5 Applications

 

The process of figuring out my 5 applications was an enormous challenge for me. Every time I tried to start my brain would just freeze and I was unable to generate any sort of momentum. I was so far out of my comfort zone I was unable to see a path forward and felt like I was up against a brick wall.

Part of the problem stems from my spirit wanting to duck and hide when it comes to intense situations where there is potential for a lack of control or even just the unknown. Sihing Csillag recently talked about the internal harmonies in class. I found his explanation of spirit helpful. While I may not be a fighter I believe I would do what was needed in order to save myself or someone close to me.

It took conversations with blackbelts and watching self defense videos to help my internal mindset and slowly fuel an understanding of the role self defense plays in my training and life. After numerous starts and stops I slowly began to crawl my way forward and up until I finally had 5 applications.

Now that I've been able to find my way over the wall, I am actually enjoying myself. Each time I work on my 5 applications, concepts are reinforced and I learn more about what works, why it works and how to make them better. Being able to apply concepts we are taught and feel the difference is eye opening. 

I'm learning the value of working with a good partner. Communication, feedback, intent and a degree of realism have provided opportunities for both of us to learn and grow.  

I'm discovering where my power zone is. Too much space equals less power and control. With control my technique works much better and my opponent/partner has fewer options and less time to think and counter.

Working with a few different partners has also helped me to see how suddenly a technique no longer gets the same results. A difference in height, size and flexibility requires adjustments to be made. I didn't spend a lot of time with other partners, but there were opportunities to learn and figure out how to make some adjustments. 

I also noticed that having my eyes up changes my body language, confidence and therefore my ability to be more effective.

The value of building and working on my 5 techniques has been immense and an important piece of the overall Kung Fu puzzle. 

Totals

Push ups: 480/41865
Situps: 480/41960
Hand form: 2/797       
Weapon form: 6/717
KM: 37/1705          
AOK: 16/1537            
Sparring: 0/705          
Blogs: 1/61               
Yoga: 30 min/39.5 hours

Knee Silo

I think we all are in danger of training in a silo to some degree at various times. There are moments when I can easily connect the dots and other times when I'm experiencing tunnel vision and not even aware until slowly the fog lifts. 

The ongoing issues I have with my knees is an area I feel I've existed in a silo for too long. I've made adjustments out of necessity and that is understandable. I've also learned a lot more about listening to my body and how to better take care of it. I'm continually learning how far I can push myself and what my limitations are moment by moment. 

So why do I feel I've been living in a silo when it comes to my knees? I realized I have stagnated. Nothing much has changed, mentally or physically. I'm making the same adjustments. The fog has started to lift due to different instructors that take the time to provide feedback and corrections. And suddenly I feel connections being made. 

Sihing Burke pointed out a noticeable difference in my cat stance in a few of my forms that really had me asking myself some questions. For example, I'm able to execute a decent left lead cat stance at the start of 18 Temple Motions and yet I struggle with cat stances in our sword form and Lao Gar. As I worked through why this was, I realized the technique of calming the ocean helps to facilitate a natural transition into the cat stance. And the transition after as I transfer my weight to my left leg helps to take the pressure off the right knee so I am more relaxed and in the moment. 

Then on Monday, Sihing Lindstrom had pointed out a technique in Lao Gar that I needed to fix. As I corrected my technique from a strike to more of a push I quickly felt my hips engaged in a slightly different way. The change in intent also changed the timing and the release and engagement of my hip. As I think about this I believe I may have also been feeling a more defined contraction and expansion with the correction. 

So while the joints and supporting muscle groups need to be taken care of, I'm beginning to realize intent, flow between techniques and the efficiency of my 6 harmonies play an important role in what my knees can do or not do. They will never be 100%, but with the fog lifted I have another avenue to explore. 

There is an opportunity here to get better at listening to my body and develop my internal and external harmonies to help work with and support the knees. And of course this will transfer over into all areas until the next time I find myself in a silo again. 

Totals

Push ups: 975/41385
Situps: 990/41480
Hand form: 16/795       
Weapon form: 12/711
KM: 39/1668          
AOK: 19/1521             
Sparring: 0/705          
Blogs: 1/60               
Yoga: 30 min/39 hours

Someone I Can Admire

 

When I pay attention, I find additional tools appear according to my current needs. Recently this was a post about motivation that I happened to run across. The article mentioned 10 different elements that help us to stay motivated. Most of them were not surprising and yet it was also interesting how they all fit together so well. Each one by itself is beneficial and yet together they provide a much more solid foundation.

Quite often a particular tool works very well for a period of time, but doesn't usually sustain me long term. There are times when telling myself to "Just do it!" works. And then there are times when it is not enough. There are times when the fear of failure, or the desire to learn and grow motivates me. 

As I read through the article about staying motivated I discovered a deeper understanding of motivation and added a few new tools to my toolbox.  I found #4 really resonated with me. Develop deep personal integrity. Be someone you can admire. I want what I say and do to mean more than just what is perceived by others. I want to be someone I can admire through continued development of deep personal integrity. So as I went through my week and found myself waffling on whether or not to do some form reps or pushups and sit ups, I thought about personal integrity and being someone I could admire. And not surprisingly I found myself getting more done. The choice to do or not do became easier.  

I'm realizing is there is no one solution to staying motivated. There are times when saying "Just do it!" provides a temporary fix but it's not sustainable. Multiple elements are needed and work together to support each other. 

Book - Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
1. Develop the right mental attitude.
2. Aspire to something greater than yourself. Develop a "magnificent obsession."
3. Possess a futuristic outlook; take the long-range view. Release the past.
4. Develop deep personal integrity. Be someone you can admire.
5. Accept total personal responsibility. Remain in complete control at all times. Do not be manipulated by people or events. Operate on a personal timetable.
6. Edify and affirm others. Remember, nothing is greater than love.
7. Be grateful, not critical. Develop a gratitude attitude.
8. Select your friends with care. Minimize people dependency. If you dominate your associates, there is no way for you to expand or grow.
9. Do it now! Decide what habits or changes you wish to alter in your life; make those changes and never let an exception occur.
10. Look for mentors. Mentors who "are larger than life" expand us, mentors in different fields broaden us, and deceased mentors inspire us.

Totals

Push ups: 915/40410
Situps: 900/40490
Hand form: 12/779        
Weapon form: 14/699 
KM: 41/1629           
AOK: 24/1502             
Sparring: 0/705          
Blogs: 1/59                 
Yoga: 30 min/38.5 hours

Am I Doing Enough?

Am I currently doing enough? That is a question I'm asking myself because my numbers for our IHC requirements and additional training have dipped these past 2 weeks. Could I have accomplished more? Most likely, yes. 

Are my expectations at this time realistic? Yes and no. 

Yes, because I know there are under-utilized opportunities for adding in a bit more of this or that. I also know pushing myself helps me to break through internal and external boundaries, reduces mediocrity and helps to increase possibilities and give my life more meaning. 

No, because I often have high expectations and can be hard on myself. There also needs to be an understanding of the natural dips or plateaus that occur as we navigate our path in life. These set backs and transitions can be opportunities for much needed self care, or an awareness of ego inserting itself. Lots of opportunity for growth here and reminders to embrace the journey throughout the ups and downs.

My recent numbers present one story, a snapshot of my week, but not the whole picture. As I reflected on the week I was able to look past what wasn't getting done and see how different events led to opportunities, providing more quality time with family and friends. Helping and interacting with others added more value to my week and created some important memories that I would have missed out on otherwise. While there were still holes that could have been filled I feel my priorities were in the right place.

It's not as simple as asking "Am I doing enough?" There is the need to look deeper and take ego out of the equation so we can learn and grow from our individual experiences. This is where the ordinary can become extraordinary. 

I'm developing a better understanding and awareness of what I'm capable of, my engagement in Kung Fu and life and where the holes and opportunities are. Rather than bury my head in the sand, I find myself looking around more, making discoveries and standing taller.

Correction is essential to power and mastery. You see, we are all ordinary. But a master, rather than condemning himself for his “ordinariness,” will embrace his ordinariness and use it as a foundation for building the extraordinary. Instead of giving up, as many ordinary people do, he will use his ordinariness to correct his errors, which is essential in the process of attaining mastery. You must be able to correct yourself without invalidating or condemning yourself, to accept results and improve upon them.

Correct, don’t protect.

Totals

Push ups: 880/39495
Situps: 875/39590
Hand form: 12/767        
Weapon form: 14/685 
KM: 40/1588           
AOK: 33/1478             
Sparring: 0/705          
Blogs: 1/58                 
Yoga: 30 min/38 hours

Collaborative Efforts

As discoveries are made and pieces begin to fit together I'm realizing more and more the efforts of those around me that help to provide and create the various pieces of the puzzle. 

A great example of this is an issue I was having with my back foot when moving into a high back stance during my hand form. I had mentioned it to Sifu Brinker during a one on one. The discussion that followed was helpful and provided a piece of the puzzle to understand what was needed to correct the issue.

During 2nd degree class, a conversation with Sifu Hayes and Sihing Lindstrom on the high back stance and drawing the bow garnered more information about that technique and targeting. As I practiced and thought more about where my target was and actually focused on acquiring the target first, I suddenly found myself moving into the high back stance properly. The issue of being slightly narrow was magically fixed. My back foot naturally moved exactly where it needed to in order to support the technique.

Oh, the power of intent and acquiring your target!

Training with the same person all the time is limiting. The same is true if you always seek out the same instructor or black belt. As Sifu Binker has mentioned many times, getting instruction or feedback from different instructors is beneficial and helps us to progress in our training. A different approach, wording, or an example can make all the difference when it comes to adding and completing pieces of the puzzle. 

Working on my 5 techniques and board breaking has really helped to propel me forward in an area of my training that was lacking. The discoveries and growth I am experiencing is because of the collaborative efforts of the black belts offering their experience and instruction, and the collaborative relationship I have with my partner Todai Ferris. 

Working with Sihing Ward recently has also helped reinforced the need and benefits to working with a different partner. Not only do I get different information, things feel different and I am forced to adapt to get a technique to work which helps me with my training and eventually my skill as well. 

I'm feeling more at peace with where and who I am. When the pieces of the puzzle fall into place it does feel good, but ego is starting to play less of a role now. I'm understanding more the collaborative efforts that have taken place to get me or anyone to a place where puzzle pieces come together and aha moments can happen. I am grateful for everyone around me providing lessons, instruction and support. 

Listen, be open and receptive, mix up your training, occasionally partner up with someone different, seek out different perspectives and voices. The collaborative efforts for all involved will lead to great things for instructors and students alike. As the saying goes, "it takes a village."

Totals

Push ups: 635/38615
Situps: 670/38715
Hand form: 7/755        
Weapon form: 7/671  
KM: 38/1548            
AOK: 17/1445             
Sparring: 0/705          
Blogs: 1/57                 
Yoga: 30 min/37.5 hours