My first New Year Banquet was absolutely fantastic! I was amazed by the amount of people helping out with the setup and take down, it took no time at all. The ceremonies were inspiring and humbling, pumping me up for what's to come but reminding me yet again to be patient on my journey to getting my black belt and beyond.
Congratulations again to Sifu Beckett and Sifu Tymchuk, you set a great example for everyone in the school for what it takes to get your black belt. As well, congratulations to all the promoted and awarded black belts and students!
I would like to thank Sifu Brinker and the Year of the Horse Lion Dance team for welcoming me to their practices during the last month and allowing me to take part in the dance at the banquet. I felt honored to work with a group of such dedicated people even for that short time.
I feel I'm ready now for this coming year when the rest of the Sheep team and I get our own lion dance together.
See you all on the mats.
Tuesday, 24 February 2015
Monday, 16 February 2015
The Plunge
Here we are, my last practice blog. The year of the sheep is merely days away. I have attempted to prepare myself these past few months both mentally and physically. Getting daily reps in, making a conscious effort to begin breaking bad habits and managing my time better. However, I am still very anxious about what is to come, anxious and excited.
The past couple of weeks have been a bit of a taste for what I'm getting myself into with the preparation for the New Year Banquet. I keep thinking if I can just get through this week, I'll be past the busy point. Wrong! This is just the beginning of a year of constant testing and yes, very busy days and weeks. I'm almost doubling my required km of running with bicycling so we'll see how that goes.
I'm not looking at this as a bad thing though. I've been reading the Horse Team's blogs and getting a glimpse of the incredible challenges the past year has thrown at them. It seems I'm in for quite the beating, I must be a masochist because it only makes me more excited to do this, even with such a great chance of failure.
Bring it on! Every great, life changing lesson I've ever learned was due to failure, this one should be no exception. So here I am, standing on the edge of the precipice, ready to take the plunge.
The past couple of weeks have been a bit of a taste for what I'm getting myself into with the preparation for the New Year Banquet. I keep thinking if I can just get through this week, I'll be past the busy point. Wrong! This is just the beginning of a year of constant testing and yes, very busy days and weeks. I'm almost doubling my required km of running with bicycling so we'll see how that goes.
I'm not looking at this as a bad thing though. I've been reading the Horse Team's blogs and getting a glimpse of the incredible challenges the past year has thrown at them. It seems I'm in for quite the beating, I must be a masochist because it only makes me more excited to do this, even with such a great chance of failure.
Bring it on! Every great, life changing lesson I've ever learned was due to failure, this one should be no exception. So here I am, standing on the edge of the precipice, ready to take the plunge.
Monday, 9 February 2015
Form
Between the Ging Wu Chinese New Year Banquet and tonight's class I had a few humbling eye-openers. I have a lot of work ahead of me this year if I plan to master any forms. As I watched each demo, I was mesmerized and inspired. This is what I want to accomplish and demonstrate a year from now.
I feel I'm doing alright so far, I try to align my six harmonies and memorize the movements in the form, sinking into each stance. However, it can ALWAYS be improved. Of course, otherwise what's the point if it comes that easy, right? I tend to forget this at times and think, "Yeah, I got this... next!" No! Not next! You have a lot more to understand and comprehend before moving too far ahead dummy!
Sifu Brinker explained and demonstrated a form is not simply a bunch movements crammed together. They each have a purpose and application. Get in the moment, get psyched! Imagine there is an opponent at each step. Aha! It's all starting to click together. Bit by bit, my ability to master a form, maybe even two, this year is becoming greater!
The banquet was fantastic by the way. I'm glad I was able to go. The food was delicious, even that fish soup that almost no one at my table wanted to try. Come on. I wasn't that bad, actually!
I feel I'm doing alright so far, I try to align my six harmonies and memorize the movements in the form, sinking into each stance. However, it can ALWAYS be improved. Of course, otherwise what's the point if it comes that easy, right? I tend to forget this at times and think, "Yeah, I got this... next!" No! Not next! You have a lot more to understand and comprehend before moving too far ahead dummy!
Sifu Brinker explained and demonstrated a form is not simply a bunch movements crammed together. They each have a purpose and application. Get in the moment, get psyched! Imagine there is an opponent at each step. Aha! It's all starting to click together. Bit by bit, my ability to master a form, maybe even two, this year is becoming greater!
The banquet was fantastic by the way. I'm glad I was able to go. The food was delicious, even that fish soup that almost no one at my table wanted to try. Come on. I wasn't that bad, actually!
Monday, 2 February 2015
Step Up
When I was growing up, my Dad always told me to be the guy to show up all the time, stay late if asked, be "that guy" people go to when they need something done. He, of course, was referring to the workplace, but I like to take it further than that.
A week or so ago, as many of you know, I got a chance to do something unique at the kwoon, practice lion dancing with the current I Ho Chuan team. Why? Simply because I was in the right place at the right time and stepped up when I was asked. Sure, I could have said I was too tired or busy to participate, but I would have missed out on something that was truly amazing.
I was super nervous, here I'm joining in with a group that had been practicing this for the past year and I get thrown in the middle of it in a Trial by Fire. Well, it turned out alright I'd say. I didn't get burned too much. I'm happy I was there that night and got the chance to do this. It seems being the Yes Man is finally paying off!
A week or so ago, as many of you know, I got a chance to do something unique at the kwoon, practice lion dancing with the current I Ho Chuan team. Why? Simply because I was in the right place at the right time and stepped up when I was asked. Sure, I could have said I was too tired or busy to participate, but I would have missed out on something that was truly amazing.
I was super nervous, here I'm joining in with a group that had been practicing this for the past year and I get thrown in the middle of it in a Trial by Fire. Well, it turned out alright I'd say. I didn't get burned too much. I'm happy I was there that night and got the chance to do this. It seems being the Yes Man is finally paying off!
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