100 Reps

Sometimes the obvious is not entirely clear and requires an outside perspective. 

Talking about board breaking with Sihing Ward helped to get me unstuck and fuel motivation. He had suggested I take each combo and apply the concept of doing 1000 reps of a form. At this point, break it down and do 100 reps of both combinations over the next 10 days. This clicked for me immediately and made sense. 

10 reps per day of both combos has been working well. After 5 days I'm at 50 of each. On Thursday I was able to get some feedback from Sihing Ward which helped me to make a necessary correction. Repetition only brings positive results when we are mindful in our training, ask question and are open to feedback. 

Because I've been battling a cold this week and training from home, I've had to improvise at bit. My combos have been without a bag or shield which is still good as I can work on technique and transitions. I also discovered I could use the side of my dresser or a wall to simulate a board and get a better feel of where I need to be when striking. I'm not actually hitting the surface just using it as a bit of a guide to placement and a general idea of distance.

I realized I have been thinking in terms of Michele versus Board. Oh boy, there is that ego trying to assert itself again! It makes sense though, right? My intent is to break a board. Or is it? 

The board is a target and a tool to increase my base of knowledge and skill. I'm removing the importance the board holds in my mind and focusing my intent on developing skill and confidence. How I get there will be determined by many factors. There is the science of board breaking, mental attitude, technique with proper distancing and control. 

Totals

Push ups: 600/44325
Situps: 535/44325
Hand form:16/840      
Weapon form:12/747
KM: 37/1837        
AOK: 29/1623           
Sparring: 2/719       
Blogs: 2/66             
Yoga: 60/43.5 hours

Silent Auction Challenge

With auction items slowly trickling in we are still in need of many more to make this a worthwhile and viable auction. 

I challenge everyone on the team to approach someone new, expand your vocabulary as you talk about the charities, and ask for a donation. This is an opportunity to reach more people and make a difference!

And with the challenge I would like everyone to post a comment about their experience.

Items for the auction will need to include 1 - 5 photos, a dollar value and a description of the item. Remember with the auction being online we can't see, or touch the item so more information is best.

Please email me your item info and any attached photos by January 30th at the latest.

michele.lw11@gmail.com

Little Things Matter!

These past few months have been filled with so much stuff! I've pushed my limits and stepped out of my comfort zone more often than not as deadlines loomed and then passed, and as a result my stress levels were high. Even though most of that stress was good stress I needed to take a few steps back afterwards and find ways to decompress. 

I know how important it is to take care of myself and my mental health so I added in more yoga time and made a point of incorporating mindful breathing into my days. I struggle a bit with stopping throughout the day for mindful breathing, but I am making headway and becoming more consistent. 

At first glance the past week seemed relatively uneventful. It was a good week, just nothing to write home about. It wasn't until after Thursdays IHC class that I started to see a pattern that had developed over the week and recognized the importance of the little things. 

My week consisted of many feel good moments at unexpected times. I felt the difference positive connections and interactions can have. As I unwound I was able to be in the moment more often which helped me to be open to receiving and giving. I love that being in the moment helps to slow things down and cultivates awareness. Time expands and becomes more meaningful. I get so much more from those mindful moments. And what's amazing about this is it only takes a few seconds or a few minutes to make a difference.  

During Wednesday's class, Sihing Lindstrom had us doing a long projection, combative front thrust kick on shields. At first I was doing more of a flying kick. After a couple corrections I was able to gain a bit of air with the projection and still kick with my back foot planted on the ground. And it felt good!

I was able to laugh at myself during our Thursday IHC class when I forgot the next step in one of my techniques. There was no stress attached or beating myself up afterwards. This is an important step forward for me. Another feel good moment which is happening more and more.

Looking back on the week there were lots of little moments where I was aware of a kindness, positive interactions, laughter, and feel good moments. It's the awareness of those important little moments that add value to my journey. There is less worry or concern for timeline and destination and a better quality of engagement and appreciation for all that I am and all that I have.

Totals

Push ups: 770/43725
Situps: 740/43790
Hand form: 11/824      
Weapon form: 2/735
KM: 35/1800        
AOK: 23/1594           
Sparring: 7/717        
Blogs: 1/64             
Yoga: 60/42.5 hours

Back to the Drawing Board

Horribly wrong and yet good at the same time. This is what I’m telling myself as I process my failed board breaks today. 

Good, because it is those failures and struggles that provides the greatest opportunities for me to learn and grow.

So it's back to the drawing board, but not back to square one. I know I have taken steps forward from where I started a few months ago so that is a positive. Having experienced what it feels like to successfully break a board with good technique, power and control, helps to remind me I can do this. 

I live life more fully each time I step outside my comfort zone so I will continue to push myself and get this figured out.

Totals

Push ups: 710/42955
Situps: 720/43050
Hand form: 11/813      
Weapon form: 16/733
KM: 34/1765         
AOK: 19/1571           
Sparring: 5/710          
Blogs: 1/63             
Yoga: 30/41.5 hours

My 1st Wood Board

I've had 6 wood boards sitting at home since October, patiently waiting for me to break them. Every time I walked by they seemed to grow in my mind, getting thicker and stronger. They became an obstacle to break through or avoided for as long as possible.

Fast forward to yesterday. I set up my first 2 wood boards and bam... the first board broke. My second did not, but I know what went wrong and can work on it and fix for next time. The error was on my end and not the boards fault. It feels great to break my very first wooden board. It was almost as if it wasn't even there and no bruises on my hand. 

I don't think I'd ever held a wood board and really viewed it through the eyes and mindset of a person that is going the break that board. That has changed now. I see their strength, but I also see and understand the potential of each board. As someone told me not too long ago, think of them as already broken and apply proper technique, holders and board placement.

I know that any bumps in the road ahead as I continue with my board breaking journey will also come with important lessons and improved skill.

Totals

Push ups: 330/42245
Situps: 370/42330
Hand form: 5/802       
Weapon form: 0/717
KM: 26/1731         
AOK: 15/1552           
Sparring: 0/705          
Blogs: 1/62              
Yoga: 90/41 hours