I have been on holidays for this past week and took some time to go down to Drumheller for 3 days hence not being around much last week. I will be on holidays next week as well but should be around for most classes.
I have been keeping up with my training and exercise program which has helped keep me engaged.
See everyone soon.
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Friday, July 15, 2016
Boot Camp
What is boot camp and why should I go? These are the questions I asked myself for years and I always came up with the same answer. Its just a day where people will judge me and I will get nothing out of it so I wont go. I told myself this right up until I was a Sihing.
At Sihing I started to realize what it would take to become a black belt at that boot camp was an opportunity presented to me that I never took advantage of. That first boot camp was amazing and I got so much more out of it than I expected. The biggest regret is that was my first and only boot camp as a student. If I had only gone before that, who knows where I would have been in my training.
I have gone to boot camp after but now as a black belt. there is still a lot of value in it for me but not as much as when I was going for black belt. I have also instructed some seminars at boot camp and my goal is to try to pass on knowledge about what helps me in my training or what am I passionate about. I believe that anyone putting on a seminar is doing it for these same reasons. We want to pass on something that will hopefully inspire the students or make them want to pursue something further.
I have a couple of ideas that I have put out there for seminars at boot camp so hopefully we will see you there.
At Sihing I started to realize what it would take to become a black belt at that boot camp was an opportunity presented to me that I never took advantage of. That first boot camp was amazing and I got so much more out of it than I expected. The biggest regret is that was my first and only boot camp as a student. If I had only gone before that, who knows where I would have been in my training.
I have gone to boot camp after but now as a black belt. there is still a lot of value in it for me but not as much as when I was going for black belt. I have also instructed some seminars at boot camp and my goal is to try to pass on knowledge about what helps me in my training or what am I passionate about. I believe that anyone putting on a seminar is doing it for these same reasons. We want to pass on something that will hopefully inspire the students or make them want to pursue something further.
I have a couple of ideas that I have put out there for seminars at boot camp so hopefully we will see you there.
Saturday, July 9, 2016
Is it worth it?
I have a lot of people ask me what's with the sawhorse? This starts a long conversation beginning with its not a sawhorse it's a horse bench. From there it's why I have a horse bench to Kung Fu to the I Ho Chuan.
Then people ask why would you want to do that? There are so many reasons that I stumble over my words as they all try to come out at once. I usually have to focuss for a second and gather my thoughts before I answer.
The single biggest reason is because it has made me a better person. Before they ask how, I continue with the how.
It has taught me how to structure my life and stick to a plan. It has taught me to focus on the important things in life and don't sweat the small stuff. It has taught me the importance of family (my own family and my Kung Fu family). And it caused me to evaluate where I was physically and made me make changes to inmprove my eating habits and my improve my fitness level.
Most people look at me like that is crazy that I would do all this but some say they wish they could do something like this as they would like to make similar changes in their own life's. This makes me happy that I am part of the I Ho Chuan this year as I think I am actually embracing the process this year for the first time since my black belt grading year.
Then people ask why would you want to do that? There are so many reasons that I stumble over my words as they all try to come out at once. I usually have to focuss for a second and gather my thoughts before I answer.
The single biggest reason is because it has made me a better person. Before they ask how, I continue with the how.
It has taught me how to structure my life and stick to a plan. It has taught me to focus on the important things in life and don't sweat the small stuff. It has taught me the importance of family (my own family and my Kung Fu family). And it caused me to evaluate where I was physically and made me make changes to inmprove my eating habits and my improve my fitness level.
Most people look at me like that is crazy that I would do all this but some say they wish they could do something like this as they would like to make similar changes in their own life's. This makes me happy that I am part of the I Ho Chuan this year as I think I am actually embracing the process this year for the first time since my black belt grading year.
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Canada day demo and reflection.
Tomorrow is Canada day and we are doing a bunch of demos throughout the day. This is a huge commitment by the team but it should be a lot of fun.
This got me to thinking about where I am at this year compared to the last four and I have to admit that this is the best one so far.
I feel more engaged than ever, I am in the best shape I have been in years and every week is better than the last.
What is the biggest difference this year? It has all been about where I am at mentally. I want to succeed and I quit making excuses to myself and my teammates.
This year has been great and it's all due to the support of the team. Thanks everyone.
This got me to thinking about where I am at this year compared to the last four and I have to admit that this is the best one so far.
I feel more engaged than ever, I am in the best shape I have been in years and every week is better than the last.
What is the biggest difference this year? It has all been about where I am at mentally. I want to succeed and I quit making excuses to myself and my teammates.
This year has been great and it's all due to the support of the team. Thanks everyone.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Demos
The demo on Saturday was absolutely amazing. The audience was fantastic and they really appreciated what they were seeing.
For those of you that were not there, you missed an amazing day and I hope that you will be there for the next demo which is on July 1st.
Anxiety is always a part of public performing and I still get nervous. That is part of the experience and once you are finished, it all goes away and you are left feeling like you have accomplished something great.
I hope to see more of the team at Canada day.
For those of you that were not there, you missed an amazing day and I hope that you will be there for the next demo which is on July 1st.
Anxiety is always a part of public performing and I still get nervous. That is part of the experience and once you are finished, it all goes away and you are left feeling like you have accomplished something great.
I hope to see more of the team at Canada day.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Only 3,000 a Day
Over the last few weeks, I have been doing a workout routine at home. the goal of this was to improve my conditioning and to get back into shape. The program has been going well but I decided to step it up.
My new goal was to burn 3,000 calories per day everyday. The first week, I made it 5 days out of the seven which I was disappointed in. Last week which was week two, I achieved my goal of 3,000 calories everyday. I didn't think it would be that hard, but on non Kung Fu days after sitting at a desk all day, it takes a lot of work.
Along with the calorie burn, we have changed our eating habits to healthier choices for both meals and snacks (more fruit and veggies). My average calorie intake is down to 1,500-1,800 calories per day. This combined with the exercise has made a huge impact as I feel more energetic and I am sleeping better at night.
This week, I am again aiming for 3,000 calories per day with the same average intake of 1,600 calories. I have getting closer to where I feel I need to be and once I get there, I plan to maintain it.
P.S. Weight loss after 12 weeks is 20 pounds.
My new goal was to burn 3,000 calories per day everyday. The first week, I made it 5 days out of the seven which I was disappointed in. Last week which was week two, I achieved my goal of 3,000 calories everyday. I didn't think it would be that hard, but on non Kung Fu days after sitting at a desk all day, it takes a lot of work.
Along with the calorie burn, we have changed our eating habits to healthier choices for both meals and snacks (more fruit and veggies). My average calorie intake is down to 1,500-1,800 calories per day. This combined with the exercise has made a huge impact as I feel more energetic and I am sleeping better at night.
This week, I am again aiming for 3,000 calories per day with the same average intake of 1,600 calories. I have getting closer to where I feel I need to be and once I get there, I plan to maintain it.
P.S. Weight loss after 12 weeks is 20 pounds.
Monday, June 6, 2016
Bench II
On Saturday after the parade, the I Ho Chuan team performed a lion dance and demo at Rotary park. We have been working on our forms for just over 3 months now and have had to perform them in class but this was the first "performance".
This was the perfect place to do them as it most mostly just the team there with a few spectators. No pressure and just a lot of fun.
Leading up to the demo, I planned on performing the first form I practiced (I call it bench I) as that's what I have performed in class and so that's I decided I should do. I have been working on a longer, more elaborate form with my bench (Bench II) but have never "performed it" yet. 5 minutes before the demo I decided to do Bench II instead. This way, I could not talk myself out of it and what better place to try it out than there.
I was a bit nervous but made it through and now I will continue to work on making it better. Maybe soon I can add my flip that is supposed to start the form.
This was the perfect place to do them as it most mostly just the team there with a few spectators. No pressure and just a lot of fun.
Leading up to the demo, I planned on performing the first form I practiced (I call it bench I) as that's what I have performed in class and so that's I decided I should do. I have been working on a longer, more elaborate form with my bench (Bench II) but have never "performed it" yet. 5 minutes before the demo I decided to do Bench II instead. This way, I could not talk myself out of it and what better place to try it out than there.
I was a bit nervous but made it through and now I will continue to work on making it better. Maybe soon I can add my flip that is supposed to start the form.
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