Starting the Incline

Tuesday was the first time I attended the Sihing class in almost a year. One thing that recently came back to my training is intensity, however during class I saw my technique was in need of major improvements. We were drilling kicks and working on bettering our numbers, but also how to work on pacing. As a collective we were averaging 30 kicks a minute consistently, almost 600 in a half hour with our pace slightly increasing at the end. My personal numbers were lower than I would like, but I see what needs to be worked on but as long as I keep working on my endurance and technique I will see my numbers increase.

On Saturday open training was packed with people and weapons. I spent a while working on my articulation and flow with staff work and when I switched to my sword I was able to find another block to add to my form. The last 15 minutes of mat time had a few pylon marked rings for sparring appear, and I was able to get my first 3 rounds of sparring for the year. I'm looking forward to many more rounds with Sifu Lindstrom so I can work on the holes in my guard.

The engagement at the meeting was great to see. I am really looking forward to all the demos and dances as this team seems like it will pull of one of, if not the best year of the I Ho Chuan yet. At the meeting I mentioned that I am going to a traditional Chinese swordsmanship seminar in Toronto during May. I will be learning techniques with the jian (one handed straight sword) and the miaodao (two handed saber) and hope to share all of the knowledge I bring back. I will be gone from May 12th to the 20th and because of this will be unable to attend Pandemonium, but I've already started planning on how I will still contribute to this very important event.

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.

Where Am I and Where Am I Going?

My first year in the I Ho Chuan is coming to a close in less than a month. The year of the Horse has filled my life with great experiences with so many people from and beyond the kwoon and I have pushed myself harder than any year prior. Although I have hit a wall, although my health is still unsure, I have still accomplished so much.

It's hard not to compare yourself to others. The leaps and bounds of progress my teammates are making is so inspiring but at the same time make me look at my apparent lack of progress. I feel like I do not deserve my teammates but I know that the I Ho Chuan is not about judging others lack of involvement.

I will be returning to the I Ho Chuan for the year of the Monkey. During my year away from the program I will be restructuring and strengthening my foundations. In March I'll be seeing an ENT specialist and am hopeful that I will get the answers I need. I feel that my lack of balance has been the largest hindrance in my training but I know my inactivity is just as much of a liability.

The year of the Sheep will be a new starting point along a trail of milestones, how I proceed will determine the path before me.

Another Rut

I apologize for my inactivity but this past week can be best described as interesting. I started the second week of my new job at a new business. I was hired as a sign sales man but have started to improve their online identity as well as help on service calls when needed. I've already found some clients as well as started networking with a business intent, my career direction seems to have taken a 180*.

My health has also been affected by my new routine. I find myself able to fall asleep easier, but I have also been finding myself more exhausted throughout the day. I'm seeing my doctor next Wednesday since there has been no update to my ENT recommendation and the last physician I saw dismissed my high iron levels outright. I hope next week will hold some answers.

Until I am out of this rut I will have to postpone the start of my vlog, but I will try to post a video on my channel each week.

Regrouping

I have to apologise for my inactivity, again. This past weekend was a hectic blur of music, dance and partying and this week was the start of a new and promising employment. On Monday, my rest day between Folk Fest and my new job, I was inspired by YouTuber Skallagrim as well as our own Sihing Chervenka to start producing videos.

Jian Test Cutting

This is just the start of the many ideas I have for content, the most important of these is the start of a vlog. Last night I started writing about my weekend but was starting to find myself on the fourth paragraph only two days into my extended weekend. If I have not started my vlog by Monday I hope my team mates will hold me accountable.

I have so many things that I want to update everyone on, but all my plans are still not fully solidified yet. When they are I will have much to share.