Sil Lum

 I can’t believe how much I can sweat ‘stretching’ lol. The Sil Lum seminar was fantastic! I was only able to attend 3 of the 6 classes, but I learned so much from this class. There were so many take aways it will take me a bit of time to organize everything I learned and all of the benefits. Fortunately, Sihing Kohut provided us with a ‘cheat’ sheet of all of the stretches. 

I was looking forward to taking the class and always learn from the seminars that we have the opportunity to attend, but the Sil Lum seminar provided many benefits for me to incorporate in my daily/weekly routine. Not only the health benefits, but many physical benefits, not only in rebuilding from injury, but also to compliment our other physical training. Some of the stretches in the class I already do, but the information provided in doing these, and the muscles to focus on will help greatly moving forward. Mindful movement, and quality over quantity, in invaluable information to maintain. So thank you Sihing Kohut for sharing your knowledge, experience, and expertise with us. 

My blog is a bit late, as we had a busy weekend. It was a great family weekend. My numbers are counted up to Saturday to keep in line with how I’ve been tracking. 

Push ups- 12,100

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 12,150

Form reps - Hand 325 Weapon 175

AOK’s - 342

Sparring - 310

KM’s - 578

Blogs - 17

Slow week

 Wasn’t feeling great this week, and benched myself for IHC. Still felt okay to be there on the bench, mask on, but away from people. I do enjoy watching from the sidelines, as I feel I learn a great deal. Watching how one moves differently then the other, how one interprets a move compared to another. It really makes me look inward to how I may look and what I am feeling when doing something. When in the moment and doing forms, technique’s and applications I still do my best to be aware, but it is sometimes nice to sit back and view as well. Analyzing the internal with my mind and not involving my body has brought some insight as well. 

Wishing all the moms a Happy Mother’s Day 💐

Push ups- 11,300

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 11,250

Form reps - Hand 305 Weapon 160

AOK’s - 316

Sparring - 285

KM’s - 546

Blogs - 16

Recharge

 This last week we were on vacation. A 4 day trip to Vegas for my hubby’s birthday and a bucket list item checked off for him. While we had a couple of shows planned, did a lot of walking, and seen some sights; we also took time each morning to relax by the pool, afternoon naps, and even watched the hockey game with some friends from home. While it was a fairly busy week, it was also a week to recharge. The treasured time with my husband is always a wonderful way to spend my days.

It seems the only time I don’t do work or think about work is when I leave the country. A couple of fleeting thoughts that I tamped down quickly and just enjoyed my surroundings and the beautiful weather we had. Although a short trip, 4 days is long enough there. And it was enough to clear my head, and boost the batteries. Some of my requirement numbers certainly suffered, while others were increased (km’s were great!). Although some numbers were down, it was a great Kung Fu week. I believe we all need a recharge now and then, let our mind and body heal, while keeping mastery at the forefront. 

Push ups- 10,750

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 10,500

Form reps - Hand 285 Weapon 160

AOK’s - 295

Sparring - 275

KM’s - 515

Blogs - 15

Appreciation

 Kung Fu has added so many things to my life. We as a family have been a part of SRKF for almost 17 years, and on the mats myself for 11 years. Besides the obvious benefits of increased physical activity in my life, all the health benefits, and the community interaction, one of the most positive benefits to me is the people it has brought into my life and the relationships I have built. 

These people and relationships have enriched my life more than I can say. We have been through good times, and times where support was needed. And support has always been there, and provided light in sometimes dark times. 

Today, one of those said relationships was a strong reminder of how fortunate I am to be a part of this family. I am not a health professional and therefore am at the mercy of what doctors and nurses tell me regarding my mom. I was quite frustrated and upset last week with a situation in her care, and subsequent health issues. Now this is not to say it is the norm, she does have good care where she is, but when situations happen she is unable to speak for herself. And it makes me wonder what I may not see. Hence the frustration. 

Todai Poitras immediately reached out and offered assistance. I am so very grateful. For those that don’t know, she is a healthcare professional and also works with many like my mom. She visited my mom with me today, graciously completed a health check on my mom, with so much care and attention to her. I honestly cannot express how much I appreciated this. We spoke with the nurse and reviewed my mom’s meds, and Karine patiently explained them to me. It’s not that I had no idea, but having the conversation with someone I trust made such a big difference. She explained what I should watch for, and questions I should ask. 

It has not been an easy road for the last 10 years, and I have done it largely on my own when it comes to my moms care (my sister does not involve herself, and my parents are divorced). So to have this person offer her time, experience, and first hand knowledge means so very much. 

So thank you again Sidai Poitras. It was also so great to connect on a personal level, you are a true, great friend. Thank you SRKF for bringing people like this into my life. I am so very appreciative for the support always received, and so very happy we chose this school as a family. 

Push ups- 10,300

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 10,150

Form reps - Hand 275 Weapon 160

AOK’s - 254

Sparring - 250

KM’s - 454

Blogs - 14

Lots Going On

 We have had lots going on in the last while. Always seems to be something on the go or on the ‘list’ to get done. 

The most concerning is the health issues with both Don’s and my mom. My mom’s health has been a steady decline over the last several years, but without her being able to communicate anything it is up to me to be her advocate. That is hard as well with me being not so close to her care facility. A few issues came up today that I will bring up with the care facility tomorrow (nobody there to talk to today). It is in these areas - hospitals/care facilities and even finding a doctor that our health care system has some serious issues. All I hear is we’re short staffed today, we don’t have time to check in more than twice a day. This has serious affects for one who does not move or able to get out of bed. It is sad, and even sadder for those with no family around to be their voice. 

I didn’t mean to get on a rant today, I apologize. 

I have tweaked my knee in the last week or so and am having sharp pains again, and the feeling of my knee giving out. I am trying to scale back a bit on aggravating it and we’ll see how it goes. If it’s not any better by the time I get back from vacation, I will schedule an appointment with my specialist/surgeon to make sure I haven’t torn it again. 

The hardest thing for me in recovering after injury and surgery has been how far to push. I very much want to progress, and not stay stagnant, but there is always the worry of injuring again, and the big setbacks. I’ve yet to figure out the happy medium. 

This is where I am at at the moment, and in a place of flux it seems. Mom has settled down now and is resting peacefully, so off to grocery shop for my mom in law. 

Happy Easter everyone, I hope you all get some special family time in 💜

Push ups- 9950

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 9750

Form reps - Hand 260 Weapon 160

AOK’s - 239

Sparring - 240

KM’s - 422

Blogs - 13

De-Stress

 This week at work was long again as I knew it was going to be, and will be for some time to come. A few less hours - 56 this week, as I am committing to not miss my Kung Fu classes. Priorities. 

I was pleasantly surprised at the end of Friday when I wasn’t near as exhausted as last week. I felt like a walking zombie by the end of the week last week, and barely felt refreshed going back to work on Monday. It also wasn’t the 4 less hours worked in the week. 

It may sound strange, but I was much less exhausted because I attended 4 Kung Fu classes this week. Black belt class, IHC class, Dragon Dance practice, and the Si Lum seminar. The reasons are two fold I believe. I believe the physical activity in classes during the week feeds my body from the mental game I play all day at work, sitting at my desk for the most part. And I know that the stress I feel is the mental strain from work, and when I walk into the Kwoon I leave that at the door. With spring break last week I didn’t get that separation, and the renewed energy this week is a testament. Although I was much more physically active this week, I am much less tired. Go figure. 

I am officially on my own in my position for the next two weeks now, and will be training someone for the next few months. It will be tiring and stressful, but I am also looking forward to the challenge again. 

Numbers again a little lower on the week due to time constraints. 

Push ups- 9320

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 8950

Form reps - Hand 235 Weapon 150

AOK’s - 216

Sparring - 215

KM’s - 391

Blogs - 12

Spring Struggle

 This Spring is going to be a struggle to get everything in. I’m mentally preparing for busy, and more busy. I’m mentally preparing to fit everything in as much as I can. 

This past week was my first 60 hour work week. I say first, as I’m pretty positive there will be several more, especially in the next few months. There are currently 2 of us in my role at work. And that ends on Friday. She is moving to another city, and therefore moving to another branch. The other team mate I’ve been training for my role is out of the branch for the rest of the month. This leaves me in the busiest real estate month of the year by myself. While I don’t sometimes understand or even agree with how my company does things, or sets times for training courses, all I can try and do is manage the fallout as best as I can. After all, no matter what is going on with the business side, there is a client counting on us. 

This caused a struggle for me to keep up with everything else I wanted to accomplish this week. Like extra Kung Fu, and taking advantage of ‘extra’ time to work on forms and prepare for the Tiger Challenge. It did not go as planned, and now I am stressing about how and where I am going to fit everything in. Life is busy as well, with weekends booked from now until the end of May. 

I know I just need to take a breath, do the best I can do, and keep the important things in front of me. My priorities may shift a bit, but my family and Kung Fu will remain a priority.

Push ups- 8496

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 8230

Form reps - Hand 210 Weapon 125

AOK’s - 189

Sparring - 160

KM’s - 357

Blogs - 11