Tough Guys and Skipping

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

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

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

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

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

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

"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