Lion Dancing!

Never ever thought that I would admit it but here it goes.  "I like lion dancing more than dragon dancing".  There you go Sifu Lindstrom, it took a while but I do really like it.

We have been spending our Friday IHC classes lion dancing for the upcoming Chinese New Years celebration.  What I like the most about the lion dancing is the team work involved as well as the individual work that is required.  The dance is going to be amazing because we have such a great group that is having fun together. 

Even though most of the spots on the lion dance team are decided, it would be great to see the rest of the team come out to the Friday classes. Even if you worked on your weapons forms or filled in where you can.  

Have a great week and see everyone on the mats.

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

Fitness class

What a great day for me.  The fitness class is amazing!  Sifu Masterson has done an unbelievable job with this class.

She asked us for some feedback on what we might want to change since its been a year since she has lead the class.  My answer, NOTHING.  Perhaps like Mr. Sand suggested a little Guns and Roses and more 80's metal :) 

This class has to rank up there as one of my absolute favorite classes to attend.  Its a hard class no doubt but when your done and your basking in the after glow you know that you did something good. 

Mr. Repay
Student of Silent River Kung Fu.
Stony Plain, Alberta.

What's the lesson?

Sometimes the lesson taught isn't as obvious as we think. I had a great class tonight and the lesson taught was pretty obvious as Sifu Playter explained it to the class.  However what's the lesson that's been tought besides the obvious?  I have been taking the time to think about this more and more.  Looking for the hidden jems in every lesson.  There's a very well known quote or phrase.  "The devils in the details".  This couldn't be more true and makes me think, "what's the lesson"?

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

Doing better

Where am I right now in my training?  Physically I'm not where I want to be.  However I accept the reasons why but continue to push to get better.  I'm very happy that I have started to come back the fitness class on Saturdays and to a lesser extent the San Shou class on Tuesday.  I still struggle with a hectic work travel schedule but it is what it is.  I want to make sure that I'm at as many Friday classes as they are my favorite for sure.

Mentally I'm in a much better place than I have been for quite some time.  I have made some changes in my life that have been very posative and it reflects well on where I am with life and Kung Fu.

Take care everyone and see you on the mats!

Ian Repay
Student of Silent River Kung Fu

Merry go round of life

Round and round I go and to be honest I never like the merry go round.  I got dizzy and would think "what's the point of this ride"?  You don't go anywhere, you don't do anything, all you do is sit there and watch the world spin around you with every revolution.  As much I didn't like this ride it seems that I have spent way too much time on it.  Watching the world spin by while all I do is sit there.

So when I came to this realization (and I have many time before this) why haven't done anything about it?  Simple answer and the only answer is I'm lazy.  No other explanation that I can think of and no other excuse.

I'm lazy and I don't want to change.  It really is that simple when I think and reflect back.  It's easier to do nothing and accept life as it comes Vs doing something about it.  Why haven't I reached some of my goals in life?  Because I'm too lazy to follow them all the way through and or make the permanent changes in my life that would allow me to reach these goals.  I know that I can do almost anything I put my mind to and I have proven that when I want to change I can make some amazing things happen.  I have seen some of my teammates change their lives for the better and I applaud them for their courage and effort to change.  I look at myself and I say to my self, "that's good enough" and I accept mediocrity because I'm too lazy to put the sustained effort to affect long term change.

The thing is, I know why I am like I am.  I know that I have let my self accept mediocrity in my life as the norm.  What I need is a swift kick in the back side or slap upside my head to "wake me up".  However I know that the only one to do this is myself.  A lifetime of mediocrity is a tough thing to change unless I want it more than anything else.  So now how bad do I want it?

Ian Repay
Student Of Silent River Kung Fu
Stony Plain,