Is Kung Fu my Passion?

Passion - a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something.

Today I heard the question “Do you have passion for what you are doing?” and I started to think about my Kung Fu journey.  My first response was “of course I’m passionate about Kung Fu” but then I thought “why?”.

I love doing things with the team but I also love working on my own.  Knowing that I am accountable for me and my journey.  That it is my hard work that allows me to improve and move forward.

These last few weeks we have been learning butterfly swords.  It wasn’t too long ago that I was struggling to remember my old forms and now I have 3/4 of a new form down and I can’t wait to complete it.  I am excited to learn new things, I just know it takes more work now.  My weapons and hand form numbers are slowly increasing but if I added the reps for all the others forms that I am constantly reviewing to keep them solidified in my mind, the numbers would increase by four times.  

This week I committed to doing 50 (modified) pushups a day.  I’ve been trying to find a new way back to routine so I’m just starting off with baby steps.  Small consistent actions.  That being said, the last two days I’ve been over 15,000 steps so those were big jumps for me.

I’ve also stopped my last immunosuppressant a week ago and had my last scheduled follow up with my GP on Friday.  My doctor commended me on my motivation.  On wanting to get back to work and back to some normalcy.  I knew I couldn’t have done it without my Kung Fu.

So how do I know Kung Fu is my passion?  I’m excited everyday to pick up my cane and my butterfly knives.  I smile when doing my reps of Tai Chi and forms.  I know my limits and how to keep pushing them.  I’m surrounded by like minded people who motivate and inspire and I love how it makes me feel.

Numbers

Pushups (equivalent) - 1107

Sit-ups (equivalent) - 700

Kilometers - 340.7

Weapons form - 105

Hand form - 100

Sparring - 30

AOK - 395

Piano - 0/50

Tai Chi - 14/50

Yoga - 10/50

Meditation - 5.5/50

Should I go faster or slower?

I joined the tiger challenge.  I'm excited and scared.  It's been over three years since I have competed last and a lot has changed since then but I want to give it my best and watch others perform as well.  Thanks to Sihing M. Ward and Sihing D. Bjorquist for including me on a team.  Its been so fun to work with them.

I am now able to do my hand form without needing to focus on each and every move.  Now as I train for the tiger challenge I found that I am trying to go faster with more force which you think would be good but I noticed that has become my focus and this is actually hindering my progression.  

I need to develop strength and to do that means I need to slow down my forms and focus on getting deeper in my stances and keeping my centre steady.  Although doing a form faster really gives a good cardio exercise, I need to focus on strength as well.  Does that mean I only do my form one way?  Absolutely not!  I need to bounce back and forth but be very clear about my intention during my form and not get stuck doing the same thing over and over.  Eventually there won't be such a gap between how my form differs from when I do it faster verses slower.

This was a tough week for my physically.  It was my second week back to work and already I am noticing that I am not taking the breaks that I need.  This was also the first week that I did not have a nap after work (usually I have a couple during the week) and I think was a few of the reasons why this week I was very tired and stiff and sore.   That being said, I was able to attend all my classes and more.  My focus this week has been on increasing my steps and ever lunch break I either did Yoga or went for a walk.  Even when I am sitting and watching TV, I try to stretch out my hips and shoulders.  Just small steps but they work.  Even though I increased my steps, I had a few days that my feet didn't hurt in the morning.  I will take that win.  

I can't tell you how great it is to be back on the mats!

Numbers

Pushups (equivalent) - 807

Sit-ups (equivalent) - 652

Kilometers - 291.4

Weapons form - 85

Hand form - 90

Sparring - 20

AOK - 360

Piano - 0/50

Tai Chi - 12/50

Yoga - 9/50

Meditation - 5.5/50

Harmonies and Progression

 

During class this week, we were asked to do our form without an arm.  I could not even do the first move.  How could one change throw me into total shutdown?  It shows that although I know the moves, I haven't really thought of which sides does what.  I have separated my top half and bottom half during training but never separating right and left.  I don't think at this time I could make it through a form without an arm but it does have me concentrating on my right and left which was the focus of the exercise.  Connecting our harmonies.

Saturday was my first open training in over 2 years.  It was nice to see how many people were there.  It was good working with Sihing D Bjorquist and Sihing M Ward.  It was great seeing how everyone has progressed over the years.  This is just the start of returning back to by pervious normal.  In a week I will be off of my last immunosuppressant and then 3 months later I will be able to start receiving my live childhood vaccinations (measles, chickenpox, etc).  Once I get those started, I am actually released from my Bone Marrow Transplant team and moved to long term where I will only need to go to CCI once a year.  Still seeing progression every day!

See you on the mats.

Numbers

Pushups (equivalent) - 757

Sit-ups (equivalent) - 602

Kilometers - 258.8

Weapons form - 65

Hand form - 66

Sparring - 15

AOK - 327

Piano - 0/50

Tai Chi - 11/50

Yoga - 8/50

Meditation - 5/50