Tag: mindset

Stuck in Training? Here’s What To Do

Oscar AgramonteSifu Oscar's Blog

When Progress Slows Down

People often make the fastest gains when they’re new to training. The body adapts quickly, but then… progress slows. So what do you do when things get tough?

  1. Add more intention. Sometimes you need intensity, but at Wah Lum we call it intention. Push yourself to failure every once in a while so you know where the edge is, and learn how to pull back just before reaching it.
  2. Give it time. More reps, more time on the program, more basics. Skill takes time.
  3. Show up. Don’t skip, don’t constantly switch routines. Just keep showing up.

Progress is never linear. There will be slowdowns, setbacks, and bursts of growth. Just like investing, the key is to focus on long-term trends, not short-term fluctuations.

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.

Control Corner 24 with Sifu Oscar: The Power of Self-Examination

Oscar AgramonteSifu Oscar's Blog

In martial arts and in life, control is everything. That’s why at Wah Lum, the flipped Chinese character for ‘Fire’ symbolizes the art of control. Welcome to the Control Corner, your weekly guide to focusing on what matters and achieving your potential.

Essentials: Success isn’t just about talent or luck—it’s about the ability to reflect, learn, and grow. As Angela Duckworth, author of Grit, points out, those who succeed have a strong appetite for self-examination.

Why It Matters: Taking time to assess yourself—especially after setbacks—builds resilience. Instead of dwelling on failure, ask: How could I have done this better? What can I learn from this? The ability to reflect and adjust is what turns challenges into stepping stones.

What’s Next: Make self-examination a habit. After training, a tough day, or a misstep, pause and reflect. The more you refine your approach, the stronger you become—both in Kung Fu and in life.

 

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.

Control Corner 22 from Sifu Oscar: Your Life, Your Control

Oscar AgramonteSifu Oscar's Blog

Welcome to the Control Corner, where we explore mastering control in martial arts, health, and life. At Wah Lum, the flipped Chinese character for ‘Fire’ symbolizes control—reminding us that true power starts with taking ownership of our journey.

Essentials: The concept of “locus of control” refers to how much you believe you can influence the events in your life. People with a high internal locus of control understand that their actions and decisions shape their destiny, while those with an external locus blame circumstances or others for their situation.

Why it matters: In martial arts, health, and life, your mindset determines your outcomes. If you approach your training believing you’re a victim of circumstances, you’ve already limited your potential. Success starts with taking full responsibility for your journey and seeing yourself as capable of growth and achievement.

What’s Next: This week, make a powerful commitment to yourself: dedicate 5% of your day (just over an hour) to your well-being. Think of it as a “life insurance policy”—not one that pays out after you’re gone, but one that invests in your longevity and quality of life right now. Whether it’s training, meditation, or health practices, this time is non-negotiable. Are you worth 5% of your day? The answer should be a resounding yes.

 

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.

Control Corner 19 from Sifu Oscar: Smart People on Mastering Your Mind, Mastering Your Life

Oscar AgramonteSifu Oscar's Blog

Control your thoughts, your health, your path. Welcome to the Control Corner, where we draw on Wah Lum’s teachings—embodied by the flipped ‘Fire’ character—to share weekly insights for mastering life’s challenges.

Essentials: Our thoughts are powerful—so much so that controlling them can shape the course of our lives. 

Almost 700 years ago, poet Rumi revealed the power of self-reflection: “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” 

Charles Darwin expanded on this idea, reminding us: “The highest stage of moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts.”

Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl took it even further, saying: “The last human freedom is the ability to control our own thoughts.”

Why It Matters: True control begins with the mind. Whether it’s in martial arts, health, or daily life, the way we think determines the way we act. 

American Weightlifting legend, Tommy Kono captures it perfectly: “True fitness, in body, mind, and soul, comes from realizing that our own thoughts, our own wills, dominate our decision-making process.” 

By managing your thoughts, you’re laying the foundation for better choices and a more purposeful life.

What’s Next: Pay attention to the narrative running through your mind. Are your thoughts building you up or holding you back? Take small moments to pause, reflect, and redirect. 

Start with your breath, just like in our warmups—it’s the perfect anchor to refocus and regain clarity. Control your thoughts, and you’ll find yourself controlling your path.

 

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.

Control Corner 17 from Sifu Oscar: Trusting Intuition, Embracing Awareness

Oscar AgramonteSifu Oscar's Blog

Control is more than a skill—it’s a mindset. At Wah Lum, the flipped ‘Fire’ character represents that philosophy, and the Control Corner is where we explore how it applies to your martial arts, health, and life goals.

Essentials: Intuition is a powerful tool—it’s knowing something without fully understanding why. Gavin de Becker, in his book The Gift of Fear reminds us that intuition can be rooted in curiosity, suspicion, dark humor, and fear. While denial is choosing not to know something despite having the facts, intuition invites us to trust the signals we perceive, even if they defy logic.

Why It Matters: Your intuition is like an early warning system, designed to protect you. Suppressing those feelings in the name of over-analysis or fear of being politically incorrect can put you at risk. The key isn’t blind reaction but thoughtful awareness—listening to your inner voice while taking responsibility for your safety.

What’s Next: Train your intuition by feeding it the right information. Martial artists, study their environment, understand patterns, and refine their ability to discern. When a feeling arises, ask yourself: Am I going to ignore this or pay attention? The more you honor your intuition, the stronger it becomes.

Control isn’t about paranoia; it’s about being prepared, present, and willing to listen to the one person you’re most responsible for—yourself.

 

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.

Control Corner 16 from Sifu Oscar: The Power of Self-Awareness

Oscar AgramonteSifu Oscar's Blog

The flipped ‘Fire’ character at Wah Lum isn’t just a symbol—it’s a reminder that control transforms lives. Welcome to the Control Corner, where we share practical insights each week to help you focus and unlock your potential.

Essentials: Control begins with self-awareness- knowing who you are, owning it, and embracing both your strengths and shortcomings. True control isn’t about perfection; it’s about honesty. 

Why It Matters: When you stop chasing a romanticized version of yourself, accept what you don’t excel at, and lean into what makes you great, everything changes. Execution matters more than ideas, and self-awareness gives you the clarity to move forward with purpose. Accepting yourself isn’t just liberating; it’s your strongest play.  

What’s Next: Reflect on your strengths. What do you do better than most? Where do you struggle? Be honest. Create an environment where you – and others – can speak the truth without fear. Use that truth to fuel your next move.

 

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.

Control Corner 8 from Sifu Oscar: Awareness vs. Acceptance (and Why It’s Good for Your Joints!)

Oscar AgramonteSifu Oscar's Blog

In martial arts and in life, control is everything. That’s why at Wah Lum, the flipped Chinese character for ‘Fire’ symbolizes the art of control. Welcome to the Control Corner, your weekly guide to focusing on what matters and achieving your potential.

Essentials: I know, talking about death sounds like a downer—but hear me out! In Bitter Sweet, Susan Cain suggests that our difficulty accepting death is central to human suffering. Many great thinkers reminded themselves of mortality daily, even putting out their fires at night without leaving embers, just in case.

Why It Matters: There’s a difference between awareness and acceptance. You don’t have to accept impermanence, but awareness of it can actually bring more control to your life. Think of it like joint mobility: by regularly working on your range of motion and building strength in your end ranges, you gain control and stability. Awareness of life’s limits is similar; it reminds us to focus on what we can control—like how we care for our bodies and how we respond to life’s ups and downs.

What’s Next: Bring control into your daily routine. Start with daily joint mobility, strengthening end-range positions, and building joint control. And if you’re ready to go deeper into this practice, we’re starting a remote coaching program to help you strengthen both body and mindset. Sifu Oscar is bringing on a few students for a remote coaching flexibility/mobility program starting soon. If you’re interested, email kungfu@wahlum.com with “Control Mobility” for details.

 

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.

Control Corner 4 from Sifu Oscar: Focus on What’s Within Your Control

Oscar AgramonteSifu Oscar's Blog

Welcome back to the Control Corner, where the journey to mastering your life begins. At Wah Lum, the flipped ‘Fire’ character symbolizes control, reminding us that focus and discipline are key to unlocking our potential. 

Let’s explore this week’s lessons!

Essentials: When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to get caught up in trying to control things outside your reach. This can lead to frustration and distress. But often, we overlook the areas where we do have control – our behaviors, choices, and mindset.

Why it matters: Instead of stressing about the uncontrollable, ask yourself, “What is actually within my control right now?” Focusing on what you can control opens up space for clarity, new perspectives, and effective solutions.

More Info:This week, shift your attention to the behaviors and choices you know positively influence your life. Whether it’s your health, your martial arts practice, or even how you approach each day, taking control where you can will help reduce the noise of what’s outside your power.

 

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.

Control Corner 3 from Sifu Oscar: Find Your Fire

Oscar AgramonteSifu Oscar's Blog

Our weekly Control Corner is all about harnessing control in every aspect of your life. At Wah Lum, we use the flipped Chinese character for ‘Fire’ as a symbol of control—a reminder that true strength begins with mastery over ourselves. 

Let’s dive into this week’s insights!

Essentials: Award-winning chef José Andrés once shared a story about his father cooking Paella, a dish traditionally made over an open fire. As a child, José was in charge of the fire and didn’t like the task—he thought it was menial. His father corrected him: making the fire was the most important job. “If you control the fire,” his father said, “only then can you be a great cook.” 

Why It Matters: This lesson extends beyond cooking. If you can control the fire within—your passions, reactions, and mindset—you can be anything you want. Pay attention to what’s underneath, not just what’s happening on the surface. How are you reacting to life’s challenges?

What’s Next: This week, take some time to find and tend to your own fire. Discover what fuels you, and focus on controlling it to achieve your goals.

 

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.

Integrity and Environment in Training

Oscar AgramonteWah Lum

Let’s talk about two words that transform how we approach fundamental human movements and training: integrity and environment. 

These concepts aren’t just buzzwords; they’re essential to understanding how we navigate our training and, ultimately, our lives.

Integrity

Integrity isn’t just a moral principle—it’s about wholeness. In life, it means being the same person in every situation, doing what’s right even when it’s hard. 

These ideas come from strength coach Dan John, whose insights on movement and resilience have inspired the way I approach training and teaching. 

In training, integrity reminds us that the body is one unified system. Every movement you make—whether a punch, kick, or a Tai Chi flow—requires harmony in your entire being.

When we train, we don’t just strengthen individual muscles; we fortify our entire person. From the mind to the spirit, every part contributes to our athletic performance, our health, and our growth.

Environment

Your environment is everything around you, from the floor you stand on to the challenges you face.

At Wah Lum, the environment could be the training floor, an opponent, or even the crowd cheering (or distracting) you.

In simpler settings, like playing catch with a baseball, the environment might seem controlled—just you, the ball, and the person across from you. 

But in more complex situations, like sparring or navigating a chaotic crowd, the environment shifts unpredictably. 

It’s dynamic, ever-changing, and requires you to adapt while maintaining your integrity.

Why This Matters

At Wah Lum, our goal is simple: build you up. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, so you can face any situation with strength and balance. 

As we train, think about how these two ideas—integrity and environment—play a role in every move, every breath, and every decision.

When we flow through a Tai Chi form or execute a powerful kick in Kung Fu, we’re practicing unity within ourselves while adapting to the environment around us. This will help us thrive in martial arts and life’s challenges.

Keep these ideas in mind as you train. 

Be whole. 

Be adaptable. 

And let’s continue building the best versions of ourselves.

Looking forward to seeing you in class!

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.