Does everything need to have a function? 

Humanity is obsessed with being productive. 
We fill our living spaces with junk, and then work harder and harder to acquire more and more.
But why? What is it all in aid of? Do we need all this stuff? Why are we doing this?

A functional life may sound fulfilling and useful, but it also sounds mechanical. 
Where is the fun, the pleasure, the creative spirit?
Do you explore who you are? Or what you want from life?

Becoming an instructor takes a lot of time: literally years...
You need to be closely guided by a skilled and knowledgeable instructor.
It is easy to mistakes.

Your instructor will set you many tasks to determine your attitude.
Laziness is your worst enemy.

An instructor works far harder than a student.
If you lack the motivation to do what is necessary, you would make a very shabby instructor.

We are told that we need to make a contribution. To be useful, to be a tool. Why is this?
Has humanity become happier by acting like a tool?
Do people feel worthwhile and needed because they have a role to fill?

As an adult we are asked to define our contribution, to be something useful. 
This may sound positive but how many people are doing things they do not want to do?
How many people are fulfilled?

Often the pursuit of one action has an unforeseen side effect. Unforeseen consequences.
Pollution. Toxic waste. Garbage. Stress. Injury. Physical strain. Psychological problems.

The Industrial Revolution reduced the human being to a cog in the machine.
Is this all we are? Really? 

We are told that life must have meaning and purpose, but who says so?
And why do you choose to believe them?
Are they saying what you want to hear?
Is that it?
Maybe we do not have a purpose. Maybe our actions are largely meaningless.
Do you know for sure?

Hui Tzu said to Chuang:

I have a big tree
The kind they call a stink tree.
The trunk is so distorted,
So full of knots,
No one can get a straight plank
Out of it. The branches are so crooked
You cannot cut them up
In any way that makes sense.

There it stands beside the road.
No carpenter will even look at it.

Such is your teaching-
Big and useless.

Chuang Tzu replied:

Have you ever watched the wildcat
Crouching, watching his prey-
This way it leaps, and that way,
High and low, and at last
Lands in the trap.

But have you seen the yak?
Great as a thundercloud
He stands in his might.
Big? Sure,
He can't catch mice!
So for your big tree. No use?

Then plant it in the wasteland
In emptiness.

Walk idly around,
Rest under its shadow;
No axe or bill prepares its end.
No one will ever cut it down.

Useless? You should worry! 
(Chuang Tzu) 

The best way to prepare your body for class and daily life is to:

1. Show restraint
2. Be playful and friendly
3. Do not get caught-up in fear
4. Exercise your body gently every day
5. Take some time to bring the mind 'home'

If you pull a muscle or hurt yourself during martial arts training, it is important to rehabilitate slowly and carefully.
Combine rest with gentle exercise.

'Constructive rest' (performed twice daily) is ideal.
Work through your qigong and stretching exercises cautiously; avoiding any extremes or discomfort.

Pain is a warning; do not ignore it.