Category: semi-pro

The students were sluggish this morning, and finding a pace and an exercise that would get mind, body, and spirit engaged proved keeping them off-guard and moving to a lesson of principle and concept.  After the initial two hours of changing direction on them mid-stride, I finally started to see a real focus begin to happen. 

Sometimes, to gain a foothold on surety, one has to keep the student off balance long enough and shift the balance quick enough that they finally find their “feet.”

By the end of session, I was seeing some real use of root, weighting, and attending, all critical to effective martial arts and self-defense. 

They bowed in with a lack of definition in their minds and bodies, their spirits sluggish, but they ended the class and bowed out with energy, determination, and a sense of being.

I’m pleased…though it was work to get them there — three solid hours of work.  Now for a nap…after I do a few chores.

Taught a Kung Fu class today with Forrest.  The students did well.  We molded clay.  We pointed to the moon, and they saw where the finger pointed. 

They have the will; they have the fortitude.  It’s the kindling of spirit and the binding of will and intent that remains elusive.  Chi they can feel…sometimes.  But they fail to be able to direct it or to allow it to move them…yet.  It will happen.  In time.  Given time. 

One step.  Then another.  And one more.  Each one well placed.  Soon the top of the mountain is seen.  Later or sooner.  Sooner I can hope, but place no vested interest either way.  It is enough to walk.

We had a good lesson today.

This morning, I sat out front on a patch of lawn talking to one of our (Hubs & my) students.  He has a child starting Kindergarten next fall and today was Parent-Teacher Greet & Meet Day.  He’s a good father and a good husband.  He sat looking at books with his 3-year-old son while Mom, also one of our students, stood up and proceeded to start asking questions of teacher.  Seems that these questions became a stage, “Mom” taking over the entire session with questions, then redirects which were all glowing comments about their daughter and her abilities.  I guess it became quite noticeable that other parents in the room were beginning to get a mite bit testy about this, and, of course, “Dad” did the “Dad” thing, which was slink smaller and smaller into the corner rather than tugging on pant leg or saying some cryptic cue to wife that maybe she should put a sock in it, park her butt back down in her chair, and let somebody else ask their questions.

Wife’s comment upon leaving session (paraphrased): “I just can’t believe that nobody else had any questions.  Nobody said anything!”   

Oka-aaay.   Well, problem MIGHT be that nobody else could get a word in edgewise, not that they wouldn’t have liked to.  And she didn’t do her daughter, who was in the room, any favors, either.

Brain chatter, a very bad problem which translates into mouth chatter when, seeking self-substantiation and lacking self-confidence, noise is incessant, used to drown fear. -_-