Empowering Yourself for Integrated Strength

Practicing Yi Chuan with Master Fung is straightforward. He usually leads the class from the front, demonstrating each exercise for you to follow. The guided practice sessions I offer on thewayofintent.com mirror this method. I perform the exercises in front of you, providing guidance and highlighting details to make it easy for you to follow along.

However, 'easy' only gets you so far. Once you grasp the material in the teaching videos and become comfortable with the patterns in the practice videos, there comes a time when you need to make your learning unique. Eventually, you will outgrow the 'follow along, it's easy' approach.

Master Cheuk Fung explaining the importance of center when applying integrated strength during his class at Ft. Mason in San Francisco.

From Instruction to Personal Exploration

Years ago, I struggled with this transition, constantly asking my Teacher various questions, always expecting him to have the answers. Then one day he pulled me aside and said, "Look, I'm your Teacher, not your trainer. I've taught you what you need to answer those questions for yourself. You have to do the work; you need to be your own trainer."

Initially, I felt like a scolded dog, thinking I had once again annoyed my Sifu with my persistent questioning. For a while, I even felt singled out and picked on. However, it wasn't until I had some solo training time a few days later that I realized Sifu hadn't scolded me at all. In fact, he did me a huge favor. He took the training wheels off.

That was the first Yi Chuan practice session I ever designed myself. It was the first time I chose what to focus on based on my goals, where I actually had to figure out what to do and why. Until that session, my solo work had been repeating what we typically did in class without much thought.

Notes from class.

Being 'in charge' of my own training was both empowering and intimidating. I felt invigorated but overwhelmed, motivated yet unsure. The strange thing was I suddenly felt... responsible?

I hadn't realized it until that moment, but I had actually assigned responsibility for my Gung Fu to my Teacher. If I didn't understand something, it was, well, his fault. It's no wonder he often called me 'silly boy'.

By subconsciously assigning responsibility to my teacher, I gave him my power without empowering him to help me. That’s why he had to pull me aside. I was never going to be able to do his Gung Fu; I can only hope to do mine.

Life is the School

As I've expressed before, I find immense joy in experiencing the world through my children’s vibrant eyes. Each day presents a new opportunity to rediscover life's wonders. My son Cody, a passionate Parkour enthusiast, exemplifies this beautifully. A simple walk transforms into a grand adventure, an exhilarating obstacle course brimming with potential.

Always climbing or jumping something

The mundane becomes extraordinary as he leaps from curbs, vaults over benches, and navigates the urban landscape with a sense of freedom and creativity that many adults have forgotten. His eyes sparkle with excitement as he views every railing, wall, and sidewalk as a challenge waiting to be conquered.

Meanwhile, my daughter possesses a magical ability to see beyond the ordinary. With a flick of her imagination, she can turn any space into a whimsical fairyland or a serene oasis. Whether it’s a backyard filled with flowers or a living room strewn with colorful cushions, she transforms her environment. Her creativity knows no bounds, inviting everyone around her to join her adventures.

Reimagining Learning and Growth

With any luck, they will retain this remarkable ability to see the world through such a fantastical lens, even as they are inevitably drawn into more rigid structures. The essence of this perspective is crucial: we must abandon outdated notions that dictate our approaches to learning and personal development.

Forget the old ways—there is no need to invest excessive time and money in preparing for training or skill acquisition. You don’t need fancy jammies or a designated time or specific place to embark on your growth journey. In today’s fast-paced world, you are not constrained by a lack of information or inspiration. The digital age offers countless avenues for learning, allowing you to engage formally, freely, or casually, at any time and virtually anywhere.

With the vast array of resources available online, from instructional videos to interactive platforms, previous barriers have nearly vanished. You can explore new skills during your lunch break, practice in your living room, or join virtual communities that share your interests. The flexibility of modern learning means you can adapt your training to fit your lifestyle, making it enjoyable.

Embracing a New Way of Learning

In this article, I’ll delve deeper into these ideas, sharing strategies and techniques that have worked well for me. By reflecting on these experiences, I hope you can find ways to cultivate your creativity and passion for learning, no matter where you are or what resources are at your disposal. Join me as we explore limitless possibilities by viewing the world through an imaginative lens, just like my children do.

Key Elements for Creating a Personal Practice to Discover Integrated Strength

Let’s explore the building blocks of a typical practice session. If you are following along with the Guided Practice videos, you might have realized I prefer short sessions. I recommend engaging in them frequently rather than opting for longer, less frequent sessions. This approach enhances retention and skill acquisition.

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