And it's Monday. That long weekend went by fast. Too fast. We had a couple of big old dinners to go to. I do enjoy spending time with family. It is late so I will make this quick.
Class was lots of fun on Thursday and watching the creativity flow around the room was really cool. I was in awe of it all. So I feel I have a nice base to work with and I want to start concentrating on the footwork. So, tonight I started the escrima form weapon less. That's a good time! Then you can really focus on the footwork. I'm finding though, that the feet follow along, sometimes a second or two behind, but still arriving. That is the one lesson that did set in, was the footwork.
The hand form is simply continued practice. Later Thursday night, I was mucking about and different movements came about. One of which I really enjoy. Instead of two front kicks, just one kick and some hand melle.
Well, hate to say, but I'm gonna tap here. This guy is beat.
Mr.Duncan
Monday, 28 March 2016
Sunday, 20 March 2016
Form Talk
A great sunday today. So, this week has been a pretty good week. Busy at work. Class has been lots of fun. Working with the stick in class is a nice refresher. I haven't picked up the stick since the new years celebration, so, it has been great fun. A little rusty but, good no the less.
This week I had a couple of break thrus with my weapon. I do believe I have figured out a few different approaches to blocking and striking against two opponents at once. I was not too sure on some of the mechanics of the spear. I have seen a fantastic spear form many many times. So I had a good idea, but never practiced with a spear, so I did not quite understand. I got some help from sifu. played with the spear for a few minutes, got some of the techniques down. Now I have a better understanding of the weapon I am trying to defend against. Good stuff! I have changed a technique or two in the escrima form, and I feel much better about the form all in all. I got to work on flow, for now. I have a great form put together, now its time to make it flow.
The hand form. This is a lesson is what this is. Haha. Building this form is a lesson all right. One of patience and humility. You know, though, I do enjoy it. Just every thing about it. The trials and errors. I will try a few different techniques, and then I will think what if this happens or that happens. Then i am off trying different techniques for different scenarios. I am not looking for perfection right off the bat. No I look for how it feels. Sloppy or not you know if you enjoy a movement or not. Do I like the way it feels? That's the real question. So, lots of trials. I am learning a lot about, well, a lot. Especially centering. That is coming along nicely. Staying down in my stance really helps, with flow and just with stability. Sometimes i get carried away and start standing up with out knowing it. But paying close attention to stances and centering for the last little while is paying off. I have started to build that unconscious movement. The little tweaks my body makes. The little things our bodies want to naturally do. Recognizing what my body naturally wants to do, and building with it. In a sense, allowing flow to guide and build the hand form. I am just here to enjoy the ride. And that is something I can do.
Even with saying all that above, This small little voice pips up, in my head. No, you don't want to show this, its crap. "People with think you are a little more special than then already do!" Haha. I know right?!? But the voice today is much quieter than it was last year. This years I.H.C. I feel much calmer. Not so riled up about things in general. I have gathered confidence in myself, from what i accomplished from last year. This year isn't so much of a shell shock, for me. Learning what worked last year and applying them this year again, I find I can really zero in on what tasks are at hand. Whether it be playing, working or kung fuing. Staying positive is easy, when I focus on the little things. The kids smiles, their laughter. Their love. I live for that stuff.
Well, I guess that is all.
Have a good week. See you soon.
Mr.Duncan
This week I had a couple of break thrus with my weapon. I do believe I have figured out a few different approaches to blocking and striking against two opponents at once. I was not too sure on some of the mechanics of the spear. I have seen a fantastic spear form many many times. So I had a good idea, but never practiced with a spear, so I did not quite understand. I got some help from sifu. played with the spear for a few minutes, got some of the techniques down. Now I have a better understanding of the weapon I am trying to defend against. Good stuff! I have changed a technique or two in the escrima form, and I feel much better about the form all in all. I got to work on flow, for now. I have a great form put together, now its time to make it flow.
The hand form. This is a lesson is what this is. Haha. Building this form is a lesson all right. One of patience and humility. You know, though, I do enjoy it. Just every thing about it. The trials and errors. I will try a few different techniques, and then I will think what if this happens or that happens. Then i am off trying different techniques for different scenarios. I am not looking for perfection right off the bat. No I look for how it feels. Sloppy or not you know if you enjoy a movement or not. Do I like the way it feels? That's the real question. So, lots of trials. I am learning a lot about, well, a lot. Especially centering. That is coming along nicely. Staying down in my stance really helps, with flow and just with stability. Sometimes i get carried away and start standing up with out knowing it. But paying close attention to stances and centering for the last little while is paying off. I have started to build that unconscious movement. The little tweaks my body makes. The little things our bodies want to naturally do. Recognizing what my body naturally wants to do, and building with it. In a sense, allowing flow to guide and build the hand form. I am just here to enjoy the ride. And that is something I can do.
Even with saying all that above, This small little voice pips up, in my head. No, you don't want to show this, its crap. "People with think you are a little more special than then already do!" Haha. I know right?!? But the voice today is much quieter than it was last year. This years I.H.C. I feel much calmer. Not so riled up about things in general. I have gathered confidence in myself, from what i accomplished from last year. This year isn't so much of a shell shock, for me. Learning what worked last year and applying them this year again, I find I can really zero in on what tasks are at hand. Whether it be playing, working or kung fuing. Staying positive is easy, when I focus on the little things. The kids smiles, their laughter. Their love. I live for that stuff.
Well, I guess that is all.
Have a good week. See you soon.
Mr.Duncan
Sunday, 13 March 2016
Today
Why good Sunday night! It's been a weekend. A week at that. Lots of fantastic events happening all over. Class has been great. Brushing up on the basics making sure things are solid. Lots on stances and movement. That's great. What's troublesome is practicing with the mini horse wanting to play! So, while bane and I tear the house apart while wrestling, I am incorporating techniques on the dog. Like round house kicks...no I'm kidding. Hand movements. Open palm and practicing that "feel" on the for-arms. It's actually a lot of fun. Gotta watch for teeth though. Keep him away from his teddy to long and he gets a little miffed and starts to bite. That's when it gets fun. Smart dog he is, Bane. I enjoy watching his eyes while we wrestle. You can truly see him processing, as I found out. Right so, we are in the hallway and I present his Cookie Monster, with head attached by a string or two, up for play. Bane comes straight in to pounce and I "raise the guard" and the dog stops and goes for a side attack. Boom, after seeing that movement a couple of times, he adapts to the situation. I was kinda surprised! Impressed, I was!
Even the families wrastling is filled with Kung fu. Great fun, I really gotta be on game, with my oldest, man he's fast and mean. Kidneys!! Ahh, on fire, little bugger! Still good fun though. I do enjoy. Speaking of which, man, I was blessed this weekend. My kido, came and hung out for the day! That's fantastic, that's what that is. Oh, sweet times! That's right there, having my baby kido back in my arms and watching all three just play, was a sweet dream come true. The abundance of joy in my heart and soul is a little overwhelming, to be honest...that's what what almost five years of just trying to do better than yesterday gets a guy like me. A second chance. Deep down, that's all I ever wanted, was a second chance with her, and here it is! It really feels good. Warms my heart. Makes a guy shed grateful tears
Miss Gibbons blog really hit a cord or two, which lead up to the gifts mentioned above. Having been on both sides of the fence, of the intoxicated gentlemen, for me, her blog hit a soft spot. I felt terrible for that man, having been in situations like his, being in dire need of help. I wish so bad that people with that lifestyle could see the same "path" as I, if you might. The power of the program. I wish, so bad, good fortune for people like that, I really do. If I was never in his position, I would never know how good I have it today!
Which, brings me over here now. Gratitude. So very much of that emotion, it's quite nice. For all these gifts I have been giving, I am a lucky man. All my new friends and teachers and understandings. I guess this passion for change is paying off, ten fold. More evidence of being on the right path. More reason to just trust in the process at hand. Continue to put numbers up. Continue to practice and work hard on the bag. The heavy bag in the garage and the one in the real world. New levels of self-understanding. It's really amazing! I do not have the words to properly express this. I feel, internally, like, content. It will change to wanting more and more, but for today, satisfaction. Yes, yes, there it is. Satisfied. Before is started writing this, I was spaced out staring into space. And I thought, of all the worlds in all the universe, today, the forces that be, chose to give me the greatest, gift of all. Family. Thank you.
Well, I'm quiet again, thanks for being apart of this journey
Humbly yours
Mr.Duncan
Even the families wrastling is filled with Kung fu. Great fun, I really gotta be on game, with my oldest, man he's fast and mean. Kidneys!! Ahh, on fire, little bugger! Still good fun though. I do enjoy. Speaking of which, man, I was blessed this weekend. My kido, came and hung out for the day! That's fantastic, that's what that is. Oh, sweet times! That's right there, having my baby kido back in my arms and watching all three just play, was a sweet dream come true. The abundance of joy in my heart and soul is a little overwhelming, to be honest...that's what what almost five years of just trying to do better than yesterday gets a guy like me. A second chance. Deep down, that's all I ever wanted, was a second chance with her, and here it is! It really feels good. Warms my heart. Makes a guy shed grateful tears
Miss Gibbons blog really hit a cord or two, which lead up to the gifts mentioned above. Having been on both sides of the fence, of the intoxicated gentlemen, for me, her blog hit a soft spot. I felt terrible for that man, having been in situations like his, being in dire need of help. I wish so bad that people with that lifestyle could see the same "path" as I, if you might. The power of the program. I wish, so bad, good fortune for people like that, I really do. If I was never in his position, I would never know how good I have it today!
Which, brings me over here now. Gratitude. So very much of that emotion, it's quite nice. For all these gifts I have been giving, I am a lucky man. All my new friends and teachers and understandings. I guess this passion for change is paying off, ten fold. More evidence of being on the right path. More reason to just trust in the process at hand. Continue to put numbers up. Continue to practice and work hard on the bag. The heavy bag in the garage and the one in the real world. New levels of self-understanding. It's really amazing! I do not have the words to properly express this. I feel, internally, like, content. It will change to wanting more and more, but for today, satisfaction. Yes, yes, there it is. Satisfied. Before is started writing this, I was spaced out staring into space. And I thought, of all the worlds in all the universe, today, the forces that be, chose to give me the greatest, gift of all. Family. Thank you.
Well, I'm quiet again, thanks for being apart of this journey
Humbly yours
Mr.Duncan
Sunday, 6 March 2016
Feeling Great
And a fine morning it is, so far. Boy this has been a good weekend. At work, we took off early and I had a bit of the afternoon to be alone. With this hectic schedule, its been tough to find some quiet time. And boy, was I needing it. As much as I am trying to like people, I love being away from people. Took my mini horse for a walk. Which is always interesting, but always a great, enjoyable time.
I got some fantastic news first thing this morning. Really set the bar for the rest of the day. My wife asks me if I am still willing to coach t-ball. And I said of course, I will. I loved it. So, she goes onto inform me, that there is a t-ball coach in alberta beach. This coach is so awesome, that parents from other communities are going to be bringing their kids to the beach to be on this t-ball team, in particular. I was like, ah crap, I was really looking forward to doing that again. She laughs and tells me I am that coach! Oh, snap I said. Me really?!? And quite honestly, my heart skipped a beat. She made my week. I was all lovey and such. And then I wondered, what did I do, that was so special? I simply took an open spot and did the best I could with those kids. Well, I guess, word of my passion for the children spread like wild fire in and around the communities around here, and people want me to coach their kids. She said the families that are coming from out of town, will only come if I am coaching. Wow! I feel humbled, ya know. Like, honestly, I just made it about the kids, that is it. As long as the kids are smiling and having fun, and doing the best they can at ball, then, I have succeeded. So, of course, I will coach t-ball this year. Abso-freaking-lutley!!
Earlier in the week, in conversation, the question came up. What kind of a black belt do I want to be? Awesome, high flying, arse-kicking, head smashing best I can be, is the kind of black belt I want to be. What about the other side of the coin? What about the internal side of a black belt? Open and honest. One with integrity and passion flowing from his pores. Kindness my religion. my heart as a temple. One that inspires everyone around me to be better than they were yesterday. One that walks what he talks. One that refuses to back down from any of life's challenges, thrown my way. Yeah that's right, the whole meal deal. the meat, potatoes and the veggies. Boy, I was in deep thought afterwards. So deep that I forgot to respond to the email afterwards. Oops, sorry!! How do I get there? How can I be that kind of black belt? How and when and who and why? Left with those thoughts in my mind, I had a few epiphanies. Well, the happenings with ball and those kids is an example of the passion I wish to distribute to all. And the integrity as well. Practice, is the only way to master the physical side of kung fu. And to work on the internal things. Well, more practice. Keep practicing the a.o.k.'s. That will continue to grow the compassion and kindness, I wish to exhume from my pores. Continuing to write these blogs with honesty, open heart and willingness to share as the only rules to the blogs. That will bring the transparency I wish to have in my spirit and mind. No secrets and no bs. Continuing to talk to my kido and show her all the love and compassion I can, while still instilling, that I am a pretty decent person, just let me show you, will continue to help with showing patience and allowing the flower of our relationship to grow. Kindness as water, love as sunlight, and compassion as the earth. All the tools to grow and cherish this love for my kido. Hopefully she will start to water this flower too. Soon, I say, soon.
So, as I write this blog, I continue to look for new ways to flourish as a martial artist. I may not completely understand everything that instills a fine martial artist, but, I do the best I can. But where did I learn this? Well, first and foremost, I learnt about love and compassion in meetings. I learnt to listen and enjoy the lessons. I learnt that even in defeat, I can grow. (that was a hard pill to swallow) But, there in those meetings, I learnt the very basics of human decency. After a few years of being a good enough human being, I found the I.H.C. The I Ho Chuan, forces me to challenge my limits and push myself into a constant state of awe-striking awesomeness. There are hills and mountains to climb and scale. One day I will meet the sheer drop off that I must climb with nothing more than determination. I look forward to that day. I no longer try to fear, what life throws at me. No, no. Today, it is, almost a fear of just how awesome I can be if I push like I haven't pushed before. Last year, was a great starting block. I pushed and started to see true awesomeness inside and I was like, ahh geeze, what is all this? And I slowed right down. I think more shock than anything else. What do you mean I am accomplishing these really awesome goals. Nerves and fear I let take over and I, in a sense crippled myself. Allowed myself to hide again. Okay. That's cool. I have seen that new level and I want it. More than ever now. I saw just how awesome being good at something really is. And I want it. If I truly want something it easy to obtain, I just need to stay this mighty course. That is the tough part. Staying the course. Fighting mediocrity. Fighting the "it is good enough mentality". Because that thought process, is just not good enough anymore!
I had posted my form Thursday night and that was kind of stressful. I have no idea why, but it was. But it was really nice as well. Just because I can not be there in person, does not mean I can not be there in spirit. And I found after I posted that video, I honestly felt a part of the team. Being away, even thought class is only thirty minutes from my home, is kind of crappy. But it is entirely up to me to draw up my engagement and be there with and for the team. It is up to me to make this year what it can be. Me and me alone. Same goes for all of you in internet world. I do not want to isolate myself, like I did last year. So I figure, if I post what I am doing and working on, then, I raise my engagement to a whole new level. It is not just to show where I am at, but a training tool for myself and others. I get to really look at my stances and flow. I get to get an unbiased look at myself and my techniques. And, there are people who might offer their guidance and assistance over the video. Fantastic!!! There is so many positives to posting my form, that it is kind of silly not to post them. Not only, do I force myself to be on top of my game, I can really feel like part of something greater than myself.
And again, the question screams in my head. Is that not the whole part of I Ho Chuan? To force awesomeness and fantastic-ness out of our shadows of our minds and show it through our kung fu and daily activities? I mean, now that I have done this, what is there to be scared of. Someone might see me preform kung fu? Don't be ridiculas!!! I have enrolled in kung fu and do it all the time. Scared someone might critic my form? oh no, I might learn or grow! That's why I put it out there. For help and ideas and suggestions. Like I have said before, even though I may be building this form, I need help with transitions and stances. It is not just me myself and I. How many black belts are on this team? Over half. Dare I say three quarters of monkey team. And how many have the expertise that is kung fu, kempo style, in particular? All of them. Sweet, so......I got my bases covered. Time to continue to grow and build like a mad red fire truck. Time to continue to grow this plant of awesomeness and watch that sucker grow and suck the life out of the poisons that I hide behind in my mind. Fantastic, indeed folks.
Well folks, that is it for now. My mind is all quiet! Weird I know. Guess I got it all onto this blog! I hope it makes sense. It all sounded really good in my mind, so, best of luck!!
Have a fantastic day
Humbly yours
Mr.Duncan
I got some fantastic news first thing this morning. Really set the bar for the rest of the day. My wife asks me if I am still willing to coach t-ball. And I said of course, I will. I loved it. So, she goes onto inform me, that there is a t-ball coach in alberta beach. This coach is so awesome, that parents from other communities are going to be bringing their kids to the beach to be on this t-ball team, in particular. I was like, ah crap, I was really looking forward to doing that again. She laughs and tells me I am that coach! Oh, snap I said. Me really?!? And quite honestly, my heart skipped a beat. She made my week. I was all lovey and such. And then I wondered, what did I do, that was so special? I simply took an open spot and did the best I could with those kids. Well, I guess, word of my passion for the children spread like wild fire in and around the communities around here, and people want me to coach their kids. She said the families that are coming from out of town, will only come if I am coaching. Wow! I feel humbled, ya know. Like, honestly, I just made it about the kids, that is it. As long as the kids are smiling and having fun, and doing the best they can at ball, then, I have succeeded. So, of course, I will coach t-ball this year. Abso-freaking-lutley!!
Earlier in the week, in conversation, the question came up. What kind of a black belt do I want to be? Awesome, high flying, arse-kicking, head smashing best I can be, is the kind of black belt I want to be. What about the other side of the coin? What about the internal side of a black belt? Open and honest. One with integrity and passion flowing from his pores. Kindness my religion. my heart as a temple. One that inspires everyone around me to be better than they were yesterday. One that walks what he talks. One that refuses to back down from any of life's challenges, thrown my way. Yeah that's right, the whole meal deal. the meat, potatoes and the veggies. Boy, I was in deep thought afterwards. So deep that I forgot to respond to the email afterwards. Oops, sorry!! How do I get there? How can I be that kind of black belt? How and when and who and why? Left with those thoughts in my mind, I had a few epiphanies. Well, the happenings with ball and those kids is an example of the passion I wish to distribute to all. And the integrity as well. Practice, is the only way to master the physical side of kung fu. And to work on the internal things. Well, more practice. Keep practicing the a.o.k.'s. That will continue to grow the compassion and kindness, I wish to exhume from my pores. Continuing to write these blogs with honesty, open heart and willingness to share as the only rules to the blogs. That will bring the transparency I wish to have in my spirit and mind. No secrets and no bs. Continuing to talk to my kido and show her all the love and compassion I can, while still instilling, that I am a pretty decent person, just let me show you, will continue to help with showing patience and allowing the flower of our relationship to grow. Kindness as water, love as sunlight, and compassion as the earth. All the tools to grow and cherish this love for my kido. Hopefully she will start to water this flower too. Soon, I say, soon.
So, as I write this blog, I continue to look for new ways to flourish as a martial artist. I may not completely understand everything that instills a fine martial artist, but, I do the best I can. But where did I learn this? Well, first and foremost, I learnt about love and compassion in meetings. I learnt to listen and enjoy the lessons. I learnt that even in defeat, I can grow. (that was a hard pill to swallow) But, there in those meetings, I learnt the very basics of human decency. After a few years of being a good enough human being, I found the I.H.C. The I Ho Chuan, forces me to challenge my limits and push myself into a constant state of awe-striking awesomeness. There are hills and mountains to climb and scale. One day I will meet the sheer drop off that I must climb with nothing more than determination. I look forward to that day. I no longer try to fear, what life throws at me. No, no. Today, it is, almost a fear of just how awesome I can be if I push like I haven't pushed before. Last year, was a great starting block. I pushed and started to see true awesomeness inside and I was like, ahh geeze, what is all this? And I slowed right down. I think more shock than anything else. What do you mean I am accomplishing these really awesome goals. Nerves and fear I let take over and I, in a sense crippled myself. Allowed myself to hide again. Okay. That's cool. I have seen that new level and I want it. More than ever now. I saw just how awesome being good at something really is. And I want it. If I truly want something it easy to obtain, I just need to stay this mighty course. That is the tough part. Staying the course. Fighting mediocrity. Fighting the "it is good enough mentality". Because that thought process, is just not good enough anymore!
I had posted my form Thursday night and that was kind of stressful. I have no idea why, but it was. But it was really nice as well. Just because I can not be there in person, does not mean I can not be there in spirit. And I found after I posted that video, I honestly felt a part of the team. Being away, even thought class is only thirty minutes from my home, is kind of crappy. But it is entirely up to me to draw up my engagement and be there with and for the team. It is up to me to make this year what it can be. Me and me alone. Same goes for all of you in internet world. I do not want to isolate myself, like I did last year. So I figure, if I post what I am doing and working on, then, I raise my engagement to a whole new level. It is not just to show where I am at, but a training tool for myself and others. I get to really look at my stances and flow. I get to get an unbiased look at myself and my techniques. And, there are people who might offer their guidance and assistance over the video. Fantastic!!! There is so many positives to posting my form, that it is kind of silly not to post them. Not only, do I force myself to be on top of my game, I can really feel like part of something greater than myself.
And again, the question screams in my head. Is that not the whole part of I Ho Chuan? To force awesomeness and fantastic-ness out of our shadows of our minds and show it through our kung fu and daily activities? I mean, now that I have done this, what is there to be scared of. Someone might see me preform kung fu? Don't be ridiculas!!! I have enrolled in kung fu and do it all the time. Scared someone might critic my form? oh no, I might learn or grow! That's why I put it out there. For help and ideas and suggestions. Like I have said before, even though I may be building this form, I need help with transitions and stances. It is not just me myself and I. How many black belts are on this team? Over half. Dare I say three quarters of monkey team. And how many have the expertise that is kung fu, kempo style, in particular? All of them. Sweet, so......I got my bases covered. Time to continue to grow and build like a mad red fire truck. Time to continue to grow this plant of awesomeness and watch that sucker grow and suck the life out of the poisons that I hide behind in my mind. Fantastic, indeed folks.
Well folks, that is it for now. My mind is all quiet! Weird I know. Guess I got it all onto this blog! I hope it makes sense. It all sounded really good in my mind, so, best of luck!!
Have a fantastic day
Humbly yours
Mr.Duncan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)