Tiger Challenge

This past week has mostly been about preparing for the Tiger Challenge. Two weeks ago I had even started working on a creative musical form. I always enjoy creating either a hand or weapon form using music as a base. Unfortunately I decided to abandon the idea as I hadn't started early enough to feel confident in my ability to not mix up all my forms. I know there has to be a healthy balance of pushing myself and knowing when I may be piling on too much.

I feel like I have a normal amount a nervousness leading up to and then performing in the Tiger Challenge. It is the added anxiety that can be over the top if not managed. And this is something that I am getting better at. For me eating healthy is always important, but especially the week leading up to the challenge. No room for errors here. I don't know if there are ever enough reps to feel fully prepared for the Tiger Challenge. Sometimes the more I do, the more pieces I discover that are needing attention and improvement. The key is to narrow my focus and choose 1 or 2 areas to work on and log the rest for later. This is good though as we are always evolving and learning. 

The tools that help me during the day of the Tiger Challenge consist of a bit of practice, (just enough to clear any cobwebs that developed overnight), dynamic stretches and breathing techniques. I also incorporate some rest/me time at some point . I also like to fill in any extra waiting time with some busy work to take the focus off what is about to take place and just enjoy the day.

I feel good about my performance and nothing went horribly wrong. Anxiety and a healthy amount of nerves were present and I feel were well managed. In the end the there is a huge check mark, a smiley face, claps and hugs for myself and everyone else that participated and judged the event. Another opportunity to step outside our comfort zone for many of us, in a safe and supportive environment and show that we can persevere, adapt and do it exceptionaly well!

A Tiger Challenger over Zoom is not the same as being in person at the Kwoon, but there is a truly unique and special quality to an event done in this way during this challenging time in our lives. Instructors, participants and parents behind the scenes supporting their children, all came together. The challenges that we face in our many different training environments, internet issues and the constant need to adapt added to our shared experience and makes the efforts that much more rewarding. 

Thank you to all the Sifus that organized the event and thank you to Mrs Ferris and her cast of participants that took part in a very special video that was incorporated into a very special day! 

A big thank you and congratulations to all!

👏👏 😊🎉🎉

What's Your Speed?

What speed are you traveling at?

Are you speeding ahead and loving the ride or are you speeding ahead and mostly focused on the destination? Do you find yourself stuck in traffic, horns blaring, road blocks and delays? Or are you cruising down a country road at just the right speed, stopping along the way to enjoy the scenery and making adjustments to your trajectory? Most likely it's all of the above at different times and that's ok. As long as you recognize what is happening. Sometimes you just need to get off the road, take some time to focus on your breathing and access where and how you want to continue your journey. And remember, often times a wrong turn can be the best turn!

I am finding lately with the nicer weather that it is getting harder to stay committed to the team requirements and my own personal goals. I'm feeling at times that I just want to get out of the car and park it in the garage to focus on other stuff. Instead I add more fuel and keep moving forward. I ask myself if it would really be so bad if I took an extra rest day here and there? There are days when this is very appealing and even needed, but I also worry that I would end up stalled. While there have been some days this month with lower numbers, I never come to a complete stop. And I am getting better at recognizing what is needed to keep everything sustainable.  

Be present to what is directly in front of you

Look ahead, be aware of potential road blocks

Don't allow yourself to become paralyzed by your goal

Don't look where you don't want to go

Adjust you speed as needed

Find the right momentum for the current situation

Eat well and maintain your vehicle

Encourage travel companions

Take measure and embrace the experiences along the way

Extra time to rest is good if it serves you and is done purposefully

Reflect, learn and continue moving forward

No regrets

Appreciate your efforts

Love your results!

Namaste everyone!

New Goal

I've recently started to seriously think about grading for my black belt (yikes!!!) and have decided that my goal is to grade next year. It is strange how this happened for me so suddenly. Black Belt grading has been in the back of my mind for the past few years, but until recently I was still thinking it would be another 2 or 3 years away. 

So what changed? I think the biggest change for me has been joining the team again this year and then all the effort I have been putting into the requirements. The momentum and growth that I have been experiencing has inspired me and I feel now is the time to continue pushing myself and ride the wave.

A week ago Logan and I went through most of the Black Belt fitness test to see where I was at and get a feel for everything. The chin ups and flex arm hang are my nemesis. Kind of like the box jump for Ms. Ferris. I'm standing on the stool, holding onto the bar and practically freeze. Just can't seem to make my body do anything. Oh well, results were recorded and now I have a starting point to improve upon. Some results were better than expected and others were not surprising at all. The plan is to run through the fitness test every 2 weeks to help build endurance, track improvement and work on technique.

I am slowly starting to figure out what works best for me regarding extra training. I've started using a blank calendar that I fill in each day with the stretches, punches, horse stance and kicks, etc. Right now I am mostly working on stuff from the fitness test and then throwing in some things from the Livestream video lessons and random other stuff that pops into my head. Recording everything onto the calendar helps me to see what I am doing, how often and where any gaps may be. And I am finding that there is a higher level of engagement and enjoyment with what I'm doing.

This nicer weather as we head into the summer months is going to make it challenging to stay motivated and train consistently. I may even have to start getting up earlier. Yikes! Maybe not the 5 AM club, but possibly a 6 AM club?

Namaste 

Letting Go!

I've seen a common pattern popping up for me this year. An opportunity for growth and expansion in my life. I am talking about the act of "letting go". For whatever reason I have become more aware of this in my life and am working consciously to apply tools to help with the process in order to move forward in my training, personal growth, work and relationships, etc. 

At a quick glance "letting go" appears on the surface to be a relatively easy task. But I know that for many people their heavy baggage comes from just burying most things rather than truly "letting go" ultimately creating a lack of freedom and space to move forward.

My identified areas to let go:

• the past or what used to be
• mistakes, actions or words
• things we have no control over,  
• judgements or negative thoughts, 
• undesirable outcomes

Steps to letting go:

• Firstly I need to recognize and acknowledge when something is not serving me.
• Allow myself to feel emotions without dwelling on things. If I don't allow this to happen, I am just stuffing everything inside. 
• Practice forgiveness towards myself and others.
• Recognize and embrace gratitude for the opportunity to learn and grow.
• Create a positive affirmation

By letting go, space is created for positive energy to come into my life and those around me. Letting go helps me to live in the moment and act now rather than spending unproductive time in the past or being worried about the future.

Namaste 

Numbers Update

Updated numbers as of the April 30th

No quitting ✔ 

Push ups 11970

Sit ups 12260

Lau Gar 296

Shoto 344

Sparring 78

Kilometers 127

Acts of Kindness 373

Mend a Relationship ✔

Journal min 1x week ✔

Featured Journal Posts ✔

Online Presence ✔

Public Performances - Not yet

Lion Dance - Working on it

Tiger Challenge - hopefully

Zero Unexcused Absences ✔ 

Excel in Curriculum - Instructors would need to judge

SRKF Projects - 2 projects, SRKF Virtual Auction & Livestream Table of Contents

Mastery - Reading every day and starting to memorize

Personal goals are on track so far. Currently working on a 100 day challenge of 5 minutes of stillness each day. (30 days completed) Stillness is something that I need to consciously remember to complete every day. Should be easy to do, but I find myself always doing, watching or reading something.

Namaste!

My Kung Fu Garden

 

At the end of class a few weeks ago, Sifu Rybak had asked why we practice Kung Fu and also commented that many of us attend classes out of "habit". I know that my reason for training in Kung Fu is it helps me to grow as a person and be a better version of myself while also building connections. 

Kung Fu plants a diverse variety of seeds that encourages growth in all areas of my life. Not all germinate quickly, but every seed has the potential for growth. Community, environment, self awareness, mindfulness, compassion and empathy are just some of the many plants growing in my Kung Fu garden. 

Why I train in Kung Fu is clear, but hearing Sifu Rybak use the word "habit" caused me to pause and think. At the time I felt that even though there are many great habits, in this case I was seeing it as somewhat negative. Repetitive and at times just going through the motions because it had become habit. Realizing that I mostly attend classes and watch the online videos each week out of habit bothered me. I have been pondering an answer as to why? Surely all the positives and this beautiful Kung Fu garden that I have grown is a reflection of that good habit? So is it my perspective, my level of engagement or mindfulness? Or something else entirely? What seeds are sitting there waiting for the right combination of elements to encourage growth? 

Anxiety and self compassion may be part of the answer. I find that compassion for others is much easier than self compassion. This is a seed in my garden that is in need of some nurturing. Then there are the weeds of anxiety popping up that tend to choke out the blissful flowers of enjoyment. If I can focus more on the enjoyment, I may be better equipped to push aside the anxiety thus creating a more enjoyable head and heart space.

Training in Kung Fu at SRKF is definitely a keystone habit that has enormous potential to trigger numerous other good habits, thereby creating a ripple effect in our lives and all of those that we come into contact with, either directly or indirectly.

Namaste