Who am I and why am I here?

Good afternoon all,

The title of this first blog entry is not meant to be a fluffy spiritual question, but a serious introduction to my blog. Although I feel that “who am I and why am I here” in the metaphorical sense is probably a question that went through my mind many times and probably one of the answers people claim to be seeking when they justify their travels.

Well allow me to introduce myself. In brief I am a girl (I haven't hit 30 yet so I am still a girl!)   who currently lives in the mountains north of Chaing Mai, Thailand, with the sole intention of improving my skills as a martial artist and serious Kung Fu practitioner. This is my blog which I intend to keep as a record of my time out here, along with anything I learn that I think I should share, and random musing.

I am an ex big earner (although I have played many roles from copywriter, teacher to salesperson in my time) who was sick and tired of feeling tired and sick. I earnt very good money but also lived “the lifestyle” and mostly spent it all and got into debt. 

I used to train with Nam Yang’s Chief Instructor Iain Armstrong at his residential training course (once a month) at Holmbury St Mary. Here I met some outstanding people and developed a love of Martial Arts in general and Kung Fu in particular.

I stopped training as the residential courses finished and I had a serious health issue that stopped both the Kung Fu and my Teacher Training Course ( a blessing in disguise as now I am not a teacher in a chaotic secondary school). However I have always wanted to get back into it (Kung Fu that is). Though I didn’t due to those pride based assertions that we all suffer from such as everyone would laugh at me as I had got so bad, or that all my friends would be miles ahead of me and somehow  resent me for not coming back sooner etc....

Well I decided to make a complete change and spend my time doing something I love rather than “living for the weekend”. As a result I am now a full time student of Kung Fu, at the Nam Yang Mountain Training Centre in Northern Thailand, a fantastic martial arts retreat, purpose build specially by martial artists for martial artists.

Now every morning (almost) I wake up to the sun rising over the mountains, breathe in the fresh mountain air, practice my Chi Kung, and Suang Yung ( an soft art ) and only have to worry about improving my Kung Fu, and maybe writing the odd essay on learning methodologies. The whole area is full of hot springs, waterfalls, temples, markets and beautiful mountains and lakes. 

Did I make the right decision? Well we shall see, but I am a lot happier out here than my friends back home are, worrying about statistics and this and  that client.  I am living that martial artists dream of retreating to the mountains and concentrating on the art, so yes, I think I have made the right decision. I intend to post regularly so come back often and see if I was right.