Tag: wah lum

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

Oscar AgramonteControl Corner, Mindset & Philosophy

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 AgramonteControl Corner, Mindset & Philosophy

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.

Control Corner 2 from Sifu Oscar: Discipline Breeds Creativity

Oscar AgramonteControl Corner, Mindset & Philosophy

Welcome to the Control Corner, your weekly dose of wisdom on mastering control in martial arts, health, and life. At Wah Lum, the flipped Chinese character for ‘Fire’ represents control—an idea central to everything we do. 

Let’s explore how focusing on what matters can help you reach your full potential.

Essentials: French novelist Gustave Flaubert once said, “Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work.” His message highlights the power of discipline in personal life to unlock creativity and innovation in other areas.

Why it matters: Stability in your personal life – whether through routine, relationships, or self-discipline – frees you to be bold and daring in other areas. In your martial arts training, controlling the basics, you eliminate distractions and unnecessary complications, creating space for creativity and growth.

What’s Next: This week, focus on bringing order to your personal life. Simplify where you can, and watch how it frees up energy for your martial arts journey!

 

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.

New blog post series: Control from Sifu Oscar – at the heart of Wah Lum

Oscar AgramonteControl Corner

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Control Corner, where we explore the art of control – whether in martial arts, health, or life. At Wah Lum, the Chinese Character for “Fire” is flipped upside down to symbolize Control, a philosophy also woven into the Control Your Health logo. 

Each week, we’ll share insights to help you focus on what matters and unlock your full potential. Enjoy!

Essentials: In this section, we’ll explore the concept of Control. At Wah Lum, the Chinese character for “Fire” is flipped upside down to symbolize Control. The symbol is also used in the Control Your Health logo, honoring the deep-rooted philosophy passed down from Grandmaster Chan. Check out Sifu Mimi explaining a little bit more about Wah Lum Philosophy HERE

Why it matters: Control begins with self-awareness – understanding what’s truly important to you. While you can’t control everything, you can focus on the things within your reach, like your health and martial arts practice.

What’s Next: Stay tuned for more insights on Control in our weekly blog. For now, start your week by reflecting on what truly matters to you!

 

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.

My Exercise for the day

Sifu Mimi ChanCulture, Sifu Mimi's Blog
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Shout out to my Canadian cousins!

One of the earliest memories I have of getting on a plane was when I was going to Toronto to visit my family as a young child.  I think it was on Eastern airlines. Anyone remember them?  I believe the flight was delayed, it was a long drawn out day, and I was really tired.  Thank goodness for modern day travel; where flights are always on time, the seats are comfortable, and the food is fantastic.  Right?  Not so much.  It’s kind of disappointing that we haven’t really made progress with travel in the comparison of going from the steam boat to flying.  I guess I’m asking for too much.  I am often guilty of asking for too much, but I feel like traveling is sometimes such a chore, it deters people from exploring the world.  Once you can get past the travel woes of TSA lines, luggage costs, and grumpy airport people, it is totally worth it.  Getting the TSA pre-check has helped immensely in eliminating long lines at the airport, and careful packing can curb being overweight and more importantly over packing.  I always seem to gravitate toward giving advice on organization and am stopping myself from doing so now (although, get these packing cubes, they are great!).  Ok, don’t worry, I am not going to get into the nitty gritty of packing in this post.

The reason I decided to write a post today was to share some of the thoughts running through my head as I pack and prep for my trip.  It would be easy to get caught up in the negative parts of traveling, and get grumpy about it, but that would be ridiculous.  It is ridiculous, because I should be nothing but appreciative for this unbelievable opportunity!  This is beyond a cup half full or half empty scenario.  It’s more like, I am lucky I even have a cup!  It’s ok to be a little grumpy about some of life’s inconveniences, but I try to use gratitude as my reminder to ‘kick me out’ of any grumpiness. I used to write in this 5 minute journal.  I finished it, and haven’t been diligent to get back into it, but I feel it is an exercise everyone can benefit from.  It’s a simple exercise, and you don’t have to buy the official journal to do it, any notebook will do.

  1. Write 3 things you are grateful for today.  It can be as simple as the sun is shining, or as meaningful as your health.
  2. What 3 things would make today great? Again, you can be as simple or as elaborate as you want.  There is no right or wrong.
  3. Daily affirmations. I am… (I am a tiger, climbing up a mountain… and why not?  Usually I write something like: I am healthy, happy, and will do my best to help others today.)
  4. At the end of the day, you write 3 amazing things that happened, and how could I have made today better? (I usually am patting myself on the back if I ate a good meal, got good sleep, or spent time with someone I care about.  How lucky am I? Every day in my life is amazing!)

It might take a little longer than 5 minutes, but I think it is a valuable exercise that helps me see beyond any of my excuses I make myself or petty inconveniences.  I believe gratitude can solve most of life’s problems.  Whenever I am feeling grumpy (more often than I like), I try to take a moment to think what I can be grateful for.  Today, I am grateful for all of you who are reading!  Thanks for supporting and taking a moment out of your day.  What do you do for daily exercise?

The Power Of One-Leg Squats In Kung Fu and Tai Chi

Oscar AgramonteConditioning, Kung Fu, Tai Chi

Today, I wanted to dive deeper into the power and benefits of one-leg squats for our students.

Our Kung Fu Students Know One-Leg Squats!

Our Style has Tam Tui in the name after all!

Performance science leader and coach Dr. Alex Natera has done an excellent job testing and categorizing the relative loading between the target and assisting the leg in various lower-body exercises. His research, using force plate data shows the following weight distribution:

– Bilateral Squat (your two-leg squat, or think of our Riding Horse Stance): 50/50

– Step-Up: 56/44

– Split Squat (think Kneeling Horse Stance for our Kung Fu students): 65/35

– Rear Foot Elevated Split Squat: 78/22

– Single-Leg Squat (Tam Tui or Pistol Squat): 100/0

Natera’s research also demonstrates that a one-leg squat with 50% body weight (BW) in external load equals a 2x BW back squat. For example, if you weigh 200 lbs and can do a one-leg squat with 100 lbs in external load, it would equate to a 400-lb back squat. 

Pretty impressive, right? 

Building Up to One-Leg Squats

It’s essential to build significant strength in a split squat before attempting a one-leg squat. Aim to lift 50% of your BW in a split squat first. This builds the motor control needed for one-leg squats and sets you up for success. 

Why are One-Leg Squats Important? 

– Greater Coordination: One-leg squats demand much more coordination. Taking one leg off the ground engages side-to-side stabilizer muscles like the adductors (inner thigh) and hip rotators (glute medius). 

– Lower Orthopedic Cost: One-leg squats, along with the other exercises mentioned, have a lower orthopedic cost. They challenge students with lighter loads, reducing negative side effects of spinal compression. 

However, that lower orthopedic cost comes with a warning: you have to be able to perform a bodyweight split squat pain-free first! Even if you never manage a full one-leg squat, you can still reap many of the benefits of single leg training with split squats or step-ups.

Embrace the challenge, and I would love to hear your thoughts or questions!

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.

The Benefits of Single Leg Training In Kung Fu And Tai Chi

Oscar AgramonteKung Fu, Tai Chi

Ever wondered why we do single leg training in our Kung Fu and Tai Chi Classes? 

Yes, “because they are cool” is a valid reason, but there are also other awesome benefits. 

  1. Better Balance: Standing on one leg makes certain muscles on the opposite side work hard to keep you steady. These include: 

           – Glute Medius: A muscle on the side of your hip that helps with side-to-side movements and balance. 

           – Adductor: Muscles inside your thigh that help pull your legs together and stabilize you. 

           – Quadratus: A muscle in your lower back that helps keep your spine stable. 

  1. More Muscles Working: With these muscles engaged, single leg exercises become 3D. You have to keep your balance against, twisting, sideways, and forward-backward forces. 
  2. Real- Life Strength: Single leg exercises copy real life moves and sports, making you stronger for your everyday activities. 
  3. Prevent Injuries: Working each leg separately fixes muscle imbalances, reduces injury risk and improving balance and coordination. 
  4. Stronger Core: Being on one leg requires more core strength than being on two legs, making your whole body stronger. 

Enjoy the balance, stability, and strength of single-leg training at Wah Lum Kung Fu & Tai Chi!

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.

Lions and Firecrackers and Kung fu, Oh My!

Sifu Mimi ChanCulture, Kung Fu, Sifu Mimi's Blog

We are almost finished with the shows for Chinese New Year (CNY).  It’s hard to believe in 2 days, we didcny over 30 performances.  I’m not sure why I am always surprised, because this has been our tradition… this is our culture.  I only know how to celebrate CNY one way: with lion dancing, kung fu shows, and firecrackers.  Lots of firecrackers.
When I was younger, and the Temple would go out to perform, we had fewer participants, which meant a lot more kung fu for the few of us who performed.  It didn’t matter.  We loved it.  As much of a ‘mysophobe’ as I am, CNY was one time I didn’t mind the germs or dirt.  Rolling in firecracker dust on the parking lot floor was expected.  Exciting even!  What is CNY without hearing the drums play over and over in your head before you go to sleep, or coming home and finding firecracker remnants in your hair?  No cuts or scrapes?  That just means you didn’t celebrate properly.
Ask any performer what the shower at the end of CNY day 1 is like, and they will all tell you the same story.  You watch the girlsdirt go down the drain; you feel the burn from scrapes you didn’t know you had, you feel amazing to be under the warm water, and could probably fall asleep right there in the shower.  That is the essence of CNY.  The lunar calendar marks the ‘new year’ for us, a new beginning.  We wash away the dirt and negativity from the past, recognize the hardships that will soon be in the past, we embrace the warmth of the new beginning, and we feel the challenges of being tired from hard work…  But then we get up and do it again.

This is me running into the lion’s tail this year!

I remember telling my students this year after the floor was wet from the rain, “you don’t need to split and roll on the ground.”  Sure enough, they got out there and did the split and rolled around on the ground.  At first, I wondered why they were doing it, I just told them they didn’t need to do it!  Why are they getting all dirty?   Then I remember how I was at their age and what I did as a young performer.  The excitement of the shows, the adrenalin, and the fun of just getting messy for CNY.  Why would I try to stop it?

It’s part of the tradition, part of the culture.

 

 

Photos: Courtesy Karl Simpson and Hao Nguyen

Master Your Eating Habits Like Your Martial Arts Moves

Oscar AgramonteNutrition

I want to share some practical tips to help you stay on track with your health goals while fully enjoying your meals. 

Just as in Kung Fu and Tai Chi, where precision, awareness, and discipline are key, mindful eating can greatly enhance your overall well-being and training.

It’s all about paying attention to your food- savoring each bite, listening to your body’s hunger and fullness cues, and enjoying the overall eating experience without distractions. 

Tips for Practicing Mindful Eating:

  1. Slow Down: In Kung Fu and Tai Chi training, every move is deliberate and controlled. Apply the same principles to your eating. Take your time to eat. Chew each bite thoroughly and savor the flavors and textures.
  2. Eliminate Distractions: Try to eat without distractions such as TV, phones, or computers. Focus solely on your meal and the company around you. Just as you would eliminate distractions to concentrate during training, do the same during meals.
  3. Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your hunger and fullness signals. Eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re comfortably full. When training at Wah Lum, listening to your body is crucial to avoid injury and optimize performance. Apply this awareness to your eating habits.
  4. Enjoy Your Food: We tell our students to enjoy the process of mastering a new technique. Apply the same principle to appreciating each meal – its taste, aroma, and presentation. This can enhance your satisfaction and reduce the desire for unhealthy snacks later.

By incorporating these mindful eating strategies into your routine, you can enjoy delicious food while staying on track with your health goals, just as you balance enjoyment and discipline in your martial arts training.

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.

QQ: What Inspired Your Journey Into Kung Fu and Tai Chi?

Oscar AgramonteKung Fu, Mindset & Philosophy, 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.