I Am An Example

We are all examples. To others and to ourselves. Our choices, actions and attitudes all permeate out into the world around us and can have long term effects, both positive or negative. As a child my parents and teachers taught me manners and acceptable behaviours. These basics were a great starting point and were reinforced by reminders and the example of others. And as I put into practice these behaviours I also became a positive example for those around me. 

Being conscious of the example I am setting for myself and striving to make the best personal choices helps me to be a better example for others as well. Success, failure and the willingness to reflect is key to growth. When I learn and grow as a result of my experiences I am better able to understand and have compassion and empathy for others. 

I am human. There are times when I falter and make unhealthy eating choices or choose to be less than productive. And these not so positive examples can offer an amazing amount of insight and personal growth if I take the time to ask myself why and look for ways to improve. The key to picking myself up when I stumble is to reflect and blog, and make any necessary adjustments. Positive and negatives are part of a circle of external and internal components that work independently together, with the ability to continuously work towards building a stronger core. Progressively building healthier habits and attitudes are a result of time and effort.

I am an example of awareness, evolution and being human.

I am an example of perseverance, resilience, determination and success.

I am an example of reflection and contemplation and the numerous benefits of failure.

I am an example! And being an example teaches me humility, understanding, empathy and compassion.

My Hands

 

Funny how life works. It took getting sick to finally find my way towards practicing my hand form differently. I had previously been given many suggestions for adaptations due to my knee issues and just hadn't been inspired or motivated to really try any of them. A bit of resistance taking place there.

Because my energy level was decreased over the past 10 days I found myself thinking more about my hands and playing with hand movements. It is almost as if they had a life of their own and were sending me a very clear message. Play with us! So I started to play while sitting and as I did I found myself wanting to get up and move. 

The internal is something I have been struggling with in 18 Temple Motions. Because this form is hard on my knees though, I've haven't been doing the reps needed to work on everything that I want to. So instead of focusing on the whole form, I'm now working primarily on the hands while executing very basic footwork. My focus has a tendency to shift occasionally to the shoulders, elbows and hips. I find these shifts tend to happen naturally as I realize a little extra hip or shoulder is needed. My goal is to develop the internal energies within this form and become more aware of my chi and increase my control and power.

I Am Breathing

The act of breathing keeps my alive. I breath in, I breath out. My lungs expand and contract. I am breathing. What though is the quality of my breath? 

In the past I've taken breathing for granted and didn't fully comprehend the power and ownership I hold when it comes to my breath. I saw my breath as an expectation of life with little thought given to it, except when it wasn't functioning as well as I would like. I find myself questioning more and more my breathing ability and technique. 

I am learning that breath work comes in many forms and is very intentional and beneficial when developed over time and practiced with awareness. In class we practice butterfly breathing. This practice encourages us to be mindful of our breathing, develops control and pulls in more oxygen to help replenish our energy. Just one of the many ways to work on our breathing.This is one of those awesome auxiliary webs created through the continued practice of kung Fu. 

Working on different breathing techniques through yoga practice helps me to develop my lung capacity and control and builds awareness of my breathing throughout the day. The quality and focus of my breath helps to improve my functionality, health and quality of life. I have barley scratched the surface of breath work and no longer take breathing for granted. 

I am breathing! And I am excited and continue to be inspired as a result of my Kung Fu training.

Evolution & Adjustment

The ebb and flow of my life over the past months has required certain priorities to take centre stage. As a result my ability to complete team and personal requirements have been all over the place. Some days are good, other days not so good. I think back to those first few months and there is a part of me that misses the apparent simplicity of what I was able to accomplish. Nothing ever stays the same though. 

Each time I find my groove, the boat gets rocked or I just don't have the mental or physical energy to stay on course and I find myself unable to sustain that groove. There is a lesson here and so I have to ask myself why and reflect deeper. 

I am learning to be more flexible with my routine and discovering it doesn't need to be an all or nothing state of mind or being. I've created a good solid base to build on. I need to trust that foundation and myself. Rather than tossing away some of my well established routines, I can make adjustments to the routine or replace it with something just as valuable. Where am I, what am I doing, why, and what will serve me? These are the questions I ask myself.

I've discovered it is ok to replace all or a portion of my physio exercises with yoga some days, providing its own value. And most Monday and Wednesdays I spend extra time at the Kwoon attending and helping out where I can at the Level 1 Teen/Adult class. I could spend the extra hours at home working on IHC requirements and adding to my numbers, but for me there is currently more value in the extra class time and learning how to help other students. Often there isn't enough time to do it all and so I consider my priorities and look at options when applicable.

I am evolving as a person and as a martial artist and as a result it makes sense that my routine and the actions that I take each day need to evolve as well. I do what I can and am getting to a place where I mostly don't feel guilty when it comes to what isn't getting done. Instead I try to keep in front of me each days successes and am learning to live more in the present. There is value in everything I do and don't do. The not doing can have value when it is mindful and filled with its' own value. 

Initially I saw the IHC requirements as boxes to check off. Tasks to complete. It took a bit of time to understand and experience the underlying value the requirements hold. Each year that I am on the team I've gained more insight into how the requirements serve me. Take push ups for example. I could concentrate solely on numbers completed or I can be mindful of my technique, my breathing, engaging my core and listening to my body.

The requirements are tools. And these tools can have infinite value depending on the user. We are only limited by our imagination, our level of awareness or mindfulness and our efforts. I'm human, my efforts aren't always pure and there are times when numbers are my priority, but I know the requirements aren't just boxes to check. I see them as valuable tools and accomplishments. Each of the requirements have a total number attached as well. That number is also a tool, not a box to check. Less, more, or just enough? What is the correct number? This will depend on internal and external priorities, effort put forth and will be different for each of us.

As I continue to evolve I am finding that this valuable set of tools the IHC team has been given are now  needing some adjustments themselves. I am requiring and acquiring additional tools to help me move forward and take me further in my journey. I don't throw away the original tools, as they are still hold value and purpose. I just view them slightly different and am more aware of what is in my best interest at any given time.  I am discovering how to take what I need, when I need and where to push myself.

 

 

Yoga

I've had some experience with Yoga in the past, but had never committed to it long term. When I think back to my previous experience I mostly remember having a strong dislike towards the downward dog technique. This was because I had poor upper body strength and didn't practise Yoga often enough to build those muscles or see any benefits. I can look back at this now and smile. I have gratitude for the person I was then and I have gratitude for the person I am now because of experiences and knowledge gained along the way.

There was a time when I was struggling internally with my Kung Fu and I had considered ending my Kung Fu training with thoughts of turning to Yoga instead as a way to continue improving my overall health and mobility. At the time I saw it as one or the other, not both.

Fast forward a few years. The decision to add Yoga to my personal goals for this year has been a great decision. I no longer see Yoga as a separate entity. Instead I have come to see it as complimentary and an important component for me as I move forward in my Kung Fu journey. 

So how is my Yoga practise going? I am loving it! I have made use of some great online Yoga videos for beginners and have also signed up for a weekly Yoga practise with Daya Mata Lacie which I am thoroughly enjoying. Each Yoga session has an intention that aligns with a theme for the month, creating a more intentional practice. My Yoga practise ebbs and flows based on my schedule. Some weeks go by with no Yoga and then other weeks I am able to find the time to add it in. When I'm able to add it in I am reminded of how much I enjoy and benefit from it. My goal is to develop more consistency with my Yoga practice over time.

In addition to the initial reasons for adding Yoga to my personal goals, I have also experienced other benefits. I find myself developing an increased awareness with my breathing, posture and the ability to ground myself during Yoga and outside of Yoga as well. I also find myself randomly smiling at times during Yoga. Smile is my intentional word for the year and so I am happily surprised to see Yoga helping me with this. 

As I build a solid Yoga base I find that I am also building internal connections. And my intentional practice is expanding into other areas of my life and Kung Fu, just as I knew it would. Even as I struggle in other areas I know that everything is evolving as it is mean't to be. The more that I do, the more I learn and the more that I learn, the more I do. 

Managing Expectations

It is easy to get caught up in the energy and expectations of others. Reminding myself of where I am at, what I'm doing and why, is an important component to staying on track. Multiple reminders per day can be necessary to keep my goals and expectations true and on course.

With a 4th job added into my busy schedule I am getting better at saying no and setting parameters. Communication is a key factor. Life can happen to me or with me as long as  I take an active role. I have control. Control when it comes to my perspective and control in my actions and reactions. 

Sticky hands comes to mind. An internal dance. A give and take that requires intent, awareness and trust. I learn more from the interactions with others than I do on my own. We are all individually part of a collective 

Being able to manage the expectations of work has made it possible to getaway for 3 days. We are staying in a great little guest ranch outside of Jasper with wonderful views of the mountains. And as we drove into the entrance to the guest ranch there was a beautiful kaleidoscope of yellow swallowtail butterflies to greet us.

I feel blessed and full of gratitude for the lessons that have brought me to this place. 

Dragon Dancing

After tonights Dragon Dance practice I realized I am becoming more and more comfortable with being in the dragon. I am starting to experience moments of joy and happiness. To some that may not seem out of the ordinary, but I have not always felt this way when it comes to dragon dancing. 

My very first year of the IHC included learning to Dragon Dance and performing in the dragon for the Chinese New Year's banquet. That was a year of many firsts. I was constantly pushing myself out of my comfort zone and the dragon caused me an enormous amount of anxiety. I actually had my first panic attack that year as a result. Being attached to 8 other team members and knowing that if I mess up it would affect everyone else as well. The dragon is a team of 9 people all relying on each other. Once in motion there are a lot of moving pieces. The responsibility feels enormous. 

Our dragon dance performance that year did give me a measure of accomplishment but mostly I was just relieved to be done. Afterwards I thought I would never get back into a dragon. I had done it and checked it off the list so to speak. I did take a bit of a break from the dragon and then eventually stepped back into it off and on. I was even able to take part in the dragon dance performance again at our last in person banquet when Logan earned his black belt. Still out of my comfort zone though.

Dragon dancing has slowly become less stressful. In addition to the team work and communication required I feel like dragon dancing is a bit like sparring. And even though we haven't been able to spar much in class over the past two years I am still finding ways to apply the lessons from sparring to other activities and everyday life. Being a part of the dragon requires me to be aware of what's going on around me, and my fellow dragon dancers. I also need to be able to react and make adjustments while in motion. Staying calm and breathing come into play as well. I am happy to say I am becoming more confident in myself and actually beginning to enjoy the dragon. I am happy to have made it to this point and am enjoying this journey.