Proactive Martial Arts Christchurch

Cup half empty or half full - Saturday, March 26, 2011

Well like most people in Christchurch I have been hard at work trying to get some normality and routine back. One thing that I have been noticing over the last couple of weeks is people’s reaction to the destruction that has happened from the earthquake. I have come across people making comments about how much damage has been done and how bad everything is.

Then I come across people who say isn’t it fantastic how much of the city has survived after such a horrific event.

I personally like to focus on how well some people have bounced back or those that have not been able to bounce back, but are keeping a positive attitude to the situation. It takes much more strength and courage to be positive in a bad situation than it does when everything is going well and once again this is when people true personalities stand out.

Ethics - Thursday, March 10, 2011

I must say I have seen the best and the worst in people over these stress full times. You also find out who your friends really are. I must say, I have even had some surprises myself like many other people.

I feel it is times like these though that presents the most opportunities because change is a fact of life now, and you will get the opportunity to make important decisions that will affect the rest of your life. The thing for most people is how do I know what direction to go.

To me that’s easy, you take the road that is most ethically and morally correct. You are going to find some people don’t care about that sort of thing, but at the end of the day what goes round comes round.

I love or city and our community and as we rebuild these will be exciting times as the people bond together to help each other. It is fantastic to see so many people coming together in support of each other and it is important for our future that we don’t forget or lose this connection.

Christchurch Earthquake - Monday, February 28, 2011

It’s been a challenging week for all of us in with the and has been interesting observing how people react to the pressure of it all. I must say those that can get back to doing what they would normally do even if it’s just some sport or catching up with friends seem to handle the pressure allot better than those that just stick to themselves and don’t get out.

Even though I got a bit of a hard time from different people for opening so soon after the earthquake I knew it was the correct thing to do as the building was safe and by the number of students on the floor at the classes.

You know it’s so easy to get side tracked by different things and all though this is a terrible tragedy life must still go on and the way to do that is to go back and recheck your goals, make sure your actions are on target and move on.

See you at training!

P.S. If anybody needs a hand Proactive has allot of man power so just let me know!

Natural Talent - Tuesday, February 15, 2011

It’s so easy for so many people to assume that someone is naturally talented at something when you see somebody doing something so easily. From my experience in the martial arts most natural talent comes from hard work and a high work ethic. It’s important if you want to move ahead to do a bit of training in your own time. 10 minutes extra everyday over a year makes a huge difference. Some of the most talented fighters at Proactive might do a couple of extra hours a day.

Keeping the balance - Tuesday, February 08, 2011

As much as I enjoy my training and martial arts, I also have many other interests outside of martial arts. Reading, hunting, socialising with friends, inventing gadgets etc. I feel it’s important not to become to one dimensional as to much of anything whether it is good or bad so to speak of, is not a good or healthy thing.

Yes you need to be focused and committed to succeed in any endeavour but there’s a fine line between compulsive and addictive behaviour and leading a healthy balanced life style. To a certain degree we are all different but when friends or family are affected by our action it is time to take a look at ourselves to weight up what’s most important in our lives, as we are not here for that longer time. If in doubt, family and friends should always come first.

Have you got a plan? - Saturday, February 05, 2011

It’s interesting at this time of year to see so many people back into training more than 6 to 8 classes a week. It will be interesting to see who is still doing that in June. I personally after a long break like Christmas from full on training, believe like anything you should have a plan to slowly get back up to speed to minimise burn out or the chance of injury. The last week of January I was up to 5 full on sessions in that week. By the end of Feb I will be up 8 full on sessions in the last week. I would rather take my time and be consistent than over doing it too early and having to stop. By midyear I will be at my limit of around 10 to 12 sessions a week.

Gliding - Monday, January 31, 2011

I have set a plan this year to try many new things. I have always wanted to try gliding. So while on my way to good friends wedding Ian and Amanda in the weekend at Wanaka I took the opportunity to try it out. I must say it’s fantastic and worth doing especially things like loops and stalls.

Diary - Saturday, January 22, 2011

If it’s worth spending your valuable time doing something, it’s worth recording it. I always keep a training log of my own training whether it is at the gym for cardio or weight training or martial arts training. I have log books back now 25 years from my gym and ZDK training sessions. These things come in handy not just for historical reasons but also at times for motivation and problem solving. I also log things like injuries and how I was healed so I can pass on advice and recommendations. Its funny how we spend years at school writing things down to help us remember and learn, yet most people stop that once they leave school. I personally believe it’s not so much what you learn at school that is important, but the process of learning itself.

2011 - Sunday, January 16, 2011

I am going to endeavor to blog consistently in 2011 to keep students and those interested on what is going on and what I am up to. Being a book worm from completing my first Dan reading requirements I have been reading ever since, probably explains why half our house looks like a library. Any way I have just finished a book called EVERY BASTARD SAYS NO. A awesome autobiography about the 42 below story. For those that have not heard of it before it’s from the founder of the Vodka company 42 Below. Very inspirational.