This morning I got up early, practiced some forms and kicks, did some yoga and had breakfast. I feel fantastic and I'm wondering why I don't do this every morning. For me personally the morning is the best time to practice. Later on in the day there are all sorts of distractions. Phone calls, emails, making dinner, classes. Not to mention the fact that after work I'm usually pretty tired.
Right now I'm working on a training schedule. It's not done yet but it will be by the end of the week. I'm going to be scheduling some kind of training every morning as well as before bed each night.
Normally I just practice when I find time and do whatever's got my interest at the time which has served me well but Master Brinker has been talking about setting up a specific schedule and the benefits of that so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm hoping that following a schedule will help me maintain focus and work on the goals that I've set.
I'll be practicing mainly forms, kicks, and combinations for now. I'll also be scheduling time for tai chi, yoga, chi gong, meditation, and general fitness. Of course I'll continue to do 150 push-ups each day. whew!
Although I am looking forward to the physical benefits of consistent training, I'm really excited by the mental benefits of setting out to do a task and following through. I can't remember where I heard it but last year I remember hearing that every time you say you're going to do something and then you don't do it, you break a promise to yourself. Over time you stop trusting yourself. Then if you say you'll do something, deep down you don't believe it anymore. What a sad thing to not even be able to trust yourself in this scary world. Ever since I learned that I've been systematically rebuilding trust in myself by choosing small goals and following through. To start with it was as simple as saying "I will do the dishes" or "I will kick the heavy bag for 10 minutes". You have to start small to build up confidence and belief in yourself. Then I decided to do 150 push-ups each day and I'm doing it. If I had tried to do it last year I might have failed but because I believe in myself more, I'm succeeding.
In yogic philosophy there exists the idea of Tapas. Besides the practice of asana (postures) there are several guidelines for living one of which is tapas. Basically tapas is the practice of self-discipline which builds the heat of intensity. Once one disciplines oneself and builds this heat, internal obstacles are burned away and practice becomes easier. One practices more and builds more heat which pushes one on even further in a self sustaining cycle towards reaching ones ultimate potential. Which is pretty cool!
What's your ultimate potential? What were you put here to achieve? Start by building some trust and confidence, burn away your obstacles, and do it!
3 comments:
Yoga. My worst wrist injury ever was from yoga. Of course I tend to do my yoga like I do my golf, very aggressively and ineffectively. Excellent post, very motivational.
'Tapa' is also the Spanish term for an appetizer. Maybe that's why I get hungry every time someone starts to talk about yoga.
I like what you said about promises to yourself... I feel motivated already! Isn't it funny there are people who will strive to keep promises to everyone else (even strangers like customers and clients!) and feel comfortable breaking their promises to themselves... even simple things like "I will start to eat more vegetables" will turn into "I have to get such-and-such done for whoever, so I don't have time to make a good meal or go grocery shopping..."
Post a Comment