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,

Tiger Challenge

I spent the entire day at the Kwoon for our annual Tiger Challenge.  This year was special for me as I was the tail for the lion dance. Sifu Langer was the head and he did a great job in his first performance!  What a blast it was and I have to admit that it was a huge highlight for me.

The day went by so quickly right from the lion dance to the pizza and snacks at the end!  I must say that this was a great "mental" day for me.  We focus so much of our effort on the physical aspect of the training and at time we forget how important the mental aspects are.  Sihing Tymchuck and I spent a good portion of the day chatting and competing against each other.  I have tons of respect for that man and consider him a true friend.  He gets it, the mental side and we spent some time discussing the day and how it affected us.

Today for me was one of those days that were truly inspiring.  From the very young children that gave it everything they had to the black belts that were awe inspiring to watch.  To feel the energy in the kwoon from the morning to the afternoon was something that I find intoxicating.  Everyone there was putting themselves out there and most were not in their comfort zone.  However everyone who was there embraced the opportunity and will be better for it.

Mr. Ian Repay
Student Of Silent River Kung Fu

Diet & love of food

I have always had a love of food. Up until recently my career was based in the food industry.  Food to me is one of life's pleasures.  To be enjoyed, savored and relished in with good friends and family.  To me it shouldn't be just fuel for the body.  I'm never going to be that person that is so extremely regimented that I would only eat steamed chicken breast with steamed brown rice and raw broccoli, BLECK!!!  I grew up in a house where my mother and both of my grandmothers were excellent cooks and take out or fast foods was a once a month "treat".

I have found as I get older that I need to take a look at what I'm eating.  I have found that my diet is affecting how I feel both mentally and obviously physically.  I do eat more fast food than I would like to admit and mostly because its convenient and also because I like the taste.  I have found that when I take the time to properly plan my meals and cook myself that I feel better because I'm eating better.  As I'm starting to increase my training at the kwoon, I can see a definite coloration between what I eat and how I feel while I'm training and after I'm done.  I have noticed that when I don't eat well, I can't focus well on what is being taught.  I also find that I lack the appropriate amount of energy that would help me perform at the level that I want to be at.

This morning as I write this, I'm enjoying a cup of black espresso and a bowl of hot cooked grains with milk and a touch of brown sugar.  This is my happy place when it comes to breakfast on a Sunday morning.

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