Tai Chi Workout

Today, as I worked on my transitions in Tai Chi, I found myself sweating hard—and I was reminded of something Sifu Brinker had told me during a recent one-on-one session: there’s noticeable weakness in my small muscle groups, especially during those challenging transitions in my forms. He suggested focusing on them, and wow, did it make a difference.

In addition, Sifu Dennis noticed I was leaning forward during some of those tough transitions in Tai Chi and reminded me to keep my core strong and not worry so much about going as deep. As I worked on this, I realized that I’d been locking my back leg—using larger muscles to compensate for the weakness in the smaller ones.

So, is Tai Chi a workout? Absolutely. And if it’s not for you, I’d suggest taking a step back and evaluating your practice. There’s more to it than just slow movements; it’s about muscle engagement, control, and balance.

See you on the mats!

Thankful

I can’t believe summer is almost gone.  The leaves are changing and nights are cool.  I have had the opportunity to do a lot of canning this year.  Most years I will only do a bit but this year with our trip to BC, we were able to bring home so much produce.  During Tai Chi, I have been thanking Mother Earth for this bounty as I have been trying to be more aware of the struggles happening around us.  People who do not have this opportunity to enjoy fresh food much less an abundance of it. 

Last week I helped make 250 meals for the Edmonton vulnerable.  We then handed the meals out with bottles of water.  The majority were openly grateful for these items that we take for granted.  This opportunity is headed by an Edmonton local restaurant owner who runs Padmanadi.  Kasim wants to give back and uses his restaurant to do this.  He does this silently and by word of mouth.  Having the opportunity to be meet others who were also helping was a great experience.

So this week I am thankful.  I’m thankful for friends who included me in this venture.  I’m thankful for Kasim who spearheads this opportunity.  I’m thankful to live in a country that is at peace.  I’m thankful for family, friends, Martina, being alive, a job, a house, food on the table, and being able to surround myself with like-minded people.  I’m thankful for Kung Fu, knowing that it is Kung Fu that has opened my eyes and allows me to take advantage of opportunities around me.  I have so much to be thankful for!

Vacation

 This last week was a reset.  Visiting with family and friends that I haven’t seen in a long time was just what I needed.  Our friends live in an off grid cabin near Kamloops which was interesting to visit and experience.  We brought out kayaks and bikes and enjoyed the outdoor weather when we could.  Mike and I brought a lot of produce home from BC so we spent today canning 33 jars of pickles, and many batches of refrigerated pickles. We still have blueberries and peaches yet to process, but the simple act of this basic activity is rewarding as you witness the outcome of your work.

We have had many conversations this week between the difference of doing something for ourselves or trying to do something for others. We both can see ourselves doing something that would benefit seniors in our community but we also see us looking for remote land.

I must say that, even since my last blog, I don’t feel as lost, but I definitely have not found my passion yet either.  There are many things I know I would like to do, but I want to make sure that I’m being true to myself. There have been seeds planted these last few weeks, and now I need to wait to see what will grow. In the meantime, attending classes helps nourish me and allows for time to figure things out. I need to make a definitive plan though because time can easily slip away.  It is Aug already!

See you on the mats!

Struggling

I have been struggling!  Since recovering from my recent illness, I have been questioning everything around me including should I stay in Kung Fu.  I am finally well enough that I see all the holes and gaps in Kung Fu, at work, and at home and  I question if they will ever get better.  

And yet I can honestly admit I have not been doing anything consistently.  How can I expect anything to change when that is my truth?  Is Kung Fu a priority? I can’t tell you any of my priorities (except family) because it feels like I’m caught in a tornado with everything just swirling around.  

For the first time in many years, I am searching for my passion and it is not jumping out at me.  Shouldn’t that be an easy task? I want to align my priorities with my passions. I have started listening to Jose Silva’s method, books on meditation, courses on chakras, crystals, colours, energies and the more that I learn, the more that I realize I know nothing. I’ve finally been able to help teach, work, travel, kayak, camp, bike and although I enjoy these, I am constantly wondering why was my life saved?  

I deeply feel there is something I am yet to do but I just don’t know what it is. I worry that I will fall into a routine and become numb to signs around me but I am searching so hard that I think I am overlooking those signs as well. 

“The truth knocks on the door and you say, “go away, I’m looking for the truth,” and so it goes away.”

So in the meantime, I will continue going to my Kung Fu and exercise classes, continue with my 1-1s, and know that clarity will eventually come as to why I am still here.

Family

 This weekend was my parents 50th anniversary.  All the kids got together to host it and my parents siblings, friends and family joined us at the hall.  It was such a good time! Seth and Eagle came out to join us, that was also special.

It was not tons of work as all the girls did a section so the work was split up and it all came together.  How is this related to Kung fu? 

Small consistent work by each person was able to bring together a successful event, just like our demos.  Also family is the most important thing about in my life.  This also includes my Kung Fu family.

On a side note, I have been working on contraction and expansion during my circular motions in Da Mu Hsing.  Sifu Brinker explained that I should also be feeling that in my linear moves and presto…another aha moment!  I  didn’t think it would come so fast after the last one.

NUMBERS

Situps (modified):  4039

Pushups (modified): 4850

KMs: 493.37 

AOKs: 375

Da Mu Hsing: 108

Weapon Form: 65

Sparring: 57

Germain: 2664

Meditation: 455

Tai Chi: 623

Decluttering: 380

Yoga, Stretching, Exercise: 600

Days of Zen: a few days behind 😳

A little goes a long way!

Finally after being on a steroid inhaler and steroid nasal spray, I am starting to feel better.  Things that have been piling up around me during the illness are not only bugging me, but I am doing something about them.  Checking items off my list. 

I am looking forward to my exercise class tomorrow even though I will be doing the chair version of the exercises and really pacing myself because I do not want to have any setbacks.  I am hoping this is the last of the illnesses and I am looking forward to a summer of doing more.  

Mike and I bought electric bikes and we plan on biking to our classes but this just hasn't been in the cards yet.  I am also worried about Canada Day coming up and doing our demos as I have not been doing my reps.  I am frustrated because my pushups and setups were progressing nicely and now I am back to square one but as I stated above, I just need to pace myself and start again because a little goes a long way.  A few minutes every day will have tremendous impacts.  My German has come a long way when I look at where I started although I am terrified to even try a sentence out loud as my pronunciation is a bit to be desired. 

Sick AGAIN!

 My body has decided to get all immunity that it has missed over these last three years.  I now have a deep cough and combined with the vertigo (I had to have two treatments last week) I am wiped and the work week is just starting😡.  I have to keep reminding myself “this too shall pass”.  So pacing myself and hoping this will finally clear up soon .