BTSW 2025

 My thoughts for my blog this week align very closely to Todai Ferris’, so I apologize. This years back to school maintenance week was a bit different for me. Normally I would work all day, and then spend a couple/few hours at the Kwoon after. This year I had planned to take the full week off of work, which worked out great. My role was also a bit different this year, as I volunteered to be the organizer. 

There were no big projects in the Kwoon this year, with the major project being the end bay, but there was still a hefty list to get everything cleaned as usual. As Melinda had mentioned it seems daunting at first with a mile long list. But bit by bit we checked off items on the list. Smaller projects were completed, and everything cleaned and done by noon on Thursday. The week went very well in my opinion, and it was great to see everyone that provided helping hands. Thank you to all that volunteered their time this week!

This week is always special to me, not only helping in maintaining the school that is like a second home, but also feeling pride to have a hand in it with everything we do. It is much like our training where some things can feel very daunting, and bit by bit improvement can be seen and felt by working at it. I didn’t get as many requirement numbers in as hoped this week, but I certainly feel I practiced my Kung Fu in other ways. 

Push ups- 21,270

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 21,710

Form reps - Hand 540 Weapon 290

AOK’s - 617

Sparring - 405

KM’s - 1125

Blogs - 32

Centering

 I’m still focusing on my six harmonies and have been finding if I focus more on centering the transition for harmonies comes easier. I didn’t get a lot of practice in this week, but was able to go through a few hand forms. It was a very busy week preparing to take this next week off for BTSW. My requirement numbers suffered as well, but I’m hoping to build those up a bit this coming week.

Push ups- 20,750

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 21,250

Form reps - Hand 540 Weapon 290

AOK’s - 591

Sparring - 405

KM’s - 1082

Blogs - 31

Form Focus

 I’ve been working on my forms in different ways. I’ve been breaking down certain parts and working on connecting my 6 harmonies. It was a great, sweaty class on Tuesday focused on forms as well. I believe I’m starting to see some positive progress, and its definitely helping my mindset. 

Although my knee still swells and is tired after doing forms, its moving more to simply tired than painful or sore, so I’m hoping that is positive progress as well. I’m trying to focus on rebuilding and working through the pain spots. 

Push ups- 20,365

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 20,885

Form reps - Hand 532 Weapon 290

AOK’s - 578

Sparring - 405

KM’s - 1049

Blogs - 30

Momentary Memory Blip

 Last week, after a particularly stressful day/week trying to catch up from vacation I had a memory blip. I’m not going to call it memory loss, as that just plain scares me, so it was a blip. 

Getting ready for class I went to put on my belt and I completely couldn’t remember how to tie it properly. The more I tried, the more frustrated I became. I’ve been tying this belt for 12 years - what the heck is wrong with me!!?? I gave up and had Don tie it for when I got to class. 

It may to some not be a big deal, but this bothered me. A lot. I didn’t sleep well for 3 days. Part of the stress I believe is due to my moms (and grandma’s) dementia. But I also believe I overthought it, and once I was able to calm down and think rationally about it, I do realize it was more brain overload than anything. I still find it hard to believe that happened with such a basic thing I have been doing for so long. 

Belt was tied with no issues today…. And I’ve stopped overthinking it. 

Push ups- 19,690

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 20,210

Form reps - Hand 517 Weapon 285

AOK’s - 556

Sparring - 405

KM’s - 1015

Blogs - 29

Progression

 I had provided a quick update mid week as I missed my weekly blog last Sunday. I had a great week with my cousin and her husband that I haven’t seen in over 10 years. Although it was a busy week, it was much needed, special time spent together, and new memories made. As a young child I was very close to all of my cousins and we spent all of our time together, so these special times in adulthood are precious to me. Being in separate provinces also doesn’t help, so we make the most of our time together. 

In last weeks IHC class Sifu Rybak asked us to choose 3 goals to specifically work on. Two of the three I chose came very easily as I was already working on them thanks to great feedback from other instructors previously. The 3rd took a bit of thought, but I believe they all tie in together to help my progression. 

My goals chosen were connecting my top half and bottom half, timing in my technique’s to finish together, and breathing with my technique’s, and through my forms. Six harmonies is a large part of this. My harmonies and connecting everything has been off since my surgery. I am so used to favoring one side it has become comfortable and feels ‘right’. Outside eyes and feedback has shown me how off I still am, and I am working on correcting, and trying to get my true forms back again. 

While I realize there is a new normal now, and my limits have changed, I still need to work on connecting my harmonies consistently. It is always a work in progress and I need to renind myself that I need the check ins to see if I am actually progressing. 

Push ups- 19,220

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 19,740

Form reps - Hand 512 Weapon 280

AOK’s - 539

Sparring - 405

KM’s - 981

Blogs - 28