Going into this year I had it all planned out. I could see the next leg of my journey on the road to mastery and many landmarks along the way to guide me through the cliffs that would need scaling, the deep valleys, raging rivers, and the thickest jungle man has ever endured. I was creating a single path with my family, my work, and my Kung Fu all in tow. This was going to be the greatest evolution of all aspects of my life. I was challenged with the constant pulling in all directions at work and pulling through with confidence and grace. My girls were are all doing awesome and I couldn't be more proud. Kung Fu was really coming together on all fronts and I couldn't wait to make that escape and train to whatever I wanted to do with a seemingly endless supply of details I had missed along the way and new discoveries. I just said bring it on and I will fight it to exhaustion. Careful what you wish for.
This year has been a fight. It probably wouldn't have ended up that way, but I let things take the wheel of my ride. Something that I never let happen. I became so obsessed with the challenge of work and my ethics of nothing is ever too much and I will take on anything that is thrown at me. My days got longer and I was working with people that expected more from me. Okay cool I am practicing mastery in my trade so this is my Kung Fu serving me. Not really noticing I was putting in the work of three people. Up at 5:00 in the morning and dragging my sorry ass in the house at 8:00 at night, everyday and all day. Giving my little one a smooch and tucking her in. Visiting with Erica for an hour and heading out to the garage or catching up on whatever I could, when I could. Doing whatever training I could and crashing. After being on this routine for months on end, it was starting to grind on me. Usually asleep before my head hit the pillow or not even making it to bed if I stopped to sit down for a minute. Seeing the absence of my presence in my youngest daughters eyes and the face of frustration in my wifes, was not helping. Although my girls supported me the whole time, I wasn't feeling to good about it. Leaving my team to carry my absence and having more difficulty to even show up to class. Any classes for that matter. Falling further and further behind in my numbers and growing more and more negative as the days go by. Trying to find the landmarks to guide me through have now disappeared. Blinded by the thickest brush, I could no longer rip them out. Looking behind me I could plainly see that I was now creating three paths instead of one. Everything that is close to me is now segregated. Looking at the hours I put in this year so far is somewhere around the 2500 mark, so even daily training was becoming very little. I did always accomplish something, but stopped recording it on my blog or writing it down. As people when we start to become overwhelmed, we look for sources to lay blame. I started to dislike work and the people I work under. I wanted my girls to take a trip some where. I have been guilty of shooting my mouth off outside the kwoon, blaming the I Ho Chuan program and installing the mindset of this is unreasonable and how the hell can anyone pull this off successfully and still maintain. My journaling went to the wayside, AGAIN. Shortly after my last blog I had enough. I just sat down and stared. Mentally and physically exhausted. I wanted to quit my job, step down from the I Ho Chuan program and do.... I didn't know. So what ended up happening is I went on a trip with my family through southern Alberta into B.C, and back through Nordegg to Rocky Mountain House. It gave me a lot of time to look at things and just chill. One night staring into a fire I built that the gods could see, I sorted it all out. I went back to my roots and devised a plan to get back on track and grab the drivers seat back. Quiting is for sheeple, not the driven. I was sick and tired of letting life take the wheel. You have to handle your life, not let your life handle you. Regretting ever verbally bitching about the I Ho Chuan program and putting my negativity on others. I felt foolish. I am sorry to anyone I may have had this effect on and I meant no disrespect to anyone. Just selfish venting I guess.I have no intention of being a career Sihing and as I have said before, the longer you stay away from the kwoon, the more of a damaging effect it has once you have placed it into your soul. It's time to come home. So after all of that I am now traveling as one again, one path with all I hold close. Changing my priorities to Family, Kung Fu, and work. I have started to train again on a daily basis and my love for the I Ho Chuan is restored. It is not a sentence, but an enhancement. Work is work. I have tons of experience and am highly skilled enough to always find work. I will carry on as I always have. Bring it on. Sorry for the book I just wrote but I felt it was necessary out of respect for the team and to share a challenge I had to get through. See you at the kwoon.
Brian Chervenka
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
Monday, 22 July 2013
July 19-22, 2013
400 p/u
400 s/u
50 squat thrusts
10 reps of my weapon form
I phoned an old friend to see how he was doing, took my wife for supper, held the door for 4 people, surprised a co worker with lunch, and picked up a bunch of garbage at the local park.
400 s/u
50 squat thrusts
10 reps of my weapon form
I phoned an old friend to see how he was doing, took my wife for supper, held the door for 4 people, surprised a co worker with lunch, and picked up a bunch of garbage at the local park.
Thursday, 18 July 2013
July 15-18, 2013
300 p/u
150 s/u
100 leg raises
3 plank 6 mins. total
50 spinning back kick
50 thrust
50 roundhouse
5 km ran
6 weapon forms
I finally got up at 4:50 am in the morning to run to no where and back before work. I have never really been fond of running. The only time I really ran was when I absolutely had to. It usually involved animals, bullies and the occasional badge. So as much as I hate to run, I actually enjoyed it. I ran with my wife and we had a moment to talk and actually have some conversation. Instead the quick fly by and out the door. Its really nice in the morning and you can really appreciate the quiet before the madness begins. It wasn't all great at first though, its started with a bad attitude. I thought to myself, " Who the heck in their right mind gets up way too early to run 5 mins out of the bed? Crazy people that's who." But once I stared to get going and wake up a bit, it wasn't so bad. I was starting the day with an accomplishment and that was a really good feeling, for the most part. So this is something I am going to try to do more often. My wife is a runner so you couldn't ask for a better running partner, I get training and some time together, so that's cool.
I held the door for 6 people, yielded to three cars, mowed my neighbors lawn and picked up a bunch of garbage off the street that someone jack ass threw out of his car
150 s/u
100 leg raises
3 plank 6 mins. total
50 spinning back kick
50 thrust
50 roundhouse
5 km ran
6 weapon forms
I finally got up at 4:50 am in the morning to run to no where and back before work. I have never really been fond of running. The only time I really ran was when I absolutely had to. It usually involved animals, bullies and the occasional badge. So as much as I hate to run, I actually enjoyed it. I ran with my wife and we had a moment to talk and actually have some conversation. Instead the quick fly by and out the door. Its really nice in the morning and you can really appreciate the quiet before the madness begins. It wasn't all great at first though, its started with a bad attitude. I thought to myself, " Who the heck in their right mind gets up way too early to run 5 mins out of the bed? Crazy people that's who." But once I stared to get going and wake up a bit, it wasn't so bad. I was starting the day with an accomplishment and that was a really good feeling, for the most part. So this is something I am going to try to do more often. My wife is a runner so you couldn't ask for a better running partner, I get training and some time together, so that's cool.
I held the door for 6 people, yielded to three cars, mowed my neighbors lawn and picked up a bunch of garbage off the street that someone jack ass threw out of his car
Sunday, 14 July 2013
July 11,12,13,14, 2013
p/u 600
s/u 400
leg lifts 100
scissors 100
held plank for a total of 6 mins over three days
5 dah mu sihn
5 long
5 18 temple motions
5 hung 1 & 2
5 kempo
50 squat thrusts
5 mins of horse stance time over 3 days
Over the course of the last 4 days my training has been sporadic and hard to get motivated. I can honestly say I am exhausted. Just trying to think has been a chore, let alone if I sit down for more than 2 minutes without something to occupy my thoughts and that's it I start to doze off. This week alone I have put in 78 hours of work and still trying to be mindful of everything that I am trying to accomplish. Throw in everything else that comes along, and wow this is just too much. Trying to keep up with things and get enough rest has been very difficult. It just seems there is never enough time in the day. I think the biggest issue is lack of rest and not eating properly throughout the day. That and I simply work way too much. Although this is part of my own mastery, this is a year of extreme challenges on everything. It is what it is though and that's it, carry on to be the best we can.
I held the door for 6 people, mowed my neighbors lawn, carried an elderly woman's grocery's, and changed a tire for a lady that was stuck on the side of the road.
I would like to thank Sifu Bryant for his advice on stance transitions. It has helped a lot in a difficult area in my weapon form. I would also like to recognize advice from Sifu M. Playter on the use of ankle weights when trying to improve on my kicks. The advice shared was they are a great tool provided your form is correct. If you build your muscles up executing kicks with incorrect form it is going to take twice as long to repair your problems because now the muscles you shouldn't be using are now stronger than the ones you should. Sifu Lindstrom also pointed out a very good observation about squat thrusts. I have a habit of starting with the end. I start by jumping in the air then doing the rest. Sifu made a very good point that this is a waste of energy, not only that but kind of a wasted trip. I found by going down first and then kicking the legs out and back I am getting a far better launch, which means more height. More height means a portion of my weapon form will be greatly improved. That and the squat thrust seems to flow better and your energy seems to be consumed much more efficiently instead of burning it up from a standing point. The reason I am adding recognition to my daily blog is because a while back I said I was going to write down advice I received from others at the kwoon. Well I thought maybe it would be of help to others if I shared what was given to me from others. Complete the circle I guess. See you at the kwoon.
s/u 400
leg lifts 100
scissors 100
held plank for a total of 6 mins over three days
5 dah mu sihn
5 long
5 18 temple motions
5 hung 1 & 2
5 kempo
50 squat thrusts
5 mins of horse stance time over 3 days
Over the course of the last 4 days my training has been sporadic and hard to get motivated. I can honestly say I am exhausted. Just trying to think has been a chore, let alone if I sit down for more than 2 minutes without something to occupy my thoughts and that's it I start to doze off. This week alone I have put in 78 hours of work and still trying to be mindful of everything that I am trying to accomplish. Throw in everything else that comes along, and wow this is just too much. Trying to keep up with things and get enough rest has been very difficult. It just seems there is never enough time in the day. I think the biggest issue is lack of rest and not eating properly throughout the day. That and I simply work way too much. Although this is part of my own mastery, this is a year of extreme challenges on everything. It is what it is though and that's it, carry on to be the best we can.
I held the door for 6 people, mowed my neighbors lawn, carried an elderly woman's grocery's, and changed a tire for a lady that was stuck on the side of the road.
I would like to thank Sifu Bryant for his advice on stance transitions. It has helped a lot in a difficult area in my weapon form. I would also like to recognize advice from Sifu M. Playter on the use of ankle weights when trying to improve on my kicks. The advice shared was they are a great tool provided your form is correct. If you build your muscles up executing kicks with incorrect form it is going to take twice as long to repair your problems because now the muscles you shouldn't be using are now stronger than the ones you should. Sifu Lindstrom also pointed out a very good observation about squat thrusts. I have a habit of starting with the end. I start by jumping in the air then doing the rest. Sifu made a very good point that this is a waste of energy, not only that but kind of a wasted trip. I found by going down first and then kicking the legs out and back I am getting a far better launch, which means more height. More height means a portion of my weapon form will be greatly improved. That and the squat thrust seems to flow better and your energy seems to be consumed much more efficiently instead of burning it up from a standing point. The reason I am adding recognition to my daily blog is because a while back I said I was going to write down advice I received from others at the kwoon. Well I thought maybe it would be of help to others if I shared what was given to me from others. Complete the circle I guess. See you at the kwoon.
Wednesday, 10 July 2013
July 9,10, 2013
200 p/u
200 s/u
5 weapon forms
50 snap kicks
50 spinning back kicks
My spinning back kick needs a whole pile of work. Timing, balance, flexibility issues, and accuracy are all in need of a major rebuild. I think I really need to concentrate on this one. Worked on stances and different techniques of the form to smooth out the rough edges.
Held the door for 1 person. Let some people turn left in front of me so many coming in the opposite lane could carry on. took my wife out for dinner.
200 s/u
5 weapon forms
50 snap kicks
50 spinning back kicks
My spinning back kick needs a whole pile of work. Timing, balance, flexibility issues, and accuracy are all in need of a major rebuild. I think I really need to concentrate on this one. Worked on stances and different techniques of the form to smooth out the rough edges.
Held the door for 1 person. Let some people turn left in front of me so many coming in the opposite lane could carry on. took my wife out for dinner.
Monday, 8 July 2013
July 7,8, 2013
150 push ups
150 sit ups
18 km biked
40 thrust kicks
Worked on the heavy bag tonight analyzing my punches. I was working on trying to time my six harmonies, well three of the six anyway. I have the tendency to use my shoulders more than incorporate my center and a ground back leg. I am trying to work on feeling the power coming from the ground and throughout the body to the contact point. I am also trying to work on the timing with the rotation of the fist at the end of the snap coming from the hip.
An observation I found tonight was leaving some of my joints vulnerable to damage should a strike occur. One that was not only involved in blocks, but also a strike. My elbows. Considering 7lbs could put your arm out of commission for anything, I found my arms completely straight on punches and blocks. Not good. Something to work on and break this bad habit quick.
I lent a vehicle to a friend that needs help to move some items. Complimented all the fellas at work on the job they are doing. Held a door for 2 people. Picked up scattered garbage in the alley.
150 sit ups
18 km biked
40 thrust kicks
Worked on the heavy bag tonight analyzing my punches. I was working on trying to time my six harmonies, well three of the six anyway. I have the tendency to use my shoulders more than incorporate my center and a ground back leg. I am trying to work on feeling the power coming from the ground and throughout the body to the contact point. I am also trying to work on the timing with the rotation of the fist at the end of the snap coming from the hip.
An observation I found tonight was leaving some of my joints vulnerable to damage should a strike occur. One that was not only involved in blocks, but also a strike. My elbows. Considering 7lbs could put your arm out of commission for anything, I found my arms completely straight on punches and blocks. Not good. Something to work on and break this bad habit quick.
I lent a vehicle to a friend that needs help to move some items. Complimented all the fellas at work on the job they are doing. Held a door for 2 people. Picked up scattered garbage in the alley.
Saturday, 6 July 2013
July 5,6, 2013
250 push ups
250 sit ups
5 km walked
50 thrust kicks
50 round house kicks
5 weapon form
I worked on sections of my weapon form on Friday nights practice. I am trying to smooth out and repair those little things that are feeling awkward in the form. I am mostly working on the stances and transitions in order to ground stability and smooth out the flow.
Today I didn't really get a whole lot done except push ups and sit ups. There is always something to catch up on and it seems never enough time. That and I'm tired but I see the end coming closer to the project, which means the long days will be over soon and my weekends will be open. My intention is to use as many opportunities as I can to go to open training and get back to going to all three classes on Mondays and Wednesdays along with finally getting to a san shou class. This one I am very excited about going to.
I mowed my neighbors lawn, held the door for 2 people, and picked up garbage in the local play ground on the way to get my little one for supper.
250 sit ups
5 km walked
50 thrust kicks
50 round house kicks
5 weapon form
I worked on sections of my weapon form on Friday nights practice. I am trying to smooth out and repair those little things that are feeling awkward in the form. I am mostly working on the stances and transitions in order to ground stability and smooth out the flow.
Today I didn't really get a whole lot done except push ups and sit ups. There is always something to catch up on and it seems never enough time. That and I'm tired but I see the end coming closer to the project, which means the long days will be over soon and my weekends will be open. My intention is to use as many opportunities as I can to go to open training and get back to going to all three classes on Mondays and Wednesdays along with finally getting to a san shou class. This one I am very excited about going to.
I mowed my neighbors lawn, held the door for 2 people, and picked up garbage in the local play ground on the way to get my little one for supper.
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