Plugged In

The month of July is gone.

I have been pretty much absent from the Kwoon from being out of town so much this month.

The challenge is always to stay true to your martial arts training and philosophies when you are away. Its tough when you are one and surrounded by many who may not get what you are about or why you seem to "obsess about that stuff" as it was put to me.

When I get the chance I check in with Kwoon talk, blogs and the I Ho Chuan site. 

There is no question this keeps me in the loop with my fellow students, the school, and team mates.

No question I source from this to rejuvenate and motivate myself when on the road.

Its not the same as being in class or in the community but believe me, it goes a long way until I get back home.

It makes me feel like I am still plugged in.

Where am I

Back from Whitehorse this weekend.

I enjoy Whitehorse, I try and take time out to visit some of the historical sites there.

Lots of Canadian history. I think we have it easy compared to what some families had to go through back then but that’s another blog all together.

Where am I…

...that is the theme for the I Ho Chuan team(unintentional rhyme).

My sai form has been one of frustration. About 6 weeks ago, it was to the point, where I had to put them down.

I have been trying to create a form that is worthy of a demo but has meaning and originality. It is quite apparent to me now that this is really a 5 year project the way I envision it and trying to cram it into 6 months has only left me annoyed and resentful.

It was Mr. Chervenka that suggested I try throwing the knives outside…so  I did.

SHAZAM, I say!

Suddenly its fun again. Creativity is back and I can see how the weapon really is a weapon and not something I am twirly around like a fool.

I am certainly not finished the form, it is a long process that will take years to perfect and master but thanks to an I Ho Chuan  teammate I have been pushed forward again.

Thanks to the I Ho Chuan philosophy I am better than I was and I feel the wheels moving again.

But not so fast…not sure if it was overdoing the sai form, push ups or age, both my deltoid muscles have been screaming in pain to the point of hindering further practice.  Ice,heat and rest have not helped so I am going to have to seek other resolution, seems like something always pops up. If motivation is gone the body is able when the body breaks down the motivation is back on line.

Looking to make motivation and the physical ability come on line at the same time, then look out!

When I ask myself "Where am I at this point of the year" I don't mean to sound angry , it is not anger but frustration with where I thought I should be.

A visit with my Aunt put things in perspective again...its not a race against time, time always wins but its the challenge to savour time that counts.

JC Masterson, Silent River  Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Make it Happen

I don't have much time to write, I'm packing again. This time its to Whitehorse and its work. I will be gone for a week and to be honest I am wishing  I was back already.
As much as I try to plan ahead and anticipate the challenges of training away from home, motivation is always the biggest hurdle.
Whether its holidays or work  its the influence and temptation of the other people you have to manage.
By this I mean, its easier just to go along with the others as opposed to finding the time to get some training in.
Sometimes the work doesn't end till late in the night and exhaustion sets in, coworkers want you to come out to the bar after work, holidays with family...they like to  load you up with too much food and sometimes you find yourself  three days away from the last time you did any training.
(see how I like to blame other people for my own laziness!)

Anyways, the plan is to get up early, do what I can in the hotel or surrounding trails and make it happen.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Downward Dogs and Triangle Chokes

I spent over a week in Christina Lake,BC with my family and extended family members.

It was  loads of fun... lots of skiing, surfing, tubing, biking and hiking.

I spent time with my sister who is big into yoga, she has told me before the benefits

of yoga and how it will prevent injury in the other activities (martial arts) I take part in.

It really hit home this week, how yoga really compliments grappling. This week we compared yoga moves and poses with grappling drills and its quite easy to see the relationship.

I thought that was pretty cool and it just encourages me more to keep up with the yoga stuff. Patience is probably what I need the most however, I have trouble staying in a pose for more than 10 seconds. 

Yoga is an old practice and although quite trendy right now(everybody seems to be doing it) I see there is more to it then simply holding an awkward position. My sister has aspirations of instructing yoga and she embraces all aspects of the art. 

I will try and listen to her more, especially if it improves my triangle choke!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Be-lated Post

I had limited Internet access last week so this is a belated post..

Finding ways to relax and meditate is  a great challenge for me. Because I have trouble reaching that calm moment I get discouraged easy. If you don’t experience the moments of calm and relaxation even for a few seconds it makes it tough to want to try and meditate. Yesterday I rented a paddle board , it was a rained out day so we weren’t in the water much so I thought I would try a paddle board in the light rain.

It was the next morning when I went out on the lake in the quiet and stood there on top of the water, looked around at the glass calm lake and just stared.

Nothing entered my mind for a little while…(it was probably  just 3 seconds, but it felt like an hour). I wont say it was cool or awesome I will just say it was nice…very nice….now I get it.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Travelling and Tracking

The month of July is going to be a month on the move. First week I will be in British Columbia, one week back in town then off to Whitehorse, one week back and then off to Drumhellar.

Training will have to be creative but the real concern is tracking my diet. This is the month my I Ho Chuan teammates have agreed to commit to tracking our daily diets publicly.

Truth is, its never a good time for me. I attempted this on my own a few times and failed. Probably because I prefer not being aware of how much I consume.

I have a wall of diet books, nutrition books, sports medicine articles you name it. I have researched and educated myself the best I can about nutrition all my life. Ironically, I lack the will power to limit myself from over indulging.

But this time, this July ,I think I am going to approach it differently. Instead of logging at the end of the day, I am going to take note of what I am about to eat before I consume. I am hoping this will force me to take the time(extra 2 seconds) to decide not only what I am about to eat but why.

Should be an interesting month. I’m already embarrassed!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

The Bad Days

There will always be days where you had a bad class for one reason or another.

The problem is, sometimes you gauge your whole life’s training on that last class.

Occasionally, I have come home thinking…”boy did that suck…boy did I suck, more accurately!”

There is no doubt as we try and achieve the next level to our skill we will have set backs.

It happens at all levels, I remember it as green belt and I remember it last week!

These are the times where you should reflect(this is the important part) on what went wrong, without the emotional Debbie Downer attitude, think over the mistakes made.

Write down your thoughts, questions and maybe what you could have done better. Pick one thing you want to improve upon and focus in on changing it for the better. If it’s a giant list of things to fix, keep it as a list and save the other items for another day.

Bring your focus and your questions to next class, then, before you know it …Shazam! You’re feeling back in the groove again.

People are generally hard on themselves.

Don’t buy into the “Only as good as your last performance”.

Martial Arts should be a lifelong pursuit, be patient with yourself, allow yourself to fail.

The only thing that is mandatory is Effort, the rest will come with time and guidance.

So  next time you are feelin’ bummed out, relax, reset, and  just get back to class!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada