Recording the numbers

This has been and still continues to be a problem for me.  Not sure why this is and why I don't record the numbers.  Is it because I have not found a new piece of technology that will help?  A new "app" that will magically read my mind and record the numbers for me?

No, it's because I'm lazy in this regard.  I am doing my requirements for the most part and I am engaged in the process.  However I just don't seem to give this the importance that it deserves.  It's almost like "I will get to it later" and I'm ok with this even though I know this isn't right..  In the beginning of this I Ho Chuan I was really good then I missed a couple of days and the wheels fell off.  I know that I am better than this and yet I can't bring myself to get back to recording the numbers.  I will have to find another way.

Today is a new day and today I am recording my numbers.  So far today I have done the following, have some work to do today before I go to sleep.

0 push ups
0 sit ups
0 form reps
0 RAKS

Ian Repay

Student of Silent River Kung Fu
Stony Plain, Alberta Canada
ianrepay@blogspot.com

New weapon, kind of.

I have been working with and practicing with nunchucks for the past three years.  I started out with a single foam chuck then progressed to a foam covered wooden stick chuck then to a live wooden chuck then ultimately two live wooden chucks.  My progression has been good and I have come accustom to using nunchucks with chains and ball bearing swivels.  However I have never found a pair of nunchucks that I was totally happy with.  Some had handles that I felt where too thick some where too heavy, some felt unbalanced etc.  I also didn't like how the chain wrapped around my hand and torqued my wrist at times.

Then I stumbled across Master Lee Barden and his Prochux.  Master Barden hand makes each set of chucks and the craftsmanship is outstanding.  However these Prochux are very different in that they don't have chain and ball bearing swivels.  They have a one inch length of cord attaching the two sticks.  As a result the balance of the Prochux is very very different that what I'm used to.  In fact they feel like a brand new weapon that I have to learn how to use all over agin.  What I love about them is how they feel in my hand.  The sticks are octagon in shape, they are the perfect diameter for my hand.  They also feel incredibly balanced (once I learned where the balancing point was) and a sheer joy to use.  What I like about them also is that because there are no chain and ball bearing swivel that the weapon is connected from one stick to the other.  This means that when I spin and roll them I feel the other end more than I ever have.

It is going to take some time to get them where I was with the other chux's, but this is a pair of chux that I am going to base all of my forms and learning around.


Ian Repay

Student of Silent River Kung Fu
ianrepay.blogspot.com
www.silentriverkungfu.com

Third degree brown belt & teaching

I want to publicly announce my goal to achieve my third degree brown belt by June 1st of this year.  This has been a goal that I have had since the start of last year.  With my training in South Carolina and my struggles when I got back I was unable to realize this goal.  However listening to Sifu Brinker talk with the team last Saturday and Mr. Fuhr's goal I felt it was time to set my goal in stone by announcing it publicly.  I have struggled with doing this and spoke with Sifu Playter this past week.  I decided that in order to reach my goal I have to put a date to it and announce it to the world.  These two things will hold me accountable and help motivate me to reaching that goal.

I am asking my team mates to help me by looking at my forms, my techniques and where I am right now.  Help me by being brutally honest when I am right now and what I need to improve on in order to achieve my goal.

Teaching - I have been allowed to help teach some some portions of the white/yellow belt class in the evenings.  I really really enjoy doing this!  Not only is it fun to get in front of the students and help them grow in their Kung Fu it helps me re learn some things that I have forgotten.  I welcome more opportunities to teach and would encourage others to come to these classes and lend a hand.  I know as a student, getting instruction from many different people has helped me learn in ways that I couldn't have from one single instructor.Both the students and the teachers benefit greatly.   

Ian Repay
Student of Silent River Kung Fu
Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada

Shan Shou class last night.

Last night we had a great turn out for the Shan Shou class.  It was so great to see so many people including Miss Gibbons!  Sifu Lindstrom ran a great class and I learnt a lot from it.  I really like the new format of class as it promotes learning more so than winning at all costs like in the past.

I hope more students come out to class as they would see huge improvement to their sparring abilities and confidence.

Ian Repay

Chinese New Years Banquet

Wow what a great evening last night!  Last night was the culmination of a whole year of training.  The whole school comes together on Chinese New Year to celebrate the past years accomplishments. It was truly inspiring to witness the promotions of both Sihing Czilag and Sihing Langer.  I have known both of these men for the better part of four years.  I have watched and helped them (in a very small way) on their journey to get their black belt.  I have seen the struggles both have gone through but they have persevered and got to where I want to be. It was very cool to see the current black belts get their next degrees.  Over the past year I have gotten to know them in a way that would have been impossible without the I Ho Chuan.  I have great respect for them and have developed great friendships because of the team.  So congrats to Sifu Tiffany Playter, Sifu Beckett, Sifu Wetter & Sifu Bryant.  You all are amazing people and we are so fortunate to have you as leaders within the school.

This year was the first year that I was very involved with the Chinese New Years dragon/lion dance as well as the demo and the black belt candidates performance.  It was a lot of hard work and a ton of commitment but it was so worth it.  In the past I helped out as much as I could with the set up and preparations of the banquet hall.  But this year was sooooooo much better.  Looking back only a couple of months I can clearly remember that we didn't have the dragon dance figured out.  In fact we didn't have a dragon dance at all.  In only two short months we pulled together the very best dance I think the school has ever done.  That is a testament to everyone who came out and committed to it. The demo looked AWESOME!  Everyone worked so hard on their piece and you could see that it paid off.  I think everyone that was watching the performances of all the demos could see the commitment that every student gave.  I was amazed at the skill of the younger kids classes.  I was watching them from the sidelines with other team members and we all were amazed at how good the kids skill level was.  You could see that the kids and the instructors really worked hard to get ready for last night and I must congratulate them all for an amazing performance.

Waking up and reflecting upon last night has motivated me and inspired me.  I am looking forward to the year of the Horse and spending a great year with some very amazing people.

Ian Repay
Student Of Silent River Kung Fu.
Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada