Hung Gar Ninja

Yesterday was kinda awesome. I got called to a local karate dojo (I know the owner/sensei) to help teach a class on other styles of martial arts. I met so many awesome people. My structured workout went out the window today, but boy did I get a good one anyway. There were tons of students there(about 60 or so), and so many expert martial artists there. I was called in to represent southern styles of kung fu, specifically Hung Gar Kuen. The day started with the students getting in, their gi's freshly washed and belts tied properly. There were so many different uniforms. Black silk wushu uniforms, thick judo gi's, fresh white cotton karate gi's, silk boxer's shorts and gloves, and so many more, it was so cool. Then there was me, in cargo shorts and a black and red shirt athletic tee, I stuck out like a sore thumb. We moved into a warm up with the students that involved stretching out everything and then some body weight stuff. After that the students lined up and then Mark (the owner of the dojo) had all of the experts introduce themselves. I went up second last, so I had a lot to follow. After that they had the experts give a demonstration to the class of a kata or a form or a quick routine. I gave a demonstration of Ye Fu Cheut Lam, or Night Tiger Emerges From the Forest. That went over spectacularly. After that the class was told to go talk to the expert they wanted to learn more from. I had about 9 students come right up to me and start asking questions and wanting me to teach them something. It was so refreshing to see people so enthusiastic about learning something I had to teach. I first had to explain the difference between kung fu and wushu, then I showed them the differences between their style of karate (shotokan) and my style of Hung Kuen (and I say my style because I can't help but take bits and pieces of the other martial arts and use them as augments to how I practice) by teaching them strikes, stances and blocks while I talked about the conditioning that I went through with my training(eg. the iron body training). Then I got them all working together to learn a very basic form. They all seemed to love it and a bunch of them asked why I didn't have a uniform on or where I taught. I don't actually teach this anywhere and that answered both questions, and most of them were really disappointed, so I directed them to my Sifu. We took a 45 minute dinner break then before what the students really wanted to see, and the part of the day that I was looking forward to most of all. After we reconvened I did a quick stretch and then we moved into a large area that Mark used for sparing. It was a good time for all. The lower students were given gloves and headgear for a small touch sparing tournament while everybody else watched. It went quick, first to 5 point single elimination tourny. After that is when things got fun. All of the guest experts and some of the black belt students, even Mark, signed a few wavers and we had ourselves a 3 point single elimination full contact tournament. There were 16 competitors and it went past slowly. First I had to spar with the guest kick boxer. It was fun, and quite a challenge. He definitely knew what he was doing and got me down twice in a row. I got lucky then with a well placed side kick that pushed him out of the circle for one point, an arm bar for a second, and a sweep and got him in a helpless position and he forfeited with honour. Next was with one of the black belt students who beat the judo guy. I was over pretty quick. I got him with a quick and strong side kick and sent him off the side of the raised platform Mark used for sparing. He, the black belt John, just bowed and gave me the match. I was a little disappointed that he didn't come back up, he showed great skill. After that I was in for the longest match of the day. I had to compete with the wushu guest. The match lasted for 21 minutes before Mark just said first point takes the round. I was another before I finally got him with a tiger claw rake to his ribs that dropped is left arm and swung in with a middle roundhouse that caused him to lose his balance and trip. When I had advantage it was called. I helped him up and it we talked for a bit, apparently he was the instructor of Wushu at the dojo in Toronto that my ex-girlfriend's dad owned. Following that match I was put with Mark, the owner of the dojo. Shihan Mark is one of the best fighters I know and when we spar it is a dead split for victories. To this day I have 8 to his now 9. That said, today was close. I got two quick points but he followed up with a very quick hip toss that put me down hard and left me pretty helpless. After that he got me with a rear naked choke. The third one came down to me going in for a side kick, and him getting under it and sweeping my other leg out and proceeding to put me in a leg lock I had never even seen before. The match was his, as was the day. When all was said and done all of the guest from in town went down to the pub and got a drink or three. We shared a few laughs and then went our separate ways, but I got a text from Mark inviting me out to his dojo on Tuesday to spar with his students more. I then proceeded home and wrote this for you all. Day complete.

I wanted to get a job that I could use my other skills in and I felt like since I knew what I was doing when it came to things like that I'd be alright. But lately I lost all focus and drive to do anything. The girl I said was the light of my life and the most amazing girl ever broke up with me. I am an emotional wreck but I'll have to keep on trucking.

Well, today is my birthday so what better way to start the next year of my life than by getting back on the workout track. I'll start again. This time I'll train harder, be better, strike faster, and become stronger. More to come later today.

Hey there folks... I regret to inform you that in the last week or so that I have not completed a full workout. I still have been doing small workouts here and there, 30 push ups here and 10 chin ups there, a few leg raises or planks and a couple squats. Regardless I haven't done any full workouts. This is because I have been an emotional wreck. My first motivation is now no longer a thing for me. My amazing and wonderful girlfriend broke up with me. So I feel pretty dead inside. Since then I have changed what I do with my workout time. Mostly I've spent the time working on my Iron Body conditioning and knuckle hardening. Though when I do make it away from my apartment I have been hitting up many of the local dojos for their sparing sessions and I have been using that as vent. Aside from some damage to the brick wall that I have been using to temper my fists and some bloody knuckles because of cracked bricks I am completely healthy physically and back in good condition after the truck incident. Mentally I'll need some time.

Nothing I couldn't just brush off, but thanks for your concern Ash. I could have been back yesterday but I decided it prudent to heal a little bit first. After what my sifu put me through with his style of iron body training I can pretty much take any blunt force trauma. But lets get to the work out. More to come in a few.

Okay, so, that was really awful... Been out of commission for the last two days. I was on my run when a dingus who didn't know enough to stop and look at a red light before he turned right. Aside from some bruising and pain I'm fine. Back in the game today, I'll get to my body weight routine. Sorry about not posting about it earlier, just wanted to rest up and recover. That said, I have a really awesome bruise on my side.

Hey guys, I'm new, and love Gurren Lagann although I just started the three days ago. I know that I'd need a group behind me to help out and give me that extra push I'll need. Will said you guys were great and I'd love to join if you'll have me.

Day 1 Decline Push-Ups: 21, 19, 13, 10, 8 Pull Ups: 7, 5, 5, 3, 3 Assisted Pistol Squats: Right Leg: 18, 17, 15 Left Leg: 18, 17, 17 V Crunches: 14, 11, 9 Side Leg Raises: Left: 8, 8, 8 Right: 9, 8, 8 Body Weight Workout = Complete Veggies in each meal = Incomplete Eat Healthier = Complete Today was a tough first day, I really killed it I feel though, I wanted to quit around the pistol squats, but I just kept pushing though it. I don't know if anyone is reading this or if anyone actually cares, but just knowing that it is getting thrown out into the world made me push just that bit harder. Hopefully there will be more days like today. Life Quest = In-Progress

Best of luck, and may the Force be with you.

Hey there, how'd you do? So, a little bit about me... I'm a 20 year old skinny Canadian, in London Ontario if anyone knows where that is. I suffer from moderate clinical depression and asthma, but I try my hardest to not let any of that stop me. I have spent most of my life being a gamer and practicing martial arts. I train in Hung Gar and in Ninjutsu, as my handle probably told you, as well as Parkour. I am fairly athletic when it comes to my friends and family (with the exclusion of my brother the solider). I know that I can be a lot more fit and that's why I am here, to get myself motivated to do things again. Since graduating college I have gotten lazy and I've found I don't have nearly the energy I did and I miss that. Some of my base stats are as followed: Height: 5'11" Weight: 135 lbs. Wingspan: 6'4" Leg Length: 35" I'm in a long distance relationship with one of the most awesome girls on the planet and she is the light of my life. I play Dungeons and Dragons on a weekly basis and I game hardcore. I'm trained as a chef but am currently unemployed, so that needs to change. I'm working on getting my security licence and working as a guard and bodyguard in the near future. I'm a big fan of sci-fi and fantasy novels and tv shows... I'm not great at talking about myself, so if I left anything out just ask and I am an open book. It's great to be here.

Wow, you rock. I love the LoZ games, all of them with the exception of Spirit Tracks. I only have one thing to say right now though, you would do Link quite proud. You keep rocking this challenge like this and only good things can come of it.

That sounds like a routine that would tear me apart and rebuild me from the ground up. Good on you. Keep up the good work, and don't think you're alone with the messy room, there are times when I can't see my floor.

Thanks man. I'm glad to hear that you are being successful in your endeavors. I'm looking forward to meeting a bunch of awesome people here. I joined here so that even on the worst of my days I still have something to drag me out of my bed, get me down on the floor and busting my behind to keep me honest on here. I'm rather competitive by nature so by tracking my progress for the world to see I know that it will push me farther than I could possibly go alone. Sure, I can hit up the dojo Mondays and Thursdays, but if I am left to my own devices at home I'm lazy. I like body weight exercises but I have a hard time motivating myself. But reading other peoples stories here pushes me to get going. I feel like I'm going to like it here.

So this is it, me committing to making something better of myself. So here we go, let's do this! This is my first challenge so I'm not sure how to start, and I'm a little late to the starting line, but here goes nothing. A little bit of me: I am a 20 year old Canadian man, I'm 5'11" and 135 lbs. I have moderate clinical depression that from time to time just rips apart and destroys any momentum and motivation I have to keep going (my psychologist recommended that I try to make exercises a constant in my life, then when I heard of this place with all of you wonderful people to hold me accountable and to keep me motivated I just had to join). I am a chef by trade, but currently unemployed. As a hobby I practice the martial arts of Hung Gar Kuen and Ninjutsu, I train in Parkour, I play D&D every wednesday, and I game. That's enough about me, onto the challenge! MAIN QUEST To master my own body by becoming stronger, faster, tougher, and more flexible. Three Goals 1. Train a body weight routine every other day, pushing myself to my limit. Doing this will help me gague where I am and how far I still have to go while making me stronger and building my endurance. Str, Sta, Dex, Con 2. Run at least 1 km on my off days, building eventually to 5+ km. This will not only help keep my momentum, but build stamina and speed. I'll throw in some vaults and walls for fun. Sta, Dex 3. Eat healthier, less processed food and sugar, and vegetables with every meal. Health is more than just physical capability, I want my body to run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Con LIFE QUEST Get a job. MOTIVATION 1. My girlfriend. I want to be the best possible person I can be for her, both physically and emotionally. She is the light of my life, and the reason that I still bother to get out of bed in the morning. 2. Myself. I look in the mirror every day and see a skinny, lanky guy. I want to change that to something better. I want to be more confindent in my own skin, I want to be able to go to the beach and take off my shirt without being nervous. 3. Fun. I want to be able to do things with my more athletic friends. I want to be able to go to more sporting events and participate (like in Quidditch, Parkour, ect). Also, my girlfriend's dad is the stunt coordinator for an upcoming big film and if I can get in the right shape he'll let me be in the movie, so that would be really cool.