Trying to be a student of principle. Sometimes its easy sometimes it takes a little more brain power.
In the beginning we tend to be students of memorization. Learning a technique or application in a very perscriptive manner. If bad guy does this we must respond with movement A then B then C.
I would ask tonnes of detail and try and practice exactly the same way every time.
Which is good, the body needs correct repetition for the correct execution of the application. Somewhere along the way I realized our curriculum is loaded with Principles in the applications and techniques that can be plucked out and adapted to other scenarios. Its recognizing them and applying them appropriately that has been fun and continues to be challenging.
Sfiu Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada
Friday, February 24, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Courage
If we could see inside people we could see the true measure of their courage.
Often we do not even realize what someone is dealing with inside, we just see their actions.Something that may seem courageous to us may in fact just be another day in the life of a well trained individual.
The difference or the true measure of courage is the size or extent of fear. Fear, anxiety, stress.
The larger the fear, the more courage is required to go where you don't want to go, sometimes at all costs.
From the outside we usually cant see this, mostly because people are pretty good at hiding their fears.
The fear of not succeeding, the fear of getting hurt(physical or emotional) the fear of rejection or not belonging, the fear of not being the right fit. The fear of embarrassment or humiliation, the fear of being alone.
There are many courageous people we encounter everyday, I think we really have no idea what some people go through, sometimes when we realize their fears by listening, taking the time to get to know them and their challenges we may be more than just surprised at their courage but inspired as well.
JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada
Often we do not even realize what someone is dealing with inside, we just see their actions.Something that may seem courageous to us may in fact just be another day in the life of a well trained individual.
The difference or the true measure of courage is the size or extent of fear. Fear, anxiety, stress.
The larger the fear, the more courage is required to go where you don't want to go, sometimes at all costs.
From the outside we usually cant see this, mostly because people are pretty good at hiding their fears.
The fear of not succeeding, the fear of getting hurt(physical or emotional) the fear of rejection or not belonging, the fear of not being the right fit. The fear of embarrassment or humiliation, the fear of being alone.
There are many courageous people we encounter everyday, I think we really have no idea what some people go through, sometimes when we realize their fears by listening, taking the time to get to know them and their challenges we may be more than just surprised at their courage but inspired as well.
JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Gracie Girl
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
Sunday, February 5, 2012
The Focus Skill
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
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
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Group Inspiration
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
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
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Procrastination
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
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
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Assumptions
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
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
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