Working through the Five Animals

The personal requirement that has served me the most so far this years has been my daily Five Animal Chi Gung. There are 356 days in the year of the Monkey, and already the effects of this daily ritual are showing. For those that are unaware, Five Animal Chi Gung is an exercises that lengthens tendons, opens joints, conditions muscles and each pose works a specific organ. The Dragon improves the kidneys, the Tiger works your lungs, the Leopard betters the liver, the Snake helps the spleen and the Crane strengthens the heart. 

Before the banquet last weekend I was lucky enough to have my poses critiqued by Sifu M. Beckett, and was surprised that I had retained most of the basics and was shown the beginning of the more advanced techniques in the poses. Each day I'm finding my stances deepen and my flow into the poses becomes smoother. I look forward to having my poses looked at again, and hope that the changes I've made to my technique are improving my form.

Admittedly I missed my second day, but was I just to accept that I failed my requirement and quit? The I Ho Chuan has a no quitting policy, so I will just have to do two extra days going into the year  of the Rooster.

From the Sheep to the Monkey

Yesterday was magic. The New Year banquet always brings a sense of awe with it, even more so since I wasn't a member of last years I Ho Chuan team. From what I observed, the night ran smoothly with tear down and bringing the equipment back to the kwoon taking what seemed like no time at all. The Sheep Team really put together one of the best banquets I have attended to date.

Seeing the change of four of my fellow students to the four newest black belts of the school was an intense and emotional moment. Seeing what they had accomplished through the years, converging into this traditional accession that happens each year, was the first of many highlights for this year.

Back On the Path

Monday was the beginning of the year of the Monkey, and the official start of this years I Ho Chuan team. The year of the Sheep was a difficult time for many, but through perseverance we have made it to this new beginning. A new career path, a new treatment, a new outlook on my martial arts, as well as the inspiration the I Ho Chuan provides has given me the launchpad to succeed this year.

Watching from the sidelines while the Sheep team rehearsed the lion dance and demo was an awe inspiring moment. Seeing the progression, the skill sets each of the members have honed, made me believe that I could attain some measure of "that" this year.

My balance is still suffering but with the active release chiropractic treatment I am seeing noticeable improvement. I don't know if it is a result of the treatment or a change in perception, but I am finding myself able to push myself again. When I started my count of 50,000 push-ups and sit-ups on Monday I was only able to do sets of 10 at a time, but already I've progressed to sets of 20. Many of my numbers are going to be low in the beginning, but I think I have found the right pace to get back too and improve on what my fitness used to be.

Tomorrow I will be taking my mother to the airport to start her month long journey in India. I know she will have an amazing time and my sister will make sure that everything goes right. This month of solitude in my house (except for a cat) I plan on tweaking my schedule even more to optimize it around the I Ho Chuan. I also plan on completing unfinished renovations that were part of my requirements for the year of the Horse, the biggest priority being re-flooring the basement.

I am a Water Monkey that has entered the year of the Fire Monkey, and I will succeed this year.