Positives and Negatives
Positives and Negatives
We have been stuck in our houses for about six weeks now. We have had to adapt to this unique and unprecedented situation. In Thursday's I Ho Chuan class, Sifu Brinker asked us to give him a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" to indicate how we were doing, and how our training was going. At the time, I couldn't think of much to say, so I just put my thumb in the middle. I thought it would be a good idea to reflect now and ask myself:"how AM I doing?"
Personally, there have been positives and negatives for me with this whole situation. Online learning has been a humongous curve ball in my training. I wouldn't say that it's really bad or anything, just very different from what I am used to. There are obviously some negatives to online training, but there are also a lot of positives that we get out of it. Being exposed to this change really shifted my perspective how we learn Kung-Fu. For as long as I can remember, I've always had classes in the kwoon. It was a big constant in my life. To have that taken away so abruptly was quite a shock at first, but now this new situation is beginning to feel sort of "normal". I'll start off with what I have found challenging about online classes.
As I've said before, I have been finding it really difficult to practice my applications throughout this time (although I have gotten a lot of great advice, so I don't think I will have as much trouble moving forwards). We also aren't able to be there with our instructors to get help from them in person, which can be hard since they can't watch us from different angles and small details may be missed. Space is also an issue right now. It is tricky for my sister and I to train at the same time because we don't have too much open space in our basement. That means for the teen/adult classes, we have to take turns doing each thing, while the other person finds space in the back off camera (where the sifus can't see). The space issue will get better as summer rolls around, then we can practice outside, but for now, it is a challenge.
Those were the main negatives I have found with online learning. Although there were a few negatives, there are also positives that help to balance the situation. The recorded lessons are absolutely great! It is so awesome to have a class that I can watch over and over again, to make sure I absorb everything I can. The one on one sessions are also fantastic! Before this pandemic, I would only really have one on one time with an instructor before or after class for a few minutes. Now, I get a complete ten minutes to focus on whatever I need to which is a huge benefit. I also have plenty of free time now, meaning that I have more time to focus on my training and boost my numbers. I am also finding seminars and classes easier to attend (like the great one this morning, thank you Sifu Becket!). I didn't have as much of an opportunity to try these different things because we live about a half hour away from the kwoon and my dad has to drive me (and he is usually really busy). Even though it may be more difficult to have classes online, I am finding lots of opportunities I didn't have access to before. Even though a lot doors were shut by having to do online training, there are also many new doors opening. I have also been able to focus really hard on certain parts of my training like my forms and techniques, so hopefully I will come out of this ahead on those.
Overall, I am doing fine. I feel like I am adjusting to this new situation pretty well and I am trying to take advantage all of the opportunities that have arisen because of it. I don't mind staying at home very much, now that it is getting warmer, there are so many things to do. I can also talk to most of my friends through video games and texting, so I am still staying connected. My online schooling is pretty good; we still don't have that much work to do, so I often have days completely free (more time for Kung-Fu!). Online learning has greatly influenced my training, but I feel like the positives and negatives are almost balancing out- at least for me. I think I am improving where I can and maintaining where I can't improve. I wouldn't say that this is a good or bad experience for me, just different.
Here are my numbers:
Weekly Goal Push ups and Sit ups: 1000
Achieved Push ups and Sit ups (this week): 1039
Running total: 13045 of 13000Weekly Goal Distance: 32.1 km
Achieved (this week): 43.6 kmRunning Total: 466.1 km of 417.3 km
Weekly Goal: Sparring- 20 rounds (shadow boxing and heavy bag 1:30 long rounds)Achieved (this week): 26 rounds
Running Total: 294 of 260
Weekly Goal: 50 kicks on each leg everyday rotating through four main kicks
Achieved (this week): Behind by about 5 days
Weekly Goal Forms: -Lau Gar (sorry if it is spelled incorrectly) 20 repsAchieved (this week): 21 reps
Running Total: 264 reps of 260 reps
Weekly Goal Good Deeds: 20
Achieved (this week): 20Running Total: 269 of 260
Kwan Dao Forms: 283
Harrison Whitehouse-Strong
