Timing

This week I concentrated on my timing. I was reminded on Wednesday morning class that not only is hip engagement important, but WHEN you engage your hip is equally important.

Having proper alignment at the correct time allows for more power behind your strikes and it protects your body from injuries. It doesn't help you if your hip engages too early or too late. Too early and you have less power, too late and you risk injury.

I was really driving this home with my roundhouse kicks after it was noted that my hip was engaging too early on some of my kicks. I think I was just over analyzing the technique and broke it down too far. Once I was reminded of this fact, I corrected my timing and my kicks improved.

There are just over 3 months before grading. Timing is especially crucial from this point on, in my practice and in my routine. 

Ambidextrous

Tonight in class we worked on several applications and techniques. One of which was the helmet crusher. This one is interesting, it is one I have always enjoyed, you can spend many hours of practice just on this technique, perfecting the little details can be overlooked.

I certainly had to put my thinking cap on when it came do doing this technique on the other side. It is not something I do as often as I should apparently. I realize now just how beneficial practicing these kinds of techniques on both sides is. We practices our basics both left and right. Punches, kicks, blocks, etc. This is no different. It builds that muscle memory and skill we need to progress in our art.

Being proficient at your techniques only on one side does not make you truly proficient. Practice ALL your techniques on both sides, you may learn something you did not even know you were lacking.

Experiment

In a section of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance", the author describes how to properly solve problems through hypothesis and experimentation. This is called scientific method.

The short version is you make a hypothesis of what the problem is, without making assumptions as to the cause. Then you narrow it down bit by bit through more specific hypotheses and experimentation until you either fix the problem or find out what is not causing it.

I had a moment like this yesterday. One of the locals in Falkand needed a hand with their computer. I don't have much experience with computers, but I wanted to help anyway. Perhaps I could figure it out.

I embraced what Robert Pirsig said about scientific method and just approached it one piece at a time. After one "failed" approach I thought to myself how successful that "failure" was. The experiment was not a failure but proof that my approach was not the correct one. I learned from several of these outcomes, eventually finding a solution.

This mindset works only if you learn from your unsuccessful attempts. If you try something the same way over and over expecting different results, you will be disappointed. To be successful, the learning never ends.

Talk About It

Every month we as a team get a chance to sit down face to face and talk things through. We discuss upcoming projects or demos, but we also have a chance to disclose our personal journey. Nothing can replace FACE TO FACE. It is my favorite method of communication because it leaves the least room for interpretation. You can hear how the person is speaking, you can see their body language, you can feel the energy they give off. It's all right there!

So why are so few of us willing share our journey at the meeting, face to face? I tell you it is difficult to share in front of a bunch of strangers, still possible but difficult. However we are not strangers, we are teammates. The more we talk about our life with each other the better we know one another and this then makes it EASIER to speak in front of everyone. We become more than just teammates, we become friends.

Whether it is positive or negative, what you talk about is important. It lets the rest of us in so we can have a better understanding of what you are going through. With understanding we can help, some of us have gone through something similar I am sure. I was there, my first year in the program I was terrified to say anything. "What could I possibly contribute to a conversation with 20 people in it?", but when I started I noticed the eyes looking at me and the ears listening to me. I was acknowledged and it got a little easier every time. I developed the skill through practice. Just like ANYTHING in kung fu or life in general, if you don't consistently practice it you will NOT improve.

I am thankful for everyone who attended, but especially for those who shared their journey yesterday. Let's make a good effort to share more next meeting!

Running

When I was growing up, I enjoyed running. It was something I was naturally good at as well as a great time for me to just ponder things alone. As I got older I stopped, it just became less of a priority for me. Since joining kung fu however, I have slowly rekindled my old passion, especially this year.

I recently created a route, a loop in town that takes me from my house and back that is exactly 2 kilometers. Almost everyday, running this route is the first thing I do in the morning. One part necessary for the dog, other part necessary for my training. It has felt great since I started doing it consistently again, feeling the rhythm of my breath and my feet strike the ground.

I continually try to analyze and improve my technique, whether it is my rhythm, my stride length, etc. This is something I didn't do with my running in the past, but happy to be doing now. It is quite satisfying to restart an activity I loved, with an approach that will improve it and hopefully make it something sustainable for the long term.