Messages

[mic]

Guess I should have posted here instead of wherever I posted. One of these days I'll get it right!

[mic]

If you don't sign in, you can't see personal messages! Sigy and Linda... you got mail!

[mic]

Here, just to say that I haven't seen any action on this forum for a while. PMs I sent are remaining unopened and, well, brain not getting much stimulation (my humble opinion).
Haven't heard from or about Gary, either!?!
Next time we discuss, if we ever do, someone's way of doing a form fast, slow or whatever: it might help for all to see it, so we could be on the same page and still find plenty of different opinions although... clarifications, recommendations and suggestions have been provided.
Been training in most rooms of the house, at KF class that's not KF5 but having a great time with students and teachers. Once a week class is not enough so there is also the gym, where I try to lift weights but find it boring so... I get back to forms in the gym and actually get a much better sweat and cardio vascular workout than treadmills, punching bags or doing reps on a machine. Go figure, that just me, though. Hope you're all enjoying what you do. That's most important, I think. No "ho-hum-bug" here, no Sirry! ;-)

[braz24]

One thing that may inject a little excitement into your routine (if you're getting into the stale mode) is to find a physical place you find that is inspirational to you and practice there.

I found a place totally by accident up here in Alaska that is to dream for...Right where I'm living! There is a huge deck overlooking the ocean (the "inland passage") nestled right in the woods....across the channel are forested and snow covered mountain peaks....no traffic noise...just birds and eventually the whales. Turns out that is right out my front door...I've only dreamed of practicing the martial arts in a place like this...

The point is, try to find a place that gets your pulse racing for it's beauty and then start practicing...Where I am now, I can literally draw energy from the environment and my martial arts practices go through the roof for energy!

I got really lucky to live here for the next several months and I intend to "take advantage" of this gorgeous locale as much as possible!

Jeff

[mic]

How do you deal with COLD, training in Alaska???
Where I live, the outdoors is GREAT but temps are back down to very uncomfortable for me. Daytime 30 to 40, night ...probably 20 or 10's. I love to hike but... still waiting for better temps.
I train indoors: at home, kf class and gym. Incline of surrounding outdoors would be interesting challenge... Someone want to make up a "Mountain Goat" form? Nah, I'll make up my own just like for snow shovel this winter! :- /

[braz24]

I'm in southeastern Alaska as opposed to Fairbanks. I pretty much put on layers of clothing and then go to it. As I get warmer, I strip off a layer and keep going. I usually end up with short sleeves (and sweating!) or a fleece shirt/jacket with the sleeves rolled up. Most of the time, I can't seem to feel the cold when I'm totally focused on doing my forms and techniques.

The real challenge is the precipitation here...we can get 160+ inches of rain annually. When I get out on the deck when it rains or snows, I have to avoid slipping in low stances or sweeps. You risk pulling muscles and training imparing injuries.

I don't let the weather stop me. Most places I've lived have never been optimum for one reason or the other. If I wait to let the weather get better, then I don't get to train as much as I want and need to. So for me. whether it's triple digit heat in Texas or rain, sleet, or snow in Alaska, I just train in whatever nature hands me.

Worse case, is I go inside and train in the living room with the blinds open. I still get that inspirational view that I would have if I were outside.

If you can find a nearby clump of ground that is relatively level or at a slight slope (maybe 10' X 10' or better) then you're all set. I did that every thing when I was in the mountains of north Idaho, this time last year. If nothing else just find enough suitable ground to work on some of the individual techniques of your forms. You'll do the full form later. The main thing is just to get out and train even if its for 15 minutes.

Just some ideas that work for me...

Hmmm...The mountain goat form...I think I need to watch them in combat and then meditate on it in a cave for 9 or so years before I can do that one.

Jeff

[mic]

Guess I should watch soemone else shovel the long inclined driveway, instead of me doing it, and after a few years... just kidding!

Sounds like great surroundings where you are but... nature is pretty everywhere I go... so much to see , feel , smeel and listen to!
Tks for description!
Mic

[blackravin]

Just stopping by to say, "Hello."

[Gary Steuer]

I'm back !!

Hi, sorry folks been real busy and tied up with one thing or the other ever since I got back to Thailand.. Dealing with a bad modem at the moment. Actually the modem isn't bad, I am ! Thought we were having problems with our server but it turned out to be the modem ( D-Link ) we quickly changed to Linksys............. Unfortunately you actually have to know something about computers to hook things up .............. I don't !

Anyway, it'll work out....

again, I wanted to thank everyone for the warm welcome when I was in L.A. We covered a lot of things ! I hope that I was of some good for clearing up things that might have been a little shakey.... The important things we covered were that you should be able to see what your other side is doing in order to make you perform the moves that you do in your form. your movements should be as fast as the other side ( The side that is not seen. ) in order for the techniques to work. Stances should be strong so that your balance would not be questioned. Focus, should be on what is going on in your boundry, and always remember, an eye for his eyes, etc.......... That is most important !!

Thanks again to everyone for making me feel welcomed and I'm looking forward to next year already !

Lets keep this forum going, so if there are any, any questions on anything, even if not related to our style let me know.................

PS... Any advice on modems ?

[Gary Steuer]

Just wanted to let you know I have a webpage .. check out thailandgary.hi5.com Jack turned me onto this site. It's free and it's easy to build, ( For guys like me, anyway .)
It's a good way to check out photos and comments, etc ... Did I mention that it's free !

If you join you can do the same... I've posted lots of photos of everything, even have some videos of myself and GM Wong back around 1970 ...

Take a look and sign up, I'd love to hear your comments........ Did I mention that it's free ?

[mic]

Great web page, Gary!
Easy to navigate and quickly fill up with more "stuff" from all who want to participate. Thanks for the link. The Web is a great way to cut on distance like Thailand is to us (or U.S) and long distances don't seem so... long anymore.
By the way, Gary... did you mention that it was FREE? huh...
;-)
THANKS JACK!!!

[mic]

TO ALL MY KF FRIENDS:

They're written by Andy Rooney , a man who has the gift of saying so much with so few words. Enjoy.......

I've learned... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day! makes my day.

I've learned... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned... That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned . That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned... That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned.. That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I've learned... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

To all of you.... Make sure you read all the way down to the last sentence.

It's National Friendship Week. Show your friends how much you care.
HAPPY FRIENDSHIP WEEK TO YOU!!!!!!
YOU ARE MY FRIEND AND I AM HONORED! your family.

This was sent to me by a friend.

Love, PEACE, Music Dance and KF, of course!

[mic]

Sorry, this was a long post but... I find it worth it! I hope it does the same to you.
Hugs too while I'm at it!!!! ;-)

[Gary Steuer]

Just to let you all know.. Siggy has done a FANTASTIC job with DVD's of our style. they are almost ready for sale ! You'll love them !

[mic]

Mark,
Happy and HEALTHY birthday to you, today. Easy on exhaling on the candles!
;D
Mic