Late out of the Gate

Gracie Girl

2012-02-08T21:40:00.000-08:00

I'm out of town again, but this time its worth it.

Right now I am in Torrance, California on a helicopter course. Thats the boring part.

I am a big fan of the Gracie family, their lineage and pioneering in the marital arts.
I know the headquaters for the Gracie Jiu jitsu Academy is here, so last night I thought I would find it and check it out (they have a museum to visit) and buy myself a T-shirt.
So, I walk in, at the front desk is Rener Gracie (like no way!..that is the actual teenage phrase that went through my head )... I try and act all cool and ask if I could get a size in this shirt, blah, blah . I can hear classes going on in the back hall, so I boldly ask if it would be OK to watch?
He(Rener) asks me what my background is with the marital arts, so I let him know about Silent River Kung fu and my interest and novice experience with grappling(emphasis on novice).
He said, and I quote"..this is the best night of ever any nights of all time to walk in my friend, I will do you one better, you can gear up and participate with the next class and the following specialty class."
Next thing you know, I have been given a Gi to borrow and I am lining up with the Gracie Jiu Jitsu Combatives class...(most excellent!).
Ryron Gracie spends 10 minutes with me to assess my grappling then pairs me up with a blue belt.(Sweet!)
The next class is the Women Empowered class, basically a self defense class only everything is on the ground, that too was super awesome!

The thing that really blew me away is after the class, They brought me up front and introduced me as "an extended student family member from Canada" to all the regular students, I received hand shakes after class and some friendly chat.
All this was free of charge, and this is the Los Angeles area, not what I expected, still a little shocked.
They deal with hundreds of students a week, I was impressed how they took the time at no cost, and I am not sure if they knew how much it meant to me but it was something else to be treated so kindly.

Anyways, that is my bragging story ,I am like a kid grinning Christmas morning. 24 hours later!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

The Focus Skill

2012-02-05T20:20:00.000-08:00

Focus is a pretty simple word and a simple concept but there is no question it is a moving target for me.
I think when are lives become consumed with busyness and a lack of balance, focus becomes overtaken by distraction and quality suffers.
As part of the I Ho Chuan , with teammates to follow as examples,my, hope is for a improvement in my ability to focus on any given goal, person or moment.
Trying to do many things at once has become a way of life but only to my disappointment sometimes.
The ability to truly focus is a skill I hope to achieve through, of course, practice.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Group Inspiration

2012-01-29T13:24:00.000-08:00

It was a really nice evening at the Banquet last night, I am very happy for the new Sifus, they are a special group that inspired me to change things this year.
For a long time I have been doing more or less the same thing , review , train and practice. Sometimes very focused most times to maintain a certain level of proficiency. But always on my own.
This year I am excited because I feel I have something different to experience with the I Ho Chuan.
The group of new Sifus have inspired me by the way they supported one another and trained with one another. I believe they brought themselves to a greater level through their efforts and and went beyond because they could count on one another and motivate one another.
Good for them and we can all learn from their example, I hope to!

Oh, by the way, thank you Sifu Brinker for your generous words, I was a little shell shocked at the time and probably did not say thank you properly.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Procrastination

2012-01-25T21:36:00.000-08:00

Why do we procrastinate?
I think we avoid doing something because we are avoiding the stress or challenge it will induce or its something we just don't find interesting.
If we think into the future, how would I feel once this is accomplished , I imagine a sense of freedom, a feeling of space , room to move or building blocks set in place for a higher achievement.
However, sometimes the task is or has become so large it takes the wind out of your sails to get started.
Starving the Procrastination Bug starts with one meal at a time.
If you have a form to master, a room to de-clutter or finances to get in order it all starts with a well thought out plan. One that has small steps to reach the final goal. A commitment to each of those steps that includes a timeline.
But be careful, if its too strict of a plan and you fail at any point you need to be forgiving and remember that the plan is just that, a plan.
Don't talk yourself out of something just because its going to be challenging, stressful or boring. Don't plan to have it all covered or completed in one go. 10 or 15 minutes of something frequently, can add up in short order.

Procrastination isn't because you are lazy, there are other thoughts working in the background that convince you to stay on the couch. Recognize the real reason you are not tackling something and go after it.

Now... where did I put that tax file...

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Assumptions

2012-01-19T12:10:00.000-08:00

Last night I was driving home on the highway when a truck in front of me lost control on the Devon bridge.
I stopped to make sure he was OK and he was, but his truck was wrecked.
Turned out he was an older man probably in his early 70s and to my surprise, no cell phone.
Honestly, these days when you see a vehicle on the side of the road the assumption is they have a phone or they are on the phone.
Its easy to assume everything is OK then it gives you an excuse to keep to your own business.
I won't be assuming people have cell phones anymore.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung fu, Alberta, Canada

Off and Stumbling

2012-01-17T20:45:00.000-08:00

Not so good.
I 'm back in the hotel room, obviously out of town, and now I am reflecting on goals I have set for myself this year.
So far, I am off and stumbling.
I hate when I get this busy with work, the days seem to pass by too quickly without recognizing opportunities or important moments.
I promised myself to implement more balance this year so I could work on some changes and I am not off to a good start.
Anyways, enough with the "poor me" attitude.
I will just have to dig deeper and stand my ground.

Brought to you by "Tired Thoughts on a Tuesday Night"
JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

RESCUE

2012-01-11T13:09:00.000-08:00

We went to the Telus Science Center on the weekend and seen the IMAX showing of "RESCUE".

Essentially, it was about the Haiti earthquake and how ships, airplanes, helicopters and the people who operated them came to help.
I really liked it because it was about the people, the individuals themselves who worked in various occupations like the Canadian military or a Volunteer firefighter in California or a pilot with the American Airforce. It showed how an individual became a bunch of individuals, all coming together for a common cause.
The end result was a global effort. A united human global effort.
It was very inspiring and very humbling.

The documentary did not get into the complications or corruption that was underlying with Haiti but that's not what it was about.
It was a message about potential and a message of what we can achieve on our own and as a team.
It gave me hope for human nature and an insight into our potential.
It also made me want to be a firefighter!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

The Science within the Art

2012-01-02T09:41:00.000-08:00

My focus has turned to the science of the art. My quest is not focused on the physical training but on the mental and analytical aspect.
I need to move deeper into the reasons why we practice the applications the way we do, and recognize my own weaknesses and strengths and the weaknesses and strengths of how others move.
This is something we start doing from a white belt, it is why Kung fu becomes so addictive. It becomes mentally engaging constantly.
My goal is to bring the mental engagement to a deeper level.
All marital arts have basic fundamentals because, well, the common factor is the human body. Knowing the the biology and mechanics of the human body and some basic physics is knowledge you can apply to the science of martial arts.
When this is in the forefront of your training the science can become pure in your movements. The art in martial arts is the physical practice that discipline and commitment will help you achieve.
To become an actual artist is the lifetime goal , knowing and recognizing the science is one of the stepping stones to the goal.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

All I want for Christmas

2011-12-17T17:14:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-09T13:36:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-25T13:07:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-17T12:06:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-03T14:21:00.000-07:00

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)

2011-10-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-05T22:11:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-09T21:43:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-07T21:32:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-24T12:41:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-12T12:45:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-04T08:46:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-07-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-18T12:26:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-06T08:51:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-27T18:52:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-06-16T09:25:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-07T09:39:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-03T15:25:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-25T12:40:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-13T14:27:00.000-07:00

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%

2011-05-07T18:13:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-03T13:24:00.000-07:00

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.

2011-04-21T21:17:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-13T20:19:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-02T10:05:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-16T18:55:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

Happy 71st Birthday Chuck Norris!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Take Care of Yourself

2011-03-01T07:09:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-15T04:57:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-07T11:37:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-28T07:55:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-18T13:41:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-04T20:19:00.000-08:00

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

The Colour Blue

2010-12-23T12:07:00.001-08:00

This week I had the pleasure of watching some students receive their Blue belt. They worked hard for it and I am happy for them.

The blue belt rank has and always will me something extra to me. For me, it is when I realized I was in a martial arts school.

Where was I before that...coasting. I admit it. I was telling a student last night how I admired this group because I could tell they practiced and put thought into their curriculum.

I, on the other hand, don't recall much before my Blue belt. I was good at memorizing and got by on just that. It was Blue belt when my eyes were opened to my own potential. I attended every class just to make up for lost time and lack of understanding of what I was really doing or even answer what I was trying to achieve.

Of course everyones journey through the coloured belts is different but for me,the Blue Belt was always the one where the rubber hit the pavement.

My only thoughts to offer, don't wait until your Blue belt to really apply yourself but if that's not the case then there is no time better than now.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

2010-12-15T13:44:00.000-08:00

I have been reading a book about Zen. Actually it’s a comic book series, this one is called “Zen for Beginners” and I think this is my third attempt to read through the whole thing.(I would have never made it through University).

Anyways, one chapter had a piece in it that spoke to me. Essentially the message was as follows:
“Human Distortion of reality arise from 3 main habits

1.) Greed 2.) Anger 3.) Ignorance”
Further to that, “All beings are inherently enlightened, we just don’t know it. Only our own confusion veils us from our natural wisdom and goodness”
Pretty powerful stuff when you sit and think about it.

So why the “Zen”, at first it was just pure curiosity. Different religions and philosophies have always intrigued me but now I find I need a reminder and a source of stability to ground me and I need this everyday. I’m not saying a book on Zen is the answer but the more sources I have to keep me on the rails the better.
I find myself in a position of witnessing corruption both on a local level and a political federal level. Far more complex than I could have imagined. Truth and right conduct become mangled and distorted for the gain of a few while the perception of integrity is displayed to the majority.
Indifference and looking the other way is easy. Becoming desensitised is a way of coping with the stress of inaction or action.
I have faith in myself by way of keeping my mind, body and spirit in tact with that I can make the right decisions.

Sorry, if this resembles a babbling mess but it helps me deal with myself.
Where is a Zen Master when you need one!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

The Mighty Hamstring

2010-12-04T11:07:00.000-08:00

My hamstrings have been giving me trouble for a few weeks now. Usually a tight muscle is worked out and back to normal for me in a short time. No doubt aging is a factor but should not be something that slows you down, you just need to approach things differently.

Preventative maintenance is key to keeping yourself off the injured list. Reality is, not many people take the time for muscle maintenance, ironically the older you get the more important this is but the older you get the less spare time you seem to have.

A muscle like the hamstring( which in fact is a combination of muscle groups that attach from the hip to the knee) is like an elastic band at the back of your leg. If its tight it will shorten the range or extension and prevent you from throwing high or effective kicks.

First, stretching. Don't skip the stretching. Not only does it warm up muscles but it tells you if something isn't quite right. You can have any injury and not know it for days until you make that one movement that says"ouch". You don't want to discover that in the middle of a full out committed kick..tends to be more than just "ouch" at that point!

Second, dynamic movement, kicks. Want to improve the height of the kick. After warming up and stretching the hamstring, start throwing the kicks that will stretch the hamstring further.(Cyclone, high roundhouse, dragons whip, etc.)

Third, try and fit in a massage session every 4 to 6 weeks.

Sadly, not enough people visit a massage therapist until something is bothering them or into the realm of injury. Time is always a factor for people and unfortunately so is our health care system.We seem to throw millions of dollars into reactive health care and little to no priority is given to preventive maintenance when it comes to our health.

Coverage for massage therapy ranges from none to a required doctors note to give you a token few visits for the year. I think we would be far better off to invest more of our dollars into the "before" instead of the "after".

In the meantime I have discovered the use of the foam roller to try and soften and work the knots out of my hamstring (see picture below). Another handy gadget that is not too expensive.

You can even watch a movie while spending some time on your muscles and not feel so guilty. Oh, and its really hard to eat popcorn while rolling on your hamstrings!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

We Don't Forget but Sometimes we Don't Reflect

2010-11-25T07:31:00.000-08:00

Color Third Reich Photos LIFE

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These photos have been floating around lately. They were apparently lost for decades and just lately released. The photographer worked for the LIFE magazine at the time.The color photos make you feel like you are there, unlike the grainy black and whites we are used to viewing in documentaries and history books. I look at some of these photos and I am amazed by the power of one individual. I would think , at the time, the masses of people believed he was the hope and leadership they were looking for. Its fascinating yet quite disturbing, I ask the question to myself , do we learn from our past?

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

A Righteous Warrior

2010-11-13T20:31:00.000-08:00

Discipline is the greatest gift you can give yourself, with it, you can achieve anything..but what happens when life wont let you exercise your discipline as much as you had set out to. Are we not the masters of our own destiny, warriors of our own world and creators of our own path, striving for the pinnacle of perfection?
Tell that to your runny nosed, dirty pants 5 year old. You are Mom and you have to put that righteous stuff on hold until you get me a snack!
Its tough being a parent and trying to achieve anything in the day, never mind your life, community and globe.
We have many Moms at the school, both colored belts and black belts. I see the sacrifices they give of themselves both by attending class and practicing and by not attending class and not practicing.
As a mom, you are feeling guilty when you spend time on yourself(training) and when you don't train its usually because the family came first.
Now, I'm not saying Dads don't sacrifice, I'm only speaking from my experience and from the Moms I know in the kwoon. (Dads are another blog).

My thoughts over the years have come to this conclusion, you have to include the little ones. They wont leave you alone for very long, so don't fight it.
Kung Fu should be on your mind every day. Not just the curriculum but how do I do better at everything I do, say, feel and think.
But don't neglect your physical training just because you cant make it to class or you have no time to your self.
Get down and do push ups between reading books and crafts. Soon the little thing or things are intrigued by what you are doing and usually start to join in. Heck, get them to lay on your back and really get a good work out. Do your sit ups while they soak the bathroom walls during their bath time, its only water. Throw out some round house kicks while cooking supper and don't forget to sit in a horse stance while everyone brushes their teeth. It helps if you keep a daily log so it becomes a daily challenge for yourself and you start to feel the sense of accomplishment even if you couldn't get to class. The kids will begin to think this is all normal and then they start to expect it and sometimes tell you when you are cheating!
Don't stop training, be creative, find a way and make it to class when its possible.

So to the Moms, you are a righteous warrior!...Especially to little eyes.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Observations for the Week

2010-11-05T10:59:00.000-07:00

Observation 1)
I have to make a definite effort to incorporate more stretching into my training. Both dynamic stretching(high kicks) and static stretching(floor work)Age is without a doubt a huge factor with the lose of flexibility. I lift weights on a regular basis as well, this strengthens the muscles but also contracts or shortens them ,if you will. This tends to work against the goal of increasing your flexibility but with the right balance you can have both.

Observation 2)
Surrounded by negative cranky people for a long duration without a daily break can make you miserable and cranky right back. The key is to recognize yourself falling into this state. Best way to fix it is be the opposite. Usually, and with a bit of luck others start to realize they are in a funk too.
Or, they find your pleasantness utterly annoying!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Center

2010-10-24T14:49:00.000-07:00

I was reviewing the concept of "center" to the class a little while ago.
It occurred to me that sometimes these things can be a leap of faith. Once you describe where someones center is (and it is part of the Theory) you then ask them to feel and move with it.
Some people, understand but don't experience it, some people, experience it but wonder, whats the point.
I was that some people , not that long ago. As a coloured belt I would learn and memorize but not necessarily get why I had to move this way or that. It seemed silly sometimes. As I stuck with it and practiced anyways, the light would come on once in while.
The body is an easy thing to teach when the mind does not interfere. Consistent practice returns to you as automatic reaction. The mind, however, will judge, over-analyze and corrupt the drill or movements. The mind needs to allow the body to practice then ask questions.

Slowly but surely after years of practicing, I am starting to ask the right questions of myself and how I move.
Moving from your center was one of those"light comes on" moments. There are lots of reasons to move from your center but you can google those reasons or better yet ask during class.
The point is to trust a little, move, practice, self- analyze then ask a hundred questions of yourself and those around you.
That took me a long time to figure out as well.

Its coming, I'm starting to get it.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Time Commodity

2010-10-06T11:30:00.000-07:00

I dont know where September went.

Everything seems to be building up and coming at me like an avalanche.

Work stuff, home stuff, family issues and commitments. I am sure everyone can relate. As a matter of fact, I dont think I know anyone who has told me they are bored or have nothing to do. Even my 5 year old asks when his next "day off" is. Kindergarten can be very demanding.

So why is it, we always put our own personal needs to the side first and think we will get back to them later or make up for it next week?

Im talking about daily physical activity, taking time to eat properly, taking the time to reset mentally and ensure we are not burning ourselves out.The reality is ...Later ..never comes. If you dont follow thru on promises to yourself and your well being it becomes too easy to put things off permanently that you need(not want) to do for yourself. If self improvement is not a promise and a process we commit to then we just "exist". Part of the challenge for me is to prioritize my day, delegate and ask for help when I need it.

It is once again, a matter of balance to fend off burn out and move forward as a human being.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta Canada

Places to go and People to Meet

2010-09-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

The two things I really enjoy working on are Grappling and Weapons.
These are the two areas I have been neglecting the most...very rusty.
So I asked myself why? If I enjoy them so much, why do they always sit on the back burner.
Comes down to a matter of convenience. Its sometimes hard to arrange extra training with someone else. Arranging schedules can be difficult. So the grappling is reviewed but not applied on a regular basis.
The weapons are all about finding the right place to train where I don't take out the ceiling lights or dent the hard wood flooring. Again, it is not something that can be conveniently done so it sits on the back burner.
This winter I want to change this habit and look at different resources.
Using the Kwoon more (a place to go) and finding some willing partners to grapple with(people to meet).
Commitment and a promise to myself will get me there.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Physiokinetics...is that even a real word?

2010-09-09T13:41:00.000-07:00

I have been doing some reading up on Physiokinetics (essentially the science of how the human body works). Its quite interesting to analyze the human body structure and realize its true strengths and weakness. To me, its the very foundation of martial arts, all techniques should be based on the structure and mobility of the human body.
One chapter dealt only with breathing and correct posture. I almost skipped reading just because..well, I thought I had breathing and standing figured out.
Like anything you want to perfect, attention to detail is critical, not only that, sometimes we assume we have covered the basics enough to move on until you realize there is more detail in those basics.
Breathing , posture, strength and stability in your stance have far more to offer when you pick it apart from a geometrical, biological and physics point of view.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't wake up a scientist this morning, I have just begun to realize why I move the way I do and where I need to make changes to make my techniques more efficient and effective.
I have a feeling,however, correcting and perfecting this "older" body type will be a long uphill battle!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Like Minded People

2010-08-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

You cannot always surround yourself with like-minded people. You can control most of whom you interact with by way of picking your friends, family members you choose to spend time with and even by way of the career you choose and the particular employer you work for.
I believe the people whom are on the same wave lenght as you are a source of stability,purpose and peace.
However...
it seems to me the real challenge is to interact and deal with people who are not of the like-minded category!
What better way is there to promote change then to be different and be an example from the normal flock.
Mediocrity and indifference can only be changed when the opposite is seen in a tangible form.
At work I am surrounded by lots(not all) of people who I would call the opposite of "like mindedness" (sorry for making up terms).
If you really want to make a change, this is where you need to be.. in the circle of people who you would find the most unlikely to bond with, agree with or share the same ethics and morals as.
Lead by example, care and empathize with calm and confidence. You may find more people are like minded once they are reminded of the things that really matter.

Jc masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Muscle Cramping

2010-08-11T09:01:00.001-07:00

For the past year I have experienced a frequent amount of muscle cramping. It was never a problem before and I could not relate to others when they told me of their experiences.
This is no longer the case.
It is not the usual leg cramping, its an abdominal muscle cramp. The upper right muscle below the rib cage, to be exact.
I have done some research to try and resolve the problem but it appears it will not be an easy fix.
With any muscle cramp, it can be any where from mild to drop you to your knees pain.
Whats the solution?
Not sure...everyone is different and the cause and triggers vary.
Simple remedies can be proper rest periods between exertion, plenty of water and stretching before and after training, basic and good practice.
However, it can also be a sign of improper mineral balance. More specifically calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium.
Some research claims, depending on the right or left side of the body can indicate which mineral is low or too high (not sure about that, requires more reading up on).

Upper abdominal muscle cramping seems to be rare or at least there is not the usual sports medicine articles that speak to the issue.
In the meantime I am paying attention to my diet to see if it has an effect and to watch for certain activities that trigger the muscle spasms.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Yumm...me like food

2010-08-05T20:21:00.000-07:00

I was checking out the new UBBT food tracking journals.

Wow!

I think I eat twice as much as all of them. It has definitely guilted me into looking at my eating habits.

I snack all day, for the most part its wholesome and healthy but I may need to revisit my portions.

And while I am reflecting on my eating habits, I have to confess, I also equate a really hot day with a really cold beer...or two.

So tomorrow, I will pack the same lunch box but keep the portions on the not so gluttonous side.

But with all due respect to the UBBT members, I am sure I would be a corpse in no time if I followed some of your daily diets!...eat something would ya ..I m feelin guilty.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Tough Guys and Skipping

2010-07-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

I used to associate the skipping rope with little girls and school. Until the movie "Rocky", funny how movies can change your life, especially as a kid.
So now I skip on a regular basis. Its part of my conditioning training. I have not perfected some of the fancy drills and footwork yet but working on it.
So whats the advantages of the skipping rope, basically it builds your stamina, agility and endurance. All very important when in a sparring bout.
If you start working on complex drills it improves your foot work and coordination...plus you look really cool!

Pick up a skipping rope, try doing a minute in between your forms and kicks, etc.
The length of the rope should be right for your height. Stand on the centre of the rope, and lift the handles upward. The point where the handles meet the rope should be level with your armpits
May sure its light gauge rope for speed.
Best of all, it doesn't cost alot nor does skipping take up much room.
Work hard, train hard but have fun!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Dont forget about your Health

2010-07-16T08:20:00.001-07:00

I thought this to be interesting.

Sometimes we take our health for granted, thinking it is like a rubber ball, as in the analogy above, but in fact it is fragile and if it shatters as described by Mr. Dyson, all other aspects of your life suffer.

Sleep well. eat well and move well.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta Canada

Life is Good

2010-07-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

We have been managing to get out with the 5th wheel alot so far this year. Last week we were out to the Lake where a friend of ours keeps his float plane. Raymond was grinning from ear to ear until he realized mom isn't really good at taking off on the water. (I'm a little rusty to say the least!)

Anyways, all is good but I would like to request an 8th day of the week, it seems like I cant find the time to work on my grappling and weapon forms enough, speaking of rusty.

Good to see Sifu Frietag back, although I cant understand a thing shes saying and once more thanks to Sifu Prince for the "Physout" site. Its kept me in check reasonably well.

So things are good and I am going to savour it unlike what I usually do, which is become suspicious that its just the calm before another storm!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Reality Check

2010-06-30T13:55:00.000-07:00

My husband came home from a car wash fund raiser yesterday.
You see, his coworker 's wife just had a baby less than 2 months ago and things went from bad to worse for them.
His co-worker is from Sri Lanka. They have gone through many challenges just to get to where they are today.
But this is truly a sad story.
His wife had some complications during child birth, the babies legs required some surgery but even more tragic was the coma like state she went into and still has not recovered from to this day. She occasionally looks up at the ceiling but it is the only response she has given for 2 months , doctors do not know why and he fears they will give up. They have a little 3 year old girl already and no permanent family in the country to help out.
My husbands co-worker is now faced with the dilemma of sending his children back to Sri Lanka, he must stay here with his wife as there is no way to bring her back home as well.
My husband says he his distraught, exhausted and running out of options. Coming to work has been his only way of taking a break from everything.

As a group of guys working with this man, they have pulled together to try and help out in anyway they can. My husband says there is no grumbling or the usual complaining about anything from the group as a whole.
Its been a reality check for everyone and touched everyone in a way that they look at what is really important in life.

Its a sad story with yet no resolve as I write but I felt compelled to tell it just the same for you never know when your world can come crashing down around you. Be thankful for the important things in life and try not to get brought down by the petty issues.
If you are enjoying time off for the long weekend, keep this family in mind, spend the time with your family and hug yours that much more closely.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Between Chaos and Control

2010-06-22T20:23:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, we as humans in this North American society become so task orientated we forget about the quality, care and attention that needs to be a part of life.

I have put so much on my plate its starting to be noticeable that things are slipping. Putting out little fires here and there on a daily basis and just trying to keep up.

I start each day with a "things to do' list, all the while wondering what day or night will I get to just sit down and relax for an hour.

Problem starts when the people around me become part of the list of tasks to deal with. They are no longer people but just another check mark in my head. "Good, done, talked to him or her, next".

It only took a disappointed look from someone to make me stop and realize I was not in control anymore. I am on the verge of chaos if I am not careful. Its one thing to forget to do something, you can go back and fix that but its an entirely different situation when you mess up dealing with another human being, no matter how small the issue may seem to you.

Its the time and sincerity we spend with one another that makes us who we are. Its the difference between superficial and substance.

Tasks can be delegated, goals may take a little longer but the people around us are the here and the now.

Taking control is my new goal, after all that is what martial arts training is really all about, gaining control over ourselves.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

2010-06-09T19:56:00.000-07:00

I am in the fine town of Grande Prairie tonight, its not so bad of a stay, especially when I am dealing with a proactive and safety conscious company.
Aviation focuses alot on "root cause analysis" and that is always in the discussions when trying to solve problems. Trouble is, it can get very complicated and overwhelming if people are not reminded to keep it simple. But, enough about work...

It occurred to me, trying to figure out the "root cause" of any problem can be as simple as acting like a four year old. If your not familiar with the average four year old, one of their most endearing traits is the unrelenting successions of the question "Why?"

Now if one applies this to their own problems you can more effectively solve your issues. Get to the real reason why something is not working for you.
For instance...My running flying side heel thrust kick is not very good...Why? -because I don't practice it enough...Why...because I don't have enough time ...Why? ....because I don't come to class early or stay late to practice on my own...Why? ...because I did not think an extra ten minutes would make a difference...Why?....because I just assumed that and did not challenge myself to prove otherwise and make it a priority.

Pretty simplistic and some may even say a silly thought pattern that doesn't apply to everything, especially complicated matters but I would argue that you would be surprised when you find where some honest answers would bring you.

I like it when the "kids" can teach the grown ups!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Another Level

2010-05-28T14:32:00.000-07:00

"It requires wisdom to understand wisdom: the music is nothing if the audience is deaf."
-Walter Lippman

The quote sums up how I feel lately about my training and philosophies that go hand in hand with it.For quite some time, principles have been presented to myself and the school as a whole. Phrases such as "orbital motion", "6 harmonies", "vocabulary of motion", etc.

All have been thought provoking and sometimes frustrating to apply.

In a quest to push myself to another level I have found myself, unsure and lacking confidence in what I thought I had nailed down.

As was said to us many times before, there is a difference between imitating and innovating.

I have not posted a blog for a while, I was pondering how there would be an enlightening resolve complete with fireworks and trumpets to which I would share but I sense this is going to be a continuing plight for myself and perhaps maybe I am not alone.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Groceries...it shouldn't be this hard!

2010-05-20T14:54:00.000-07:00

Here it comes ...the "organic and locally produced" tidal wave!

In the pursuit of trying to live a healthier lifestyle, one chooses accordingly. That wasn't a really hard change but now you can't seem to trust what you pick up anymore. Reading labels, trying to find the source of your food is becoming like smoke and mirrors, not to mention the 200% mark up that comes with these self proclaimed items.

Today's rant is towards the next marketing wave coming our way.

In the past couple of decades, food producers have cleverly marketed "low fat" and "high protein" , all the while the extra sugar and salt to disguise the flavour has only counter acted the intent.

There is no doubt the producers feel the surges and fears of the general populous.

They also know that convenience is the name of the game for the average family. Its like shooting fish in a barrel, especially when the general public feels there should be some trust within their governing bodies and some integrity to the producers of these products, after all food producers have families too, right...no one would ever imagine baby formula killing babies ..right!

Anyways, sorry, its frustrating and it does make me angry how much time I have to put into distinguishing the difference between whole healthy food and labelling that only proclaims as such.

I do appreciate the fact that awareness through the Internet and other sources of media can help force the governing bodies and producers to become more accountable.

Bottom line, truthful knowledge is the force by which we shape our globe.

Pretty deep, considering all I wanted was a nice head of broccoli!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Out of Town Blues

2010-05-12T14:27:00.000-07:00

On the road again, first to Fort Mac then down to Calgary.

I don't mind travelling but sometimes it gets in the way and it can really derail your intended routine and lifestyle.

When I don't get some kind of workout in everyday I start to feel like a slug. When I start to feel like a slug it turns into cranky and spiral dives from there. Top that off with buffet eating(for some reason government aviation people really like to eat at buffets) and I just feel plain miserable and disgusted with myself.

So today, I woke up and gave my head a shake. Its important to adapt, find opportunities to train here and there but more important, keep your head in the right frame of mind.

If you let a change in routine or extra workload stress you out and get you down you are no longer a positive influence to others nor am I a positive influence to myself.

Lets face it, I talk to myself all the time. I have a choice of being optimistic, energetic, creative and spreading it around or I can dig myself into a hole and drag others down with me.
I might not be able to carry out my acts of physical training everyday but there is nothing, absolutely nothing, in the way of carrying out my acts of kindness every day.

Flexible and Versatile

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Consistency and Concentration

2010-05-04T06:05:00.000-07:00

How do I get there from here?
I have a goal...it seems so far away, I want it now and I want it to be easy.

If it could be obtained fast and easy, it wouldn't really be much of a goal.
Pace yourself, small steps but be consistent and put quality into every step.

These are thoughts I try and repeat in my head and follow through on. Sometimes I listen to myself.
Sometimes I take quotes from other people who have been there done that....

"The pain of discipline is far less than the pain of regret" - Sarah Bombell

"The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back. That's real glory." - Vince Lombardi

"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination." - Tommy Lasorda

..and my personal favorite...

"You can't get much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good." - Jerry West

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Lunch Time

2010-04-27T19:49:00.000-07:00

So I had the privilege of helping with the kindergarten field trip yesterday. We went to the marine exhibit and show at West Edmonton Mall. We had the behind the scenes tour of the animals. The trainers and caretakers were very good about telling the children the background of the animals there, some are abandoned exotic pets, others with problem history in other facilities. I was also impressed how they emphasised our global impact on the marine life ecosystem. Of course, that was translated into 6 year old dialect!

Lunch time came around and I was a little surprised to see what kids had in their lunches.

We periodically have letters sent home of acceptable lunch items. The school is sensitive to allergy and nutrition needs, however, I would have to guess 50% of the kids had junk food of all descriptions. Kids had a full size containers of pop as drinks. One little guy had a bag of chips and processed cheese on Wonder bread. Another had those "lunch thingys" (consists of a plastic container with circular ham pieces, crackers and a kit kat). Not to mention the variety of snacks passed off as healthy, such as , gummy bears made from 10 percent "real"fruit juice, so on and so forth.

Now, I am not trying to present myself as the perfect parent, I can empathise with days you are rushed, have a picky eater,didn't go grocery shopping and sadly enough the families who cannot afford to eat healthy. Its a disgusting shame that it costs more to choose healthy food over the processed food alternatives.

But..really, for the majority of us parents, there is no excuse, keep your child fuelled with healthy food options. Lead by example, it will do you good as well.

Take the time and make the effort.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Mental Fitness

2010-04-20T11:40:00.000-07:00

Don't forget about your Mental Fitness.
I don't mean crossword puzzles, rubix cube and calculus. I am talking about stress management.
We have a tendency to load our day with more than the waking hours will allow. Demands, deadlines, schedules and things that just seem to get in our way or don't go our way can all add up to an overload condition and if it is a chronic way of life the result is anxiety and even depression.
Mental fitness should be a daily occurrence for everybody. A way of stopping what you are doing and assessing the state of mind you are in.
If its too much,take time to prioritize the important things. There is nothing wrong with asking for help or delegating when things start to get out of control.
More important, recognize what really are the important things. Your physical health should never be compromised because of too much stress.
Find ways to ground yourself, take time for yourself and enjoy what you have.
If you find coping is still a problem, don't ignore it and trudge through. Help is everywhere but its up to us to know when to look for it.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Short Intense Workout

2010-04-13T08:33:00.000-07:00

Short on time?
silly question, who isn't.
Some days are better than others but on those days where you are trying to choose between exercising or practicing kung fu, how about incorporating them together for an intense half hour of sweat.
For me, it goes something like this.
15 pushups
15 abs
10 kicks
jump rope for 1 minute
1 form
repeat 8 - 10 times (alternate jump rope with power of the instep, squat thrusts, mountain climbers ,etc. and change the kicks up , thrust, roundhouse, spinning back kick, etc.)
finish off with a section of Tai Chi.
Take about half an hour out of your busy day, you will feel energized and engaged with your kung fu training on a daily basis. Its tough keeping your life balanced but you deserve a least a half hour to yourself, don't you?
I do.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta , Canada

Electrolytes

2010-04-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

"got to replace those electrolytes"
says the guy beside me as he slams down his sports drink.So just what are electrolytes and what good are they to us.

The human body is a complex sophisticated biological chemical machine. Nerve(neurons) and muscles cells carry electrical impulses across the membranes to operate correctly via electrolytes(fluids between cells) - brain thought patterns, heart and muscle contractions, etc. utilize electrolytes and your kidneys act as a regulator for these electrolyte concentrations.
When you exercise heavily you lose electrolytes through your sweat. The result is fatigue and a loss of performance.Sport drinks are designed to replace the electrolytes and they apparently work quite well according to studies on athletes.
However, in the name of profit, alot of sport drinks are marketed(sorry about the grammar!) to the general populous who are struggling to get into shape or maintain a fitness level far from the professional athlete.Many of the sports drinks have an excessive amount of sodium and sugar.You can find High Fructose Corn Syrup as an ingredient in some drinks as well, HFCS is under heavy scrutiny for causing obesity.
In actual fact, unless your workout is going to last over 2 hours and you plan on sweating buckets, pounding back a sports drink is doing you no good just adding empty calories with high sodium and bad sugar sources that set your metabolism into a spiral dive.
So a little research on what you ingest during your workout is worthwhile.

Not all sport drinks are created equal and don't get me started on the energy drinks(high dose sugar/caffeine that floods your system because you quaff it back as a cold beverage)...it amazes me that they are even allowed!

After all, if you go to that much work to find the time to train and commit to it on a regular basis, why would you want to sabotage all that hard work?
Stick to water.
Just my thoughts.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Kettle Bells

2010-03-31T08:38:00.000-07:00

My philosophy has always been to try and keep my fitness level up the best I can and this lays the foundation for my martial arts training. Martial arts training is always challenging the mind, however, exercising on its own tends to put the mind in a state of boredom.Best thing I found for myself is to always look at different ways to keep in shape.

The gym purchased a whole set of kettle bells and they have been sitting there collecting dust for a while so I did a little research.

Kettle bells have been around for a long time but took a lot of attention after the release of the movie "300'.The movie introduced the "300" workout that incorporated alot of Kettle bell drills. That seems to have died off since then.

Anyways, I picked up the bells a couple of weeks ago and found their claim to fame stands true.

The Kettle bell incorporates weight training with core training and a cardio conditioning workout in the most time effective manner.

For example, kettle bell pushups, in the push up position holding on to the two bells with your hands, perform a push up and as you come up you bring one bell with you while supporting your upper body on the other bell. Then alternate one side to the other. Awesome drill!

Basic weight machines and free weights are meant to isolate the muscles but the Kettle bell drills are meant to integrate the muscle groups.

As always, changing up your workout routine is the best routine.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Forms Marathon..is she talking again!

2010-03-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

This Sunday a really good opportunity will present itself to everyone. I know sometimes it feels like Silent River has one activity after another to get involved with and we may think to ourselves "this one I will sit out on".
Last year I almost did just that but then changed my mind.
When else can you really focus on your forms like this. Lower belts really have a golden opportunity because you don't have as many forms to source from.
Last year from 4am until 6am I concentrated on just forms. Middle of the night, no other distractions and too tired to think about anything else except the form. Once you get past the "I am bored of doing this over and over again"threshold you start to become very aware of the form and see it in a whole new light (or maybe that was sunrise). Just kidding!
Seriously, I will get off the soap box now but really, one should participate.
Its your form and it becomes more personal after the marathon.

My 2 cents.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu

If Only

2010-03-16T19:51:00.000-07:00

If only I knew then what I know now.

I would have shown up to every class.

I would have practiced everyday.

I would have analyzed the basic fundamentals and mastering would have been so easy.

Every morsel of information would be savoured and written down.

Arrogance and Ego would never have entered the equation.

If only I knew then what I know now.

I seem to love torturing myself this way. I think to myself, if I could go back in time and start my white belt all over again, boy would I approach it differently!

Silly statement but its fun to imagine.

I find myself in an internal battle these days. Muscle strength versus skeletal technique.For a long time now I have relied on my muscle mass to deliver the power. So much so, that I have incorporated some bad habits that are incredibly hard to break.

What I thought was a wicked left punch (naturally left handed and nailing the heavy bag into next week!) will never meet its target. I telegraph too much, too much shoulder not enough hip and foot work.

Drats!! They see me coming a mile away.

Funny thing, I am not frustrated. For every 20 crappy punches I threw, I had one with proper technique. It went something like this.

Muscle mass + proper skeletal alignment = Shazam!

If only I knew then what I know now.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Tempo

2010-03-09T08:45:00.000-08:00

I was reading an article about tempo while weight or strength training. Essentially the point the author was trying to get across , "tempo is important to increase your strength and ensure you focus on your muscle groups." This part of strength exercising is overlooked by the majority of people in the gym. Everyone knows to lift with control but what about tempo.

An example of tempo while doing a pushup could be a 4120 tempo.

(Tempo should be counted, one one-thousand, two one-thousand, etc.)

Lower yourself 4 seconds; pause 1 second at the bottom; take 2 seconds to raise yourself with no pause at the top. Continue until you cannot maintain the tempo count then rest and start another set.

This method takes the momentum and bounce out of the exercise and it forces the muscles to truly do the work.

We can carry over the concept of Tempo when we run. Our strides and breathing should fall in a close pattern to maintain a long endurance run.

Tempo is in our techniques.

Stop and analyze how you would execute a combination of punches and kicks. Is it a ... 1, 1-2 or a 1-2-3? What feels right for your body, what is the softening technique, are you using momentum for the next strike, is there abrupt change in direction or orbital motion, etc.

When doing our forms, Tempo is important for both grouping techniques in a logical sense but also for keeping our breathing in check. If your running out of gas while completing a long form, check your Tempo, check when you are inhaling and exhaling.

Its food for thought, I have been working out differently and its made me look at all of the curriculum with a new sense of application.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Fitness in a Bottle

2010-03-02T08:41:00.000-08:00

Supplements.
Everything you could dream imaginable is out there regarding supplements. Walking into a health store or fitness shop, you could find yourself staring at walls and shelves of everything you ever wanted to add to your nutritional needs or your physical performance needs. All without a prescription. Sometimes a little scary.

I remember leaving a local health/holistic store feeling like I had to spend $250.00 a month just to fix, enhance and prevent a plethora of issues the owner was convinced I had.

I have pretty much dropped all of my supplement usage. I used to religiously consume Protein supplements and sport drinks(the expensive ones) and about 10 years ago I was also loading up on Creatine. All the supplements I used to purchase were for the purpose of increasing strength within the muscle groups. Fitness supplements, if you will.

Just a little story, about Creatine, I won't go into the chemistry, you can Wikipedia that for more detail. In a nutshell Creatine is produced in the body naturally and provides that instant energy for explosive power such as power lifting or short sprints. The idea with Creatine supplementing is it gives you that extra5 or 10 seconds more to push yourself over a threshold or plateau and then build on that to increase your strength.

Increase your Strength , that is what it is marketed as and further, you are told its safe since the body produces it anyways, oh yeah and all the athletes are using it (keep in mind this was about 10 years or more ago).

What a person needs to realize when considering supplement usage is the producers of these supplements do not fall under strict regulations and you really don't know what your getting in that container. Some producers have filler and contaminant allowances in their products and further with something like Creatine they give you a suggested loading criteria based on your weight, gender body fat etc.
Too many variables for my liking.

When I was taking Creatine , it was only for a month. I had to take 3 doses a day, what they called the loading phase and then tapper off according to their charts. I started to have a little stomach cramping but the circle of people I worked out with stated"that was normal"??!

My point is, if you are looking for physical performance enhancement, beware. These products are synthesised and poorly regulated. Do your research.

I believe, nothing beats homegrown natural foods, sleep and old fashion physical training to get you where you want to be.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Whats in Your Tool Box?

2010-02-23T19:40:00.000-08:00

Part of developing your physical skills and fitness should include some way of measuring where you are and where you want to be. Not always an easy thing and definitely easier said then done.

I have come to realize I need tools and resources to get me where I want to be. Those tools can be anything from journaling to video taping and everything in between.

I have been using the Physout site quite diligently since it was first opened and I have to say it has become quite a useful tool for me. Last year I paper logged everything, this sometimes was a hassle or just tedious.

The Physout allows me to set any time line I want and more important, it keeps me accountable. A quick review of my goals lays out my workout routine for the week by simply looking at what I might be falling behind in.

If you have access to the Internet you can update your numbers and goals anywhere, anytime.

Too Easy.

Its been a great motivator for me.

This has definitely become one of my more useful tools to try and shake the plateau I have felt I have been in for a while.

I would encourage everyone to utilize the site while the opportunity is there...it is a great resource.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

The Bad Little Voice

2010-02-16T11:28:00.000-08:00

You would think after this many years of working out and training it would just be automatic. No discipline required.

I found myself really struggling to get up this morning and go to the gym. I was actually late getting there because of the conversation I was having with myself....

"an extra hour of sleep would do you good...you really trained hard this week, why not take a break or be careful your not over training, you might induce an injury"

Actually, my favorite one is " I 'll take the day off and workout extra hard tomorrow!"

As I get to know myself, I recognize the bad little voice inside my head that can come up with 20 good reasons to not stick to my routine.

Instead of arguing with myself, whether to train or get some other things done, I simply have to Ignore.

The toughest part, is just getting to your place of training. It could be at a gym, your basement or the floor beside the bed. For the amount of time it takes to convince yourself to slack off is probably the amount of time it takes to get off your butt and get to your place of training and start working out!

As some unnamed large corporation says...Just Do It!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Whats in a Question

2010-02-09T10:03:00.000-08:00

A student surprised me with an apology last night. After he explained further, he apparently felt bad about questioning a piece of a form.

Its funny, how differently people can perceive a situation.

I thought his question to be valid and took no offence, he on the other hand was concerned about challenging the Sifu.

Here is how I see it.

There are no bad questions. Its not what you ask but how you ask.

Before a question is asked, I think to myself, take the potential conflict or challenge out of the question and put in respect.

Some questions may need to be asked privately and some questions need to be asked publicly to benefit all. Judgement and discretion have to come into play.

This is not just proper conduct for the Kwoon but in everyday relationships.

So, to the individual, I say, no apology required, however, you bring up a good point regarding etiquette within the school.

Everyone we share our time with, students and Sifus alike are valuable training partners and mentors, we do not want to alienate ourselves with disrespectful tone of voice or asking questions in a challenging manner.
All questions are valid and quite frankly questions shake the complacency that can set in.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta , Canada

Wheel of Pain!!

2010-02-02T12:34:00.000-08:00

Last Christmas I received the ab roller or wheel(not sure what the official product name is ). I have to give this inexpensive but very effective little device two thumbs up.

It seems to take alot of crunches and leg raises to feel the abs working for me but when I use the wheel, as little as 60 reps, and I 'm sore the next day. (The good kind of sore).
I googled " ab wheel/roller" and found 20 different ways to torture and challenge yourself!

If you use proper form and deliberate slow movement you can definitely feel the core muscles working with this one.

Just thought I'd share.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Putting out the Fire with Gasoline(1982 version)

2010-01-25T19:34:00.000-08:00

This week I find myself in Winnipeg. Besides the cold and horizontal winds, its quite nice (sarcasm).
I am here for a week, not a big deal, however, tomorrow is my son's 5th birthday.
That in itself is not a problem, we had a big party on the weekend for him and I will of course call tomorrow.
What is significant is the anxious tick of the time clock.
He turns 5, this is just another reminder, how fast time goes by and reminds me how imperative it is not to squander the years I have left. (I am not trying to be weird and/or awkward it just seems we wait until its almost too late to be the person we really want to be).
You may say this is undue stress and anxiety to think like this, however, its like a small fire burning inside... to catch up,accomplish goals, make a difference, do right by others and set a good example.
Too often it seems, people I know or know of, loose their health, their lust for life or life itself far too early. I figure you have to make hay while the sun shines and you can't slow down.
I'm putting this fire out with gasoline.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Form, Focus and Frustration

2010-01-19T07:34:00.000-08:00

One of my forms I have been doing for years seems to have gone really wrong.
We were given a couple of things to tweak on last week and for some reason it has derailed me completely. I analyzed the movements to the extent of forgetting the sequence of other portions of the form.
how could this happen?
Is my focus so narrow minded I cannot adjust other areas of the form without losing the basics of what I have already built upon.
Frustration set in, almost to the point of anger..at myself of course.
So now what?..start over..I think so.
I picked up some encouragement from Sesame Street the next day.
Seriously.
Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDgQYTPpsx4

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Coffee

2010-01-12T11:29:00.000-08:00

On my latest quest to change my way of eating and drinking, I have been avoiding the coffee issue. I like coffee, especially a good latte. The thoughts of not enjoying a cup , well , I just don't want to deal with it.

There has been countless studies and research on caffeine and its effects. You could probably come up with enough backing either way to support drinking coffee or to quit drinking coffee. All reports and studies, however, do conclude that caffeine is a drug that effects the nervous system but for the good or for the bad?

Coffee, or caffeine, to be more accurate is known to increase anxiety, stress, food cravings, sleep disorders,stomach problems, etc.

On the other hand, some latest studies boast the health benefits, such as ,preventing cancers, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease etc.

I believe a person needs to listen to their own bodies. In moderation seems like a good rule here. I have managed to decrease my intake to one cup in the morning and I don't seem to be having trouble with that amount, although I admit when a frothy Latte is offered up in the afternoon, I don't turn it down!

So good or bad, I can't seem to make up my mind. I keep myself in tuned to my physical and mental reaction to ensure my intake of caffeine is under control. Maybe going a week without might help me decide.

Its funny, I was reading Sifu Shipaleskys blog thinking how easy it would be to go without tea but coffee, ... for three months, I think Sifu is going to shame me into trying!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Healthy Food Headache

2010-01-05T08:37:00.000-08:00

I have read enough books over the years concerning food, nutrition, diets that I think I have come full circle. There were fads on cabbage diets, grapefruit diets, carb loading, protein only, low cal, no fat and even diets based on your personality/body type classification. Definitely a multi-billion dollar industry. After all said and done we are still a society that lacks nutrious sources of food and have become overweight.

I've come to the conclusion as many of us have, that its not a secret diet we seek but a lifestyle of eating properly.

I have noticed a few published books and programs have an underlining common theme for maintaining a nutritious balance of food.

1.) approx. 6 small meals a day

2.) 2-3 liters of water a day

3.) combine a complex carb with a lean protein and a healthy fat at each meal

4.) keep your food as local and as whole(natural) as possible to ensure its nutritional value is optimum. (research the products origin).

Pretty simple rules to live with it would seem.

My problem is all in the planning.

Here it is Tuesday and I am out of boiled eggs, tuna, fruit and cut up veggies!

The real trick to this magical lifestyle change is all in the planning and preparing...rats!

My intentions last weekend included grocery shopping and preparing easy healthy snacks to pack for the week. Did not happen, again.

Another common philosophy is how much impact our food has on our overall health.

80% in fact.

Apparently a finely tuned body (athlete or novice) can attribute 10% of their results to genetics another 10% to their training and a whopping 80% to the food and drink they ingest on a regular basis.

I guess its worth the extra work and preparation, not to mention the long term health benefits.

So back to the drawing board or should I say the kitchen.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta Canada

Questions

2009-12-29T07:23:00.000-08:00

Kids have a funny way of making you do a double take. My boy is at the age now where he has 1001 questions. He was asking about our "soldiers" on the other side of the world.

We try and explain why they are over there and why some of them have died. One question leads to another and you begin to question your own answers.

Finally he pipes up and asks if there are any bad guys here that hide bombs..I said "no" and it was left at that.

Then I sit and think about the world I am growing old in and the world he is going to grow up in.

I am writing this only days after an attempted terrorist attack on an American airliner. There is no denying our western world has changed. Thankfully the attempt was unsuccessful but the repercussions have effected everyone of us, even if you don't travel. The fact that we do live in a world where random attack is real and the "enemy" is not visually apparent anymore leaves us with the risk of falling into a realm of fear and paranoia.

The question is, are we at peace or are we at war. Has the definition of war changed so drastically that the real weapon is taking away the peace within ourselves.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Santas Anonymous

2009-12-22T08:34:00.000-08:00

My boy is the only grandson and an only child. It is inevitable that he gets more than his fair share of stuff for birthdays and Christmas. I try to slow the waves of gifts that come his way but it seems hopeless.
This year I thought it would be good for him to help my husband and I deliver toys for Santas Anonymous.
The last place we dropped off was a 5 story building. No couches in the foyer just a brick wall. No elevator just concrete stairs. No carpets, just cold dirty hallways. These were the things my son noticed. It was a brief drop off, the mother answered the door as her little ones came rushing behind. A baby boy and a toddler. The toddler looked like she was about 3 and delighted by the action. We wished them a Merry Christmas and we were on our way.
Raymond asked me if she was happy because now she would have toys for Christmas.
He might not get the big picture yet, but I hope it helps.
What broke my heart as we came to the bottom of the stairs were the rows of strollers parked at the bottom.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta Canada

Shaazam!

2009-12-16T08:40:00.000-08:00

I like this time of year even though it can be hectic. Its the end of the year but 2 weeks left before the new one starts. I get excited about planning for the new year. Setting new goals. The new year hasn't started yet so technically I am not behind in anything! I am geared up, pumped up and ready to go..Shaazam! Open the gate....

Of course, knowing myself, by March things start to fall into a rut. Not so motivated, not so excited.

I am always battling the monotony that can come with trying to accomplish or achieve something. If its worth going for, it usually means there is some hard work involved over a long period of time.

Every 3 months I make a point of reflecting on where I am and remind myself of what I am trying to do. Sometimes a shake up is needed physically so I change what I am doing in my training routine. Guaranteed I will need a shake up mentally, that takes a bit more creativity. I find mental motivation can truly be a challenge. If I give myself some time to reflect on a regular basis I can remind myself to prioritize when life becomes too busy.

But for now, I am going to enjoy and embrace the season, use the slow time between Christmas and New Years to reflect and prepare.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta Canada

Cogitate (koj-i-tat')

2009-12-08T10:33:00.000-08:00

To Cogitate: to think deeply or intently, to ponder about.

Some people are born smart, but how about smart thinkers?

Turns out smart thinking or "cogitating" is a practiced skill. Much like practicing a sport, painting or your martial arts. You get better by simply doing. If we keep the mind active like we keep our bodies active we stay sharper longer but we need to work on the method of how we think.

You've heard the phrase "think outside the box". What does that really mean?

You may have even heard the analogy " the brain is like a grassy field".

We make a path in the field, the more frequently it is travelled, the path begins to get deeper and a rut starts to form. The brain will develop these same ruts (frequently travelled paths) if we allow it to. It becomes difficult to view the world from a different perspective.

Another common term is "negative self talk". This again, over years, can be the rut our brain synapses fall into. It becomes the path of least resistance and our knee jerk reaction to a situation can be the same time and time again. Worst case scenario, falling into a regular state of depression. The mind cannot help but travel down this path, it is too deeply ingrained.

However, I digress, we can keep our minds challenged. We can control the way we respond to situations in a positive way or a subjective way. We can make critical and pressured decisions by using all the tools available to us.

To be capable of cogitation we must allow ourselves the time to do so. Time gives us the ability to look at all the factors that can influence our decision and our actions. Sometimes we make the mistake of answering or acting too quickly because our Egos drive us to do so.

Another important tool is Listening.
Seems silly, we all listen, every day, don't we?

Actually, no.

Too often we perceive we are listening to a conversation while in actual fact we are formulating our thoughts as the person is speaking to us. We run the risk of missing their point of view and fully empathizing with their thoughts.
As a matter of fact, I can count 3 times yesterday when I should have listened more intently. Once with my son, later that day to a coworker about a project and then during class with Sifu Brinker. All 3 were victim to my preformulated points I felt compelled to express above all other comments! Sometimes we come away from a conversation and realize we forgot to listen because we were too concerned about what we wanted to say. (I 'll apologize to you Sifu, the others don't read the blogs, actually one doesn't read at all!)

Now I am no great cogitator...heck I only learnt the word two weeks ago on a course I was on.(I think I just like to say the word cogitate) but in all seriousness I do believe it is important to take the time to listen, look at the larger scope of our dilemas and problems and afford ourselves the time and opportunity to make the best decisions, choices and actions for ourselves and those that we will touch and affect with those decisions.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Food Octane

2009-11-30T18:42:00.000-08:00

I have been living in a hotel long enough now. Last week I was sick for 4 days. I was able to make it to class but other than that I felt like all I could do was sleep and eat soup.

Its actually been a blessing in disguise. I have had my head in the sand about a particular issue for too long now. When you are sick you have lots of time to think and I have been thinking about my health and how really fragile a persons health is.

I have forgotten the fundamentals. We are all biological machines. The difference between chugging along and humming along comes down to the basics. Rest, Fuel and Oxygen.We need a premium fuel to perform at our best. Pretty simple and I have always taken pride in the fact that I shop for healthy foods and try to cook healthy meals.

Eating out and shopping from one small grocery store for the past three weeks has been a wake up call for me.

There is a buzz about the latest documentary "Food Inc." , It was playing on the airplane and I have read an article in the Time magazine about the "Agricultural Industry" and surfed the Internet regarding the nutrition quality of food. I have had a gut feeling about the lack of nutrition in our raw foods for a while but I have chosen to ignore the issue. Why? Simply because it means more work on my part.

For years I have gone grocery shopping, sticking to the outside aisles where all the raw or fresh food is kept. I refrain from purchasing processed or canned food. I read the labels, where is the food imported from, where did the oranges come from, where did the bread get baked, etc,etc.

Due diligence right. Healthy shopper, right?

I have been duped, like so many trying to make the right choices, Corporate greed takes over and the food in your basket is just a empty image of what it used to be.

I know the effort to shop more diligently is worth the end result. Ultimately it is the consumers dollar that will make the change that is needed.

So, I need to take the time and research the food I purchase, look more closely at the sources and the processes.

On a more interesting note, I was watching the news last week and they were doing a feature on urban gardening and how its starting to spread rapidly. Its not just a hobby. There are areas in inner city districts deemed as "drought zones" meaning you have to travel outside an excessive radius within the city to find a retail outlet that supplies raw foods. The fast food is highly accessible unlike the grocery stores. The people are making a stand and taking control of their neighborhoods with the "garden projects" and making sure to involve the youth in the initiative.

The Food issues need to change. Once again the consumer is manipulated. This time ignorance is not bliss. Education and a demand for change is in order. It starts right now for me.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Stay at Home Parents

2009-11-24T02:45:00.000-08:00

I have thought all year about the Living Hero Concept. Who are my Living Heros. The word "Hero" puts a serious amount of pressure on someone and there are alot of high profile people you could choose from.

For me, the number One Living Hero, has to be the parents that choose to stay home with their children as opposed to using a daycare.

Now, before alot of folks get defensive, I know some people are in situations where they have no choice and I am no hero myself, I worked out of the house and part time when my son was born and did that for over 4 years, my husband and I have now switched roles.

But, thats not what I am talking about. I know a few young families where they have decided to have one of them stay home full time while the other works. They are not the Norm.

I often think times must have been simpler back in the 50's. You got married, husband worked, had some kids, the wife stayed home and thats just the way it was. That was the female role.

Nowadays, its complicated, a "stay at home mom", to most of society, seems to carry little in terms of respect.

You have to get out there and run up the corporate ladder, find a job in a male dominated trade, become a lawyer or a doctor. All these roles carry an automatic level of prestige and respect.

Stay at home mom or dad just goes against the grain.

So, when I meet someone who truly has decided to stay home and raise their own children, they are the ones that are heros in my eyes, because I know they have looked at the big picture, they have shunned societies pressure to "make something of yourself" or keep a level of financial status in hopes of raising a decent human being. They have made the ultimate sacrifice. Make no mistake, it is sacrifice, you give up your freedom, your individuality and the time you could spend on yourself is few and far between.

I recognize how tough it is for a stay at home parent to re-enter the work force. Things change swiftly in a global economy and technology even swifter. After years at home it can be a hard sell to put yourself back in the game. I am not as courageous as those, I kept my foot in the door, so to speak and I feel guilty because of it. I think I will always regret not staying home full time. Hind site is 20/20 and the 4 or 5 years before they go to school really flys by. I truly missed out.
With any sacrifice there is usually reward as the end result. It is that sacrifice I admire and it warms my heart.
So hats off to those Moms and Dads who have made the choice to stay at home. Its the right thing to do in my mind.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Kingston, Ontario

2009-11-17T16:45:00.000-08:00

On the road again, this time its Kingston, Ontario. I have managed to get myself settled in and have found a gym, a grocery store and the waterfront pathway. Time to get creative and find a way to train while I'm here for 3 weeks.

The most interesting thing so far was the cab ride into town.

The cabbie is a long time resident and within the 20 minutes I was with him, he gave me some of the rich history of the town, such as...

It was slated to be the capital of Canada, especially since John A. Macdonald resided here, however, at the time us Canucks were not on such friendly terms with those American types to the south, so clever as we were, we decided to pick a lesser accessible location like Toronto...I mean Ottawa!

Fort Henry was built here just to make sure those Americans didn't get any ideas!

On a more dark and serious side, Kingston is also home to Canada's most notorious penitentiary. Kingston Pen was opened in 1835 and can hold around 500 inmates, each having their own cell. Its where the "worst of the worst " come. The ones who can not function in the usual incarcerated populous.

Infamous inmates date back to the Black Donnellys, Mr. James Donnelly was a resident in the 1800s and more recently housed Clifford Olsen and presently Paul Bernardo. According to the cabbie, Bernardo still stays in solitary confinement for 23 hrs a day with little to no contact.

Unfortunately, his ex-wife, as we all know, was released but seems to have gone on with her life with a new husband, child and living in Europe.

He left me with this, simply because in his mind, we as Canadians seem to forget or want to forget the injustice that is inflicted upon the innocent. If anything good can come from the past is that we remember. We need to remember to prevent history from repeating itself. So that being said, he admits he is still angry about the botched conviction but says he tells the same story to all his fares simply because we should not forget.

Whether you agree with him or not, he is right about keeping the past in your rear view mirror or how else do we change what is ahead.

Asking for Help

2009-11-08T20:12:00.000-08:00

People needing people.

I've always coiled away from the concept. You need to be independent, be a rock, figure it out for yourself, research the facts and make your own judgement.

That works fine when you have enough time in the day to accomplish everything you need to do and learn everything you need to know.

The past couple of weeks have been very hectic and mentally exhausting and I found myself asking for help and accepting help.
Turns out it wasn't such a bad thing and I am the wiser for it.

I am not sure what keeps people from leaning on each other.
Probably the urge to feel completely independent, in control at all times. Perhaps its the philosophy... if you what something done right you have to do it yourself...maybe its pride and ego, or sometimes a person feels if others help them they will have people looking for favours from them down the road.
I actually used to work with a guy like that, he never asked or wanted help because, and I quote, "it shows weakness...then others will expect you to help them".
Selfish and short sited view of the world if you ask me.
Anyways, I digress, I believe its important to be self sufficient and be as independent as you can be but also recognize the value of the people around you.
Martial arts is meant to develop the individual. You spend alot of time inside your head figuring things out and only you can make yourself practice,ponder and improve.
That being said, the martial arts organization is meant to provide the individual with guidance through interaction as a group.
Here lies a great resource when we decide to lean on each other.
I'll be the first to admit, I know I am far from perfect and efficient but I also have a hard time asking for any help, inside and outside of the kwoon.
I cut my resources and my potential in half by not stepping out of preconceived notion of myself as one who can handle it all.
Delegating to others, trusting others, accepting guidance and help from others is part of a balanced life.
We are social creatures, we can only excel and thrive when we trust in one another.

Trust is a precious commodity, sometimes given away too freely sometimes never given at all.
But thats another blog all together!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

8 weeks! Really!

2009-10-31T05:12:00.000-07:00

Sifu Brinker gave us a reminder last night, we are running out of time. I have to admit the year has flown by and its hard to believe 2010 is only 8 weeks away.I will have to add up my numbers in my UBBT log and see where I am at.

Round numbers in my head at the moment are 46,000 push ups 40000 abs, 3/4 of the way for mileage and way down on the repetition for a form (just over 200), weight lifting is on par at 3 times a week,sparring and grappling is down as well, however, with the odd Wednesday night practices I feel there is a marked improvement.

I've kept a fairly accurate log for most of the year but there has been weeks where I did not fill it out until the weekend.

In the beginning, opening the log to add numbers was a driving factor, a huge motivator to accomplish something everyday. As the year went on, this gradually changed. Logging is not that important to me(however necessary as part of the UBBT and a useful tool to accomplish specific goals).
What has happened is an ingrained lifestyle change, I look for opportunities everyday to step out of the "norm" , commit acts of kindness, use 30 seconds of meditation to make calm decisions when panic and stress are pressuring down.
The day is not right if I cannot physically exert my self through some kind of training. No logging required, its who I've become.

Pretty cool...

but I have a little time left to crack down and finish big.

On a lighter note, today is Halloween, I can't help but be excited because my son is! He loves giving out the candy at the door almost as much as dressing up as a dinosaur and collecting his own candy.

Its just plain fun!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Sparring

2009-10-20T10:52:00.001-07:00

Last night I started thinking back when I first started sparring. I recall the panic stricken feeling in my stomach when the Sifu yelled "GEAR UP".

It took a while, probably around blue belt before I began to realize my approach to sparring was all wrong.

First, we spar to hone our skills in case self defense becomes an unfortunate but necessary issue. In order to have a chance at defending ourselves successfully we need to practice the possible scenarios that may befall us, when I recognized this , this is the time I changed my perspective on sparring and on my sparring partners.

The most important asset to our training is our peers and earning the trust of our peers. We accomplish this through communication both verbally and with body language. When you trust the person you spar with the doors will open wide up.

You become more relaxed or should I say focused on learning something new as opposed to just trying to get through the next 30 minutes of "free sparring". As a good chess player setting up for new strategies, this can only be accomplished through hours of practice with a variety of opponents.

So, talk to each other, let your partner know what level you are at and something you would like to work on during your time together. Leave your Ego at the door but bring some self-confidence. Be aware of your partners disposition, check in on them occasionally as you spar to make sure they are not becoming withdrawn by your possible over aggression.

The key, is to develop a pillar foundation of trust within your school and sparring mates. This is more self serving then one can realize as it only leads to improvement in your own quest to become the best martial artist that you can be.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

A Season of Giving

2009-10-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

Last night I changed the oil and filter on my bike, cleaned it up and took the cover out for it. That really signified the beginning of winter for me.

Another good indicator of the changing of the seasons for me, is the fund raising that seems to kick into high gear.

Our neighborhood is extensively full of young families and with that comes the weekly door knock and ring. Work is also a large source for fund raising events and last but certainly not least is the Kwoon.

It would be easy to become annoyed and jaded by everyone looking for something off you but I think a person needs to keep their perspective in check.

Most of us are lucky enough to live in a comfortable lifestyle with extras on the side. we plan our personal goals to include things we want such as education, physical health, vacations, personal improvement and consumer goods. All this is generally done with an abstract or hardline budget in mind(time and money that is). This list should include giving back, both financially and of your own time, as applicable, as each of our own lives will allow.

I try to think ahead, plan for a certain amount of money each year and/or month that I will donate and to whom. A cross section of locally and globally. When I have reached my limit I graciously and politely let the other individuals fund raising know they are on my list but it will have to be next time.

Lastly, I budget my own time to volunteer. When I volunteer I treat it like a job that I am paid to do. Volunteer means you can keep a commitment and represent the activity with passion(conveniently this ties in with personal self-improvement).

So, yeah, I can't give to everything out there but I can give of myself to the best of my ability,... its a matter of commitment and forethought, kind of like everything else we strive to do in our lives to improve who we are and make a difference.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Mental Wellness

2009-10-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

This does not run in line with mental awareness but it is just coincidence that the topic is on the table and I have a sideline story.

We went to visit some of my in-laws last weekend. My brother-in-law is usually a happy up beat fellow but for the past year and half he has been dealing with terrible stomach issues. After a battery of tests including ruling out cancer the doctor has been prescribing different medications over and over again.
In a nut shell, it has gone like this..."try this, it takes about six weeks for your body to adjust".
That didn't work so its a combination of some other drug with the same results.
When we were visiting he was on yet another type of drug but only 3 weeks into the dosage so no change yet, however, what has changed is the anti-depressants he is now on. Why??
Well, simply put, the mans spirit is dwindling away. He is tired of feeling sick all the time, tired of feeling like a human guinea pig and frustrated with the system. He has no lust for life right now and I can say he is a different man.
I am not a doctor but something seems wrong with this situation.
Why is the answer to bandaid the problem when to me the root cause is so obvious.
Is this just a prescriptive society . The answer is drugs, more drugs because we don't have the time to deal with the human being.
Perhaps with every diagnosis procedure it should be mandatory to include orientation to the medical system and counselling to assist people with stress brought on by health issues.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Ottawa

2009-09-23T19:27:00.001-07:00

Last weekend my husband and four year old son flew to Ottawa and I met them for a compact 2 day tourist adventure of the Capital of the country.(its Ottawa, not Toronto...right??:)

All in all it went well.

We started with a trip to the nature museum to fulfill our need to see Dinosaurs, spent the afternoon at Parliament Hill, an hour and half double decker bus tour which included a glimpse of Steve's place then swimming in the evening. The Sunday was spent at the Museum of Civilization(very interesting if you want to know about Canadian history and politics which I might add is not very old relatively speaking), then a drop off at the airport.

It was a jam packed visit but the weather was perfect and the highlight was actually Parliament Hill. I did not realize how big the grounds were. It is kind of cool to watch the public frolic on the democratic symbol of Canada. There was definite RCMP presence for security purposes, however, you were free to roam about , have wedding pictures taken or just play frisbee on the lawn. Symbolically it gave you a sense of democracy, freedom and peace which I think is important.

The visit to Parliament Hill was a way of putting a face to a name, if you will. I would call myself a novice when politics are concerned but this visit in conjunction with my new government position has sparked a new interest and a feeling of obligation to not only understand politics but be actively involved.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Duty of Care

2009-09-16T18:57:00.000-07:00

We had a lawyer from the Department of Justice put us through the paces this week. All in all it was actually quite interesting. He mostly spoke to us about duty of care in regards to Transport Canada and public safety regarding aviation. Good stuff!(really!)

Here's something I didn't know and was a little stunned to learn about.

As a general statement ...a person walking down the street who may see another injured or in distress is not compelled to a duty of care. Meaning you have no obligation to help someone. Funny thing is, I have seen it too often already when walking downtown.

The general rule is to step over the guy passed out on the sidewalk. Assuming that he is drunk and passed out, nobody seems to stop and make sure the guy isn't dead or near dead. I had too, just for peace of mind.

Anyways, the lawyer pointed out there is no duty of care in regard to one human being to another in a non relationship(professional or family).

Apparently some states and Quebec have a duty to rescue , specifically with children involved but as far as strangers mingling amongst each other in the city...no duty of care exists.

Its a glass half full or half empty the way I look at it. Perhaps we don't need to legislate goodwill to one another it will take care of itself...I hope.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Routine has become Routine

2009-09-14T17:44:00.000-07:00

I am sitting in the computer cafe of the Nav Canada Training Institute in Cornwall, Ontario.
Wow...just saying that sounds like its boring..(actually, it kind of is!?)
Its like I put everything in neutral.
The days are full of lectures, discussions and too many coffee breaks. We finish at 15:30 hours( we have to talk military talk here). There is lots of spare time.
This is actually a treat and a blessing. Along with all the food you can eat it has an awesome workout center.
Training is not a problem...unfortunately eating all you can eat is too accessible as well.

I have had time to think about my routine and realized its been so routine that it hasn't been a problem.
Alas!! this is the problem.
I have plateaued... I need challenge.
I am hoping in the next two weeks to reevaluate my goals, my fitness level and set some new parameters.
I already know I am having a slump in the cardio and conditioning area. I think intensity training will be on the menu.

Its interesting, I used to think once I had a routine set up and established it would be just a matter of doing it , granted a few changes here and there but none the less established, like brushing your teeth. Now I find it ,my training routine, that is, has become boring.
These couple of weeks should give me the opportunity to asses, plan and then act.

I'll either come back home really pumped...or really fat!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta , Canada

P.S. I am unable to post on the UBBT site from here...I will update later.

Leave the Battles for the Younger Guys now.

2009-09-06T20:08:00.000-07:00

I was speaking with my former boss last week and we were reminiscing about times gone by and the changing work force. It was a pleasant conversation but something he said struck me.
He is working for a very large corporate company now and enjoys it, however he admits he recognizes many flaws but feels he is too old to deal with it. Basically he said after the age of 50 he is trying to slow down, "leave the battles for the younger guys now".
On one hand I understand where hes coming from but for me it seems all wrong.
I think as long as you are breathing you should never lay down your guns. Drag them if you have to! (Metaphorically speaking of course).
He is not alone in his position, I know plenty of other 50+ individuals whom have the same ideologies. Slow down, relax, take the retirement job...don't rock the boat and collect your check.
Problem is, if you have the "not my problem" attitude at work it can only creep into the rest of your existence, choosing to care and put quality into what you do only when it suites you or its convenient.
Thankfully, I know just as many other 50+ individuals who are the exact opposite.
Tenacious in their work ethic, always looking to improve themselves and in good physical shape on top of everything else.
They are my mentors.

On a somewhat related note...I am in the middle of a training course, I have been learning about the judicial system and how it relates to aviation. I am off to Cornwall, Ontario next week for the second half of the course. It is all very new learning about civil and criminal law in relation to aviation, pretty interesting stuff...OK , maybe not that interesting nobody gets put in an arm bar!

I am glad to be learning something new and quite excited about challenging myself...this is what keeps you young.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada