Resistance training

So I have a new resistance training routine. My boys have watched me do so many pushups and situps that they now both get on their hands and knees and start doing their own pushups with Dad. An added bonus is they will take turns on Dad’s back when he does pushups adding around twenty odd pounds of resistance with each set. Yeah we are all getting pretty good at the routine, next up horse stances – maybe one on each side to counter balance?

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Recharge

So I keep coming back to what I love about our group – not just our team but the whole school in general. Fun just hasn’t been a word I would associate with my job for quite some time and it always weighs on me. I take things personal with everything I do and so I keep coming back to the love for the Kwoon. It is my place to escape, forget and enjoy that moment with my other family. Take Friday as an example, after class we all laughed and joked with each other as we sweated and talked about how sparring went and what we did or didn’t do. I mean that is our idea of fun, and quite frankly it always brings our group together. All I can say is I’m so thankful to have such a great group to recharge me week after week. It’s these moments that make it all worthwhile, if you’re ever having a rough day or just need a boost I find the Kwoon is a great place to leave it all behind and just enjoy the now.
Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Grading time

Post grading day, I remember mine like it was yesterday….got up in the morning like I had just climbed a mountain or maybe carried a mountain. Either way was a very slow moving day. All I can say about it was it’s a great experience to see what is in you, how far you can go when at times you feel like you have to be on empty but keep going forward. Adversity makes us all stronger; just have to have the right mind set and your well on your way. I was always fortunate to have gone through a few days like grading earlier in life which helped shape me leading up to the big day. Everyone can make it, no matter what the circumstance it is always doable. Last night I was out watching the fights with a friend and he asked what it was like at black belt grading, all I could do was smile and say you just have to do it yourself words never do it justice. What do you say, it’s a long day full of ups and downs and at the end all you can do is smile and know you have accomplished something extraordinary.
Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

In need of repairs

Great long weekend with the family, just doesn’t want to end with a really sick boy tonight. Was a great time to reflect and be thankful for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. As for my training my shoulder is starting to act up again and makes me laugh – kind of; we are always going to have some injury at some point, some more than others. Will finally have it looked at again this week and see what the diagnosis is. Maybe a new shoulder or two would be great, hey throw in a pair of knee’s and I’m almost good as new…..Good to see some new faces added to the demo this week, keep on pushing and we should have everyone on the team ready to shine in a few months.

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Daily routine

After the meeting yesterday it got me thinking about routine. Everyone has a routine no matter how good, bad or indifferent it may seem. For me where I have succeeded and faltered was with my routine. As with most of us at the start of this year we started working on a new routine – for some we made small little changes maybe bigger ones for others. For myself I had the luxury of the previous year as experience and what worked for me and what didn’t. Now as I look back on the year thus far it’s easy to see that my routine was key. Days I succeeded was when I stuck with the plan for each day and just let it play itself out. Days I didn’t get as much done was when I said to myself I’ll do it later today and never did. For me I’ll be honest those days I put things off where when I had been up late with the boys, again not an excuse but if I can get a good six to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep I’m golden. That snooze button was being bashed a few times over the months here and there and can add up over time. Where I sit right now is I am making a few slight tweaks to my routine each week adding a few extra things here and there to bring some of my numbers back in line with where they should be. The hardest part is dealing with the internal (yourself hitting the snooze button) and the external (your wife, husband, kids, work, etc.) throughout the year. Believe me even with a routine there will always be forces working for you (your teammates for example) and against you (life in general). Keep reflecting on your day and your numbers and sooner than later it will paint a picture of your routine and if it is working or if small changes need to be made, I know this works for me.

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

High fives

What to say, great weekend spent with a great team and second family. All went great and I think fun was had by all. Was nice to have so many black belts compete together and have some laughs along the way. I enjoyed performing and getting feedback from the competition, I honestly didn’t think I would place in the forms but was just a bonus I did. At one point I thought I messed up during my weapons form (joy of having two versions) but I guess it all worked out – again muscle memory takes over. Nice change having everyone together after the tournament and just talking amongst each other, I think those are the best times to bring us all together in a different frame of mind. Hope everyone had fun, great job everyone.

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Nice long weekend

Winding down from the long weekend which really felt too short for some reason, could use another day or so off. Was nice to just spend time with the family today and get outside for a run this afternoon. Energy was a little low – must have been too much turkey last night. With the sun shining and leaves falling it was great getting out along the paths to smell the fall air and do some running meditation. Always end up stopping along my run to stretch at the top of hamburger hill and watch the city from the top, a different perspective is always nice from time to time. Hope everyone had a great weekend and didn’t eat too much turkey.

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Brain....slow...

Honestly don’t seem to have much to say tonight, had some thoughts rattling around my head earlier today but are lost it seems. Nice to get in some solid work yesterday at open training and see more people out for the practise. I keep trying to push my daily routine adding a little here and there that needs work – right now it’s my kicks that need more attention. Nice to get in a few hours on the heavy bag and build off that these past few days. Not sure why I haven’t gotten in more over the past while but just know I need to focus on that for the moment. Guess it’s never too late to learn new things in life, like building custom kitchen cabinets your kids break, or how to mount a TV on the wall after they ahem break the first one…..kids…. always willing to show you the way to self-improvement.
Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Smiles

One thing I’ve noticed this year more so than most is when I do my acts of kindness. I say good morning here, hold a door open there and I then document and carry on with my day. What I have to say is the impact it has with my day to day encounters. Sometimes these acts easily present themselves but what I’ve taken away from this is when you are mentally aware to perform acts of kindness you find other opportunities along the way. I’ll help a co-worker  carry something inside, I’ll go out of my way to thank someone for doing a great job at work, I’ll thank my wife for dinner (that’s called adding to the emotional bank account by the way) and so on. Guess it all starts to become second nature and the more you do the easier it becomes, just keep smilin’.

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Finding the time

Another great weather weekend, nice to enjoy the hot days that still feel like summer. Saturday was a great dragon practise, hope more of our team can come out and take part in the fun. Would be really nice if we could have a double dragon dance for our New Year performance which I think is so doable. I have really gotten back into a groove with my routine these past few days which is nice. Was a long week last week with work and a funeral so getting back into my structured system is a great feeling. Any time I’m off a day I always come back to my set routine and know I probably deviated from it at some point. We spoke at our meeting about structure and the more you plan your day the easier your life can become, by not seeing it as a restraint or a weight above your head, you will find it as a blessing to squeeze more out of your day you never thought you had. Hope to see everyone on the mats.

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Fall

Starting to feel like fall now, leaves are changing or even falling off trees already. Each day I try to get my running or bike riding in outdoors since let’s face it who knows how many weeks we have left for the fall, we had snow by mid-October last year I think – yikes. Sucks I missed the performance this morning, figured we made it right on time but unfortunately the performance was bumped up. Would have been nice to perform a little later since most runners were still coming in over that time and more could see the dance. Watched the video and you guys all did great, well done!

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Lost momentum

Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. I had planned on being out to the Kwoon Wednesday night to help with reno’s, take part in our dragon dance and so on for the week, guess life had other plans. Tuesday night I lost my uncle who I had just written about the previous week. He was doing great and even chatted with my parents that night, and then he went just like that. To say this week was busy was an understatement of epic proportions. School starts tomorrow and I am doing three full time positions at the moment working very late each night, I didn’t even take a moment to myself until today to kind of let things soak in. I’ll be honest; I worked out Wednesday morning and nothing since. I haven’t even touched my broadsword in a week. Guess my energy level is a little low; I feel bad about not helping with everything going on at the Kwoon but know there is only so many places I can be at once. I am still in shock about my uncle; we had just talked days before. He was truly an interesting and loving man. You name it he did it – flew planes, was the mayor for three terms, ran a successful car dealership, played the guitar, collected antiques, was a member of the Shriners and the Freemasons the list goes on and on. As the year begins anew I hope I can get back into a routine quickly, it’s the one thing that will help me feel normal again.

Sifu Bryant

Silent River Kung Fu

Perspective

I found this video posted on one of my websites I visit frequently and thought it was relevant. I know many might be struggling on the team and feeling like they have failed, remember you haven’t failed as long as you keep trying and keep pushing no matter how tough it may feel. I know I’m ridiculously sore today having played six baseball games in three days (and while doing all of the back catching), yet it’s not hard, I love to play baseball and the weekend was awesome – great weather, friends and ok a little too much sun but hey it’ll be cold sooner or later so enjoy it. I myself was born with a birth defect; my advantage is that no one can see it. No one can judge me at first sight and try to say I can or can’t do the things I want to do. Every day I am thankful that I can do the things I can do and it’s what drives me each and every day to do more. What we have to take stock of is we all have such an advantage over so many in the world, our worries are miniscule compared to others with poverty, disease, access to education you name it. Unfortunately on the weekend my Uncle was diagnosed with lung cancer and it doesn’t look good – he didn’t even smoke over the years. Always keeps things in perspective no matter the where and the what.
Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Recompute

Another weekend winding down for me back to work after my holidays have come to an end. I had a very fun and relaxing time off and got a lot of things off of my long list of to do’s around the house. I for the most part just enjoyed hanging out with Judi and my boys each day. They really love having us both around together and the fun we had at the parks and in the backyard was something that I enjoyed the most. Each year by year we evolve, we make small or big changes in our life and for Judi and me each year is a big new adventure with so much going on. Last summer was great and this one was even a step beyond only because of our family and the fun we have. I constantly have been using the term recompute with Judi, since each day I still have to plan my training time and our family time out each day. I always like to be prepared so am always figuring if we do this then later I can do that and so on. Darn brain just never shuts down it seems. I’m not back to work yet and am already planning my next two weeks due to the massive amounts of things I want to accomplish before our school year begins. I know that yes if all is not done there is always later except but that never sits well with me. I’m always a lets work and get it done kind of guy instead of a lets work and see what happens person. I hear too much of that old phrase good enough and it makes me twitch. On Friday we started going over the Dragon dance once again for the Rotary Run for Life performance and should be nice to have everyone up to speed in the next couple weeks, not much time left I’m afraid. I also saw this past week Sifu Laurie posted on her Facebook page about putting together a team to run in the race. I think that would be great, even better if we could have some of our team to run together in it this year which would be fun, maybe something to discuss one day over our painting and cleaning week.

Sifu Bryant

Silent River Kung Fu

Summertime

Time flies these past few weeks. Still on holidays and enjoying the different pace. I still can’t believe we are already talking about the fall renovations so soon but again it’s just around the corner. Soon kids will be back in school and my usual routine once school starts begins again – where does the summer go? I have really enjoyed the time to get outdoors to parks with the family, biking, running and generally hanging outside. I had another wedding yesterday and during the afternoon ceremony which was outside everyone was complaining it was so hot outside – really. Just wait a few months and we will want this weather back in a heartbeat. I still wish we had a few less months of winter and a few more of spring, summer or fall though. Training is going well during my holidays, trying to do a little extra each day and will hopefully carry through for the rest of the year.  Just like to be prepared so I can keep increasing my momentum to carry forward into the fall.

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

A camp and a legend

Well another boot camp in the books and all went great I believe. It was great to be immersed in our martial arts for an entire day and spend time with our fellow teammates throughout the day. I really enjoyed the Wing Chun seminar in the morning, although sometimes my body would fight to do certain techniques since the styles are so different. It was nice to learn these techniques mind you since everything has a purpose and expanding your knowledge is always a great advantage. I enjoyed the 2km run to end the day, always a fun time and couldn’t resist in getting in a good run to end the day. On another note, Saturday marked the 40^th anniversary of Bruce Lee’s passing. I read online of a new exhibit in Hong Kong honoring the man and his extraordinary work not just as a martial artist but of his philosophy and teachings. Kind of fitting that we were working on Wing Chun on Saturday it seems. His presence is still felt to this day even in a little gym at Keephills.

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Holiday time

Past week was a race to the finish at work for me, officially started my holidays on Friday and did something for the day I hadn’t done in over a year – nothing. Felt weird but nice to just hang out with the family and lounge around outside. That night we had practise again and unfortunately we were short team members so I helped out. Definitely some different team building exercises lately but again nice to change it up a bit now and then. If we can pull off these routines we will really have raised the bar. I am always keeping tabs on my requirements and have a few items I will be working on the next few weeks. Luckily I now have some extra time to do them which helps. Hope next Saturday the weather holds for us, should be a day for all coming up.

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Dance, dance

Well this weekend we started with our dragon team practise. Have to say it should be quite entertaining if all goes well, at least we should have strong legs, abs and backs. The routine will be a huge step forward from last year and I think we can pull it off. This will be fun having a new group together and I know last year it really made us all feel like a team as opposed to individuals in a demo and practises. I am sorry to hear about Helios Sifu, my parents put their dog down last week after a long battle and it is so hard to say goodbye to family members no matter how long we have them with us.

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Post Demo

Not much to say this week. Definitely post demo hangover at the kwoon this past Friday with only a few out for the practice. I still pushed doing my requirements that night and felt good. I always say that when you are full of energy and motivation it’s easy to accomplish anything you set your mind to. When you are feeling lazy, tired or just unmotivated like we all do from time to time, that is when you can get so much out of your training. I can’t count the times I was tired after a long day of work and feeling like I should just stick myself in neutral but instead pushed through. I love that feeling of absolute accomplishment from those days; they make me feel like a climbed a steep mountain and conquered myself mentally as much as physically.

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Changing gears

Well July first is tomorrow and so is our demo and parade. I am personally glad the month of June is behind me. For work it was a hellish time and my training was more minimalistic for the past two weeks because of the long hours. Now that it’s over I can refocus and start to jump ahead on where I want to be. These next two months are where I gain any ground I fell behind on and will push ahead to another level personally – I can’t wait. I know there are many of us under some pressure, just remember a little pressure is good and an individual can really shine under this pressure. But a lot of pressure can make a person feel helpless. In this case you need to take stock of where you are and reprioritize. Find and make new goals and learn from your failures. I have failed many times in my life, but again I continue to refocus my goals and stick to a plan. I hope everyone can take the next step and enjoy this year as a martial artist and an individual. Let’s have some fun tomorrow and celebrate our hard work we all have put in as a team.

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Half off

Well one week until our Canada Day demo. I’ve changed my form so will take this week full of hard work to keep it together in my head. I basically halved it so it is more condensed for the weekend demo. Luckily it’s easy to take things out instead of having to put things in. Do have to change a few stances and such because of the way I need to face the audience. Fingers crossed the weather will hold for the day of but again we should all come together just fine. On another note, have to be thankful we haven’t had to experience the devastation down south of us. A good friend of mine had to be evacuated and now has around three feet of water in his basement. Lucky everyone got out safe, amazing how we are still at the mercy of Mother Nature. Made a donation to help those affected in Calgary today, nice to see all the support they have been getting thus far.

Sifu Bryant

Silent River Kung Fu

One mind

June has turned out to be a very busy month for me. Usually things are winding down at the schools and such but with additional job duties it’s been a race to get to the end of the month then things will change gears again. I’ve felt a little stretched as of late and again felt that way on Friday night at class. We were working on Kempo and at one point and I could not for the life of me transition from one move to the next at a certain point. Next time through same thing over and over again. Just could not get my mind to click into the right moment I just was bringing too much outside noise into my head that night. Doesn’t happen very often but again you just have to take a deep breath and refocus your thoughts and energy on where you are and what you are doing. Not the best feeling but again I wise reminder of what can happen when you lose focus. Sure enough at home this weekend not a problem with that form – stupid noisy brain….

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

It's been a week

This past week has been…well…. I don’t have words to explain. We had another great parade and demo in Onoway yesterday which was great. I am glad all is coming together and we continue to grow as a team.  I still look back and see we are light years ahead of last year when we were scrambling for a Canada demo and now two are in the bag. No this week was overshadowed by events at the start of the week. First came Tuesday when our next door neighbour’s house was broken into while Judi and the boys were playing in the backyard. Not the nicest thing to have taken place but again no one was hurt and whatever was stolen can easily be replaced. Then Wednesday I receive a frantic text from my wife to call her asap. Turns out an older gentleman decided to shoplift from the grocery store where Judi was just leaving. Three staff followed him out and asked him to stop and give up the items he had taken – he got in his car to leave. As this unfolded another bystander decided to stop the gentlemen and jump through the window and pull him from his car. The man in the car while fighting with the other bystander backed up and then drove away smashing into Judi’s shopping cart and pinballing into two vehicles beside hers. Driving away the bystander disappeared and the car is gone as everyone sits in shock. My boys had been in the shopping cart less than two minutes before. Now as I have gotten older and maybe a little wiser I see things differently than years before. If I had been there at that moment my concern would be for the three staff members, my family even the would be shoplifter at the moment – emotions can lead to dangerous situations. The young man that jumped in the car, yes you were brave but was it worth putting your life and now others in danger for a small sum that was stolen – I think not. What if the guy pulled a weapon, anything can happen. Hindsight is always twenty-twenty and I am obviously relieved no one was hurt especially my family. Put yourself into the shoplifter’s eyes, maybe he was desperate for something to eat and had no money. Every time we get into a fight we have missed the thousands of opportunities to not engage in one. Being mindfull of your actions, your emotions and your thoughts is paramount. I gave my wife and my boys a big hug that night; take nothing for granted in this life.

Sifu Bryant

Silent River Kung Fu

 

Moving with balance

Well the first demo is in the books this past weekend and all went pretty well. No lions or dragons were harmed in the festivities and no one stepped in any gopher holes during the demo. Well I stepped into one hole during the dragon dance but only dropped about half a foot. When doing my form many have told me to extend and use my length during each movement of my form. As I performed on Saturday all went well but there are a few spots were I have been overextending to try and again create length. I need to change these spots because now I have been overextending in areas. How do I know, because I can’t change to my next stance without pulling my weight back over my hips which takes time and just feels off. So my work is on rotation of my hands to pull my sword out while not overextending past my centre. Guess it is all how your body feels; have to listen to it once and a while.

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Let's get ready to demo

So demo season is just around the corner and I know for comparison sake we are ahead of last year’s team yet really we should be farther ahead as a group. I know we’ve had great practices but the numbers keep dwindling. This is a great opportunity to show what you have for a form or fight choreography and focus that energy on making it the best it can be. If you’re not in the demo keep showing up and you might find yourself a part of the demo soon. I know we talk about being out of our comfort zone and this is a great way to overcome this. You never quite get over it entirely but again you can learn how to harness that energy and narrow your focus on the task at hand. I for one even went out of my comfort zone today baking an apple pie. Judi thought my mother had brought it over but no that was all me. Mind you I haven’t eaten it yet, maybe she could test it first…
Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Ended up recording this three times, each time I looked at it I would tweak a stance then move on. Still some work to do but small little changes.
Sifu Bryant

With intent

This past while I have worked on various defences vs. punches, knives etc. as we always do and they all have similarities with each other. They all require a block from the attack regardless of what it may be. This again leads to our variously infinite sequences of strikes, counters, locks etc. The reason I am writing about this is that with most of our techniques we have a defence for an attack which leads to our first option for defence. Now if this should fail in any way and our attacker still is a threat to us we then sequence into our second option and so and so on. Now as we become more proficient in our movements, blocks and flow the one thing we must be cognizant of is purpose. I see many of us flowing from one sequence to the other without any pause. Why is that? Well as I would watch more advanced belts practice as I was first starting out I thought that was great to watch – speed, technique all flashy and advanced looking. Later I saw a flaw in this perception. Remember if someone attacks you with a punch and you block with a technique are you going to fly into backup plan b then c and so on. I hope not. You must feel that initial block, feel that initial lock being performed and not get ahead of yourself thinking it has failed before even stopping to take stock of the purpose of it. If the lock or defence fails then move on to the next step but only after you feel it work or fail. If it fails, search to understand why it failed and then after fixing this move onto option b and so on. I still practice and slow down my techniques to check if this movement is sound or if I need to correct it. If I just flash through six movements without purpose I’m just doing a flashy dance hand sequence that’s all show and no purpose.
Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Acts of kindness

Yesterday's acts of kindness...

• Told students to have a good day x 2
• Said thank you and to have a good day to cashier
• Said hi to my neighbour as I was leaving
• Thanked Judi for dinner with a hug and a smooch

Sifu Bryant

Fresh air

Well this past week was a switch over of sorts for me. I now switch over to summer evenings with baseball, yard work, etc. This is the best time for me, I can now get outdoors more often and enjoy our longer days to work on forms and such. It does mean I have to adjust to a different schedule slightly but again I have to just fit more in the mornings before work to start the day. This evening I finally brought out the bike and went for a ride through the trails around the city. It was a great evening and I haven’t been out riding since the fall. It was great to just ride and clear my mind of everything going on around me. It’s been my moving meditation these past few years it seems. It’s the time of year I’ve been waiting for enjoying the days outdoors and practice in the fresh air. These next few months are always the best.

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Man in a box

Well after three demo practices things are going well for us as a group. Have to remind ourselves things will slowly evolve and come together over time and we are way ahead of last year’s demo team. As for myself after doing my form dozens of times over these days I found myself having trouble with its overall feel. I couldn’t get things to work quite right, it felt off. I realized I am trying to stay within this small space which we will have to do for this demo and am shortening my stances which are killing my form. I was shortening my stances and my centre was too high leading everything to be disconnected. I was having trouble with my transitions, speed and timing you name it. Will definitely have to make a few adjustments for this demo but the biggest thing is my stances have to be properly grounded and will have to work within this small space. One drawback I guess with having long legs, it doesn’t take more than two steps to be from one side to the other. It’s been a good thing to slow down my form, when I was going fast and shortening each move I knew it was off you just feel it. Again not too flashy but well-grounded execution. Sifu Rybak is already is calling me “flashy”, maybe it’s just my hair….

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Helping out a friend

Well it’s almost the end of April and it was still snowing yesterday – surprise! I’ve been recording my acts of kindness daily and yesterday’s felt the best thus far. In the late afternoon we noticed a small dog had snuck through our front gate and was looking for shelter on our back deck. He was cold and wet looking for a place to get out of the wind by the looks of it. I managed to bring him in and get him into our garage which was warm and dry. After spending a few minutes with him and realizing he didn’t have any I.D. tags on we tried to contact any vet still open. Nope all closed by this time. He was obviously a little on edge being in a different home but still happy to be looked after. When I went into the house to make some phone calls to places around town we could hear him scratching our door to want in. When Judi my wife went to check on him he wanted nothing to do with her he would only come to me, guess he knew I was looking out for him and only trusted me at the time (that or I smelled like bacon or something). We ended up contacting the city animal shelter which was great and will take care of him until he is claimed. He was just a little lost soul looking for some help which we would have done regardless, I hope he finds his home again soon. My two cats are behaving better today maybe they think if they misbehave they will go to the shelter too.

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Mornings, so early.....

I always seem to stop, reflect and take stock of what has happened lately and what may lie ahead in my life. It’s just what I do. It gives me perspective of not just what I have accomplished this past week, month and so on but years past. This is what gives me a lift to say I am improving and learning and moving forward in a meaningful way. Everyone that is struggling always needs to reflect and see how much they have grown over such a short time – you’re doing more so acknowledge those successes no matter how small they may seem. Having the meeting yesterday always gives me a lift to see not how everyone is doing but just be with all of these amazing individuals that are pursuing greatness, keep it up, it becomes infectious. As for those struggling with time and a daily consistent routine I for one am not a morning person (my wife will chuckle confirming that one) but I get up each morning before work and get an hour in doing my routine. It’s great to have so much done to start the day before even starting work, then in the evening I have more time for my family and can still get some extra Kung Fu training in. It also helps that I teach the morning Tuesday/Thursday classes so after class I have the kwoon to myself which is a gift to say the least.

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

So much in fifteen

Another week in the books was nice to discuss the upcoming Pandamonium next month but again I can’t say enough that although we are organizing and running this event we can’t lose sight of its purpose. This is about awareness in what we do in and out of the kwoon, what we are to the core of our school. Yes we are trying to raise money for our charities both local and abroad but again if we all did a little lifting the weight of this would be very small. If each one of us in the school can articulate what this event is about and what we are looking to accomplish the public will readily get behind us in our efforts. On a different note it was nice as the meeting ended to have everyone see we still had a few minutes left to get some training in and everyone made the most of it. Nice to see everyone focused on our training, besides we all know you can get a lot done in just fifteen minutes here and there.

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Checking, adjusting, moving along....

This past week I’ve been looking at my numbers and seeing how things are going as a whole. Most are going very well, but a few could use more of a push. I have been looking back at last year to reflect on what I did well and what I struggled with throughout the year. It seems I am back into that same routine of sorts. Again I’m not falling far behind on anything in particular but some things I need to push harder at to make them more comfortable in doing daily. I guess some things I enjoy more than others which is to be expected but again these will help bring balance as a whole. Anyways, it’s always nice to take stock in where you’re at after each month and make small adjustments as necessary. Glad Easter is done; now have to eat my way out of my house with all the chocolate lying around – tough job but somebody has to do it and the boy’s, well they’re just too young for chocolate you know.

Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

A milestone

 

Usually post on Sunday’s but since the past few days I’ve been deathly sick I figured tonight will do. Hate being sick but I can now recharge and pick up where I left off tomorrow morning. A bit of a milestone this past weekend with my boys turning one on Saturday – time flies fast. A lot can take place in a year, being part of this team with previous members can attest to that. What I personally have accomplished in the past year has been small in my mind but again I have to take perspective of where I’m at. I’ve accomplished things people would run screaming from – such is the life we live - a life of extraordinary made ordinary and routine. I’m proud of my personal goal of scanning all of my family photos editing, cropping, dating and labelling each one – 9820 to be precise. Two and a half years of work but these are memories we can now share with all family, forever protected and passed on. Yeah I’m a little mental when it comes to taking on challenges sometimes – my family still doesn’t comprehend what that took but it was important to me. Extraordinary made ordinary – set your goal and follow through. My boys are my greatest achievement and always will be – just have many more to create and challenge as we progress along this wild ride. Happy birthday boys!

Sifu Bryant

Silent River Kungfu

No more snow

Well with this latest dump of snow coming the past few days I have to say I’m sick of winter. We really had a short fall and it’s now been a long winter. I am just itching to get outside to do anything right about now. This is the time of year that I really can’t wait for the snow to go away and get some sun and fresh air, I feel like it’s time to stop hibernating and get moving. On Friday we had a good open training class practising and trying out different things. During our butterfly kicks and such I decided to dislocate one of my little toes – what a putz. I had so much tape on my toes afterwards to stop the bleeding I looked like I had a cast on my toes. Now it’s just a few shades of blue and purple, my first marks for the new year – love it.

Sifu Bryant

An inspirational group

It was nice to get together for our first meeting this weekend. These are the meetings at least at the beginning stages of our year that get us all in one room and talk about how we are making out – just might need a bigger room if everyone shows up at once. Of course this is a chance to remind ourselves that although we are all at different phases of our training so far we are still all working towards common goals. I was struck by some that were really struggling and were honest enough to admit it. When people struggle and stick with it I find that truly inspirational. I know sometimes we make very small advancements that can seem like we are running standing still but again be mindful you are still moving in the right direction. It was nice to get together on Saturday; you are all an inspiration to be amongst.

Sifu Bryant
SRKF

Step by step

This year I finally started to use my pedometer each day at work. I knew I put on a few paces over the course of a day but never actually measured this until now. I was actually surprised to see the miles I put on in a given day.  I actually haven’t even put in a busy walk day as of yet but am still walking between one and a half to almost three miles a day. Have to say those miles can add up in a hurry, lucky I have good shoes to wear.  I do spend most of my days walking from place to place so this will definitely help with my overall miles for the course of the year. Was nice to have our open training on Friday, I really enjoy those extra days for us and can really help maintain momentum with our forms and such.
Sifu Bryant
SRKF

Hate being sick

This weekend was supposed to be a restful weekend for the family. It’s been a wild few weeks and a much needed rest was welcome. Well after passing the flu bug from kid to parent to kid to parent I guess it’s my turn to be ill. Not the best weekend but at least was able to hang around the house with the family and just catch our breath. Nice to be clipping along with all my requirements (I don’t even call them that anymore – just my lifestyle) and such. Was nice to see everyone out for our first class and see what the year will bring, the kwoon sure gets small in a hurry though. Going to cut this one short today, not feeling that good so will have more next week.
Sifu Bryant
Silent River Kung Fu

Moving with purpose

A new year and a new team is now beginning to take shape and we all should have an optimistic outlook on the near future. I myself am looking forward to this year like many to view the year of the dragon in the rear view mirror and push on to the year of the snake. This past year personally was full of huge highs and some terrible lows. To me that is just life, take what you’re dealt and do the most you can with it. I really am excited for the New Year and to see what this team becomes. Like I said before, out of all the requirements and training classes, the Dragon dance team seemed to have brought the best out of us all and bring us all that much closer together – who’d have thought…. These past two weeks I have seen my fair share of personal turmoil and the first thing I would have said years ago would be to hope that this year goes smoothly. Now it doesn’t matter, no matter what this year brings I will be able to adapt and persevere through all that is thrown my way. The past two weeks every time I was feeling stressed, angry and discouraged I still made it out to our classes and practises. It hit me that no matter what happens in the world around me my second home is at Silent River. I watched as everyone worked together smiling, socialising and knew this was the best place to be. You can’t pick your family for the most part, but you can pick who you spend time with and this is the best place to be. I couldn’t imagine anywhere else or with any other people that are leaders, friends and family.
Sifu Bryant