Time flies

August is off to a busy start. In less than a month I'll be back in school and we'll only be about a month from grading. Where did the summer go? Although I have put a lot of work into my kung fu it seems like there is always tons to work on.

This week has been a tough personal week, there has been a lot going on unrelated and also related to kung fu. As always my training mates have been super supportive and inspiring, what would I do without this place?

I've seen a huge difference in my older daughter's attitude towards kung fu lately. Something really clicked for her last week during class when the benefits of having a training partner were discussed. She found a training buddy (my training partners daughter) and also asked me to train with her. She has been practicing at home and taking initiative in class- asking Sifus questions etc. Tonight she got a stripe for the stick basics she's been working on, the timing couldn't have been more perfect to reinforce what some hard work can do. It's awesome to see the fire in her eyes, she's already planning her next goal, and I have another training buddy.

back to work

This week it was really back to work. My training was a little sporadic when I was on holidays and travelling, but this week it's back on track. I have noticed a huge difference in my endurance from this time last year. I remember when I struggled to run the entire 2 km run, what a difference a year has made.

Board breaking is on the brain again. This Friday is another opportunity to break my boards. I almost don't want to talk about it because it makes me nervous, but this time around I'm trying to think about breaking the boards while deep breathing and trying to calm some of the anxiety surrounding it. I am practicing my setup so that I can feel confident and not rush myself. It's amazing how much power our brain has over our bodies. That sounds ridiculous, but I mean it in the way that our brains perceive a threat (or anxiety etc.) and our body is subjected to the adrenaline dump or whatever other response our brains see fit to send out. I am trying to learn how to control that response so that I don't shut down or get a case of the shakes when it's my turn to break on Friday. Wish me luck!

It's all around us

I've been in kung fu for about 4 years now and the longer I'm there the more people I meet from the community. Having the opportunity to be a children's instructor has expanded the web of people I've gotten to know. It seems that more and more these days that every time I'm out running errands or working out or at some kind of school event for the kids I see someone from kung fu- student or parent of a student. The students of Silent River are a kind of "Project Mayhem" group (name that movie)- but in a much less destructive way of course. We're everywhere. We are the co- worker that goes out of their way to help out, we are the people holding the door and picking up garbage, we are the reliable hardworking employee, we are out in the community doing good things and changing the world! I know that sometimes we all struggle with the idea that what we're doing makes a difference in the world or that the kind things we do everyday to make other peoples lives easier, happier or better aren't significant. But they really are, and I see it when I'm out in my community. The values that we all share as students of Silent River Kung Fu have changed people's lives and continue to do so. Not only do the little things we do add up to big things, but they influence others to do the same- in our schools, at work and everywhere in between.

Taking it inside

Where is the line between training hard and training smart? I have posted about this before, but it's on my mind again this week. I think I've been my own worst enemy on the road to recovery. It has become very apparent the last few weeks that I've developed bad habits while trying to adapt my training to injuries. I hate to admit it, but it's all been ego. I have given up certain aspects of training- like push ups for example- but slowing down my punches or not hitting the heavy bag full force was not an option, everyone else is doing it and if I'm not then where is the "martial" in my martial arts? It's even harder being in a class where there are students that I don't know because I don't want anyone to think that I'm breakable or something- they have no idea of my history. Holy ego batman! I have never judged a student or a Sifu if I saw them doing a modified version of something or backed away from sparring for example. So why do I feel like I am going to be thought of in a certain way if I'm doing the same? The students of Silent River are an amazing group- I don't think I'm being judged by them, it's all me and my silly ego. I am trying to let go of the idea that I have some kind of image I need to uphold and smarten up. I didn't join kung fu for an image. I need to remind myself now that it's time to work on inner strength and the rest will follow in time. This is going to be a time of inner growth for me- I think it's going to be the toughest challenge yet.

Training partner

One of the best things I've found to help my training in the last few months is my training partner. I've always been more of a loner, I never played team sports and I have a hard time relying on others. There are many, many times that I have not wanted to work out and have made myself go because my training partner is waiting for me- only to find out she didn't want to work out either and is there for the same reason. Some of my best training days have come out of that situation. She forces me to push my limits- especially with running- and encourages every step of the way. I am thankful to have someone who can kick my butt along the road and I can kick hers when she needs it too. Thanks for kicking my butt Robyn!

Skidoosh!

Like everyone else, boot camp was the big event for me this week. I went in feeling pretty sorry for myself as I did not break my boards as hoped the night before. As always it was a challenging day and I had no choice but to think about the task at hand. Anyone who has attended boot camp knows that high you get at the end of the day after the run and the group is standing together, it's an amazing feeling. Most people never get to experience the kind of camaraderie you feel after going through something like boot camp together- it's really something special. I left feeling much more at peace with myself and with a more positive outlook on the board breaking. My confidence is still pretty shaky but I hope over the month until my next opportunity I can rebuild that and put twice the work in that I did before, I will try to see this as a chance to get better rather than a failure.

This was the third boot camp that I have attended and I felt that it was the most physically challenging one yet, and the most rewarding. I had no choice but to drop my feeling sorry for myself attitude and work my butt off with a great group of people that supported and inspired me all day. Thanks to everyone who was there and the Sifus who took the time to put together such a great experience.

Technique

We always talk about technique being the most important base to our kung fu before speed, accuracy and realism. This week I've had to go back to the basics- technique. I failed to break my boards at the tournament (due to lack of good technique) so this Friday is my opportunity. I have been practicing my breaking sequence over and over focusing on crane stance, chambering my side kick, foot position and connecting my hips into my kicks. I feel better about the techniques every day, I just hope my nerves don't get the best of me on Friday.

My training partner and I got some good advice on how to improve our time for the shuttle run- surprise! it's technique! By changing my technique for the shuttle run I took 20 seconds off my previous time, which is HUGE! It's amazing how many hurdles I have overcome that I never thought I would. I will continue to work on technique and I'm looking forward to the challenge of boot camp this weekend.