Status Update

Training here has been pretty intense but I do feel like I'm getting used to the demands being placed on my body. I still feel really tired sometimes and fall into bed exhausted at night, I still get sore muscles and strange mystery pains, and I still feel discouraged when I can't do something but I can see the progress I've made so far and it pushes me to keep trying my best.

The other day we were practicing stances and I know that I've improved a lot but it seemed like all of the teachers were pushing me to go lower, punch faster, take bigger steps, etc and I was getting really frustrated. I was wondering why they were being so picky when I've already gotten better. It made me start to think about the way I train at home, have I just been pushing myself to reach a certain level of skill and then just staying there instead of continually striving for more? It really gave me something to chew on. I don't think I always did that but I do believe that in some cases I did. Here the teachers push us to always go harder, better, faster, stronger (like a Daft Punk song!) and I'm having to adjust my style accordingly. It's interesting.

We started learning a new form; Xuen Gong Chuan 1. I only know about 4 moves but it's really cool. Up to now we've only been practicing taiji and the basic form; Ji Ben Chuan. I already knew these forms but I wasn't very good at them so I've just been working on making them better but I was starting to get tired of doing just those forms over and over again. I was really excited to start learning something new and I really like Xuen Gong Chuan a lot, it reminds me of some of the hung gar forms I learned at home. I still have lots of stuff to work on with the other 2 forms too but now I can mix it up a bit more. sweet.

My Ubbt requirements are all over the place. The things that are a part of our daily training here like running and sit-ups, I'm way ahead on. The other stuff like grappling and such, I've made no progress on at all. I was hoping that I'd be able to train in that stuff outside of class but I pretty much just eat and sleep when I'm not training and I really don't have the gumption to ask someone to spar with me after a 10 hour training day. Maybe once I adjust more I can work on that stuff. We also found out that our month break starts Dec 20 so I can try to finish some of that stuff while I'm back in Canada. I'm hoping that others will be playing catch up too so we can help each other out. I'm really looking forward to coming home for our break.

Today is our day off and I'm psyched to just sit around, watch a movie, and slack off. YESSSSS!

So I'm almost through the second week of the program and I have to say that it's been waaaay better. My body is still stiff and sore but it's been greatly reduced. We do a ton of stretching which you would think would make it hurt less but when you do splits 8 times a day or so it only makes you more sore, at least at first. It is pretty exciting to see improvements so soon. The running is a lot easier already (I can keep up with the group now) and I think because of that my calves are getting stronger and consequently my jumps are getting higher. I still suck at jumping but there is hope for the future. It's crazy how high some people here can jump, especially the teenage chinese kids! I swear they could jump right over my head. I'm also practicing handstands and I can do a one handed one on the right hand. I'll take a picture soon and post it here. Once I can hold it for long enough for someone to get a good shot. haha.

Overall things are going a-ok. Mel and I are settling into being roommates and into the routine of daily training.

That's all for now, I'm going to get a friend to massage my hip for me.

It's only our second training day for the traditional program and I'm totally wiped.

We ran for 50 min instead of 1/2 hour this morning (the longest I've ever run by the way) and by breakfast time I was fully exhausted.

I feel a bit better after an afternoon nap and meditation but I am constantly going back and forth between feelings of excitement and utter discouragement (with the latter being much more common at this point).

When I'm not actually training I can see the bigger picture and I know that I'm going to improve so much, when I am in the midst of physical and mental exhaustion however, it's a different story.

Hopefully I'll feel better soon.

On the plus side I had a really weird dream with a beautiful knitted tunic in it this afternoon. My first knitting dream!

Yesterday was the official start of our traditional kung fu program. We started off with a meeting to discuss the details and last night we had a big celebration dinner with the whole school. Shifu also gave us 3 days off! It was a really awesome surprise. Sometimes he can be really generous, when he's not kicking your ass. haha.

So Mel and I are relaxing and resting our already sore bodies until then. I'm enjoying it a lot but I'm also really looking forward to getting started.

Our daily schedule will be as follows:
5am-wake up
5:10- run
5:40-stretch
6-qigong and tai chi
7:30-breakfast
8:30-morning training
12-lunch
Break (nap time)
3:30-meditation
6-dinner
7-9-evening training
10:30-lights out

Every saturday at 5pm we are also having a taoist philosophy, kung fu theory, etc class. It sounds like it'll be really interesting. Shifu said that if we want one he would also organize a chinese language class for us once a week or so which would probably be wednesday afternoon after our performance day. I guess we'll also be taking about 3 days per month for just meditation and cleansing practices with certain qigong exercises and herbs. I can't wait to blog about that!

I'm Baaaack!

Back in China.

I haven't written for a while because this website is blocked in China and I had to get around that and also get internet access in my room here.

Beijing was ok. We ended up having to stay for 2 more days than planned becasue we couldn't get train tickets until then. It was nice to slack off for a few extra days and get over the jet lag before hard-core training again. Mel and I both had 2 heavy suitcases each and I was soooo grateful that some friends came to meet us in Beijing and they helped us carry our junk. We brought a lot of stuff!

We've been in Wudang for about a week now and it's been really intense! It's really hot and muggy so even if you aren't training, you're hot and sticky all the time. On top of that our training has been pretty tough. I'm literally dripping sweat in every class. We do basics like kicks, stances, jumps, running, push-ups, the usual suspects, then we practice forms for about an hour. Same as before when I was here except that now the traditional class (3 or 5 year program) gets to do extra stuff on top of that like drilling forms, lots of jumping, burpees, really low stances, squats....a bunch of really hard stuff. I'm really glad we came a few weeks early, it's going to be difficult enough as it is.

Mel and I have our own room with a bathroom so we don't have to share with a bunch of smelly dudes. I think that's about it for special treatment though, Sifu is definitely not going to take it easy on us!

Whew....Ok so last night Mel and I had a little going away party and invited a bunch of people to come out. There was a really nice turnout but I felt like I was able to spend some time with everyone. It was a really great night overall. A few of my friends got teary eyed when saying good bye and it made me feel a little sad. I've kind of been avoiding thinking about everyone I'll be leaving behind but it was right there in my face last night. Now I'm feeling a bit blue, I know I'm really going to miss everyone. I'm really lucky in that most of the people in my life are amazing and special. That's what makes this stuff so difficult. I'm really dreading saying good bye to my parents! I know it's going to be the hardest one of all and I'm probably going to cry like a baby. I feel sad not only for myself but there is also some guilt and sadness mixed in for moving so far away from them.

"Hey Mom and Dad, how about you support me in pretty much every way imaginable (short of carrying me around) while I go off to the other side of the world and follow my dream while leaving you here to fend for yourselves"...yeah I feel like a jerk.

China...I leave in 3 days and I'm excited, sad, nervous, happy, guilty, and a million other emotions all bundled up together.

What Kung Fu Has Done For Me

This is a very brief excerpt of some thoughts I've had on the subject:

-Kung Fu has given me the confidence to try new things, take risks, and stand up for what I believe in.

-Kung Fu has brought more purpose and meaning to my life.

-Kung Fu has provided me with healthy goals and the tools I need to achieve them.

-Kung Fu is always there for me. Even If I neglect it for a while it is always waiting for me when I come back to it. A comfort and a Joy.

-Kung fu has turned my body into something fit and healthy that provides me with fun and opportunities. It has turned brought steadiness and perceptiveness to my mind, and turned my heart into a playfully seeking flame.

-Kung fu inspires me. When I feel inspired I can bring this to others.

-Kung fu has given me a second family comprised of teachers, students, and training partners. We work together to become better people.

-Kung fu makes a bad day good and a good day even better.

-Kung fu wakes me up when I am sleepwalking through life.

-Kung fu provides me with the peace of mind to deal with life's joys and sorrows and to stay centered throughout.