An Overview Overdue

So I had some issues in regards to my electronics the last while that has prevented me from getting my blogs out. This is no excuse however as I did have plenty of time to post before these problems rose to frustration. I do have a ton of patience but not enough to try to finish or write a blog with my fat fingers and tiny phone screen. Sorry for the MIA. Rather than try to post a bunch of blogs at once, I'll post one with a little piece of each one.

Weapon training is something I truly enjoy. As much as I like to put my self in a virtual battle in my mind, hacking up bad guys and what have you, I also really enjoy the technical side of it. Training with a weapon of any sort can expose your stance weaknesses, challenge your timing, and really help creativity from your mind and then try to translate it through your body, way cool and way too much fun. One thing about building your own weapon form though, you have to keep in mind, it's just like any other form. When it starts to evolve, the flow and transitions change. Areas of your form will become more stable and faster that may not coincide with the others. So much is effected but unfortunately, not necessarily at the same time. This can create frustration and doubt, but the important part is to not venture too far off of your original vision and just tweek the form a little at a time instead of massive changes. I tend to learn this the hard way. I had a pretty good Twin Axe form going and was doing a few reps a day. I knew our first demo was coming and I assured myself and others it would be demo ready. Well, I ended up getting side tracked and my daily weapon form reps went to the way side. A few days before the demo, I was doing my form and thought, "I really don't like this part, I have a few days, so I'll change it" and began to change a bunch of stuff shortly before the demo. This was a really dumb move as I had a bunch of muscle memory trained into my mind a body and thought I could re program myself and my movements, nope. As a result my form really sucked and the last 1/3 was on auto pilot as I had no clue or idea what I was doing, thank goodness I remembered the finish. So this was a good reminder as to why all aspects of our training must move together in an incremental fashion and if your going to change things, do so way ahead of the due date.

I have had a true misconception of the first part of the six harmonies, as I felt they should be moving all at once from last technique completion, through transition, to next technique execution. The problem here is that yes they move together, but not how I was applying them. I was missing the steps, technique, return to center, settle into the stance, apply technique timed with a good solid grounding. I was trying to do this all at once, but skipping a lot of these important steps, which makes the whole system useless. There is no solidification or centering involved this way or power/grounding in the techniques.This might not make sense, but long story short, I have been doing this form sometime and it is taking a lot of work to break the habit. Oh well, all on the quest for mastery indeed.

All or nothing reared it's ugly head on me again. This problem has been much to my demise many a time. It's a tough balance sometimes to separate your work or occupational mindset form your Kung Fu work ethic. I have trouble with this at times. If there is a problem or task that needs to be tended to then it's all or nothing until the issue is solved meanwhile other things go to the way side and then the cycle begins, which ends up turning into a big pile of tangled mess frustration and you just want to say to hell with all of this. This wastes time and removes your full control of what you need to do or take care of in a very unproductive and unhealthy way as it festers to negativity and bad choices as to what you need in your life and what you don't. I have changed my approach this year to the mindset that incremental progress is key, period. I was trying to fix a few trouble areas in my Kung Fu and as a result, that's where all my focus went and I paid for it buy not practicing other areas, all or nothing came into play and then I looked back and realized what other areas were being left behind. This isn't healthy, productive, or efficient training. I stopped, reviewed my requirements and goals and now I am proceeding in a much more stable and productive fashion. It's not easy to stay away from this mindset for me, at work and other areas it's go until your done, less important things can wait. This doesn't work in Kung Fu or other areas and I hope by the time the year is over, I can learn to stay on the incremental focus and practice a healthier approach.

I had the opportunity to get in some sparring last week during the que belt classes. I haven't sparred since the last san shou class, which is way too long of a stretch. I really enjoy sparring and almost forgot just how valuable of a tool it is. I hope we'll see the return of san shou someday but in the meantime I am going to try to get to open training as I understand there is a group that spars there every week. Good stuff indeed.

Sorry for the long post and scattered theme, but I had to let you know what's been up for the last while. I am currently on a 12 hour nighshift schedule for a few more days and then I am flying out to the west coast for a few days, but I will be back next week. I hope everyones training is going well. See you at the Kwoon.

Another Tool

A lot has been said the past while about our annual fundraiser Pandamonium. There was mention of awareness, question of full understanding, and what exactly does it mean to you? There are several definitions to this as individual perception based upon beliefs and actions vary. It is a lot more than raising money, although money is necessary to continue to do what we do, it is in all actuality another tool. A tool that is of traditional training. I could be wrong but I believe your internal Kung Fu needs to be just as strong as your external with sound and grounded technique. If you some day want to experience the void, the ultimate balance that holds no segregation; then this opportunity is a required component of the intricate make up of a true martial artist.

The heart of the whole thing is to make you a better and more balanced martial artist and person. To inspire and drive you to become one with the earth and all that inhabits it and enhance your connection to it through yourself shared to others. By being compassionate and willing to make change, your internal Kung Fu will grow.

If you want to make change, but don't know how or your uncomfortable in a social position, use this tool to train yourself to start a personal journey of compassion and empathy. This type of Kung Fu training gives you the opportunity to believe in yourself and exploit your beliefs with courage and confidence, with heart. Your educating yourself and others about compassion and empathy, and practicing the process of internal training.  I am a firm believer in just being your self and don't be scared to question or stand up for what you believe in. Let people know how you feel and why. If you struggle with any of these areas or feel the need to educate and improve not only your own compassion and empathy, but others as well, this is a valuable tool in your arsenal. The best part is you can do it at your own pace and how you want to do it because this is all part of your journey and your individual Kung Fu, It's all on you because it comes from your mind and heart. If you see the point I am trying to make you will see that this is what you need to be a balanced martial artist. It's very easy to just walk up to someone and punch or kick them to get your point across, but it's another to get your point across through knowledge and a solid display of character that leaves a more prominent impact that intices and spreads empathy and compassion through others.

I struggled alot with Panadamonium this year. It's not that I don't care or having problems approaching others is an issue. I believe in our charities and have no problem supporting them through public acknowledgement. I just couldn't bring myself to ask people for money when so much has been going on in our own province. 80,000 people plus out of work, 120,000 people displaced because of natural disaster, and being exposed to the homeless and social issues walking to and from work for the last 6 months downtown, really hit home. I know there is much more to it than that and think I made that point earlier. However as Sifu Brinker said our last meeting, Pandamonium is not just the day of, it is the year of Pandamonium 2016. I made a goal to raise a $1000 to go towards our charities and I intend to see it through. I just think this wasn't the time, but I still have 7 months to find the moment and run with it and strengthen my internal Kung Fu. See you at the kwoon.

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

One Step Forward.....

What a great way to start the long weekend by our monkey team completing our very first challenge with success. There was a lot of awesome stuff going on there that night and I look forward to see what I witnessed evolve even further throughout the year. Regardless of how you may feel about your performance, everyone was great. Especially considering this is only the rough version. Imagine how you are all going to look in another month. With this kind of skill and advancement this gives our team many more opportunities and drives the potency of the I Ho Chuan higher and higher. Good stuff indeed.
For my own form the final result was down to the wire because of illness. I'm happy with what I have for a base and once I get more of the footwork mastered and incorporate the kicks I decide on, I think it will be one of my better forms. Some of the techniques will have to more defined and complete stances, but at least now I have a form to start recording reps and move forward and continue to balance my training overall. I really like these weapons, too much fun.

I had a little of a mid month stall in my physical training because mother nature decided I needed a cleanse whether I wanted it or not. It's been sometime since I have been that sick or have ever had a stomach virus to that level. All I can say is that I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I am grateful for my health though, as there are others in my place of work that are still at home and are on potent antibiotics. I did go see a doctor though just in case and I'm glad I did because I knew there was more to all of this. I have become sick more often this year than I have over a lengthy period of time. Why is that? Because my Thyroid medicine is not working which is leaving it vulnerable to my autoimmune system attacking it. Not good. So between an increase in dosage and the direction of diet and different herbs and foods from the reflexologist I am seeing, things will improve I'm sure. The stupid part of it all though is my stubbornness to change. I was directed to change my diet for 30 days and reintroduce different food to find the allergen and help my body. Instead of doing this, I looked at it as sacrifice, that and I love all kinds of food. Well not all of it, I have grown to stay away from a bunch of things that I know are not good, but I am not overly picky. Getting back to the point, I thought I would take the easy way and just get a test done that will tell me exactly what it is. Long waiting list and trouble getting away from work was my excuse, meanwhile, I am becoming more and more susceptible to illness and permanent damage. Idiot. So the diet it is and hopefully I can find out what the problem is sooner than later.

I was progressing very well until all of this came about but that's the way it goes sometimes and the show must go on. While down I reviewed my progress and tweeked my plan because for a change, I am recording my training. Not 100% yet, but an honest approach is there. It's amazing how much progress you can lose in just a couple of weeks but I use it as inspiration to get caught up and exceed the previous month instead of dwelling about what was. Form advancement is coming along well and my side heel is getting better. More curriculum review has to come into play and I'm enjoying fitness advancements, weight training, and combinations. I plan to set some goals for the month of April and see what I can pull off. I almost have all my numbers tallied for March and will be posting them soon. That's about it for this week, happy training everyone. See you at the kwoon.

Slow, but Steady

Well so far things are not coming along as quickly as I would like but moving forward just the same. I have been working at several aspects of training but mostly forms, kicks, and our required version 1.0 that is due very soon.

My weapon form is moving along rather slowly at the moment. It always takes me a little while to create a form as the focus is on mainly the technique and familiarization of the weapon. The mechanics if you will. Then I work on incorporating the stance with said technique, moving into transitional flow. This all takes time as your center and grounding with the multitude of techniques available, will be altered. So choosing the the proper stance for whatever it is you are applying is paramount. I have a pretty good feeling about this weapon choice though as it is posing difficulty and that usually means the choice is solid.
I have chosen to do two weapon forms this year because I don't want to leave progress behind and I am hoping to use this as an enhancement towards my overall weapon training experience. I am continuing the Long Axe as I feel I have finally created a good solid base with that weapon and now I have something to work off of. That form was probably Version 9.4, but I feel it was worth the work. I am hoping by the end of the year I will have that form evolved even further and the "Twins of Death" right up there along side of it.
I have made some excellent progress in two forms I am currently working on. I struggled with hip engagement in Loa Gar for some time now, but after consulting a Sifu on the mechanics of the Loa Gar stance and being shown that it is more of a rotational power, I now have my hip engaging involuntary and I actually feel the power and flamboyance of the form and techniques/settling of the stance. This form is starting to flow very well and I'm starting to actually feel the energy. So this is a good thing. The other is Long. There are certain areas in that form where the stance transition into the next technique has been wobbly and the timing has been way off. Again, after consulting with a Sifu, a lot of it had to do with body mechanics and timing of the arms to begin and complete the transition and settle into the stance.

Aside from that the rest has been working on kicks upon kicks and all the maintenance that goes along with it. I have been working on squats to increase my power when throwing kicks from a horse stance and using ankle weights to increase my power to get the crane stance up higher as well as incorporating them into regular kick reps. This is going to require some attention because I am terribly guilty of not taking the time to stretch properly. I also haven't managed to get in as much Qi Gong as necessary. So these two things are some of my target zones for sure.

I have begun to see a reflexologist again on a regular basis and even after one session, I can see positive results physically and mentally. I have began to remove some things from my diet and feel good results from that as well. I plan to do some serious changes here and clean up the fuel my body needs.

I am also slowly making progress towards combo work and implementing weight training into my routines. I figure if I can get this all moving forward even if they are all at different levels of progression, it won't matter what life throws at me, I will always be moving forward and my ability to adapt to it all will become effortless effort, and that's just cool. See you at the kwoon.

Switching Directions

I gained at lot of opportunity these last few weeks in the form of assistance and knowledge, along with lot's of homework to get on top of if I wish to see my training and skillset become solid. Solid enough to where my training base for this year, and years to come, has opportunity for continuous improvement and longevity to the art. I sometimes feel all I have done is continuously circle the opportunity, but never feeling full confidence in the decision to take it. Situations of life was commonly used as an excuse not to move forward, but most of the time it was my stubbornness of not meeting the level I feel should be presentable at grading. A detrimental approach by holding the mentality that it is all or nothing. Long story short, I have obviously taken it upon myself to walk the longest path in order to move forward and succeed in overcoming a giant block I have thrown in my own path. I feel that now is the time to smash that block and leave the worn out path behind. So that's what I will do.

I had the opportunity last I Ho Chuan class to finally pull out the twin battle axes and see just what they could do and how I was going to make them do it. I think I am really going to enjoy these, I feel like I could smash a building down with them. But they are going to require some adaptability because they are short twin weapons and they are heavier than any other twin weapon I have trained with previous. So I researched the "Twins of Death" in order to find out what I could about them and discovered some valuable information. I read an article loaded with techniques, single and double offense, and common stances that have been used for sometime. What I didn't see much of though was blocking techniques, so I will have to make my own and utilize some of the advice I was given at class. I'm really looking forward to building a form with this weapon choice.

Other than that I am working on improving my daily discipline and have a lot of homework to do in all aspects of my Kung Fu. This last while I have spent at the kwoon has been awesome. We have covered some really good basics which in turn helps me focused on my training. There's more to this but that's another blog. See you at the kwoon.