Understanding the Mechanics

I've always been one that needs to know and understand the mechanics of just about everything I see or use in my day to day life. In my mind I open a window and unfold the subject into a huge schematic with multiple views to watch all involved work in unison to help me understand. I can turn just about anything into gears, linkages, drive pulleys...etc. What makes it work, how does it work, and why does it work the way it does? When things fail or malfunction, what part of the mechanism is causing this and what part needs to be replaced or modified in order to function properly? What part of this structure do I not understand and what source do I need to consult in order too? All of these questions and stand points have been applied to my training on and off through out the years. But as of recently I have advanced further into the understanding and discoveries of Kung Fu as I venture forth on my journey to the level of black belt. I am not just seeing it as knowing the forms or techniques, or just simply throwing the kick or punch. I am seeing the whole thing from where my brain sends the signal, to all action followed through to completion and it's effects. I guess you could say I'm advancing further into the depths of Kung Fu and it's mechanics and it's effectiveness. The last two Sihing classes I have attended was a huge wealth of knowledge and technical advancement towards my understanding and applications of training. Simple things with high results and the opening of a window in my mind has already changed my approach and has increased my ability to troubleshoot and improve several aspects of my Kung Fu.

The weekly challenges I have been doing are all part of a plan to tackle my trouble or weaker areas. Starting from the hardest or larger problematic issues to areas that just simply need polishing. For example the spinning back kick from a bow stance has been an area of frustration and one of my weaker areas. By focusing on the mechanics of this kick I have discovered why I am thrown off balance and struggle to remain stable. Rather than raising the chamber straight up to the chest to remain centered, I am swinging the chamber away from the body which in turn throws my balance out and the leg is already partially extended. This partial extension increases as I continue to spin, by the time I am in the correct position to release the chamber I am thrusting the kicking leg further than necessary throwing me further off balance. Another discovery which is effecting all my kicks is returning to the chambered position quicker with more control. As much work as I have put into this kick, it still needs much more. Through everything though the biggest issue I have noticed is failing to reclaim center through the execution is a big one for not only this kick in particular, but everything else as well. But that's another blog. See you at the Kwoon.

Efficiency

Efficiency is a practice that should be utilized in just about everything we do whether it's a mental or physical action. Proper diet and hydration is important for us to accomplish anything for that matter along with another huge factor we all seem to abuse, rest. Without proper eating habits, hydration, and rest, our bodies and minds become weak and sluggish; inefficient. So along with this thinking brings me to the conclusion I should attempt to become a vegetarian for a month or two once the Farmers Markets open up for business. Clean fuel needs to run through me in order to be a machine. As does water. To keep this in check one of my goals this year was to consume 1000 liters of water. Aside from this there is another component that is imperative to this complex machinery.  With the help of my wife, my blood will be tested at the end of the week to see exactly what I am allergic too and I can take action to help my body recover or at least relax my autoimmune system and it's attack. This is one of several areas that I am changing in order to reach machine level.

 Time moves quick and it seems we are always trying to find more in order to accomplish all the things we chose to take on to support our quest for knowledge and physical advancement. But it is also not just about time. It's about how we use our available time for max efficiency when we don't have an abundance at the current moment. I try to do a few exercises in one rep. Squats from a horse stance, while executing kicks. With this I am working on my horse stance, core, crane stance muscles, and proper engagement with the kick. I have been using some ankle weights with a few reps and in doing so, I try to hold the leg up for a few seconds at kick completion to build those little guys in the hips. That's just one of many I have been working towards modifying in order to make efficiency happen in my physical training.

As far as mental efficiency goes. it's amazing how much more fun running is when you have your memorization work or curriculum coming through your headphones, that is coming from your phone, that is tracking just about everything you need to know about your running. You can also blast music or pull the plugs and just take in nature. Stimulating the mind is imperative for overall efficiency as well. So there is another area that you can do and accomplish so much with one action. Efficient training and time management. So that's where things are at for now. See you at the Kwoon