I do find it challenging to get in all the practice I want to do, due to my work load and needing to spend some time with my family. 10 hour work days plus travel time really eats into a day.

My right shoulder and my toe I hurt have been bothering me at times. The shoulder has been like that for as long as I remember so its something I live with, but my toe definately doesnt like flexing with weight on it. It stings pretty good when I try to do proper pushups, so I'm just gonna have to do them from my knees for awhile til it heals more.

Fitness class is so awesome. So much good pain, I really look forward to saturdays now, helps me get through my 5 hours of meeting on fridays thats for sure. The positive energy and exercises and technigues we do are helping me alot. I have along way to go on my flexibilty. 20 years as a tradesman and no stretching has not been good. But it will come with time. I just need a little patience, something I could use more of at times. Again, that will improve with time. It's starting to sink in just what a big journey I have begun. But I truly believe I am becoming a better person and a better me a  little bit each day.

Week 10 an experiment

I tried something this week I haven't ever done before. I tried to be totally aware of the moment as I drove into work each morning. I was amazed and appalled by how much I was zoning out as I drove into work each day in the past. I was amazed to notice the colour of the sky as the sun started to peek over the horizon each day. The way the snow has drifted and formed neat patterns in the fields and just how peaceful it is(except for the traffic on the road).
I was appaled at just how many cars had burnt out tail lights and headlights. How very few people signal even something as simple as a lane change and the large number of people that speed. Is it just me or is society becoming complacent and irresponsible? I even saw 5 cars that had no tail lites whatsoever. I was raised that it was your responsibility to care for your vehicle. To make sure all the lights were in working order and you changed the oil and did the maintenance to ensure your vehicle was safe for both you and the people around you. Maybe I'm just old fashioned in my thinking but it seems alot of people have gotten a sense of entitlement(it's my right to blah blah blah), but have forgotten that you have responsibilities to take care of to earn those rights. Thats my take on things as simply as I can define it. It's like when we are in class, the student needs to earn the teachers trust before he is taught Kung Fu. We do it by showing respect and listening and also asking pertinent questions of those teaching us. I quess what I'm trying to say is it feels like people are losing respect for those around them as they drive. I know I can't read minds so it can be very frustrating when someone cuts me off and doesn't even signal their desire to change lanes. Such a simple thing but one that, to me, is very important. 

I think that's why I enjoy getting to know the students and instructors of Silent River Kung Fu so much. Everyone is very much aware of how they impact the people around them. And the community at large as well.

Here's to hoping we all positively affect and influence those around us each day.