Winter Training

I love outdoor activities but when the temperatures dip below minus 20°F, the dojo floor is particularly inviting. It is important to warm up and stretch out when you come in from the cold to get the energy circulating in the old body before letting go with a kicking exercise or an energetic set of basics. In Fairbanks, Alaska, the light is only around for about 3 hours a day right now so a workout is a great way to get the endorphins hopping and be able to face the long hours of darkness. A couple of years ago, we invited Shihan Mike Berger, recently from California, up to give us a clinic and some fresh ideas. We worked a two-step basic which was different from our usual run up and down the floor. I appreciated the emphasis on technique and working on power. We had two days of clinics and several regular classes that culminated in an outdoor session on the frozen lake next to the dojo. We were permitted our shoes but worked for about half an hour in just our ghi. A memorable end to a great clinic. I was surprised at how I was able to ignore the -20°F by focusing on technique and grounding so I wouldn't slip on the ice. A real lesson in awareness. . .It's -25°F today. Maybe I should try it again. . .

Martial Arts as a Way of Life

A lot of people think of martial artists as a group dedicated to beating on each other and getting their ya-ya's out. That is only a very small part of the truth. The martial arts encompasses many styles and many ways of interacting with each other. The main focus of any martial art is to develop the body, mind and spirit of the practitioner. The benefits walk out of the door of the training hall with the practitioner. I am a dedicated martial artist who has practiced Shudo-kan and Gosoke-ryu karate for 19 years (5th dan in Shudo-kan, 3rd dan in Gosoke-Ryu), Tai Chi for 6 years, played with Iaido and Aikido for a couple of years, and had fun with Kung fu for a few years. The hard and the soft complement each other well. This blog is dedicated to all martial artists and all are invited to participate as we explore the whys, ah-ha's and the wonder of the martial arts. My aim is to explore the martial arts and share what they have to offer. Join me.

Today let's talk about balance. Stand on one leg, settle in and spend some time. The knee up is above your waist. Hands are in a defensive attitude. This is actually a stance of strength and strength-building. How long can you balance? When you start to wobble, where does it initiate. Pay attention. Focus. Breathe into that point. Soften it. Stand a little longer. Now rest. Do the other side. When you come back to the first side, settle in and close your eyes. Now notice what happens. Try not to let your body "clench" but find the stance within the stance. Doing this balance exercise often will strengthen your feet, ankles, calves, knees, thighs, and core. It will help you focus and teach you to notice all the different parts of you that work together. Be aware. What can this do for you in life? Becoming aware can open a whole new vista in your life. Noticing your physical responses and feelings can heighten joy or allow you to change in a positive way. Becoming stronger will give you more self-confidence. I'll post my thoughts from time to time and I welcome any comments from any martial artist. I hope we can share resources and ideas that will benefit us all