The Road to Recovery

I can't believe its been 4 weeks since I injured my ribs.  I really thought it was more than that because it has felt like it occurred so long ago.  This last week has been the first time where I have been able to do some (and only some) activities but I have lost so much that it feels like I have taken 10 steps back, actually it feels like 50 steps back.  As I have been down this road a couple of times, I knew that the road to recovery is more of a mental game than a physical one.  Its easy to make excuses and to not even try.  Its easy to get discouraged and wonder why are you putting yourself through this.  Its easy to say I'm too old for this.

What I learnt from previous injuries is that my body does not heal the way it did when I was younger and that I do need to slowly build things back up again so I don't reinjure it.  My brain knows that it will take time, that it will come back faster than before, that this is only a minor set back.  Funny how your brain can say all these thing but you really don't believe them and its easier to not do anything about it.  So why do we go on?  Well, I didn't start this journey to stop it now.

There have been a number of things this week that have helped me get back on track.  

1. reading and memorizing Mastery - one part talks about how everyone is ordinary but its our actions that help us on the road to mastery.  

2. Tai Chi classes - these classes are great alone, but when you have an injury, they help you move and slowly work those areas, gradually building strength and flexibility.  I have also found myself relaxing and allowing myself to be "in the moment"

3. Morning workouts with Mr. Sollinger and Sifu Robinson - I HATE HAVING TO GET UP THAT EARLY but my best days are when we do our workouts together so after, I love that we do this.  Everyday I am able to do a bit more.

4. My Instructors - I can't thank you all enough for letting me work on a backwards shoulder roll and some shrimping and then when I hit my limit, you have only supported me. This allows me to progress at my own pace.

5. My successes - I had to stop looking back to before the injury occurred and measuring myself.  For now, I look back a week and measure from there. This way I can measure my improvements, even if they are small, and right now they are VERY small but they are still going in the right direction.

Now don't get me wrong, I am constantly needing to evaluate myself and ask "Is this just an excuse so I don't need to do something OR is it truly legitimate".  I can always find an excuse, but once I realize its an excuse, it is easier to get up and do something.

This is my road from an injury that has actually improved greatly in 4 weeks.  For those of you that have been struggling from more significant injuries, my heart goes out to you as I can imagine how hard and dark this road can be but please do not quit. Only when we quit are we truly beaten.  

See you on the mats!

Jackie Kohut

October 26, 2018

The other day, a friend of mine asked me why I go to kung fu for class so often. From their eyes, I shouldn't have a lot left to learn, so I shouldn't go to so many classes. I couldn't disagree with them more! I find that the more I learn, the more I have yet to learn. 

Their question and my answer made me noticed how much my perspective on my training has shifted within the past year. I can safely say that this shift was for the better! I look forward to training every day and I can't wait for the next class to arrive. Some days I might not feel like going to class,  but I never regret it when I go. I think that the biggest reason for this is because I love to learn new things and try my best to apply those things. For example, the other day I learned that I've been bowing with the wrong hands. What! If I had made the choice not to go to class, I wouldn't have learned this. 

I wish that I'd had this growth-oriented mindset about my training way earlier than it came. One can always wonder, but it's better to appreciate the present for what it is. I'm super excited about the future. I can't wait to see where this mindset is capable of bringing me in my training. 

As I further develop that mindset, it will seep into different aspects of my life. Already, I know that it has positively impacted school for me. I think that I'm one of the very few students who is genuinely looking forward to math class because I want to better myself by learning and applying what I learn.

I'm grateful that I have so many opportunities to learn something new every single day. 

Hannah Meier

Clarity of Values

I've been finding myself talking to my babies, asking them the same series of questions. Who are you? Who are you going to be? What kind of person will you become? I'm feeling the weight of the responsibility I have now. I created these critters and I am responsible for how they are raised, what lessons they learn, what qualities they value. 

I want them to be kind, to have compassion. I want them to value all life because all life has value. I want them to be strong and confident, to have no fear voicing their opinions or acting on their beliefs. I want family to be ever present in their lives, to always have someone to lean on when they are in need. I want them to have courage enough to change the world.

I have my work cut out for me. And thinking about it, I find myself becoming more and more grateful for the opportunities I have in life and that I'll be able to give to them. Where we live, what we have. I'm grateful for the tools I have at my disposal; one of the biggest is learning kung fu, and at this school in particular. 

I've always had my reasons for training. My reasons today have evolved from what they were a year ago, a decade ago. At this point in try life one of the biggest reasons I'm here is for my two critters. Not the only reason but one of the foremost now. So I ask, what are your reasons? What value does kung fu bring you? Because lately its value to me has never been clearer.

Khona Rybak

Kung Fu Resume

In the early morning as I hear my grandchildren stir on the mattress on the floor beside my bed, I wake with an instant thought in mind. Kung fu. That ends my nights sleep, but laying there pondering leads to a small bit of clarity.  A demo of my Kung fu strengths.  An impossible task without knowing what my strengths really are.

I got thinking about my recent resume I did for employment, and if I had to write one for my kung fu, what would it say.  My weaknesses in my kung fu have never been hidden.  I know its in my applications.  When I was a 2nd degree brown belt, I spent most of my classes at the fitness studio teaching classes there.  Therefore my knowledge in the area of 2nd degree brown curriculum is somewhat lacking.  I believe this is where my feelings of inadequacy as a black belt derives from.  But thinking about it now, I just realized that it is also how I have gained 2 of my strengths;  my fitness and love of teaching.

On the last page of my employment resume, I listed my interests.  I listed those things that touch me, and really move me to want more.  I made a list of the things that I am truly passionate about, and they are family, kung fu, everything outdoors, birds watching, history, teaching, photography.  When I am doing these things, the rest of the world disappears and all I know is that very moment.

Next thing is how do I do a kung fu demo, and incorporate all, or at least some, of these things? How do I put bird watching and teaching kids into a demo?  How do I put my kung fu strengths and life's passions together for others to see? Then suddenly an idea or 2, or 3, came to me. To put these ideas together at least 3 things are going to be needed; dedication, lots of work and a talent of creativity.  Well, 2 out of 3 isn't bad.  I will have to do a lot of digging, very deep digging, to find a talent within myself that does not really shine bright. A talent of creativity.  

I got to thinking about one more thing, and that was the purpose in all of this.  The I ho chuan.  I knew right from the very start when I first noticed the posting on the board at the school that I needed and wanted to do this.  The reason has nothing to do with gaining a new stripe on my belt.  That was the farthest thing from my mind.  All I could think of was personal growth.  It was like this huge neon sign flashing bright red.  It said, "this is it".  I want to move forward in this area of my life.  I want to become a more focused, positive, healthy person who lives a wholesome life and appreciates every moment of it.  Never taking those moments for granted.

I asked myself, what are the things in my I ho chuan that I have done to help myself move in the right direction?  What has made the biggest impact?  That was an easy thing to answer.  My meditation.  Somehow this needs to be a part of my demo....but how?  I have gained a very strong testimony of how amazing meditation is, and the power within it.  There is great power there that brings amazing results without even putting in a lot of effort.  Sit quiet for 10 minutes or more every day, and watch your life change. I had no idea how much.  Going hand in hand with that is definitely my engagement with the program.  If I wasn't willing and disciplined enough to keep up with what is required of me by my team, my instructor, and mostly by myself, then how can I possibly expect to succeed.  I wanted to succeed, very much so, and therefore I put in the effort. As a result, I have been on a journey of a lifetime, and am becoming a much more positive and appreciative person, just like I wanted to.  I have learned so much in the previous months, and am excited for what is yet to come.  I owe so much to my kung fu, to Sifu Brinker, to my family, and to Dean.  All those that have supported me, taught me, and continue to do those things for me.

Anyways, I do have sooooo much more yet to do, but at least I have a start.  Everything good and wonderful has to have a start.  I want to do a demo that leaves people in awe.  One that leaves them knowing exactly who I am and what I can do.  One that "leaves them wanting more".  I want to do a demo that forces me to push myself physically, to think outside the box and one that gives me a real solid appreciation for who I am.

Brenda Stoddart