Change is Growth

 As we hear some change coming upon the IHC team, I believe that change means growth. We live in an ever changing world, and change must happen to grow. We are always changing as humans, and sometimes the world around us changes faster than we can even keep up. Change can also bring new, exciting and fresh ideas. 

I am not good at articulating my thoughts and feelings when it comes to trying to get them accross on paper (so to speak). Lots rattles around in my head, and it makes sense, but then writing it down does not always come accross as I hope. Todai Vogt wrote an excellent blog, very well written, and articulated. She brought forth a lot of my thoughts and feelings better than I could hope to do. Try as I might (and it’s been many years of blogging) I have accepted I will not be that good. So thank you Todai Vogt for your blog and sharing. 

Numbers were better this week, and back is feeling better finally. 

Push ups- 26,320

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 26,460

Form reps - Hand 648 Weapon 322

AOK’s - 781

Sparring - 475

KM’s - 1472

Blogs - 42

Struggle

 It’s been a struggle as of late more than usual it seems. I’m struggling to keep up with everything it feels like. I’m not sure why, as life itself has slowed down some in other areas and commitments. My get up and go has got up and gone for some reason. I’m working on a lot of courses and certifications for work and that has been mentally draining, and maybe causing other areas in my life to lag. 

I’m trying my best to get energized and out of this slump, but for now I feel like a slug, only slowly chugging along. 

Push ups- 25,710

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 25,740

Form reps - Hand 635 Weapon 322

AOK’s - 768

Sparring - 450

KM’s - 1428

Blogs - 41

Board Break Challenge

 We had our board breaking challenge this past week and I feel it went well. I was happy with my breaks although I played it a bit safe using only the school boards. Still dealing with some achy joints and back. It was great to see others with some great breaks and wins they were working towards. 

Numbers suffering a bit still. 

Push ups- 25,450

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 25,460

Form reps - Hand 630 Weapon 320

AOK’s - 751

Sparring - 450

KM’s - 1394

Blogs - 40

Aches and Pains of Age?

 The past couple of weeks have been slower. Slower moving, slower moves. I pulled a muscle in my lower back/top buttock region. It’s been slow to recover. I’m still stiff in the morning, and through the day it loosens up. Stretching has been a constant, and hopefully it settles soon. 

We were doing punches on the heavy bag, which caused skinned knuckles and sore hands. And then a bump with a dragon pole caused soreness and some bruising. It’s been a week! 

The lessons from these aches and pains? 1. Always warm up and stretch before repetative workouts. 2. Grab my gloves/hand wraps before hitting the heavy bag. 3. Most importantly, I was definately shown areas of needed work and more practice! Recovery is slower as we age, and I need to remember I’m not a young spring chicken any longer!

Sit ups suffered this week due to the sore back, but pushed for a few slower ones. 

Push ups- 24,975

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 24,990

Form reps - Hand 626 Weapon 320

AOK’s - 737

Sparring - 440

KM’s - 1359

Blogs - 39

Figuring it Out

 I have always had to figure stuff out a little different due to my height. I’m not that short, but short enough that sometimes it can make a difference in what I’m trying to do. A step stool is always handy in the kitchen for example lol. And in Kung Fu. Even a couple of inches can make a big difference when it comes to practicing technique’s with others. 

On Tuesday we were doing just that, and not a technique that we usually would practice. First of all is was left handed. I know for a few this may have come easier, but I am right hand dominant. We do not have a lot of left handed prominences in most of our forms that are practiced consistently, and those we do have feel normal due to that practice. When something different is presented, left handed, and something that my height difference factors in, it was a struggle. After several reps it was starting to come along and not feel so weird lol. 

When a new technique is presented to learn and practice I do my best to figure it out with the challenges it may also present, while keeping true to the technique being taught. How can we grow if we don’t learn new things, and challenge ourselves? I learn through fail, and working through something that doesn’t necessarily come easy. Great class, once again. 

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, and hope everyone is able to enjoy some wonderful family time. 

Push ups- 24,425

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 24,840

Form reps - Hand 614 Weapon 316

AOK’s - 721

Sparring - 425

KM’s - 1331

Blogs - 38

Different Week

 It was a bit of a different week as there was no class on Tuesday, and I attended online for the meeting. I made a trip to Jasper on Tuesday to help volunteer with the branch in Jasper as they hosted and prepared the lunch for the Truth and Reconciliation gathering. It was great to be a part of it, and listen to the guest speakers tell their stories. A lot of it was heartbreaking, but also uplifting to hear of the healing, and progress being made. 

We also spent the weekend in Jasper with the family for Kody’s birthday, and we enjoyed some wonderful family time. 

Lots of driving this week, but also lots of Kung Fu, maybe not so much in the physical sense, but it was cherished time spent, and wonderful memories made.

Push ups- 23,805

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 24,220

Form reps - Hand 601 Weapon 316

AOK’s - 704

Sparring - 425

KM’s - 1294

Blogs - 37

Almost

 The past few weeks I have been in conversation to take another role at work. I would have been leaving the branch and going into a position in a different area, and new to me. This is a position that has been offered to me before several times, and the timing felt right this time. There were certain things I was willing to take a decrease on, income being one of them. I was getting excited to start a new journey, with new courses and training needed, and a big shift in what I currently do. 

The position was mine for the taking, but I have turned it down once again unfortunately. There were factors I could not concede to at this point of my life. The working hours would have been great, and a positive in many areas of life for myself and my family. So now I must refocus on how I am going to change my mindset in how I do my current job. I’ve not been very successful changing this in the past, but for my own well being it is a must at this point. I do love my job, and the people I am able to connect with, but it can no longer be at the expense of myself and my well being. Although the situation is disappointing, it is also a good opportunity for me to make some serious changes in what I currently do, and how I work. 

As many others are, I have been focusing on parts of forms and techniques to help me in positioning correctly and feeling good. It feels like a struggle at times, but growth usually does. I am starting to feel some positives, so that feels good. 

Push ups- 23,155

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 23,705

Form reps - Hand 584 Weapon 316

AOK’s - 680

Sparring - 425

KM’s - 1259

Blogs - 36