Quality Over Quantity

Last year taught me many things: 

• It reiterated the value of regular blogging and how well it serves me. Knowing this is what kept me blogging and engaged even during times when I really wanted to skip a week. 
• I was also reminded over and over, the power of a single mindful moment. Peace, joy and bliss became more the norm.
• There were lessons in perspective, which helped me to look at things differently and subsequently understand control starts with me. I can’t always control situations around me or others, but I can control how I react or respond and that gives me back my power. 
• I discovered the best version of myself is about embracing who I am, here in this current moment in time. It’s not about being better or more. It’s about living life and embracing the moment. It’s learning from mistakes and moving forward or sitting still if that is all I'm able to do at the time. 
• And I learned through experience that developing compassion and understanding towards myself, helps me to further build compassion and empathy towards others, which also helps me to be less judgmental overall. 

When I think about everything I discovered and learned over the course of last year, what comes to mind is quality. This came about because as I was continuing to adapt to life, there was little time mentally or physically to spend on quantity. What's interesting is, even though I trained much less than planned, the training I did was intentional. Awareness increased and with that came important discoveries, which has been pivotal in my journey as a martial artist. 

Much of what I accomplished last year may not be considered by some to be Kung Fu related and yet the ripple effect has had a profound effect on my overall training and personal growth. For me it is that internal and spiritual component and growth that is at the heart of Kung Fu.

I know along with keeping quality in mind there is room for me to push myself and add in a bit more structure in order to continue with the lessons from last year. My goal moving forward this year is to apply the 10 minute rule to my training. 10 minutes per day for my weapon form and 10 minutes for my hand form. This could include running through the entire form, or focusing on a technique or a section. For both forms, it will also include learning and adding on new techniques. 

Quality over quantity is my focus. This will require discipline and intentional effort, building on both mindfulness and awareness. And I know there may be a few beginning stages where quantity is required to to get to a place where quality can then become the focus. 

Another Sign Post - Hips This Way...

The path I currently find myself on is directing my focus towards the hips. Hip Awareness, engagement timing and positioning are all getting some mindful attention as a result.

This journey all started with a basic slide step forward and punch. As soon as I add in a punch my timing is off. I'm launching the punch early which also affects trajectory and vectors. Because I’m already committed to the punch while in motion, my hip is moving forward as well, arriving to it's final destination slightly before it's needed. 

Because of this new focus, I've identified multiple areas in my forms where the hips could benefit from some awareness and adjustments.

Some observations are: I’m not engaging the hip at the right time (committing too soon), and there are times when I’m not releasing the hip as I transition. Intent is key as well as staying in the moment. This requires awareness and control. With improper hip function I'm most likely expending more energy than what is actually necessary. This may also cause a decrease in efficiency and speed.

I’m thinking the primary intent in any transition throughout a sequence needs to be a natural return to centre allowing for the hips to return to a more neutral position. And once I'm in a more neutral position both physically and mentally, I have more options open to me.

One Step at a Time

Black belt class, Tai Chi and Wednesday morning training sessions are challenging at times, fulfilling and help to keep me moving forward. When I’m on the mats, life happening outside of the kwoon is paused, and I can focus on Kung Fu and me. 

This past week’s Black belt class, Tai Chi and Wednesday morning training all provided great takeaways. It’s amazing how much one can learn from a single class or conversation. 

Quality time with friends or family and time on the mats is helping me to briefly escape from the melancholy and grief I’m feeling. So even though I’m finding it hard to hold on to the joyful and positive moments, I recognize they’re happening and am grateful.

Mental and physical health are of upmost importance right now so I will continue to take part in activities that I know help to support and ground me.

Back on the Team

As the year of the horse draws near, I can’t help thinking what my year is going to look like. There’s a part of me that is excited for everything the year will bring. There’s also a part of me that feels stuck and struggling mentally when I think about getting back in the groove. I’m worried about all the time and effort needed, the structure, and figuring out how to do justice to the opportunity I’ve signed up for.

This is not a year, where I see myself running out of the gate and racing ahead. My head is spinning, but there is some planning taking place so that is a positive. With 2 weeks to go a lot can change and I may be surprised how well things align and fall into place. 

Momentum will build as I find my rhythm.