#pathofthemonkey

Thankfully, I’ve been getting back into the swing of consistent, hard training. We all know how hard it is to keep up with it and to make the time and effort, but the good news is that the mat will always wait for us. Even if we took off weeks/months/years and are embarrassed to return, the mat doesn’t judge. 

(clearly, I’ve mastered how to use makeshift tripods [as long as you like heads cut off])

I feel my body holding me back. It isn’t strong enough, flexible enough, or coordinated enough; however, the passion I have for my training is enough. With the thanks of my Kung Fu brother, my eyes are progressively becoming more and more open to how I can improve. I’ve been learning what I’ve been doing wrong and how to move my body “properly” in ways that can only be described as unnatural. This is equal parts invigorating and maddening. 

These recent sessions, I have trained many of the same movements hundreds of times, recording and reviewing only to find that barely any change has been made. Well, damn. As frustrating as it is though, I’m still get excited to go back in tomorrow for the same things because if I’ve learned anything from my peers, it all comes down to perseverance, not some natural gift. 

I have learned so much lately about my body and my martial art. But what I have learned most is how much of a novice I am and how hungry I am to learn more and push my limits. Best of all though is simply how good it feels to train.