Category: Mindset & Philosophy

That Class Was Easy?

Oscar AgramonteMindset & Philosophy

One of the most frustrating things an intermediate or advanced student can say at the end of a class is, “That class was easy!”

An advanced student understands positioning, leverage, tension, and intention.

They can make a beginner or basic class very challenging, or they can make a very challenging class manageable, based on what they’re feeling that day.

Advanced (or challenging) doesn’t have to mean advanced material. It can simply mean making a particular exercise more difficult.

Learning to manage inner tension, intensity, and intention is a master skill that will serve you well in your martial arts journey.

Realize that those skills are in your hands, but you don’t and shouldn’t work maximally every time you train.

Sometimes your body is going to need a class that just makes you feel good.

This is okay!

In fact, I think it’s good to train this way regularly and consistently. But don’t expect drastic body changes that way.

You are going to have to push yourself sometimes.

Intensity drives adaptation. Intensity is your choice, and difficulty is scalable to your skill level.

If you leave class bragging that it was too easy, just realize that you haven’t built the skills yet to make it challenging.

End rant!

I do love hearing from you, so let me know about the last class you did that was challenging!

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.

Off The Wagon Real Talk

Oscar AgramonteMindset & Philosophy

What if we treated “off the wagon” periods as a natural and normal part of the entire experience of change and growth? 

When speaking to potential students, few things motivate healthier choices better than waking up with meat sweats, heartburn, a hangover, or general discomfort when moving around….

If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that our health is one of our most prized possessions. 

But that doesn’t mean that getting or staying healthy is easy. 

The good news? 

Reaching your pressure point can sometimes be what you need to get started… again. 

People always think that I spend most days working out, but as of today, I’ve gone almost 2 weeks without deliberate Kung Fu practice or a strength training session. 

And that’s ok. This is just the natural and normal part of my health journey. As soon as I hit send, I’m going to get a 15-minute session of mindful movement practice in. 

If you get a chance, reply with what made you decide to join Wah Lum. 

My mom made me do it is a valid answer. 

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.

What Training Should Do

Oscar AgramonteMindset & Philosophy

Quick message for you today on the Control Your Health Strength Training Philosophy. 

Here are the ABCs of strength training as I see it. 

A: Prevent injury through awareness and safety. 

Kind of a no brainer, but just because something looks cool doesn’t mean it’s what is good for you. The right fitness program should not cause injury and should make you resilient to injury in your sport. 

Do no harm. 

B: Improve your quality of Life.

Do you feel better after training? Your program should give more than it takes out of you. 

C: Improve Performance. 

Training should help you: Get stronger. Get Faster. Move Better. Look Better. 

Pretty basic stuff, I know. But it’s the experts who do the basics best. 

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.

Tip of the Week: You Are the Solution

Oscar AgramonteMindset & Philosophy

Anyone else get a ton of email marketing ads?

As I was thinking about my shortcomings, I realized there is no shortage of information bombarding me!

So the most appealing services, methods, and products are the ones that promise a specific solution.

This service provides comfort and makes us believe that whoever is providing the solution is competent and has the solution. For the record, most coaches, Sifus, and teachers struggle with impostor syndrome (ahem…as I raise my hand).

But I do believe we need to be wary about the fact that a specific solution implies that you have a specific problem.

If I were to sum up all the solutions/problems that have been offered to me, I would probably be convinced to enter the fetal position, never to act or move with any kind of confidence again.

If you want to practice Kung Fu or Tai Chi and move with comfort, ease, and fluidity, you need to believe in yourself, and your body.

I know it’s cliché, but you need to be the solution.

There is a story we all tell ourselves. How are you going to rewrite your story this week?

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?  The 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.

Break Through Plateaus In Your Martial Arts Journey

Oscar AgramonteMindset & Philosophy

Hey there,

Do you ever feel that an invisible ceiling is inhibiting your progress?

As a martial artist, (or aspiring martial artist) we love mastering new movements, pushing ourselves, and getting those incremental improvements, right?

But life gets busy and we find ourselves wrestling with time. Endless commitments, demanding schedules…

The big thing that holds many students back from progressing is being able to get into certain positions. Low stances, high kicks…

But it doesn’t end there!

Once you can get into a certain position, you also want to feel strong there.

I’ve been working on some mobility training that has been helping and I am looking to start a project soon that’ll take a handful of students through a targeted mobility program.

Reply if you want to hear more about it.

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?  The 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.