We often hear that black belt isn’t an end goal, but instead a point where true learning can begin. We all generally accept this as sage wisdom even though it can be difficult to understand such an esoteric concept at first. After all, how can learning BEGIN at black belt? Sometimes we rationalize the idea [...]
Week 5
This week started out on Sunday with a test of legs, and a particular run I had been threatening to do for too long, so I decided to take the definitive litmus test, and run to Immingham, teach the session, and run back a distance of 16 miles.
The run there was admittedly quite tough [...]
This is another story from the IKKF 2010 Annual Training. One of the guest instructors at our training was a gentleman named Miguel Ibarra. Ibarra Sensei studies and teaches aikijujutsu and has a dojo based out of Bronx, New York. Ibarra Sensei has been a probation officer in The Bronx for decades (now retired) and [...]
The town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado is known for its outstanding natural hot springs. None are more famous than the Hot Spring Pool nestled in the town proper. This immense swimming area is filled naturally with mineral water from beneath the Earth and is built like an Olympic swimming pool. One end features diving boards, [...] Weeks 3 & 4
Finally, things have cooled down enough to be able to take some deep breaths and get into some good training.
This week I have been concentrating on the running increasing the distance from week 2 from 3 miles to 4.5 miles, and the good news is that the median ligament in the [...]I’d like to share a story given by Bill Hayes Sensei. Pardon any paraphrasing. ***************************************************** One time Hayes Sensei was training with his instructor Eizo Shimabukuro on the kata Passai. This kata is known for its power generation and its sweeping motions that feel for the opponent and almost reach out to him/her. After training, [...]
Hip and back issues seem to plague karate people. Back pain can be particularly frustrating for karate people because it is so easy to set off. Sometimes very little activity can result in seemingly disproportionate pain. Measures, such as conditioning for the core often seem to just further aggravate the condition. At the Fitness for the [...]
The past two weeks have been busy times for me. I managed to sneak in a week-long trip to Colorado and Utah with the girlfriend in order to check out some amazing towns and natural landscapes. Upon return I immediately rolled into the IKKF’s 26th Annual Training Gasshuku. I’d like to highlight a few of [...] Week 2
What a week it’s been, sweat, sweat, more sweat, sweat and flies, and the thought that if spontaneous combustion exists then I must be half way there!
Yes, indeed it has been hot but the results of the increased effort are having an impact in terms of just being able to physically push further [...]