Pokemon Go

For those of us that life comes easy for, it is difficult for us to relate to someone who struggles with the most mundane things that the rest of us take for granted. As a teacher, I see how prevalent anxiety is for many of my students and how it affects their ability to learn and progress. Anxiety affects a person’s perspective and interpretations of events. It can cripple resolve and make the most simple of tasks next to impossible to complete. Mental illness affects sixty percent of Canadians directly and indirectly and yet our acceptance of it as a common medical ailment continues to elude us as the stigma surrounding mental illness still prevails, keeping many sufferers from seeking help.

The game Pokemon Go was released only weeks ago but its impact has been dramatic. I’ve watched crowds of hundreds of people roaming the legislature grounds searching for rare Pokemons. What has really excited me about this game is the impact it has had for people suffering from social anxiety. Giving a person who is scared to leave their home a sense of purpose that gets their mind off their anxiety and focused on a task, creates opportunity for change.

A game for some, a life changing opportunity for others - it’s just a matter of perspective.

“And those who were seen dancing, were thought to be crazy by those who could not hear the music.” - Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 - 1900)

BOOTCAMP 2016

This past weekend’s bootcamp was a great, positive experience. Having so many positive, energetic people together in the same place is always motivating and inspiring. Our participants this year included many rookies attending their first bootcamp ever and the engagement of the instructors made the event one of our best yet.

Bootcamp highlights the value that comes from being completely immersed in an activity. No distractions, no options, just fifteen hours of training structure. Progress, mentally and physically, was apparent in all the participants.

An event like this is only possible with generous contributions from many black belts. I owe a big debt of gratitude to Sifus Freitag, Hayes, Dennis, T. Playter, Rybak, Vantuil, Masterson, Clements, Lindstrom, M. Beckett, and Wiebe. During a time when I have a lot of balls in the air, you guys made the day perfect. Thank you!!

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. “ - William Arthur Ward (1921 - 1994)

Ron Van Clief

After Bruce Lee, my childhood martial arts hero was Ron Van Clief. I used to buy any and all martial arts magazines that featured him. At the time, I would not have been able to put my finger on why he was such an icon for me but now, forty years later, he remains my hero.

Ron Van Clief’s accomplishments in film and tournament competition are well documented. What stands out and highlights my good judgement at picking such a hero, is his longevity as a martial artist.

Grand Master Van Clief competed in the tournament circuit for over forty years. At age fifty-one, he is still the oldest competitor ever to fight in the UFC. At sixty years of age, he won the All American Karate Championship. Now at seventy-three, GM Van Clief continues to compete and earn rank in Brazilian Ju Jujitsu. Amazing!

A few years ago I reached out to Grand Master Van  Cliff through the internet. Getting a personal reply from him was more than I could have hoped for, and that connection is one of the highlights of my martial arts career. Thank you Grand Master Van Clief. Your inspiration continues to guide and influence me.

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” - C.S. Lewis (1898 - 1963)

Power. Energy, and the Six Harmonies

This past year, I have been teaching my black belts a lot about power and energy in kung fu. When you talk about power, everyone knows what you are talking about and they can relate to the concept. Confusion and controversy become issues the second you start talking about energy.

A constant rant of mine is about the difference between practicing the martial arts and being a martial artist. The difference between the two is obvious in the mental, intellectual, and spiritual realms. Fewer people, however, are aware of the physical differences between the two. The gap is found in the depth of understanding of the source of energy and the awareness required to master the control of energy.

Form practice is all about mastering the six harmonies. A person studying the martial arts always focuses on the execution and application of a technique. A martial artist expands their focus to include the space between techniques and the harmonization of the body to expand the explosiveness of their techniques by going beyond the physical, muscular power and tapping into harmonized energy.

Much of true martial arts is taught less and less with each passing year. Fewer and fewer people are willing to dedicate the years required to master the intricacies and understanding necessary to utilize and control chi. With no one to pass their knowledge to, the real art is in danger of becoming extinct as this two thousand year old knowledge ends with the lives of present masters.

“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.” - Margaret Fuller (1810 - 1850)

Boot Camp

SRKF’s annual boot camp is a highlight for me every year. It is a day like no other. Limits are surpassed and doors are opened. It is hard not to be inspired and motivated after taking part in an event like the boot camp.

Life is full of endless opportunities. Many lives are filled with regrets over opportunities missed. For me, an opportunity can be found in every moment. The challenge is to stay in the moment so that the opportunities are recognized and acted upon.

A big part of success is being in the right place at the right time. We cam’t always predict the right time but the right place is usually something we have control over. The right place on August 6th, is boot camp.

“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." - Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

The Value

I teach a martial art. I don’t teach fighting. The discipline I have to apply to master the art is where the value of the art resides. I use the physical discipline of kung fu to hone my body and mind so that I not only evolve physically but emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually as well. This is the value of an art and this is the difference between being a martial artist and only “practicing” a martial art.

As an instructor, it is difficult for me to inspire my students to look beyond the kicking and punching. Each of my black belts, and potential black belts, must journal and log 1000 acts of kindness. They help fund the education of three African school girls. They engage as activists in their community, taking responsibility for the change they want to see. Above all, I try to inspire them to reflect before they react.

Our world is increasingly becoming polarized by fear unmindful reactions. I see martial arts, true martial arts, as being more relevant than ever in an increasingly volatile society.

Chasing after the world brings chaos. Allowing it all to come to me brings peace.
- Zen Gatha

The Value

I teach a martial art. I don’t teach fighting. The discipline I have to apply to master the art is where the value of the art resides. I use the physical discipline of kung fu to hone my body and mind so that I not only evolve physically but emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually as well. This is the value of an art and this is the difference between being a martial artist and only “practicing” a martial art.

As an instructor, it is difficult for me to inspire my students to look beyond the kicking and punching. Each of my black belts, and potential black belts, must journal and log 1000 acts of kindness. They help fund the education of three African school girls. They engage as activists in their community, taking responsibility for the change they want to see. Above all, I try to inspire them to reflect before they react.

Our world is increasingly becoming polarized by fear unmindful reactions. I see martial arts, true martial arts, as being more relevant than ever in an increasingly volatile society.

Chasing after the world brings chaos. Allowing it all to come to me brings peace.
- Zen Gatha