QQ: What Inspired Your Journey Into Kung Fu and Tai Chi?
For me, a part was undeniably the cool factor. Growing up with Saturday morning Kung Fu theater left quite the impression, and fueled the desire to mimic (unsuccessfully) those awe-inspiring moves.
In his book “Mastery,” Aikido instructor George Leaonard proposes, “It’s possible that one of the reasons you embarked on the path of mastery was to look good. But to learn something new of any significance, you have to be willing to look foolish…if you’re always thinking about appearances, you can never attain the state of concentration that’s necessary for effective learning and top performance.”
Acknowledging that looking foolish is part of the initial learning process is crucial.
It’s a realization that sometimes we have to embrace the discomfort, knowing that something valuable often accompanies moments of initial awkwardness.
Surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals engaged in hard work can help you feel more comfortable and, perhaps more crucially, accountable.
The collective effort becomes a motivating force, pushing everyone towards their goals.
From my own experience of enduring moments of seeming foolishness over decades, I’ve learned that hard work plus consistency can compensate for the absence of natural talent.
Sifu Oscar
P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here are ways we can help you get started.
1. Schedule a time to observe a class.
Interested in Kung Fu or Tai Chi? First step is to watch a class and see if we would be a good fit! Email: kungfu@wahlum.com for an appointment.
2. Become part of my exclusive Coaching Group with CYH Remote Coaching. Get personalized coaching delivered right to your phone and catered to your specific goals. Email: kungfu@wahlum.com for info.