Patience and Small Wins

I was finally able to get a 30 minute yoga session done this week. With a puppy in the house Ive been finding it challenging to free up time for me and for my training. Having a positive mindset and not quitting has helped to keep me engaged and moving forward even if it is in small incremental moments.

Patience is definitely an ongoing theme and has been tested daily as Willow and I both learn from each other. Being responsible for teaching and training a puppy has reiterated the importance of being fully present in each moment. I find when I’m more engaged with what is happening I’m also less stressed, leading to a better outcome. And I’m learning to recognize when and why I'm not getting the desired results. 

It has been very satisfying to recognize how much Kung Fu has woven itself into my life and continues to help and guide me in all endeavours. And it works both ways, as life is also helping me with my Kung fu.

Totals

Push ups & Sit ups: 720/37190
Hand form: 3/476
Weapon form: 15/513
KM: 41/1518
AOK: 25/1293
Sparring: 0/164
Blogs: 1/49
Yoga: 30min/22.5hrs
Tai Chi: 20/655
MM:19/952

Benefits of Training Half Awake

Training in the early morning before I'm fully awake has been interesting and a bit enlightening. I have noticed both my weapon and hand form feel better. There is better flow, stability and power. Hmm... I think this is because I've yet to gather the stresses and built up tensions of the coming day. I'm less in my head. In that moment I am mostly unencumbered which allows my body to move with fluidity and flow. 

While doing Da Mu Hsing on Thursday I became very aware of my hands and how they were moving. It was almost as if they had a life of their own. I felt more defined movement in my hands, more rotation and more snap and power. I'm not exactly sure there wasn't some over exaggeration of movement, but it does feel like I'm on the right track. The question now is how do I create a similar state of being while doing my forms at other times of the day?

Totals

Push ups & Sit ups: 640/36470
Hand form: 11/473
Weapon form: 11/498
KM: 49/1477
AOK: 25/1268
Sparring: 0/164
Blogs: 1/48
Yoga: 0/22hrs
Tai Chi: 20/655
MM:19/952

Adjusting to a New Norm

It has been a week since the newest addition to my household. 7 days with a 14 week old puppy named Willow. Her and I are both making adjustments and figuring things out as we go. Even the best thought out plans don't always go as intended. As a result my Kung Fu training has dropped off substantially. 

Even though there is still the same amount of time in my day, my priorities and responsibilities have changed. I'm having to look for and find opportunities to add in some training. It is really about being alert and ready to take action when an opportunity presents itself. This is something I'm still figuring out.

There is a small window in the mornings before Willow wakes up that I can get a few push up and sit ups done if I've woken earlier than her. And I've learned to take advantage of the few minutes when Willow is focused on eating to do a few form reps. Open training this Saturday will be a treat. I'm really looking forward to being able to devote a couple of hours to Kung Fu.

Totals

Push ups & Sit ups: 680/35830
Hand form: 3/462
Weapon form: 5/487
KM: 40/1428
AOK: 24/1243
Sparring: 0/164
Blogs: 1/47
Yoga: 0/22hrs
Tai Chi: 21/635
MM:19/933

Letting Go & Moving Forward

There has been a lot going on in my head these past few months. 

I've come to a crossroads. This is not a sudden development, rather more of a gradual knowing, a faded map inside my head indicating possible crossroads. There has been more than one decision to be made. I am being guided in new and different directions, away from the main path, but still with similar goals. 

As I feel pulled to stray from the well trodden path, I also feel a bit of uncertainty. Changes can be scary which is why I'm taking time to figure things out in my head and on paper. I have ideas and goals in mind and plan to make use of the many tools Kung Fu has provided me over the years. I'm sure there will be some learning curves and unsuccessful moments and also lots more personal growth. 

Now that I'm home from my trip I've been working at getting back into more of a regular routine. Having the time and space to practice yoga felt really good. I sometimes don't realize how much I miss it until I am in the midst of practice, similar to working on my forms. Yoga this week was very powerful and beneficial. We worked on our liver and gallbladder meridians with a focus on inspiration as part of the practice. 

As I moved through the practice, I felt a shift and release of energy. Afterwards as I sat with that feeling and thought about inspiration and enthusiasm, a tear ran down my cheek. I found myself wondering why and what the unexpected emotion was about. 

Is this sadness? Sadness - because of what I may be leaving behind and letting go of.

Is this joy? Joy - for the gratitude of awareness and the possibilities to come. 

I quickly realized it was a combination of both. Those seemingly simple words of inspiration and enthusiasm resonated with me deeply and I realized they tied in with the decisions I'd been wrestling with and the changes to come.

Yoga this week helped to authenticate and solidify this change of direction and has reinforced the importance of inspiration and enthusiasm in my journey. I feel a more authentic flow with these decisions and changes in course. Needless to say this new path may come with uncharted territory and will require much effort, planning and flexibility. I'm excited and a bit nervous to see where these new paths takes me.

More to come...

Totals

Push ups & Sit ups: 950/35150
Hand form: 8/459
Weapon form: 8/482
KM: 87/1388
AOK: 73/1219
Sparring: 0/164
Blogs: 3/46
Yoga: 60min/22hrs
Tai Chi: 12/614
MM:43/914