All I want for Christmas

I asked my son what did he tell Santa he wanted for Christmas?
He said " all I want for Christmas is a Time Portal"
'ok" I said.
Really, who wouldn't want a time portal? I continued to try and reason with him, I think he asked for a time portal before and it didn't happen. I told him, I don't think its on the list of possible gifts. He argued back Santa is magic and of course he could bring a time portal.

I'm beginning to think 6 year olds are smarter than they look. Almost diabolical. They have a pretty good idea of what is realistic and what isn't but are smart enough to still ride the make believe train if it serves a purpose. Pushing the envelope if you will. I think he is messing with me to see how or what I will come up with.

I asked him if he had a second choice and he quickly responded with "of course!" .."and what would that be?" I asked, "a park full of animals". he replied.
Again, not so easy to put under a tree.

We continued to discuss and debate the possible outcomes. I think I lost.

So there is no point to this blog, no tip or underlying theme, its only to capture a moment I had with my son in regards to Christmas that I found completely entertaining and challenged in a game of wits.

He is my Christmas.

Oh, and if you are wondering why one would want a time portal, its for the purpose of bringing back a Woolly Mammoth to play with you and your friends.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Training Stuff

Part of being a martial artist is to keep yourself fit.
I like lifting weights as a part of my fitness routine.
 Just to share some training routines, I like to incorporate kettle bells as well. The difference between using a barbell or weight machine and a kettle bell is huge.
Lifting weights focuses on an isolated muscle group as kettle bells incorporate the same idea of weight lifting with a combination of body muscles and core. Moving the body with weights in hand increase strength core and stability. This comes into play when the body is in motion as a martial artist sparring grappling, etc.
You can  have some fun with your forms  as well and wear ankle and wrist weights or a body vest(it hangs on "Bob" in the Kwoon most days).
Brought to you by "Random Thoughts on a Friday Afternoon".



JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Death, Taxes and Kids getting Sick

I have time now to blog, 3 things you can count on...death, taxes and kids getting sick. Right now I am inbetween puke duty bouts. I was up late last night and going to work today was out of the question.

Work has sucked lately, I took on a 4 month superintendent position and its been more than consuming. Its only temporary but I have found it so exhausting it has cost me in other areas of my life. Its not so much the overtime as it is taxing mentally. Work ethic, integrity and accountability can be difficult to find in people sometimes.
When I have time to hang out with Raymond or work out it takes alot to fire up the mental motivation, my enthusiasm is tapped.

Its never good when your kids are sick, but when you take a time out to be with them and just nurse them back to health, you also get time to contemplate the important things or more accurately the important people.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Awareness Training

Try and add another perspective to your training. Awareness…, in particular, your partner.


A lot of times during applications, defence techniques or sparring we concentrate on what we are doing as an individual. Over and over again trying to improve the way we move or attack while not paying much attention to our training partner’s movements.
Its normal, especially when you are new to the marital arts and even as a seasoned practitioner, you find yourself (myself!) focused on your own form when faced with something unfamiliar.
Try watching and feeling how the other person works with you. If the attack is not executed in the manner the drill was meant to be it changes everything for you, but this is not to say it is a negative thing, when you recognize a difference in their body movements you can also work on adjusting your reaction to compensate or if too far of the mark it may be a time to correct.
Very often when we start to become aware of how our training partner moves its visual.
To compliment the visual aspect you want to seek another level of awareness by feel. This takes some practice but when you start to use more than one of your senses you begin to improve your timing a lot faster.

Here's something you might want to try for fun, if you are practicing your applications try working with your partner and close your eyes. Carefully of course, this means a clear area and move slowly to allow for balance issues.

Once the distraction of vision is removed you will be surprised at how much you can read from the other person when you make contact. It’s a fun drill and done safely it gives you a new perspective.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta,Canada

Defeat the Monster

Stress in our lives can be immediate or it can be something looming in the background.

Usually we deal with the immediate first and foremost. Its in our face and we have no choice but  to address it.

Its the stuff that sits in the back of your mind, slowly simmering that can literally kill us. Chronic stress will wake us up in the middle of the night and keep us up till the alarm clock goes off (yeah, that was last night).

You cant ignore the chronic stress, actually , I guess you can ignore it but you shouldn't. Chronic stress may not change your life all of a sudden but it  does change your life slowly and almost silently.

Solution: deal with it now, make a plan to rid yourself of it.

First , clearly identify whats bothering  you, then decide how to solve it. This is the scary part because this is where we have to face a solution  that might not always be the most pleasant to carry out. It might mean confronting someone or something we are not comfortable with or it might mean some hard work or sacrifice on our part to accomplish.
It may take days , months or even years, but once you start taking some action you have already started to defeat the monster.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

And now for some good news...(tumbleweeds and crickets)

I have got to quit looking at the news.
 Yeah, a person needs to be informed, locally, globally. You cant ignore what goes on around you but I feel myself wince when I open up the news in the morning. There is no doubt headlines are spun to shock and disturb, its what sells. The reality is, sometimes what is going on  is shocking enough without the leading headline.
After glancing over  the doom,despair  suffering and continuous acts of greed, cruelty and apathy. I feel rotten. A person can lose hope and faith in humanity and take the approach that its every person for themselves. Its in the news isn't it. Who can you trust, what can you believe in, it seems pointless.
Finding  good news that is inspiring is definitely more challenging but its worth looking for. If you cant balance out the bad news of the day with some good, you need to look around you for some, if that doesn't work there is nothing like an act of kindness to offset  that hopeless feeling.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

The Enemy Within

Think of your worst enemy. Someone who has done you great harm, maybe someone from the past.
In your mind they are to blame for your hurt and hardships and great emotions are conjured up, you may even recall intense anger.
The more hurt you feel the larger the enemy feels, however, it is our own lack of control that is the true enemy. It is our own anger, ego and selfishness that actually harms us. Reacting in retaliation to someone who has wronged you only creates a wound in your own peace and harmony.
Think of how many times anger has escalated a situation to the point of nonsense. Disciplining your self to react with cool and calm keeps you grounded and equipped to judge your conduct with right mind.
Anger is a valid emotion but it should be the spark to fire up the want for change. Anger unchecked, turns to hatred, hatred unchecked turns to bitterness and bitterness leaves no room for peace of mind and body.
It is the enemy within.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Change

Change is hard.
Changing things is even more diffcult when the ones around you oppose the change. It can be too much or mean more work and it is easier to disagree then roll up your sleeves and work together.
Then I realize, this is my perspective. What I want to change seems very diffuclt because the support is not there. I cannot expect others to do what I preech just because I said "make it so".
And so I find myself back to basics. Lead by example.
If my example proves results, even in a minor way, the hope is ,others will support and maybe, just maybe help out.
Change is hard because my will is weak. When you have support you can afford a weakness in your mettle, when you do not have support you have to dig deeper into yourself and forge gently but firmly forward.
Its exciting to think of what can happen when you have both.


JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta,Canada

Batman and Robin

I was there to help out with renovations at the kwoon but tonite was the first night I was there after the chaos  of reconstruction.
My hats off to Sihing Lindstrom and Weibe for their leadership role. Their hard work surpasses mere tiling and painting, when you view the finished kwoon you can sense the dedication and commitment they put into it. They are truly super heros for what they have produced in such a short time frame. I shall have to call them Batman and Robin from now on. (They can decide which one of them is Robin).
All kidding aside, a fantastic job, I am particularly fond of the womens change room!
Big thanks to you for your sacrifice and hard work. Looks great!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Never be too rigid in your ways. If you set your path without any flexibility you may pass by something amazing.
Keep yourself open to other possibilities, do not have a preconceived idea of what your end result has to be. The end result could far exceed your expectations if you stay humble, versatile and flexible along your steps.


JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Slow Down

Everyday seems to be a barrage of things to do.Then the next day seems to be another day of much the same.
Sometimes it feels like the perpetual "ground hog day". We focus on completing a routine of tasks. Tasks that become part of a daily routine. Do these routine tasks take up all of your day? or worse yet, you run out of time to finish everything you think you need to do. Can some of these things be delegated elsewhere? Can they wait?
Routine can become all consuming with no room to create, cogitate or accomplish.
Sometimes you need to slow down to accomplish.
Quality over Quantity.
Thought over Information.
Conversation over Texting.
Form over Speed.

Sometimes you need to slow down to accomplish.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Beside you and Inside you

We are always looking for something, something to make our training better, our skills better, our careers better, our home life better and on and on.
Sometimes what we look for is resources. Hooking up with the right people, the right school, networking, researching the Internet, looking for different tools and counsel to help us along the way. How to do this better or how to make something in your life better.
There is an endless supply of opinions and methods  on "How tos".

Everything from "Abersicer...this will give you the abs you always wanted in 30 days!' to an "on line marriage counsellor...fall in love with her all over again!", or the "get rich .. one time only free seminar..hurry don't miss out!", etc etc,

Sometimes what we seek, is right under our noses. Sometimes our need to not miss out on the latest and the greatest clouds what is right in front of you. Sometimes what you think you no longer have is actually beside you.
Could it be the shine has worn off? The novelty is gone and what you really are missing is the discipline and commitment to work at something the old fashion way. Thoughtfulness, purpose, investing in something for the long run.
Practice something until it becomes second nature, not just until you lose interest.
This applies to your training , your spouse and children, your career, the people you deal with or chat with everyday.
Every encounter is a moment to practice focus and thoughtfulness and suddenly what you were so eagerly searching for was inside.


JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

OK, I 'm not big on sending out video links but this is another one of those clips that hits the mark. I honestly never heard of this guy before, some may find him rude, so maybe watch with out the little ones , but like, dislike or indifferent, I sure appreciate the point he is trying to make.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r1CZTLk-Gk

JC Masterson, Silent River Kug Fu, Alberta, Canada

A Shout Out!

I hope Sifu Joe Harrigan doesn't mind me making it public knowledge but I was in the gym this morning at the Tri-Liesure and his pictures were posted up on the wall so I thought I would throw him in the spotlight and do some bragging for him, as I know he is a humble guy.
Apparently he was in the Provincials this month for Power Lifting, his first competition, and if I read some of the numbers right, I think his dead lift was at 215kilograms.
That's amazing!
Congratulations Sifu Harrigan


J.C. Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Physio

I have had an unhappy hip for about six weeks. I have tried new shoes, slowed down on the running, etc, etc.Bottom line is , I don't know why it hurts.
So as frustrating as it is, better to investigate now than leave it for later and hope it goes a,way in the meantime , actually , I did the ...hope it goes away part already. I can tell I have waited too long to do something because it hurts even when I am lying in bed.
I have booked regular massage therapy and now I am going back to physiotherapy.
Physio helped me in the past with a bad shoulder injury and and a knee problem. I am sad to find out, however, the therapist I used to use has left the rehab center. I booked in with a new person and I can only hope they are as good as the last lady I was fortunate to find.
Physiotherapists are like mechanics. When you find a good one you want to hang onto them.

JC Masterson, Silent River, Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Drumheller

Last weekend we spent 4 days in Drumheller, as we do every year on our annual Dinosaur holiday.

I am surprised to find that I, personally, have not tired of it yet, even though we visit the same museum and attractions every time.

There is something about the bad lands that make you sit and stare in wonderment (in between slapping mosquitoes).

Each time I go, I get the chance to learn alittle bit more, thanks to my sons insatiable appetite for the science of paleontology.

Here's the part that always makes me stop and think, we humans, as a species, have only started on our journey of life in the bigger picture. There have been species that have survived on this earth for millions of years. There have been several extinction cycles, some larger than others. Some species become so specialized and dependant on one resource that they cause their own extinction.
They become a blip in the Earths time line.
Some species thrive, survive and evolve into magnificent creatures, even their fossilized remains make you stare in awe, and how could you doubt there is a God, when you witness some of these spectacular creations.

It is incredible to realize how old the Earth is , how young we are, how much this planet has changed and aged, we are arrogant to think we have the future of the planet in our hands,  we have nothing to do with it. we are in fact, along for the ride.
 So back to the human species, as much as we may damage the environment around us, there is no doubt in my mind the damage we create will be absorbed, this planet would heal and move on without us.


Hopefully we are not one of those species that causes their own extinction, a species that  comes and goes in a moments time.
 
JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Everyday I'm Shufflin

I've noticed a trend, maybe good maybe not so good.
I am a schedule ,to do list, structure freak, goal orientated person.
 I make lists in my head and on paper, of things I want to get done in a day, week, month and year.
The lists are always ridiculous and tiring and sometimes physically impossible.
I started getting sick of lists, its like I have to list the list. Cant live like that anymore.
Now, I noticed I am starting to just make it up as I go a little more.
Its starting to become a sport, a challenge if you will. I know whats coming up and then the challenge is to shuffle, coordinate and role with the punches.
Not sure if something is going to backfire or I forget something really important.
I am hoping to find a middle ground between being prepared and having strong spontaneous character to deal with surprises.
Kind of like tossing grenades!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Holy Warballs Batman!

The other white grain.

Well, not actually a grain, it is the seed of the plant.

Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah) is a plant that was cultivated in the ancient South American Andes. The Incas called it the “mother grain”.

The Quinoa was mixed with fat and rolled into balls. The Inca tribes would sustain their armies on this alone. Hence the name “War Balls”
When the Spanish came across, they soon recognized the link between the highly nutritious food supply and the endurance of the native tribes. And in good conquering fashion the Spanish forbade the cultivation and consumption of Quinoa shortly after.

For those of us looking for alternatives to meat as a protein source Quinoa is a great alternative. I purchase a cook book – Quinoa 365 and have had great success with the recipes. It takes a quarter of the time to make compared to rice, comes in a flour format for substitution in baking and tastes great hot or cold. A very versatile food that has become a staple in our household…and they(my boys) didn’t even notice!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Dont Sweat It

Why is it some people sweat more than others?

Sweating is a function of the body for the purpose of cooling off when it comes to physical activity.
Body temperature is regulated by releasing moisture on the skin and evaporating thereby cooling the body and keeping the body working more efficiently.
If you’re a person that turns red or your skin tone becomes flushed this is usually just an indication of good circulation, the blood bringing heat from the muscles to the surface, once again to cool yourself off.
Sweating depends on your environment, your level of hydration your diet and your body weight and quite often genetics dictate the amount you sweat as well. It is not an indication of the shape you are in, generally speaking.
You cannot lose extra calories from sweating but you can lose weight. This is why many fighters will train in hot and heavy clothing prior to” making weight”. Of course this is temporary and replaced once they intake fluids again.

If you are pushing yourself and find it difficult to talk this is a better indication of a good workout then how much you are sweating. If you feel yourself slightly nauseas or dizzy occasionally, this is an indication to back off a little.
Always have water handy and sip on it while training. If you are a heavy sweater, you need to replenish the water you are dispensing through your skin by drinking more frequently.

A boost to your training is to ensure you are well hydrated before you even start a workout. Make water a daily, hourly habit then you’re always ready.


JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

My Worst Nightmare

Sunday night I was riding bikes with my son when he got off his bike and said his tummy hurt.
6 hours later we were in an ambulance on the way to the Stollery in Edmonton. Turns out his appendix was about to rupture. Everything turned out OK, he is home now and he just has to recover.

Here is my nightmare. I am afraid of sick kids. I cant deal with it, it breaks my heart a thousand times over. I donate to the Stollery on regular basis but I cant bear to listen to the radiothons, the stories, and commercials let alone go there.

Little people should not suffer big people illness.

When the doctor at the Stony Plain Emergency said he was sending us to the Stollery, I felt a surge of panic and anxiety. How was I going to hold it together?
My son was looking at me , I looked back at him and told him everything was going to be alright, we were going to a hospital that knows how to take care of kids the best.
When he fell asleep, I buried my face and wept.

We were there for four days but it was the first 24 hours, I had to dig deeper that I ever have before. I knew my son would be alright but I had to be there for him as a source of safety and reassurance.
Walking the floors of the Stollery was incredible. Probably the toughest time for me was the common play area where many of the kids would gather in the afternoon.
I managed to deal with my sadness and anxiety and forced the best poker face I had for Raymond's sake but I cant help but think about the kids that we left behind there. I really hope for them.

This was truly a test in emotional control.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Sparring and Control

How do we know when we have complete control?

It is very subjective and can be perceived differently by others. Watching two people spar is a task in interpretation. Who made the best shot, the first shot, within range, who has a strategy, who is merely reacting and who has control?

As a student you have to determine if you have control of yourself. If you maintain control of yourself you systematically take away your opponents own self control.

How does one determine this?

I came across a description of control as an “option of compassion”.

Let me explain why I agree with it.

To follow the path of the martial artist, many hours are put into practicing the basics of centering ones self to gain control of your actions. The martial artist will then move on to practicing applications and techniques with a training partner.

Practice gives you the ability to react but it takes mastery to include control of the reaction.

This is the ability to apply a technique with a degree of control that allows you the

“ option of compassion”.

Meaning, I can either seriously hurt this attacker or I can choose to apply just enough pressure to ensure my training partner knows I have positively executed a strike or break without causing them pain or injury.

This level of control happens by choice not by chance. This is the control as a martial artist that we strive for through practice and feedback from our fellow training partners.
This is why it is so important to maintain a healthy training relationship with your peers.
The more variety and exposure the closer the goal of Control becomes.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Thoughts on a Friday Afternoon

I used to think Focus and Self-Confidence were unrelated.
As I watch students, my son and discover my own flaws and issues the two are parallel in my view.
If you find yourself failing at something it requires Focus to dig deep and discover what you need to change. If self-confidence is lacking it becomes a distraction.
A lack of self confidence will tell you "you will fail before you even try" or worse a lack of self confidence will tell you " I can't".
When Focus brings improvement it nurtures your self confidence then the two build on one another.
There is no better motivator then improvement.
Improvement equals results and results drive a person forward.
So, I say to myself "I can" there is no self doubt, now there is only time to focus and improve.

Brought to you by , Thoughts on a Friday afternoon.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

65.8%

I haven't been sick for a while, but I definitely caught something. Ear,throat thingy. It hasn't stopped me in my tracks but it has taken the drive and ambition out of me.
I hate being sick, no time for it.
Ironically, its time that fixes it.
OK, I'm done complaining, I just hate running at 65.8%.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

To Vote is to be Canadian

It may not have turned out the way you wanted or maybe it did, but one thing is clear...the Canadian people can still exercise their voting ability to make a statement.

I think a statement was made, by the Canadians who took their voting right seriously.
Change can be made in the government. Politicians will be held accountable, and I for one want to see some work carried out by the political leaders. Show me what you propose for this country is going to work. Give me the background , give me the reasons, give me something more than just broad platforms and proposals. 
 Government now has the foundation to start turning the wheels without blaming internal strive within the house from roadblocking everything, yet they still have a healthy opposition and hopefully the new circumstance will allow for professional debate with the countries best interest at heart.

Boy, did I wake up the "Optimist" this morning!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

No title, just sad.

I had a great holiday in Maui, I would go back in a heartbeat.


So back to reality, 208 emails, voicemails, deadlines and mysterious files waiting for me at work, laundry stacked up, my training schedule is way off the rails, no babysitters this week, Lacrosse games and doc appointment to get Raymond to and finally an Easter dinner to prepare. Wow, that doesn’t seem fair.


Then a terrible tragedy happened yesterday morning on the way to work. I take the bus into the downtown core and the driver was telling us about having to make detour.
You see, another bus had possibly hit a pedestrian, she told us. Once, I got up to the 11th floor of our office, it was quite clear below our building something bad had happened.
The police had everything blocked off and the bus sat grimly in the middle of the street for the remainder of the morning. I had a hard time focusing because you only had to pass by the window and feel a sickness to your stomach. It wasn’t long before news spread, the young woman had passed.
I felt bad for all the people that must be affected by this, the guilt, despair and the long road to overcome such trauma and loss.

Again, it makes you think how quickly things can change or end. Appreciate everything you have now, don’t say or do something you may not be able to rectify later, there may be no later, there may be no next time.

My anxiety at the beginning of the week now seems silly and trivial. I really do feel stupid about it. I should relish in the challenges that come my way, it is part of living.



My deepest sympathies and thoughts go out to the victims of this accident.



JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Maui

Still have 3 days left in Maui...water,whales and sunsets(whats a snow shovel?)
I hope I miss my flight home...

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta , Canada

The Day of Grading

Last night the Sihing class did a portion of the fitness test. Nutrition for the day of testing was a topic after class. I was asked to post what I consumed for the day of my grading. So here it goes.

 Basically I kept to a liquid diet during the time of grading. A light breakfast in the morning. I packed an ice-cooler with 2 protein smoothies(fairly thick) consisting of strawberries ,banana, skim milk and a protein powder. At the time, I think I was using the Dymatize product, (whey protein). I also packed 2 jugs of sports drink. Similar to a Gatorade but without the high sodium and sugar. If I recall correctly, it was Ctyomax powder mixed with water. Its a higher quality electrolyte drink. It maintains a stabilized blood sugar level, hydrates without a bunch of extra junk in it. These products I purchased from the Muscle Beach store in Edmonton.

This was about 6 years ago, products have changed since then so reading labels is a must. This is not a product advertisement, its just what worked for me this day.
The bottom line, the liquid diet for the day kept me from feeling hungry but never did I feel like I just ate something. You do not what to put your digestive system at work too much as it can lead to cramping and loss of performance. I would sip on something any chance I had.
More important, focus on each task at hand. Give everything asked of you 110%. The rest will take care of itself.

Oh, note to self: My 5 minute horse stance is rusty, Some of the Sihings put me to shame!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada

In no Particular Order

I have several thoughts floating around in my head. Even a couple of blogs I drafted but after I read them they quite clearly would only make sense to me. So, I will post them once I refine what I am trying to say, but, in the meantime this is my random, incomplete, and in no particular order, kind of thoughts.

• Going on holidays this Sunday, we are going to Maui, excited and not excited. Seems I am thinking about the stuff that won’t get done while I am gone and uncomfortable and guilty about taking holidays in a part of the world that is close to another country that is in a disastrous state


• Kung fu in the house!, Raymond joined kids classes this month and he is pumped, he wants to sign up for the tournament and talks about his kung fu stuff all the time. What a difference a few classes have made. The Instructors for the Tiny Tigers are fantastic! I have the greatest admiration for them.


• Personal purpose in my training. Do I have it or not. I thought I did but its very focused and perhaps to narrow a scope . I might be restricting myself too much and missing out on other opportunities.


• Hope Sifu Shipalesky is doing well on her road to recovery, she is always a source of common sense comfort when I talk to her.


• Global stress – I think between the dreary weather and the constant feed of global distress, in the environment, in the Middle East and in our economy it puts a weight on everyone’s disposition. No longer can we ignore the neighbours. (if we did before)It truly is a global community. One neighbours tragedy and one neighbours despair is everyone’s problem on the block. You are a fool to think otherwise.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Winding Down

I find it difficult to come home after an evening class (usually around 10: 00pm) and just go to bed and fall asleep. I am mentally alert because of the kung fu class and winding down can be a challenge. I recall when I was a green belt it was even more difficult because I was physically charged up as well. Its hard to come home and just turn it off. Not so good when you have to get up early the morning after either.
This seems to work for me so I thought I would share it.
Most people have a "go to bed" routine. Have a cup of tea, brush your teeth, etc.
If this does not seem to be enough, try laying on the floor beside your bed and stretch for a minimum of 5 minutes. Nothing heavy duty, just a head to toe stretch. Lots of breathing and moving slowly. Do this without distractions. Meaning turn the TV off, the radio any white noise(hopefully you don’t include your spouse in that category! )
Anyways, if you get the body to recognize a wind down routine and let the muscles un-tense, the mind usually follows suit.
Like any good habit, it takes time to become a habit and see the results.
Seems to be working for me so I just thought I would share.
Kung Fu Dreams:)

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Happy 71st Birthday Chuck Norris!



JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Take Care of Yourself

I was in an airport waiting with a colleague a little while back. We started talking about exercise.
He could not believe how much I worked out and trained.
He said to me, “been there, done that”. He was a police officer for ten years and he kept himself in shape back then. He said he seen no point in putting that kind of pressure on himself now.
“For what”, he said, “why?“
He turned to me and said “you and I are both going to die. It doesn’t matter how much you exercise.”
“sure,” I said back. “but who said I wanted to live forever? Its not about living longer, its about living better.”
It so happened we had a couple of hours to wait for the airplane, thanks to the Winnipeg weather, so we had a good chat about quality of life.
I wont go into the long version but essentially, for me it works like this…
Exercising is the foundation. You keep your heart and lungs in shape with cardio work and you keep your muscles in shape with strength training. This doesn’t mean you need a gym membership, how you choose to accomplish cardio and strength is a personal choice with lots of ways to achieve this.
Next my martial arts training sit on top of my basic physical fitness. Practicing, analyzing and looking for ways to improve. From there I expand out to the mental and spiritual challenges that are part of a well-rounded martial arts student. This flows or should flow into your everyday way of living.
The basics of exercising and training give me the discipline mechanism to make other things in my life happen. Keeping yourself in shape and in training keeps the stress levels balanced and the self-confidence and self esteem in tact.
My thoughts, you cannot separate the body from the mind and heart. They all need to be nourished and maintained.
If you take care of yourself you can look forward and expand outside of yourself, this affords you the capacity to take care of others.
Anyways, that was my lecture to my colleague and its also the lecture I give to myself on a regular basis when I ask
“why am I doing this?”

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Kill the Ego

We discussed etiquette in class and I think it became apparent to everyone there is an underlying theme.
Humility is a trait that is not very apparent in our daily lives. Sometimes you have to look really hard for it , sometimes you forget your own need for humility.

Through basic traditional etiquette the concept of humility is reinforced during our time in class, but why?
If you kill the Ego and truly feel the humility you become a true student. One who is open minded, patient and willing to learn. You become a canvas, those around you want to teach and guide you and those around you want to work and train with you.
Then you realize how you have increased your possibilities tenfold.
Humility makes you strong.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Dont forget the Feet

I know, for myself, I am usually paying attention to sore muscles in my arms, legs and back and try and make massages a regular practice for preventative maintenance. Feet seem to always get forgotten.
We should approach healthy muscles from the ground up. All our weight is supported by our feet and we rely on them for power and stability in our applications and further, if you run on a regular basis they take an additional pounding.
Here's a tip that’s easy to do and feels good.
Find yourself a tennis ball or something of the same size and firmness. While your sitting in a chair roll it underneath your foot to loosen up and relieve the tension in all areas including the toes. Pretty simple but if you don’t keep the tennis ball handy you never remember to do it until your feet start to feel sore.
Once again, keeping proactive about your health is far better than reactive. It takes time and planning but worth it when tired muscles are your only problem not major injuries.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Canada

Focus

Whats the opposite of focus? unfocus? the anti-focus, focuslessness?

For me, its distraction.
Distraction appears to be something around you that manipulates your attention, even if its only a fraction of your attention, its enough that I have not put 100% of my thoughts into what I am doing.
I used to think distraction was in the form of outside influences, noise, people, unfamiliar settings, etc. Truth is, its what goes on inside our heads…this is the pure distraction.
If I have the ability to tune out external activity this is one level of focus. The next level is to turn off other thoughts within my mind and give full attention to what it is I am dealing with.
Sounds simple, but this is probably the most difficult skill I have ever tried to master.
We as a society push for, and admire, the gift of multi-tasking. Multi-tasking is a great skill so long as each task is still accomplished with the quality it deserves. When our minds become accustomed to trying to accomplish more than one thing at a time it becomes difficult to turn other thoughts off and only deal with one thought.
Even as I write this blog, I have had to delete some sentences because I start running off into another topic that leads from one thought to the next and ends up having nothing to do with my point.
So, for me, my challenge is keeping my mind on the task at hand. I cannot control the external distractions but I have the ability to control or at least work on the skill of controlling the internal distractions.

Internal distrations, better known as a busy and wandering mind.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canad

Training Smart

Structure is great but be careful of becoming too caught up in the structure that your workouts and practices either become identical or have no room for change to address something you would like to improve on or discovered you need improvement on.
It is easy to get into the “going through the motions “ to satisfy a structured plan.
For example I need to complete 100 push ups, run 2 km, 50 round house kicks and 4 forms.
If the focus is to complete your structured training(get through the hour) you can easily get lost in the numbers.
Ask yourself why you want to complete your training.

Is there something in the form that I am not sure about or doesn’t feel right? Should I slow down a feel what is happening when I train. Why run 2 km? Should I time myself when I run to see if I am progressing with my cardio? What muscles make the push up happen?
Was my first roundhouse as strong as my last one, what about the other leg?
Etc, etc.

Put purpose in your training so its not just about accumulating.
I only say this because for years, long before kung fu, I would go to the gym and workout and not really know what I did. I put hours on treadmills and barbells but cant really tell you what happened while I was there. I was a master of mindless training.
Even a simple exercise in the gym should be something you are engaged with., if I would have engaged myself with a goal and a purpose I could have trained with more efficient results back then.
The point is, don’t turn off the brain just because you went down for pushups or start hitting the bag. This is when you need full focus and listen to what your body is telling you so you can look for ways to improve, especially over a shorter period of time.
Focus, measuring improvement and challenging yourself will bring you to another level with the most efficiency.
So train hard but train smart…and don’t forget about the recovery time!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

the goal of Quality

It seems the measure of success has shifted or maybe we have added another criteria to the definition of success.
Success in our society (North America) is measured by money and power, from what I see, we also measure our success by how busy we are.
It starts by trying to accomplish as much as you can, keeping yourself moving from one task to the next. We even start our children down this busy schedule plan by bringing them from one activity to the next.( Soccer, swimming music lessons,hockey ).I think we have been duped into believing more must be better.
If I am really busy, my family is busy every night, we have commitments every weekend then we must be accomplishing something , I must be doing the right thing??
Maybe, but I feel at some point we start losing the battle,our ability to put quality into everything we do starts to diminish. It is very easy for my life to become a numbers game. A giant “to do” list. Full of deadlines and tasks and too many goals. Even if my goals are with the right intent to better my world, my family, my community, I feel too much can have the opposite effect.
I start to compromise the quality that goes into each goal, task, word and thought. Time is not flexible, I cannot change time. I can only change what is a priority in my life and if I want the most out of my priorities I need to assess the amount of time each priority requires to be absolute in my efforts. If being a person of substance and depth is a priority for myself everything I do must have quality to it. No more ridiculous lists. I have to change them into realistic, obtainable priorities, some of which will take a lifetime to see through but I think I am OK with that.
I was reading an article, the author( Leo Babauta) put forward a thought which made me stop and think. He wrote something to this effect “…what if we truly believed our lives were perfect, no need to lose weight, no need for bigger muscles, no need to run faster, look prettier, no need for a bigger house, car, no need for more stuff and merchandise…life was perfect. If we could for a moment enjoy what we were and what we had the stress of trying to do more would disappear, we could just enjoy the “right now” and peace would at last be ours. We could spend more time helping others instead of trying to make ourselves better. If we decided to accomplish something more it would only be a bonus to our already perfect lives…we were good enough right now…”
Interesting, the author was trying to put forward the concept of quality in your life and the ability to enjoy the present as opposed to always focusing on what you have to do next. I think a person needs to stop living to serve the goals but have the goals serve the person.

JC Msterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada