Dancin with the Dragon

 It has been fantastic to have the opportunity to partake in the dragon dance again! It almost feels like a different art when dancing with the dragon. Not only are you focused on your technique, moving in the correct order or in the right place in the form, but also trying to synchronize with your 8 other team members at the same time. 

The last time I was part of the dragon dance, I feel it elevated my training to the next level, and this time is no different. It helps me with different techniques, multiple things going on simultaneously, as well as stamina. 

We are on a short schedule to perform for the Canada day celebration, so we are working on familiar techniques we know and that is great to get back into showing form. I am very hopeful that this continues past Canada day and we are able to incorporate more difficult and new moves into the dance. This of course takes time, and lots of practice, so I hope everyone is as excited as I am. 

I have a few ideas floating around that I think would be fantastic to incorporate, so we’ll see if they look as good as my brain envisions, and are able to come to life! 

Sadness

 I attended another celebration of life yesterday. Another young man gone too soon. Another troubled soul unable to find his way back to a healthy life. Yes, another. I’ve had a few friends lose their sons, and friends of my oldest son lose their their battles in the last few years. Great sadness to those left behind. 

What does this have to do with my Kung Fu journey?  A lot actually. In these times it reinforces my journey. Kung Fu is unwavering, a strong support system always there. My instructors, my team mates, the Kwoon itself, my family. And most especially the thankfulness I feel for the life it has provided for my youngest son. I am so grateful for the guidance, and healthy, educational lifestyle it has provided for him. The village of support he has, we all have. It is an important support system than what parents alone can provide.

I am sad, but so very thankful. 

Forms….Why??

 We had another great conversation in our 2nd degree class again yesterday. It provoked some further thought and consideration for me, as our classes usually do. 

The why question as to our forms comes easy to me, least of all that they are my favorite part of Kung Fu. Our forms incorporate every technique and application we learn. We can break them down in parts to focus on one thing or another, and positivity progress in every area of our Kung Fu. I’m not saying everything else we do is not as important, but I do feel our forms are our foundation, and building blocks.

Forms are the Art in our martial art. Kung Fu is more than 2000 years old for a reason. It is the true beginning of martial arts, withstanding time and change. Kung Fu is not about the fight, or the weapon we become in learning it. For me, it is about the lifestyle, the community, and promoting us to be our best selves.

I have thought of forms as - Forever Our Required Mechanics. I also searched what forms are an acronym for and a couple also fit very well - 

First Order Reliabily Method

Feature-Oriented Reuse Method

I thought these were both interesting and fitting to how I feel about forms. Thank for reading! 

Vanilla week

 Not a lot to report this week. No aha moments, or revaluations discovered. Classes were great this week with some push hands. I feel I learn a little more about myself, and my Chi every time we practice. I’ve been working on 10 second speed kicks, so far the front thrust, and side heel from horse stance. I’m quite liking this, and plan to increase the time to build further stamina. 

Even though no aha moments, I’m still feeling positive progression, and this make me happy. I feel like I have finally shaken the after effects of getting sick. Now working on building stamina, as it amazing me how quickly that was lost. I’m very excited to start some dragon dancing this week, it has been way too long since we last performed. See you next week fellow teammates!