What a great weekend!!

For those that don't know, the Fang Shen Do team trains once a month as a group.  All the Sifus (and other serious students - by invite only) gather at Sijo Patenaude’s flagship school and Sijo teaches a class.  Due to the depth of his knowledge on many, many different topics, we are never sure if it is going to be a physical class, a motivational class, a theory class, or a combination of these items - the anticipation is half the thrill.  The other half is being taught by the founder of Fang Shen Do.

One of the things that I noticed as I took part in this class was the discipline of the students.  As you may see from the picture, everyone is in full uniform with their sashes.  One of our challenges that we have started addressing in the junior (kids) class is trying to have them show up and train with the proper T-shirt and sash.  The second follow up challenge is try to keep the sash on them the entire class.

Now that I think of it - I think our adult's class could use the same lesson.....

I can guarantee you one thing - no one in Sijo's class took of their sash or uniform top because it was too warm or they wanted more freedom.  Just like the Spartan warriors did not take off their greaves so they could move faster, the uniform is part of the discipline.   The exception to this is the MMA / Sanshou class, where shorts, Fang Shen Do T-shirt and gloves are the required uniform.

Coming back to Sijo's class, the main focus on Sunday was energy....We did many exercises including Sil Lim Tao, LSDD, Chi Sao and Sijo shared a test for health that I would like to share with you (he has given me permission): Take the index finger of your left and apply inward pressure to the right nostril, so that you seal it (no air can go in or out).  Breath in deeply, fill your lungs and once filled, start the clock and hold your breath.  If you can hold your breath for 45 seconds in this position (kneeling or lotus), with the nostril closed - according to ancient holistic knowledge, you are in good health.  The ancient monks used to do this for 2-3 minutes at a time.  Once you have done the right side, use your left thumb to close the left nostril and repeat the exercise.

One concept that I continually reference, from Sijo's teaching, is that of "modeling"- not the type of modeling where you walk down a catwalk - but the type where you emulate someone who has the skills that you want.  Sijo talked about in Sunday's class where he said everyone is superior in some way.  The smart student learns from that person.  In regards to Chi Sao, this applied to Sunday class as we got a chance to pair up with higher ranked instructors and work on our skills.  I was lucky (?) enough to pair up with Sibok for Chi Sao.  What an experience!!

It was an amazing class, with great energy and awesome training partners.  I would like to thank Sijo for taking the time and energy he invested in the class and for our benefit.  I am also grateful that he has allowed me to share some of it with you today and look forward to the next one.

Our take-away for this week? ...Try to train regularly with someone better than you at to get better.... Model the best.... Wear your darn sash during Fang Shen Do class...test yourself (more than once) with Sijo's breathing test.....

Stay Solid,

Sifu Scott

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FSD Fight Team

I had the opportunity to spend time with the Fang Shen Do fight team last weekend and I was compelled to write about it in this blog.  First of all, I have to give pass on my sincere admiration to Sibok, Sifu Pat and the other instructors who have been working with the Fang Shen Do fight team.   There is a reason that FSD holds three championship belts in the Hybrid Fight league – and they are it.  In addition to the individual fighter’s dedication and commitment to training in our system, it is the FSD fighting spirit that has been passed on through these instructors. 

I have been fortunate over the years to work out with all the instructors in Fang Shen Do and I have to tell you that to hold the focus pads for Sibok, Sifu Steph, Sifu Pat, Sifu Sil and others – it is a workout in itself.  What has always impressed me is the fact that they do not pace themselves.  The first hit has the same power as the last hit.  It doesn’t matter if it is a simple jab…. They are doing their best to rip the focus pad right off of your hand… from start to finish, full power, no give up….

Sifu Pat made a very good point during the training session.  He said that EVERYONE has to work for cardio.  There is no point saying that so-and-so is lucky because they have good cardio – they worked for it and they have earned it.

Sijo makes that point in his fire walk – one of my favorite seminars – where he says “imagine what you could do, if you had no fear or limitations”.

Translated into training, what could you do – if you never got tired?   Like anything worthwhile, it is not easy, but everyone can do it.  Or perhaps, it would be more accurate to state that everyone can improve from where they are….

What we have to do is eliminate excuses from our vocabulary.  {Not enough time to train, too busy, kids have a crocket tournament, etc} and make an honest effort to get better.  Busy-ness is relative – we can always find time to train, and we can always find an excuse not to…. It is the discipline of the mind that overcomes the inherent laziness of the body.

Coming back to the fight team and last Sunday, I would like to let them know that they are true warriors in my eye.  I was impressed with the respect and discipline that they portrayed – something that is not always present in the MMA world – as well as their work effort.  At the end, Sifu Pat ran them through a 5 min “burnout drill”  and what struck me  was the intensity in which they attacked it.  As I watched them train, I could not help but think that if I did that drill in class, almost everyone could do it – but most people would slow down before they were exhausted or pace themselves.  At one point, a fighter was actually crawling to keep moving forward – but he 100%, absolutely, positively, refused to give up or to rest.  It spoke so highly of his team, his instructors and of the dedication of the fighters.

On May 24th 2013 – 3 of the fighters from the Fang Shen Do fight team will be fighting in their first professional match (having dominated the semi-pro league)  - I will be there supporting them.  They have the right instructors, are training in the right system and have the right dedication.  They are true winners already.

Our take-away from this blog? Train hard… train like a champion…. Learn from the right people and don’t accept excuses from yourself.

Now that I have written this blog – I am off to train !!

Stay Solid,

Sifu Scott

 

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