Happy Anniversary!

Happy 5 year non-smoking anniversary to me! The best thing I've ever done for myself. :)

Still Here

Well, I've come to terms that I'll probably be an orange belt for a long time. I haven't even done knife defence in almost a year and I forget a lot of it and I keep doing some sort of Long/Lao Gar hybrid and I still can't get the backwards shoulder roll in Sei Chen (no idea how to spell it)... So good thing I like orange.

I still haven't totally given up though. I'm doing things to help my Kung fu in my own way. I started Hatha Yoga to help with my strength and flexibility. I was pretty nervous to try it because it's something I didn't picture myself doing but I ended up really liking it. I'm going to try to keep doing 1-2 classes every week as well as making more of an effort to attend the advanced class so I'm at least doing as much of the stuff as I can. It's getting easier for me to not show up the longer I am away.

I was way better at doing my daily requirements when I was posting everyday, now that it's not easy for me to do wherever I am, it's easier for me to slack off because I don't feel the accountability. Posting my numbers was really working for me. I have to find another way. Plus, I liked posting for the people who couldn't make class so that they knew what we covered and weren't left out. Stupid Google+! I don't like change! :)

Hello!

I haven't blogged since boot camp. It's definitely hard to blog when you're feeling negative about things. I realize it's not Kung fu that's causing the negativity but other things bleeding into Kung fu. It'll probably get a lot better when I figure out what is physically wrong with me. I'm having a hard time coming to class because I don't want to feel like a black cloud over everyone, that's the last thing I want.

I've been talking about trying yoga for awhile, I've been putting it off because I'm not really a yoga type of person but I see the benefit in it. I visited a studio 10 minutes from my house and will be starting this week. They do meditation classes too which I may try. Everyone I talk too says they feel so relaxed after a yoga session. I'm also going to start using my benefits to get massages to loosen up my muscles. I'm hoping this helps me gain more flexibility in my kicks and also helps me relax. My plan is to do my 2 classes of Kung fu, my I Ho Chaun class, 2 classes of yoga and a cardio class of some sort at the gym per week. Sifu Playter suggested learning to juggle to help calm frustration while maintaining physical control. I can for sure see that helping a lot.

Anyway, this is where I'm at. Thanks Mrs. Csillag for reminding me to blog. I do better when I have people holding me accountable.

OUCH!

I went to bootcamp again this year. Many people wonder why I would do such a thing to myself, well, the day after I'm not too sure either. All I can say is OUCH!!!! I seriously don't remember my body hurting this much last year...or I forgot. I like to see where I've improved and what I need to work on and how far I can push my body past the pain and wanting to give up. It's always a really good day. All my numbers decreased from last year, except for my pushups and thrust kicks. This is no surprise. Last year I was going to classes consistently and doing Shaolin Fitness. This year, not the case, so it's expected that I'd be slower. I'm pretty proud of my pushups though. A few months ago, I could barely do 3 and I did 22 for the fitness test and didn't drop to my knees or arch my back. Also, I broke a board with a thrust kick! :) Yay me! I took a few tries but I finally did it. I can totally tell the difference with bad technique and aim and opposed to good. when I was throwing the kick incorrectly, I couldn't break it, as soon as I changed my technique, it broke through like nothing and I didn't even feel it. That was pretty awesome. I'm going to have to practice more now so I can start breaking with my hands.

There was a younger white belt at bootcamp this year, I got her first name, but I'm not sure what her last name is. She was so inspiring. My guess is that she's about 12 or 13 years old, I'm bad at guessing age. I partnered with her quite a few times. She kept up and never complained about anything. Even in her face I could see her struggling, I would ask if she was ok and she would say yes and keep pushing through. She even creamed me in the fitness test even though I could tell she physically was done. She is going to be a phenominal martial artist if she keeps up her determination. I was so proud of her, and I don't even know her.

Have a good week everyone!!! Ummmm...Can somebody help get me off my couch? I'm not even kidding, I'm stuck! :(

Leadership and The Voices In My Head

I always gravitate towards those that lead by example. People who's actions bring truth to their words. I have a really hard time listening to people tell me things when their actions and words contradict each other. If someone tells me to do something, that it would be good for me, I need to see that they are doing it so there's an example of where I could be if I do it too. I think that's how we need to lead the school with I Ho Chaun, especially with the big projects. When people see how much fun we have together it brings a vibe to the school that naturally attracts others. When we're doing things out of obligation but would rather be somewhere else, I think other's feel that as well. If we don't want to be there, why would they? I hope that our next school projects end up being just as much fun as Canada Day. If they are, we're going to have people banging on the doors to help.

I've always known my brain was my worst enemy. Sifu Freitag worked on teaching me to calm my mind during sparring class and it made a huge difference. I felt better and was able to learn without berating myself for sucking and getting all frustrated. I really need to learn how to do that on my own. It's going to take alot of practice and I'm not sure how to do it yet but I'm going to try. She could tell when my brain started working against me and immediately told me to shut it off. I'm sure she's not going to want to follow me around to snap me out of my thinking, so I'm going to have to learn my own tricks somehow. Wish me luck, my brain NEVER wants to turn off.

Well, there's my ramblings for the week, have a good one everyone!

Keeping Up

I find this year alot harder than last year. I haven't been able to attend my regular classes for awhile because of scheduling so I'm taking part in the advanced classes for now so I can stay in kung fu. I'm in Sanshao and we're learning lion dance in I Ho Chaun. There's also those classes where everyone is expected to perform their forms in front of everyone. I haven't been forced to do it, I've been open about how much fear I have about public performances but I still feel the pressure. I can't seem to keep up or do well with anything. I guess I just have to remember its ok to ask more questions, calm myself, remember that I'm not an experienced martial artist and remember I'm not naturally coordinated so it's going to take time. My body also isn't cooperating with me, so that's a whole other can of worms to deal with. I must learn patience with myself.

My Week in a Nutshell

I'm still sticking with posting daily on UBBT chat. Seems to be working for getting me to log. I like giving myself kindness challenges before my day starts, makes it more fun and it's way more fun now that people are joining in.

I'm finding Lao Gar quite difficult to grasp but I'm learning it. I keep trying to remember everything the Sifus are teaching me, but there's alot so I'm expecting to be corrected alot, which I'm ok with. I'll admit to not practicing my ropedart this year. I hit a brick wall with it. I'm ordering a video online and I'm hoping to learn more.

I had an awesome Canada Day. It was awesome how the day went and how everyone worked together so well. I actually did Da Mu Hsing in the park with everyone, doesn't technically count as a public performance but I'm still counting it anyway for myself. I also got to have my family over at my place for a bbq. My dad came to visit from Ontario, I only get to see him once every few years or so. After the bbq my dad and I headed to the legislature grounds to watch the fireworks so it was a really long but really great day.

I wish more people would join Sanshou, I'm not sure how everyone is getting their sparring reps in without it. I had a few people telling me when I started that they were going to be in the class, and then those people never showed up again...Is it me? I swear I'll start showering and wearing deoderant if that'll help... :) There were only 2 people in class tonight. That made me sort of sad, I'm nervous that if people don't start showing up that we may lose that class. I don't want that to happen because this is a big challenge for myself and I've been sticking with it.

I'm also struggling with lion dance, my feet and hands don't work together very well, I'm sure I'll get it eventually though, it'll probably just take me longer and I'll have to ask lots of questions.

Anyway, that's my week in a nutshell. I haven't been mirroring this to the I Ho Chaun blog because for some reason my copy/paste won't work. I am getting a new computer soon though, so hopefully that will change.