Shira's blogs

Flying spinning roundhouse.  I practices this kick at last open IHC class. And just wow... It just showed me how much I like kung fu! Just inside the kick there is so much to think about. Like the steps you take before, the spin, timing the jump, where you kick on your leg, just overall the kick is so complexe and amazing!!! Then just flowing it all together! It's so amazing!!! It's the same as any technic, they all have so much complexity to them and it's just so cool!! -numbers- Sit-ups - 750 push-ups - 725 hand - 40 weapon - 58 Aok - 175 kilometers - 205 blogs - 7 + 1  sparring - 60

This week we did sparring in the adult classes and it was a real eye opener. I haven't spared in quite a while, it was really enjoyable! I have always been scared to spare and would always get overwhelmed. But this week was different. It was more of not seeing a kick or hand coming my way it was more of they through a punch and underneath is open. Kind of like things were moving in slow-motion. And sure there were times where I did get hit, like I brought my hands down or I left my side open, but thats because im still learning. I feel like my eye for detail has really improved as well as being able to keep my composure. I am really happy with the progress I have made in sparring, and just my overall kung fu.  Thank you toudai Raw for sparring with me after classes! -numbers- Sit-ups - 750 push-ups - 700 hand - 40 weapon - 58 Aok - 165 kilometers - 190 blogs - 6 + 1  sparring - 60

This week we showed our bata forms. First of all I am terrified of presenting things. So in doing our bata forms I am always so nervous, even if I know my form and know what i'm doing it's still really hard to control my nerves. Once we we lined up on the wall is when I started to shake. Noticing that my partner and I were around the middle of the line and it would take a bit to get to us. So for that time being I was just stuck in my head and could barely pay attention to all the cool forms... This is something that I have always struggled with, presenting, and it leads me to not be able to enjoy what is going on around me. But then when it came to our turn I went and did good I think! Afterwards my heart was still racing and my hands were still shaking.. But I did it! And I was so happy I did. This struggle has gotten a lot better over time. As my first year in the IHC if im remembering right I had asked to go first because I had almost had a panic attack. Which was not good ...

Open training. It took an amazing turn!! I was surprised when I saw one of the little leopards walking up to the door! It was one of the newer students that joined a while ago. I took it on myself to show him a good time and help get him engaged. We did pretty basic things like tossing a bean bag back and forth and I made him a little obstacle course. He stayed for about 30-40 minutes and WAS ENGAGED THE WHOLE TIME!!! This was a real surprise to me be I feel like I would have gotten bored. But he was smiling and laughing the whole time! I feel like this enhanced the connection I have with him and it really made me enjoy my time. Even if I didn't get all I had planned to do done it was so worth it. To constantly see him smile and having a good time!! It was awesome! This really showed me that teaching is not just 'teaching' it's the connections you make along the way.  -numbers- Sit-ups - 600 push-ups - 550 hand - 30 weapon - 25 Aok - 100 kilometers - 153 blogs - 4 + 1  ...

I am struggling. I have been really struggling with my mental health recently. It has been bleeding into my school, and Kung fu. Most the time I am able to leave all the problems at the door, I cant sometimes. Sometimes my mind gets to overwhelmed and I need to take a step back. Over the last few months I have tried to see more of the positives which got really hard recently, at school I have lost all but one friend and this has really taken a toll on my mental health. What does this have to do with kung fu? Everything, all the people I have become close with over the years. You all give me a reason to keep coming back.  I think I know why I do kung fu. I believe it's more of the connections I have made. It's the people I have at kung fu that make it more enjoyable. Like sure I really like the forms and how much detail is put into making and doing a form. But at the same time I feel like I mostly go for the connections. I know why I know why I teach and for me it's somethin...

This year I chose the spear as my weapon form. This is a change for me because I have only ever done swords. In addition to that, swords are not a long weapon, you could say they are like medium, so I’m really changing things up in doing spear. In making this choice I was really scared and nervous because it’s something new. But I believe this is a good change, long weapons help show mistakes as well as if you don’t extend. So even though I am nervous for this new journey I am also extremely excited! My numbers have also been struggling.. I have been having a hard time getting started.. I find I forget about my numbers until I have to blog. Although my numbers are not good i'm not going to shy away from blogging. I have not missed a week yet and plan not to.  -numbers- Sit-ups - 570 push-ups - 520 hand - 11 weapon - 14 Aok - 75 kilometers - 103 blogs - 2 + 1  sparring - 0

Teaching is so important to me. I don’t do it just to teach people Kung fu, I do it for many other reasons. I do it to help create a space for people to feel comfortable and able to reach out for things if they need. I teach to be able to make a connection with people and provide them somewhere they feel safe. Being able to give people a space where they can just smile and be themselves means so much.  Throughout my teaching I have learned so much. Like how to talk to people better and make new connections, as well as I have gained so many different supports. I love teaching.  -numbers- Sit-ups - 570 push-ups - 520 hand - 7 weapon - 14 Aok - 55 kilometers - 75 blogs - 2 sparring - 0