optimistic humility

[ironymaiden]

"In martial arts, natural athletes rarely last. The martial arts are an acquired skill; they have to be learned. Some people learn things quickly and just burn out quickly. ...'No doubt, no attainment; little doubt, little attainment; big doubt, big attainment.'"
- Chu Sau Lei

which should be some lead-in to how i had a rough class tonight. i didn't, once i got past the warmup section. the first twenty minutes to half hour of class, spent mostly in horse stance, is brutal. but that's always the toughest part. the rest of the class is pleasure. exhausting pleasure, but without the feel of deathmarch that comes in that forever when we are holding sei ping ma for what i know should be the last time before the class breaks into sections.

i've been reading a collection of interviews with kung fu masters. the bit above from Chu spoke to me. i've never been able to get physical things without tremendous repetitive effort. i don't automatically think that something is impossible, but i also don't expect it to happen overnight.

Comments

[webcowgirl.livejournal.com]

I am also not a natural athlete. I am not an athlete at all. Stick with it and kudos for your persistence in the face of obvious difficulties.

[buhrger]

i don't automatically think that something is impossible, but i also don't expect it to happen overnight.
yes, this.

[mimerki.livejournal.com]

i've been reading a collection of interviews with kung fu masters.
Title?