Imbalanced

This week I got scanned. My chiropractor scanned my feet. He tells me I'm imbalanced. I think I am because I have a lot of the symptoms. My wife thinks I'm imbalanced too, but this is a different story for a future blog :-).

I'm exited to get my new orthotics. I have all the symptoms of being imbalanced - knees, pelvis, shoulders and back. I have high hopes it will help me to get balanced and get my energy and ability to train harder.

Today we were doing 1,000 push-ups and sit-ups and I felt it was easier than the last time we've done it. It is still hard on my back but I'm alternating sit-ups with crunches, leg raises, etc.

This week I saw few signs of spring - motorcycles, geese, and pussy willows. It is great feeling to be out and feel the warmth of the sun (even when it is only 7 degrees). I know that the longer days and the warmer weather will also help motivating me to train Kung Fu and run more (with balance).

5 Traits of a black belt

In my quest to define what is a black belt I stumbled upon an article that described 5 Traits of a black belt:

1. Be happy but never satisfied 

Set Renewing goals; focus on the path to obtain the goal, not on the goal itself. The person who learns to enjoy the path will always surpass the last goal on their way to the next 

2. Compare yourself, not with others, but with your own potential 

Comparing yourself to your potential helps you set realistic goals, while not expecting too much, or demanding too little from your efforts 

3. Keep emotions in balance 

“Lose control of your emotions and your opponent has an ally.” However, emotions can be your ally if they are channeled in constructive ways. They are the driving force in the accomplishment of all worthy tasks. 

4. Develop self-discipline 

A disciplined person is one who knows what to do and does it. 

5. Make the most out of every situation 

Instead of saying, “Why is this happening to me?” say, “What is good about this, and how can it benefit me?” With this attitude everything becomes a learning experience, and we are able to cope with the day-to-day challenges that life rewards us with.

Very powerful.

Only 7 days in a week

In the last little while I've heard different people talking about which day they are considering as a rest day or which day they are considering to be the day we should all practice. I'm all about the routine. This is how I keep my self engaged. There are only 7 days in a week and each of these days has it's own constraints and difficulties.

I'm in search for the rest day...

"God had finished his work of creation and so he rested on the seventh day, blessing it and making it holy."

For my weekly routine and for my family activities, it is the best to set Friday as the rest day, however I have Sihings class and periodically the I Ho Chuan class.

Saturday is supposed to be the official rest day but with the Lil Leopards class, the fitness class and then open training I can hardly get any rest.

On Mondays and Wednesdays I spend the morning in the TLC running and after work I'm at the Kwoon with the Advanced Black Dragons. I'm also trying to participate in the Wednesday morning class.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have my Kung Fu morning classes and when I can I go to sparring class in the evening.

Sunday... what a great day to rest and enjoy time with family. Hmmm... we started going to the TLC to run as a family. I also find Sunday as a great catch-up day for what I've missed during the week.

I guess god had it all wrong. There should have been 8 days in the week.

My body is not cooperating with me...

My lower back, upper back, foot, shoulder, knees, getting dizzy fast are all impeding my progress. I guess I'm going to stop. I feel I need to have a break for a week, visit my chiropractor few times and let my body recover. The last few injuries are preventing me from properly engage my heaps when kicking and causing pain when doing some exercises.

With all the physical injuries the one I'm worried the most is my dizziness. I get dizzy really fast when doing squat thrusts, sit-ups, spinning back kicks, or any exercise the requires the head to move up and down or turn fast.

I'm keeping on going but I feel I'm not fulfilling my full potential. I hope that few visits to the chiropractor and more stretching will make it better.

Have you seen a bully today?

I don't remember being bullied at school. First of all, it was not an issue people talked about as much as it is right now. Second, I was always big enough to avoid being physically bullied. And third, I think I was  oblivious to bullies around me.

These days I'm more concern about bullies. The thought of one of my kids being bullied at school is not letting go. I'm really hoping they are going to feel they can talk with me if something happens.

We were talking about bullying last week in the Advance Black Dragons class (great job done by Sifu Vantuil) and I was wondering how many of these kids are being bullied. Then I was wondering how many of these kids' parents are being bullied at work. I don't believe bullying stops when you grow-up. And then I was wondering if there is anyone that ever felt like he is being bullied at Kung Fu by a fellow student or an instructor. Have you seen a bully today?