Testing our training

[Adam Kryder]

Dear all,

I write this post to share an experience pertaining to our training.

Over the Thanksgiving Holiday, I went to Indianapolis, Indiana and spontaneously took place in a 4.5 mile race for charity. I was not aware until that morning that I was going to run, and when I was asked to I simply said, "Why not".

With over 2500 people in attendance I took 230th place and ran the 4.5miles in a little over 30 minutes.

I thought it a bit funny because I was running in Dress shoes and baggy sweatpants, I had not prepared at all for this race, and certainly haven't run 4.5 continuous miles ever before in my life. Except for perhaps in soccer or lacrosse matches.

I was goofing around at the begininng, just playing and such, I jumped over a car hood, and the 1 mile marker sign (around a meter high). I was laughing and playing, enjoying my morning and my state of mind. Definitely freaking out all the super serious runners, and I enjoyed it!

I deduced that if I was going to do such a spontaneous run, I might as well enjoy it! And I did.

This is just one small example of the benefits of our training. Just drop into a chi kung state of mind and enjoy, just our fundamental training is enough to give us the endurance and relaxation necessary to perform such physical performance and well beyond.

In Thanksgiving,

Adam Kryder

[Adam Kryder]

I forgot to add that I had had only 4 hours of sleep and was running on an empty stomach!

Really just more fun, eh!

[Antonius]

Well done, Adam. And thanks for sharing.

[Damian Kissey]

230 / 2500

That's the top 10% and spontaneously

Congratulations and thank you Adam for sharing the benefits of an elite art .

[Andrew]

Nice

[Hussain]

well don Adam

[Jordan]

That is very impressive, Adam. Thanks for sharing.

[Anton S.]

Hey,

I had a similar experience 2 years ago, taking a second place by such a race whereby the first place took my friends who have been playing soccer for years and also kept training and jogging weekly. I was only doing stance training bfeore and hadn´t run for at least 6 months.

it´s all in the dan tian.

best wishes, anton.

[Emiko H]

Dear Adam,

What a lovely example of enjoying the benefits of Shaolin! Thanks for sharing.

Best,

Emiko

[Ronan]

Congrats Adam! :-)

[Tim]

Thanks Adam,

It is sometimes so easy to forget how simple some tasks become once you start training regularly in Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung, Tai Chi Chuan or Shaolin Kung Fu. Your story is a nice reminder that our art is not just for fighting but also for enabling you to have fun with what ever you do. That is true 'kung fu'.

Best wishes

Tim

[Marcus]

Wonderful Adam,

Another great example of how practicing genuine Shaolin Arts regularly makes us better at everything we do, even if it is running around in dress shoes!

Well done.

Kind regards
Marcus
Namo Amitabha Buddha Namo Amitabha Buddha Namo Amitabha Buddha

[Adam Kryder]

Testing the Scholar

Dear All,

Thank you all for your kind responses! It is very inspiring to see how we all relate to these success stories from our training!

One that I will highlight now is testing our training in the Scholarly Realm: IE: University at Finals week.

As I write this at 1:00am I have been here on Campus since 9:15am yesterday, taking short tea, food, and family breaks, as you walk around campus it is easy to feel the tension in the air. Everyone on campus is busy, tired, and bearing stress for the amount of work due in the next 2 weeks.

What a perfect place to test our training!

Needless to say, if one thing has changed since the beginning of my training it has been that I no longer regard intellectual superiority as something I desire. Sigong, Sifu, and all my brothers,sisters, aunts, and uncles have taught me the great importance of simplicity, directness, and effectiveness.

As this has become such a great part of my life, much of my challenge at the University is not being academically excellent, in fact it is remaining relaxed and composed, practicing tolerance, and not letting the intellectual mind "twist" get the best of me. This is especially tough, dealing with 3 different languages and the culture between them.

The essence of what I want to share is that, during my day my most sought after moment is when I sneak into an empty lecture hall, and begin my training. The skills practiced in the Shaolin Arts have given me an invaluable tool in order to bring harmony to the lifestyle of a Scholar-Warrior.

So, if you were on campus here you might catch a glimpse of me, laughing and smiling, dancing as I do my studying!

Thank you Our ancestors, and the 4 forms of kindness!

Best Wishes,

Adam Kryder

"其形化，其心与之然“－庄子

"Forgetting its form, the mind is given to its nature"- ZhuangZi

(any criticism of my translation is welcome!)

[Martin Do]

Hi Adam Sihing,

Thanks for sharing your experience and congratulations on your achievements. Having been through university over ten years ago....(has it been that long) I can imagine how how beneficial practicing High Level chi kung would have been.

Needless to say, if one thing has changed since the beginning of my training it has been that I no longer regard intellectual superiority as something I desire.

I too have been feeling the same since my training at Shaolin Wahnam. This does not mean I don't repect or value intellect. I do alot, but I see it as a small part that makes up a whole person. Their heart, goodness, principles and values are far more important.

Best wishes

Martin

[shaolin_mike]

Hey Adam I enjoyed hearing about the scholarly benefits you feel from your practice. I too am noticing improvement in that area but admittedly I freak out a bit during finals. Having said that, I have seen quite an improvement over the years.

Setting aims and objectives is one concrete example. Before I used to view a long assignment or an exam as a large mountain looming in the distance. Now I see it as a series of small climbs which I can pace myself on so I really handle my time better (and feel less tense all the way through).