Last week my bike's lovely electric motor started sounding really unhealthy. It has been in the shop since then.
Bummed a couple of automobile rides off of Helen, and have gone to work on the other days on her bike, and one time on foot.
Hers is the same bike as mine. A Giant brand model called a Twist. Her bike, however, has a much smaller frame. Much, much smaller frame. It is not comfortable at all, but it works.
This has had no effect on my running, except for the one day when I got a ride to school, and ran home afterwards.
Tonight I did a normal, evening run. Lots of dogs. For some reason, most of the dog walkers tonight had multiple pooches.
Saw one other critter.
A big old black bear wandered casually across the gravel road ahead of me. I haven't seen a bear around here for quite a while. They are around, but our paths haven't crossed. Tonight they did.
Nothing exciting happened, other than the sighting itself. As the bear didn't seem concerned by my running, I just kept going. Reached where he had re-entered the bush, and couldn't see anything. Somehow they don't disturb the underbrush the way a person or a dog would.
He had vanished.
I wonder if he was watching me go by.
I am a 68 year old retired teacher living on the west coast of Canada. I spent over 30 years as a student of Karate until my knees stopped liking it. My current passionate activity is Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, which I've been at for about 13 years.
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Fresh
I taught tonight's Karate class. This is nothing new. I've been doing it off and on since 1983. For this club's first couple of months, I was the regular instructor.
Since then, that duty has devolved on another. She's been doing a fine job, but couldn't be there tonight.
Of the six students present tonight, three were students when I was the teacher, and three are newer and have never seen me in that role.
I chose not to take things off on any funny tangent, but also didn't stick to what we always do.
In the warmup, and cool down, we did isometrics and plyometrics. They all seemed to understand, and did very well.
In class, did it just a little different. Corrected one foot and one arm thing for them as a group.
Tortured them in Kata, having them do Heian Shodan the wrong way (left to right). Before they got any good at that, had them do it from last move until the first. They got real lost doing that. Also had them do their Kata with their eyes shut.
Explained how the Sempai Kohai thing works in Japan.
I think it went well, and it probably felt fresh.
Since then, that duty has devolved on another. She's been doing a fine job, but couldn't be there tonight.
Of the six students present tonight, three were students when I was the teacher, and three are newer and have never seen me in that role.
I chose not to take things off on any funny tangent, but also didn't stick to what we always do.
In the warmup, and cool down, we did isometrics and plyometrics. They all seemed to understand, and did very well.
In class, did it just a little different. Corrected one foot and one arm thing for them as a group.
Tortured them in Kata, having them do Heian Shodan the wrong way (left to right). Before they got any good at that, had them do it from last move until the first. They got real lost doing that. Also had them do their Kata with their eyes shut.
Explained how the Sempai Kohai thing works in Japan.
I think it went well, and it probably felt fresh.
Monday, 27 June 2011
Numbers game
Blogging is funny. I've become somewhat obsessed with the number of people who read my ramblings.
Altogether people have viewed this thing 1659 times since it first started. They call these visit pageviews.
As most people who visit are my Facebook friends, it's no wonder that most are viewing from Canada, 1429 in fact.
Somehow, people from the USA have managed to find it, too. 113 pageviews. Not surprising, I suppose. My blog is in English, and the USA is the most populous English speaking country.
Citizens of the UK have popped in 9 times, and 2 from Ireland. I have a friend in Germany, and I suppose that she is responsible for most or all of the 26 German pageviews. 2 Danes have wandered in as well.
Any from Asia? Why yes, there are 2 from India. I seem to have a fan or two in Malaysia, 35 pageviews, and Singapore 17 pageviews. I wonder if this is one guy.
I don't include any countries that have a single pageview. One must assume that they wandered in by mistake, and foolishly chose to never return.
And what does it all mean?
Nothing.
Altogether people have viewed this thing 1659 times since it first started. They call these visit pageviews.
As most people who visit are my Facebook friends, it's no wonder that most are viewing from Canada, 1429 in fact.
Somehow, people from the USA have managed to find it, too. 113 pageviews. Not surprising, I suppose. My blog is in English, and the USA is the most populous English speaking country.
Citizens of the UK have popped in 9 times, and 2 from Ireland. I have a friend in Germany, and I suppose that she is responsible for most or all of the 26 German pageviews. 2 Danes have wandered in as well.
Any from Asia? Why yes, there are 2 from India. I seem to have a fan or two in Malaysia, 35 pageviews, and Singapore 17 pageviews. I wonder if this is one guy.
I don't include any countries that have a single pageview. One must assume that they wandered in by mistake, and foolishly chose to never return.
And what does it all mean?
Nothing.
A single class
This week we have no Karate classes at all, except for Tuesday. I'll be teaching that one.
What to do? I could just continue with our usual routines.
Same warm up. Same basics. Same stuff.
I could also make it all different. Weird warm up. Alternate basics. Maybe all hippy stuff.
When I was Sensei with this club, I tried to establish a class routine. Since then, the routine has evolved into what we currently do. Nothing wrong with it at all.
With me being a one time teacher I perhaps should do something different. Maybe I should think on that a bit.
Warm up; perhaps plyometrics. Maybe isometrics.
Technique? Wonder if I could get the wrestling room at chat. That could be interesting.
Why do this? It would be more fun for me, but the idea isn't to have classes that are fun for the instructor. Not even principally to have a fun class for the students. The idea is supposed to be a class that will move the students a small step towards...what?
Being better people? Better Karateka? Better Martial Artists? I've been an instructor since 1983, and I don't know the right answer.
Maybe fun is the answer.
What to do? I could just continue with our usual routines.
Same warm up. Same basics. Same stuff.
I could also make it all different. Weird warm up. Alternate basics. Maybe all hippy stuff.
When I was Sensei with this club, I tried to establish a class routine. Since then, the routine has evolved into what we currently do. Nothing wrong with it at all.
With me being a one time teacher I perhaps should do something different. Maybe I should think on that a bit.
Warm up; perhaps plyometrics. Maybe isometrics.
Technique? Wonder if I could get the wrestling room at chat. That could be interesting.
Why do this? It would be more fun for me, but the idea isn't to have classes that are fun for the instructor. Not even principally to have a fun class for the students. The idea is supposed to be a class that will move the students a small step towards...what?
Being better people? Better Karateka? Better Martial Artists? I've been an instructor since 1983, and I don't know the right answer.
Maybe fun is the answer.
Friday, 24 June 2011
Ow...
What is pain?
It isn't really very much. It is supposed to be a signal from a part of your body that something isn't right. I don't know why it has to hurt so much.
When some people feel pain they shut down. That's what I do if I interpret what I'm feeling to mean something is being damaged. If my knee hurts while I'm running, I stop immediately.
But what about that kind of pain that doesn't mean something is being damaged?
Take a punch in the ribs. It can hurt. If it means there is damage, I'll stop right away. It can only make things worse to continue. But it can also hurt when it doesn't mean anything. It can hurt a great deal and still mean nothing.
Should I stop, and nurse a meaningless injury? It isn't an injury at all. It's just discomfort.
Sometimes I'm not tough enough, and the amount of pain I'm feeling is debilitating in itself. Have to stop then, too. This is quite rare.
How about real fighting with a life at stake, and you experience pain. Do you crumple, or stop fighting, or even show that it hurts? Any of those could earn you even more serious injury, or death. You have to continue, and show nothing.
This needs to be practiced. It isn't an easy thing to do.
Little things help. Like a Sensei that insists that you show nothing if an exercise hurts. Push ups on one's knuckles hurt, but don't damage anybody who has finished growing. Do them anyway. Ignore the discomfort if you can, but even if you can't, you do not show it. Showing it doesn't help. Smile while doing them. Practice.
Treat a meaningless hit during training as if you felt nothing. No wincing, or groaning, or pained expressions. Ignore it if you can, but even if you can't you must not show it.
If it could be an injury, stop. No need to be an idiot about this stuff.
It isn't really very much. It is supposed to be a signal from a part of your body that something isn't right. I don't know why it has to hurt so much.
When some people feel pain they shut down. That's what I do if I interpret what I'm feeling to mean something is being damaged. If my knee hurts while I'm running, I stop immediately.
But what about that kind of pain that doesn't mean something is being damaged?
Take a punch in the ribs. It can hurt. If it means there is damage, I'll stop right away. It can only make things worse to continue. But it can also hurt when it doesn't mean anything. It can hurt a great deal and still mean nothing.
Should I stop, and nurse a meaningless injury? It isn't an injury at all. It's just discomfort.
Sometimes I'm not tough enough, and the amount of pain I'm feeling is debilitating in itself. Have to stop then, too. This is quite rare.
How about real fighting with a life at stake, and you experience pain. Do you crumple, or stop fighting, or even show that it hurts? Any of those could earn you even more serious injury, or death. You have to continue, and show nothing.
This needs to be practiced. It isn't an easy thing to do.
Little things help. Like a Sensei that insists that you show nothing if an exercise hurts. Push ups on one's knuckles hurt, but don't damage anybody who has finished growing. Do them anyway. Ignore the discomfort if you can, but even if you can't, you do not show it. Showing it doesn't help. Smile while doing them. Practice.
Treat a meaningless hit during training as if you felt nothing. No wincing, or groaning, or pained expressions. Ignore it if you can, but even if you can't you must not show it.
If it could be an injury, stop. No need to be an idiot about this stuff.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Short seminar
A week from Saturday, I might toddle into Vancouver to catch a day of the Kline Sensei seminar.
If I do, I can catch the 8:20am ferry, which means I'll leave the house around 7:30am, so up by 7:00am.
The ferry costs $60-70 bucks, and figure $15 for breakfast.
The seminar costs $30.
If I head home right after, I'll be on the 1:30pm boat, and be home about 3pm.
So up early, 8 hour hole blown in the day, out well over $100. Fair enough. What do I get back?
One seminar class of one hour length. There is always a warmup within the class; call it ten minutes.
Over $100 and 8 hours of time invested to get 50 minutes of instruction. Hmmmm?
Old style seminars would cost the same, and require going a ferry earlier, and getting home 4 hours later. $100 again, and 14 hours to get 4 1/2 hours of classes. Deduct 3 warm ups and it's still 4 hours of training.
Actual seminar like this week's is $2 per minute and 9.6 minutes wasted per minute of class.
Old style seminar $.42 per minute and 3.5 minutes wasted per minute of class.
I would like to go in either Saturday or Sunday, but won't do both, even if I can.
In a single hour class, instructors only have time to hit one main point, or maybe two. Sometimes it's something that doesn't mean much. Sometimes, of course, it's fantastic. Call it 50-50.
The city seminars great for the city people. Great even for those with a mere one-hour drive. We're kinda far away, and the ferry costs twice what the seminar itself does.
For me, one hour city days will remain the exception, rather than the rule. Will likely do one day of most seminars, but not more.
Likely can't go to this one at all due to other commitments.
Everybody should go once in a while, just to get the experience. Super high level instructors are different. I hope everybody in our club goes to one of the days.
I think Sensei is going to all of them.
If I do, I can catch the 8:20am ferry, which means I'll leave the house around 7:30am, so up by 7:00am.
The ferry costs $60-70 bucks, and figure $15 for breakfast.
The seminar costs $30.
If I head home right after, I'll be on the 1:30pm boat, and be home about 3pm.
So up early, 8 hour hole blown in the day, out well over $100. Fair enough. What do I get back?
One seminar class of one hour length. There is always a warmup within the class; call it ten minutes.
Over $100 and 8 hours of time invested to get 50 minutes of instruction. Hmmmm?
Old style seminars would cost the same, and require going a ferry earlier, and getting home 4 hours later. $100 again, and 14 hours to get 4 1/2 hours of classes. Deduct 3 warm ups and it's still 4 hours of training.
Actual seminar like this week's is $2 per minute and 9.6 minutes wasted per minute of class.
Old style seminar $.42 per minute and 3.5 minutes wasted per minute of class.
I would like to go in either Saturday or Sunday, but won't do both, even if I can.
In a single hour class, instructors only have time to hit one main point, or maybe two. Sometimes it's something that doesn't mean much. Sometimes, of course, it's fantastic. Call it 50-50.
The city seminars great for the city people. Great even for those with a mere one-hour drive. We're kinda far away, and the ferry costs twice what the seminar itself does.
For me, one hour city days will remain the exception, rather than the rule. Will likely do one day of most seminars, but not more.
Likely can't go to this one at all due to other commitments.
Everybody should go once in a while, just to get the experience. Super high level instructors are different. I hope everybody in our club goes to one of the days.
I think Sensei is going to all of them.
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Busted bike
It isn't easy having no bike. Helen and I are now sharing our single car. It is a great car, a red Prius.
It isn't the car that is the problem, it's the scheduling.
Today I dropped Helen at her school, then went to mine. I needed it to get the bike to the repair shop, an hour of driving away. Helen bummed a ride after school to the union office for a meeting, and I swung by to pick her up after my bike repair run. Then I dropped her at her music group, and went home. I waited for her to phone for a pickup, but she got a ride home with a friend. That was just today.
If it was just work, it would be fine.
Tomorrow there is work, and then she has an eye appointment, and won't be able to drive afterwards (eye drops). After getting home, I have Karate from 6:30 to 8:00.
Thursday, I have a dentist appointment.
Friday we both have activities in the evening, music and Karate.
I am really missing my bike. A car could take its place, but we don't have one.
Next week will be better. My work no longer has a strict timetable, so I can get dropped off in the mornings, and walk home afterwards. Or I could run. That could be fun. My only after work activity will be a single Tuesday Karate class. Helen can have the car at work everyday, and for music the other evenings.
I want my bike back.
I almost don't care what the repair costs.
It isn't the car that is the problem, it's the scheduling.
Today I dropped Helen at her school, then went to mine. I needed it to get the bike to the repair shop, an hour of driving away. Helen bummed a ride after school to the union office for a meeting, and I swung by to pick her up after my bike repair run. Then I dropped her at her music group, and went home. I waited for her to phone for a pickup, but she got a ride home with a friend. That was just today.
If it was just work, it would be fine.
Tomorrow there is work, and then she has an eye appointment, and won't be able to drive afterwards (eye drops). After getting home, I have Karate from 6:30 to 8:00.
Thursday, I have a dentist appointment.
Friday we both have activities in the evening, music and Karate.
I am really missing my bike. A car could take its place, but we don't have one.
Next week will be better. My work no longer has a strict timetable, so I can get dropped off in the mornings, and walk home afterwards. Or I could run. That could be fun. My only after work activity will be a single Tuesday Karate class. Helen can have the car at work everyday, and for music the other evenings.
I want my bike back.
I almost don't care what the repair costs.
Training times
Karate tonight is cancelled.
Normal again for Wednesday and Friday. Next week with seminars in the city there would be no classes here at all. I volunteered to lead anybody that shows up on Tuesday.
So our usual 3 classes a week have turned into a week of two sessions, and a week of one. Summer schedules always do this. Nature of the beast.
But let's say somebody is a keener, and goes to every minute of the city seminars. Six days in a row of training. How many classes is that?
Six days of training, with a total of seven sessions. Each session is only one hour in length. Bit light, compared to what I'm used to. Only 7 hours. I might be able to make the last two days, but don't know yet.
Up north, on the 3 days of a seminar weekend we'd squeeze out a lot more hours than that. We would get closer to 12 hours of training.
Anyhow, that's the plan.
This summer in Victoria, I plan on taking Judo classes. The Victoria Judo club has been in operation for well over 50 years. I used to catch a bus downtown where they used to have their Dojo. It was always fascinating as a kid to see the pictures by the door, and see tough looking people going in and out.
I don't know how many Judo sessions I'll be able to attend, what with family and all. We'll see how much I can learn. Might make some interesting blog entries, too. No way I can get slammed into the ground that much without some spectacular results.
I also plan on going to some hot yoga sessions. Of course, this is yoga done in a hundred degrees. Might help with any Judo aches and pains. Can't hurt.
Bet I get winded, several times.
But who need breathing.
Normal again for Wednesday and Friday. Next week with seminars in the city there would be no classes here at all. I volunteered to lead anybody that shows up on Tuesday.
So our usual 3 classes a week have turned into a week of two sessions, and a week of one. Summer schedules always do this. Nature of the beast.
But let's say somebody is a keener, and goes to every minute of the city seminars. Six days in a row of training. How many classes is that?
Six days of training, with a total of seven sessions. Each session is only one hour in length. Bit light, compared to what I'm used to. Only 7 hours. I might be able to make the last two days, but don't know yet.
Up north, on the 3 days of a seminar weekend we'd squeeze out a lot more hours than that. We would get closer to 12 hours of training.
Anyhow, that's the plan.
This summer in Victoria, I plan on taking Judo classes. The Victoria Judo club has been in operation for well over 50 years. I used to catch a bus downtown where they used to have their Dojo. It was always fascinating as a kid to see the pictures by the door, and see tough looking people going in and out.
I don't know how many Judo sessions I'll be able to attend, what with family and all. We'll see how much I can learn. Might make some interesting blog entries, too. No way I can get slammed into the ground that much without some spectacular results.
I also plan on going to some hot yoga sessions. Of course, this is yoga done in a hundred degrees. Might help with any Judo aches and pains. Can't hurt.
Bet I get winded, several times.
But who need breathing.
Monday, 20 June 2011
Hyenas
It is a sad day.
My lovely, marvellous, fabulous electric bike cratered. I was going up the steepest part of my ride, and the electric motor in the front started sounding like a pack of dying hyenas.
Luckily, I was just arriving at work. Nothing seems wrong when the power is off, so I rode home on a 'normal' bike.
Normal, except the bloody thing weights a lot more than a normal bike.
Anyhow, it's at home. Tomorrow I'll car share with my wife. Will pop the bike rack on and haul my beauty off to the shop.
Could take a long time to fix, which is NOT lovely. Might be nothing much, and my fingers are crossed.
My lovely, marvellous, fabulous electric bike cratered. I was going up the steepest part of my ride, and the electric motor in the front started sounding like a pack of dying hyenas.
Luckily, I was just arriving at work. Nothing seems wrong when the power is off, so I rode home on a 'normal' bike.
Normal, except the bloody thing weights a lot more than a normal bike.
Anyhow, it's at home. Tomorrow I'll car share with my wife. Will pop the bike rack on and haul my beauty off to the shop.
Could take a long time to fix, which is NOT lovely. Might be nothing much, and my fingers are crossed.
Sunday, 19 June 2011
Boat
Today, we booked a cruise to Alaska for next month.
It will be our 10th cruise. We like cruises.
It will be our 6th one to Alaska.
Actually, we much prefer trips to exotic, warm places. Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas have all been more to my taste than Alaska.
What's wrong with Alaska? Nothing, if you're from New York, or Florida, or Los Angeles. You'll adore the islands and mountains all covered with West Coast rain forest. I live on the West Coast, with forests, islands and mountains.
But the fabulous towns, you say. I live in a funky little coastal town. It is the same as all the funky coastal towns in Alaska that the cruise ships visit.
Glaciers? I've seen glaciers.
Why do we go to Alaska? Simple. Friends and family have wanted to go, and we jump at any chance to cruise. It's always been a trip with others for us. It's the same this year. We are going with Lola, and Bernie, and Lola's mom Phyllis.
The ships leave from Vancouver so we don’t have to travel to get to the cruise.
I would cruise if the ship didn’t go anywhere at all. My favourite cruise days are those where we don’t dock. I love all the activities, and dancing, and shows, and meals. Sitting by the indoor pool is swell, even in Alaska, or maybe especially in Alaska.
So Alaska here we come. In Juneau and Ketchikan, we walk into town and shop for an hour or so, then back to our fabulous ship. In Skagway, I like to go for a long run to noplace, and then again it’s back to the ship.
Can’t miss lunch.
It will be our 10th cruise. We like cruises.
It will be our 6th one to Alaska.
Actually, we much prefer trips to exotic, warm places. Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas have all been more to my taste than Alaska.
What's wrong with Alaska? Nothing, if you're from New York, or Florida, or Los Angeles. You'll adore the islands and mountains all covered with West Coast rain forest. I live on the West Coast, with forests, islands and mountains.
But the fabulous towns, you say. I live in a funky little coastal town. It is the same as all the funky coastal towns in Alaska that the cruise ships visit.
Glaciers? I've seen glaciers.
Why do we go to Alaska? Simple. Friends and family have wanted to go, and we jump at any chance to cruise. It's always been a trip with others for us. It's the same this year. We are going with Lola, and Bernie, and Lola's mom Phyllis.
The ships leave from Vancouver so we don’t have to travel to get to the cruise.
I would cruise if the ship didn’t go anywhere at all. My favourite cruise days are those where we don’t dock. I love all the activities, and dancing, and shows, and meals. Sitting by the indoor pool is swell, even in Alaska, or maybe especially in Alaska.
So Alaska here we come. In Juneau and Ketchikan, we walk into town and shop for an hour or so, then back to our fabulous ship. In Skagway, I like to go for a long run to noplace, and then again it’s back to the ship.
Can’t miss lunch.
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Camera
Today, my lovely wife game me a Gopro camera for my 55th birthday. This is exactly what I want.
It is a lightweight, movie/still/timelapse waterproof stabilized toughie made for getting wild. It comes with a ton of mounts to hook it up on one's head, or it can bolt to things, or be mounted on a helmet.
Mine is currently on the front of my bike helmet, and set to do a timelapse of my next ride. As soon as the sky breaks up and it gets sunny, I'll be out the door.
If it works like I expect, I have a new hobby.
I've tried mounting my regular cameras to my bike frame, but they just never seemed secure.
This camera setup is built for what I want. It is on my head right now, so I can figure out where it's pointed. No viewfinder at all. Saves weight that way. Definitely a specialty item, but I'm special.
I've already decided on ordering a few more of their optional mounts.
How can I be addicted before I've ever even done it?
It is a lightweight, movie/still/timelapse waterproof stabilized toughie made for getting wild. It comes with a ton of mounts to hook it up on one's head, or it can bolt to things, or be mounted on a helmet.
Mine is currently on the front of my bike helmet, and set to do a timelapse of my next ride. As soon as the sky breaks up and it gets sunny, I'll be out the door.
If it works like I expect, I have a new hobby.
I've tried mounting my regular cameras to my bike frame, but they just never seemed secure.
This camera setup is built for what I want. It is on my head right now, so I can figure out where it's pointed. No viewfinder at all. Saves weight that way. Definitely a specialty item, but I'm special.
I've already decided on ordering a few more of their optional mounts.
How can I be addicted before I've ever even done it?
Friday, 17 June 2011
Front Kick
The very first kick I ever learned was front snap kick. It is a very simple technique.
Since then my repertoire has grown to include roundhouse kick, side snap kick, side thrust, front thrust, back, crescent, inside crescent, reverse roundhouse, axe, and maybe more.
Many are deceptive. Some are powerful. Some are fast.
However, if I'm free fighting, 90% of the kicks I throw are front snap kicks.
For me it is the fastest, and most direct. I can throw it high, or low.
Simplicity is its virtue.
Watch any tournament, and you'll find that most of the kicks are front kicks. I am not alone in seeing the virtue in simplicity.
To kick somebody, fire a line directly from your foot to their body, and launch your foot exactly up that line. That is a front kick.
Simple.
Since then my repertoire has grown to include roundhouse kick, side snap kick, side thrust, front thrust, back, crescent, inside crescent, reverse roundhouse, axe, and maybe more.
Many are deceptive. Some are powerful. Some are fast.
However, if I'm free fighting, 90% of the kicks I throw are front snap kicks.
For me it is the fastest, and most direct. I can throw it high, or low.
Simplicity is its virtue.
Watch any tournament, and you'll find that most of the kicks are front kicks. I am not alone in seeing the virtue in simplicity.
To kick somebody, fire a line directly from your foot to their body, and launch your foot exactly up that line. That is a front kick.
Simple.
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Sanchin
People do Karate for many reasons. I mostly have three reasons.
Sanchin is a word that pops up often in Karate. It literally means Three Battles. There are Katas by that name, and stances, and attitudes.
I find it describes my overall view of Karate.
Three Battles. Three Struggles. Not all are equal.
The least of my Three Struggles, is Karate's self defence aspect. Let me count the total number of incidents I've had since starting Karate in 1981. Let's see, street fights, assaults, muggings, bar room brawls...it adds up to zero. Maybe I should include all the close calls. Still zero.
It would be pretty silly if my major reason for being in Karate was to protect myself from a threat that is pretty minimal.
Far up the scale of my Three Aspects of Karate is Sport. This includes tournament competition, and training that reflects sport.
I've only ever been in one major tournament, and a half dozen minor ones. In class, we often free spar, and this is sport as well.
I like sparring. It is a chance to measure oneself against others. It is also a hoot to do. It is fun to help produce people who enter tournaments, even if I don't compete much myself.
I'd say for me Sport is an order of magnitude more significant than Self-Defence.
The most significant of my Three Struggles is Self Improvement. I do this by pushing myself inch by inch down the endless road to perfection of technique.
Each punch is like a brush stroke on a canvas. The goal is to make each such stroke as perfect as possible, trying to make the finest art possible.
Karate is normally a pretty boisterous activity. Usually lots of yelling, and loudly vocalized instructions. Sometimes I like it done in silence. It can totally change the feeling. It can feel more perfect.
Sometimes I manage to reach a state of no-mind while doing basics or Kata. That's where one is able to perform at one's highest level, and yet not think at all. The Japanese call this Zen. Attaining this state is part of my Third Struggle. I love it.
To me, this self improvement is ten times more important than sport, and a hundred times more significant than self-defence.
Of course, this is not true of everyone. It might well be unique to me.
Sanchin.
Sanchin is a word that pops up often in Karate. It literally means Three Battles. There are Katas by that name, and stances, and attitudes.
I find it describes my overall view of Karate.
Three Battles. Three Struggles. Not all are equal.
The least of my Three Struggles, is Karate's self defence aspect. Let me count the total number of incidents I've had since starting Karate in 1981. Let's see, street fights, assaults, muggings, bar room brawls...it adds up to zero. Maybe I should include all the close calls. Still zero.
It would be pretty silly if my major reason for being in Karate was to protect myself from a threat that is pretty minimal.
Far up the scale of my Three Aspects of Karate is Sport. This includes tournament competition, and training that reflects sport.
I've only ever been in one major tournament, and a half dozen minor ones. In class, we often free spar, and this is sport as well.
I like sparring. It is a chance to measure oneself against others. It is also a hoot to do. It is fun to help produce people who enter tournaments, even if I don't compete much myself.
I'd say for me Sport is an order of magnitude more significant than Self-Defence.
The most significant of my Three Struggles is Self Improvement. I do this by pushing myself inch by inch down the endless road to perfection of technique.
Each punch is like a brush stroke on a canvas. The goal is to make each such stroke as perfect as possible, trying to make the finest art possible.
Karate is normally a pretty boisterous activity. Usually lots of yelling, and loudly vocalized instructions. Sometimes I like it done in silence. It can totally change the feeling. It can feel more perfect.
Sometimes I manage to reach a state of no-mind while doing basics or Kata. That's where one is able to perform at one's highest level, and yet not think at all. The Japanese call this Zen. Attaining this state is part of my Third Struggle. I love it.
To me, this self improvement is ten times more important than sport, and a hundred times more significant than self-defence.
Of course, this is not true of everyone. It might well be unique to me.
Sanchin.
Halves...
I have gotten into our new class schedule.
It divides the week nicely into two almost equal chunks.
The larger half, is four days long, and has three Karate classes within it. When Tuesday hits, my brain goes, "training time," until I get home Friday night.
In the other half of the week there is no Karate. My brain turns to other things.
I am dividing my attention, and it feels good. More of an intense on or off than we used to have. Suits me fine.
I hope nobody fixes it.
It divides the week nicely into two almost equal chunks.
The larger half, is four days long, and has three Karate classes within it. When Tuesday hits, my brain goes, "training time," until I get home Friday night.
In the other half of the week there is no Karate. My brain turns to other things.
I am dividing my attention, and it feels good. More of an intense on or off than we used to have. Suits me fine.
I hope nobody fixes it.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Hockey night
Vancouver hockey fans seem to be very upset today. The most common phrase I've heard is, "we lost".
Funny, I didn't know we were all part of the team.
I've never really understood ball or puck sports. Team games are a mystery to me. I do understand how they can be fun to play, but they are painful to watch.
I can enjoy a good solo sport, and I don't mean tennis. Watching runners can be fun. Bikes, too.
I do seem to like most forms of combatives. One on one, in a version of fighting. We used to watch boxing at grandpa's house back when I was a tiny kid.
Seeing Ali fight anybody was a treat. Or Leonard, or Roy Jones.
Used to watch kickboxing back in the '80s. I have always liked Judo, and Wrestling (real). MMA is jolly fun.
Of course, I like watching Karate competition. I even like fencing, and Kendo.
But I'm weird. Maybe I should buy a jersey for some team geographically near to my location, and a sport with a ball or similar object evolved, and join the crowd.
Funny, I didn't know we were all part of the team.
I've never really understood ball or puck sports. Team games are a mystery to me. I do understand how they can be fun to play, but they are painful to watch.
I can enjoy a good solo sport, and I don't mean tennis. Watching runners can be fun. Bikes, too.
I do seem to like most forms of combatives. One on one, in a version of fighting. We used to watch boxing at grandpa's house back when I was a tiny kid.
Seeing Ali fight anybody was a treat. Or Leonard, or Roy Jones.
Used to watch kickboxing back in the '80s. I have always liked Judo, and Wrestling (real). MMA is jolly fun.
Of course, I like watching Karate competition. I even like fencing, and Kendo.
But I'm weird. Maybe I should buy a jersey for some team geographically near to my location, and a sport with a ball or similar object evolved, and join the crowd.
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Management
I wish I'd insisted on something before I turned our club over to the new instructor. I should have taught how to be a sergeant.
There are a ton of things a long-time teacher picks up, and I don't mean Karate technique. In school, we call in 'classroom management'. It includes all the stuff you do in a class to make things run clearly and well.
In Karate there are ways to use your voice. There are ways to count. There are ways to use Japanese. There are ways to motivate. There are ways to do everything.
Some of these teaching tips I've come up with on my own. Some were passed on by other instructors. Part comes from my military training, and of course, part comes from my school teaching background.
Done right, the students learn Japanese terminology without even noticing. They know when you want them moving fast, or slow. They never mistake a spoken word for a command to attack. They learn that what they are doing is significant, and special.
All of this can be done by the instructor, with only the instructor being aware it is happening.
I should have taught this, but I didn't. Now it's too late. I can't even suggest it. In Karate, the Sensei's role is sacred.
I'm just Gordon.
There are a ton of things a long-time teacher picks up, and I don't mean Karate technique. In school, we call in 'classroom management'. It includes all the stuff you do in a class to make things run clearly and well.
In Karate there are ways to use your voice. There are ways to count. There are ways to use Japanese. There are ways to motivate. There are ways to do everything.
Some of these teaching tips I've come up with on my own. Some were passed on by other instructors. Part comes from my military training, and of course, part comes from my school teaching background.
Done right, the students learn Japanese terminology without even noticing. They know when you want them moving fast, or slow. They never mistake a spoken word for a command to attack. They learn that what they are doing is significant, and special.
All of this can be done by the instructor, with only the instructor being aware it is happening.
I should have taught this, but I didn't. Now it's too late. I can't even suggest it. In Karate, the Sensei's role is sacred.
I'm just Gordon.
Sunday, 12 June 2011
Anomalies
Ever wonder why Karate people hold their fist down at the hip, yet never leave it there in either self-defence or sport fighting? I won't tell unless you ask me. Funny thing is, nobody ever taught it to me.
Ever wonder why the basic round kick is launched from beside the body, yet is rarely ever used that way? It used to bother me, but then I figured that one out, too.
We do a lot of strange things.
Why are the stances so long and low? This makes them pretty useless for movement. Some folks think it is to strengthen the legs. If strong legs were the goal, there are better ways to achieve it. Why the low stances? Why learn them first, before the more reasonable free fighting stances?
These puzzles are what make Karate such a strange activity.
Likely there are a zillion other anomalies I haven't picked up on, let alone solved.
I hope I can find a new one soon.
Ever wonder why the basic round kick is launched from beside the body, yet is rarely ever used that way? It used to bother me, but then I figured that one out, too.
We do a lot of strange things.
Why are the stances so long and low? This makes them pretty useless for movement. Some folks think it is to strengthen the legs. If strong legs were the goal, there are better ways to achieve it. Why the low stances? Why learn them first, before the more reasonable free fighting stances?
These puzzles are what make Karate such a strange activity.
Likely there are a zillion other anomalies I haven't picked up on, let alone solved.
I hope I can find a new one soon.
Direction
Bike riding with Helen can be interesting.
She has the worst sense of direction I've ever run up against. When she got her first job, we practised the route she'd be taking. It went, go left on the main street, turn right on the highway, and arrive at school. We practised for days. We also had to practise the route home.
She doesn't see the world the same way I do.
So I devised a nice route to get us to town today. Halfway along a lovely country trail, she said she'd rather go along the path the other way. She didn't mean, on the way home. She meant, can't we do this part of the trip in the other direction.
I answered in the negative.
At one point she was up ahead, and a choice in the route occurred. She didn't look back to gain an indication from me of which way to go. She turned right.
No problem, the right turn can work fine, but it does alter the rest of the route.
A bit later, she demanded to know why we weren't on the Kinnikinnick Park trail that I said we'd be using. She could see the Park, and was frustrated that I now insisted that using the trails would be the wrong way.
In town, she decided she wanted to go along the waterfront on the way home, before we got to the trails. I was forced to inform her that the two are kinda mutually exclusive.
We did ride the waterfront.
It was all good, but I can't imagine what it must be to have a through-the-looking-glass sense of location and direction.
Surely she can't imagine what it's like to always know where one is, and how to get to the next place.
Living in Sechelt has done wonders for her. There are really only two main directions around here.
She used to be a garage sale junkie. For years, I had to go along, but she eventually got the hang of this place. One Saturday morning, she dismissed me and headed out armed with a map. She got lost a bit, but kept at it. She is a thousand percent better than she was.
Once in a while, like today, she's back dancing through wonderland.
Helen in Wonderland.
She has the worst sense of direction I've ever run up against. When she got her first job, we practised the route she'd be taking. It went, go left on the main street, turn right on the highway, and arrive at school. We practised for days. We also had to practise the route home.
She doesn't see the world the same way I do.
So I devised a nice route to get us to town today. Halfway along a lovely country trail, she said she'd rather go along the path the other way. She didn't mean, on the way home. She meant, can't we do this part of the trip in the other direction.
I answered in the negative.
At one point she was up ahead, and a choice in the route occurred. She didn't look back to gain an indication from me of which way to go. She turned right.
No problem, the right turn can work fine, but it does alter the rest of the route.
A bit later, she demanded to know why we weren't on the Kinnikinnick Park trail that I said we'd be using. She could see the Park, and was frustrated that I now insisted that using the trails would be the wrong way.
In town, she decided she wanted to go along the waterfront on the way home, before we got to the trails. I was forced to inform her that the two are kinda mutually exclusive.
We did ride the waterfront.
It was all good, but I can't imagine what it must be to have a through-the-looking-glass sense of location and direction.
Surely she can't imagine what it's like to always know where one is, and how to get to the next place.
Living in Sechelt has done wonders for her. There are really only two main directions around here.
She used to be a garage sale junkie. For years, I had to go along, but she eventually got the hang of this place. One Saturday morning, she dismissed me and headed out armed with a map. She got lost a bit, but kept at it. She is a thousand percent better than she was.
Once in a while, like today, she's back dancing through wonderland.
Helen in Wonderland.
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Religion
I hate being surrounded by religion. Believe this, don't believe that, agree with us or you are one of them.
I hate that stuff.
One of my hobbies is technology, and has been since 1980. People always ask me if I'm Windows or Mac. Why do they do that? Or they ask me which is better, Windows or Mac. That is stupid. They both are a pain in the butt. We have four computers in my house. Two are Windows and two are Macs. I use both.
Right now it is Stanley Cup time in hockey. People are shocked that I don't know when the next game is, or what happened in the game last night. My wife, a casual fan, almost went into a depression after the team from a town geographically close to our location was beaten by the team from a town geographically distant to our location.
People in Wisconsin are trying to pass a law. It seems there is a highly successful state run internet system serving the public university, the government, and the schools. They want to make it illegal for the state to do this, because they feel it is unfair competition for the huge for-profit telecoms.
All of these are religions to me.
I hate that stuff.
One of my hobbies is technology, and has been since 1980. People always ask me if I'm Windows or Mac. Why do they do that? Or they ask me which is better, Windows or Mac. That is stupid. They both are a pain in the butt. We have four computers in my house. Two are Windows and two are Macs. I use both.
Right now it is Stanley Cup time in hockey. People are shocked that I don't know when the next game is, or what happened in the game last night. My wife, a casual fan, almost went into a depression after the team from a town geographically close to our location was beaten by the team from a town geographically distant to our location.
People in Wisconsin are trying to pass a law. It seems there is a highly successful state run internet system serving the public university, the government, and the schools. They want to make it illegal for the state to do this, because they feel it is unfair competition for the huge for-profit telecoms.
All of these are religions to me.
Gas
It has become accepted wisdom that cars like my Toyota Prius actually pollute more than normal cars. The culprit is the nickel in the batteries. It sounds a little fishy to me, but lately it's gone a step farther. It seems that a Hummer is better for the environment than a Prius.
Does that sound right to you?
Making a vehicle that's twice as big as another is more environmentally wise than making the little one, because the little one has more nickel.
I did some math. In a ten year lifetime a Prius will use about 6 or 7,000 gallons less than a Hummer. Put the Prius on one side, and the Hummer with 6,000 gallons of gas on the other. Now light the gas on fire. Take the battery out of the Prius, and recycle all the wicked nickel, which is what happens when it gets old.
Even comparing a Prius to a normal car is suspect. Corolla and 2,000 gallons of burning gas on one side, Prius and recycled battery on the other.
Who comes up with this crap?
Could it be competitors?
Nah....
Does that sound right to you?
Making a vehicle that's twice as big as another is more environmentally wise than making the little one, because the little one has more nickel.
I did some math. In a ten year lifetime a Prius will use about 6 or 7,000 gallons less than a Hummer. Put the Prius on one side, and the Hummer with 6,000 gallons of gas on the other. Now light the gas on fire. Take the battery out of the Prius, and recycle all the wicked nickel, which is what happens when it gets old.
Even comparing a Prius to a normal car is suspect. Corolla and 2,000 gallons of burning gas on one side, Prius and recycled battery on the other.
Who comes up with this crap?
Could it be competitors?
Nah....
Whacking good time
What is free sparring?
It hasn't been part of Karate all that long in the big picture of things. It popped up after the Second World War, both as a training method and a form of competition.
I assume the Karateka of the time, most of whom had some training in Judo, wondered why there was no similar fighting element. In Judo one competes frequently, both in training and in sport.
Rules were developed. For example, heavy contact is usually not permitted. Most associations define correct scoring distance to the face be from light touch to one cm away. Body contact usually means a whack, but one that does not injure.
The first big event was called the All Japan Tournament, and was held in 1957. The winner the first year instantly became the most famous Karateka of his generation. He had only started training upon entering University, and won the tournament at age 26.
Some worry about fighting encouraging sloppy technique. I've never seen that. Back in 1958, the previous year's All Japan fighting champion returned to the mat, winning the Kata competition. You can't win Kata with sloppy technique.
His name was Hirokazu Kanazawa. He is currently head of the world wide organization SKI, and remains one of the world's most respected Karateka.
The fighting in the 1958 tournament was most unusual, and never repeated. Kanazawa was again in the final, and faced his friend and training partner Takayuki Mikami. They fought to the only draw ever in the All Japan Championship. Declared co-winners, they both attained the status of immortal legends. When I was a coloured belt in the 1980s, I was told of that match as a classic of good Karate.
The year after, Mikami returned and won both Kata and Kumite.
In more modern times, the big competition is the World Championship put on by the World Karate Federation. This group used to be called the World Union of Karate Associations, and has been holding the event since 1970.
It is their rules that dominate most free sparring practise.
To score a point, form must be correct, as well as target, focus and distance. You can only understand this if one tries to score while chasing a moving target, and having the points judged. One delivers technique after technique that the judges do not acknowledge. It puts you in your place really fast.
It forces control that other training does not. If you are too far away, no score. If you are too close and accidentally whack your partner, you face a foul.
It forces you to have a more effective guard than any other training method. Fail to do so, and you get scored on.
It is also fun, if introduced correctly. It can be terrifying if it is not. I used to hate sparring, having been introduced to it for my very first time at a tournament. I was a free fighting virgin facing Brown Belts. It sucked, and hurt.
I used a number of drills that made sparring safe and fun, introducing all its benefits, and minimizing its shortcomings. In my clubs I've produced many good tournament fighters, all of which did equally well in Kata.
Nothing beats a good fight.
If the student is well prepared.
It hasn't been part of Karate all that long in the big picture of things. It popped up after the Second World War, both as a training method and a form of competition.
I assume the Karateka of the time, most of whom had some training in Judo, wondered why there was no similar fighting element. In Judo one competes frequently, both in training and in sport.
Rules were developed. For example, heavy contact is usually not permitted. Most associations define correct scoring distance to the face be from light touch to one cm away. Body contact usually means a whack, but one that does not injure.
The first big event was called the All Japan Tournament, and was held in 1957. The winner the first year instantly became the most famous Karateka of his generation. He had only started training upon entering University, and won the tournament at age 26.
Some worry about fighting encouraging sloppy technique. I've never seen that. Back in 1958, the previous year's All Japan fighting champion returned to the mat, winning the Kata competition. You can't win Kata with sloppy technique.
His name was Hirokazu Kanazawa. He is currently head of the world wide organization SKI, and remains one of the world's most respected Karateka.
The fighting in the 1958 tournament was most unusual, and never repeated. Kanazawa was again in the final, and faced his friend and training partner Takayuki Mikami. They fought to the only draw ever in the All Japan Championship. Declared co-winners, they both attained the status of immortal legends. When I was a coloured belt in the 1980s, I was told of that match as a classic of good Karate.
The year after, Mikami returned and won both Kata and Kumite.
In more modern times, the big competition is the World Championship put on by the World Karate Federation. This group used to be called the World Union of Karate Associations, and has been holding the event since 1970.
It is their rules that dominate most free sparring practise.
To score a point, form must be correct, as well as target, focus and distance. You can only understand this if one tries to score while chasing a moving target, and having the points judged. One delivers technique after technique that the judges do not acknowledge. It puts you in your place really fast.
It forces control that other training does not. If you are too far away, no score. If you are too close and accidentally whack your partner, you face a foul.
It forces you to have a more effective guard than any other training method. Fail to do so, and you get scored on.
It is also fun, if introduced correctly. It can be terrifying if it is not. I used to hate sparring, having been introduced to it for my very first time at a tournament. I was a free fighting virgin facing Brown Belts. It sucked, and hurt.
I used a number of drills that made sparring safe and fun, introducing all its benefits, and minimizing its shortcomings. In my clubs I've produced many good tournament fighters, all of which did equally well in Kata.
Nothing beats a good fight.
If the student is well prepared.
Friday, 10 June 2011
100 km...
Almost every weekend, I consider going to Vancouver.
Big deal, says you.
No car. Bike only.
I'd bum a ride to the ferry from my wife, with the bike on the carrier. Kiss goodbye, and she heads back to Saturday music activities.
Once off the ferry, it would be a lovely 31.3 km ride to my friend Mike's Dojo. He's a 4th Dan, and I've known him since 1990.
The ride back to the boat would, of course also be 31.3 km. Off the ferry again on our side, and then a further 31.5 km ride home.
Why don't I do it? It would be almost 100 km of pedalling. That's a heck of a lot. Helen is also convinced that the Vancouver drivers like to squish country-folk bikers, and would worry. It would also mean leaving home at 5:30am and getting back about 5:30pm. It'd be a long day.
On the plus side, a fine Karate class. Also, great bike riding, both near home, and on some of North Vancouver's loveliest, quiet streets. Probably would be restaurant meal in there someplace, too.
Maybe even some ferry food
Big deal, says you.
No car. Bike only.
I'd bum a ride to the ferry from my wife, with the bike on the carrier. Kiss goodbye, and she heads back to Saturday music activities.
Once off the ferry, it would be a lovely 31.3 km ride to my friend Mike's Dojo. He's a 4th Dan, and I've known him since 1990.
The ride back to the boat would, of course also be 31.3 km. Off the ferry again on our side, and then a further 31.5 km ride home.
Why don't I do it? It would be almost 100 km of pedalling. That's a heck of a lot. Helen is also convinced that the Vancouver drivers like to squish country-folk bikers, and would worry. It would also mean leaving home at 5:30am and getting back about 5:30pm. It'd be a long day.
On the plus side, a fine Karate class. Also, great bike riding, both near home, and on some of North Vancouver's loveliest, quiet streets. Probably would be restaurant meal in there someplace, too.
Maybe even some ferry food
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Teach
In Western culture, we throw around the word expert far too easily.
I have a degree in History. When I graduated, I certainly was not an expert in that field.
Some people complete a weekend course, and become their group's expert.
It took me four years to get my Black Belt. When I did, I was in no way an expert. Was a practising Black Belt for 14 years. At the end of that time, I still did not consider myself an expert. Back training now, but as I've likely forgotten part of what I knew back then.
Luckily, however, one doesn't need real expertise to begin spreading knowledge to others.
In Karate, I taught half of my club's classes when I had my Green Belt. I was a one-year-old teacher. Of course, I only taught exactly what I'd been taught. Maybe I was more of a practise leader, than a real teacher.
A high level Black Belt might have done a better job, but to White Belts maybe not.
Becoming a teacher at any skill level forces you to verbalize what you yourself have learned. Teaching is a fabulous way for the teacher to learn.
Teaching is not for everybody. Some don't enjoy doing it. Some have no knack for it.
There is a famous story of a Japanese gentleman who was assigned to be chief instructor in a certain English speaking country. His own English was somewhat....interesting.
He attempted to correct a class of eager Black Belts on their hip rotation. Trying to explain, he barked out, "push you stomach." Everyone was puzzled. Their technique did not improve. He screamed louder, "push you stomach." They tried to push their stomachs. As a result Karateka from that country developed a notable, gut-forced-forward stance. Crappy teacher.
If I were unable to speak at all, I think I could still train up pretty competent students. A good Karate teacher explains with words, demonstrations, by moving student's bodies, or whatever it takes. Sometimes a silly face is in order.
It isn't expertise that is needed, although that is nice. What is needed to be a teacher is desire, and teaching ability.
I have a degree in History. When I graduated, I certainly was not an expert in that field.
Some people complete a weekend course, and become their group's expert.
It took me four years to get my Black Belt. When I did, I was in no way an expert. Was a practising Black Belt for 14 years. At the end of that time, I still did not consider myself an expert. Back training now, but as I've likely forgotten part of what I knew back then.
Luckily, however, one doesn't need real expertise to begin spreading knowledge to others.
In Karate, I taught half of my club's classes when I had my Green Belt. I was a one-year-old teacher. Of course, I only taught exactly what I'd been taught. Maybe I was more of a practise leader, than a real teacher.
A high level Black Belt might have done a better job, but to White Belts maybe not.
Becoming a teacher at any skill level forces you to verbalize what you yourself have learned. Teaching is a fabulous way for the teacher to learn.
Teaching is not for everybody. Some don't enjoy doing it. Some have no knack for it.
There is a famous story of a Japanese gentleman who was assigned to be chief instructor in a certain English speaking country. His own English was somewhat....interesting.
He attempted to correct a class of eager Black Belts on their hip rotation. Trying to explain, he barked out, "push you stomach." Everyone was puzzled. Their technique did not improve. He screamed louder, "push you stomach." They tried to push their stomachs. As a result Karateka from that country developed a notable, gut-forced-forward stance. Crappy teacher.
If I were unable to speak at all, I think I could still train up pretty competent students. A good Karate teacher explains with words, demonstrations, by moving student's bodies, or whatever it takes. Sometimes a silly face is in order.
It isn't expertise that is needed, although that is nice. What is needed to be a teacher is desire, and teaching ability.
Listen to your body...
Last year, my weight went well over 190 pounds. This was a big deal for me, as I'd never been that large before.
Various weight calculator websites say I should be under 170.
I think all of the extra bulk was sticking out over the front of my belt.
I don't think the weight calculators figure my goal very well. With all the running, biking, and kicking, I have a lot of muscle on my legs. Made my goal to be under 175.
I am there.
Now I eat more carefully, and cut back if I hit 175, until I'm back near to 170. This seems to work for me. I've seen video of myself, and it looks right.
I can imagine myself really huge, if I should just eat like my whims want me to, and if I didn't exercise so much.
I hate people who say, "Listen to your body."
Mine says quite clearly, "ice cream, chips and TV remote control."
Sometimes it shouts.
Various weight calculator websites say I should be under 170.
I think all of the extra bulk was sticking out over the front of my belt.
I don't think the weight calculators figure my goal very well. With all the running, biking, and kicking, I have a lot of muscle on my legs. Made my goal to be under 175.
I am there.
Now I eat more carefully, and cut back if I hit 175, until I'm back near to 170. This seems to work for me. I've seen video of myself, and it looks right.
I can imagine myself really huge, if I should just eat like my whims want me to, and if I didn't exercise so much.
I hate people who say, "Listen to your body."
Mine says quite clearly, "ice cream, chips and TV remote control."
Sometimes it shouts.
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Performance
Been back training for about half a year now.
I've done tons of low-level Katas in class time.
Working on Kata in class is not the same as performing one.
I usually go early, so I can spend time working on high-level Katas. It is not the same as performing them.
Performing means full feeling, and full power, full intensity, and full speed.
Last night, we were working on low Katas. Sensei was assigning different level groups which to train on. She asked the group I was standing next to which they wanted to do. I answered for them, "Sochin," as a joke.
Sochin is a very high level Kata.
She called me on it and said, "Sure, do Sochin."
I strode out, announced my Kata, and performed it. The class watched.
Half of them had never seen a high Kata done with full force by a Black Belt.
Now they have.
I've done tons of low-level Katas in class time.
Working on Kata in class is not the same as performing one.
I usually go early, so I can spend time working on high-level Katas. It is not the same as performing them.
Performing means full feeling, and full power, full intensity, and full speed.
Last night, we were working on low Katas. Sensei was assigning different level groups which to train on. She asked the group I was standing next to which they wanted to do. I answered for them, "Sochin," as a joke.
Sochin is a very high level Kata.
She called me on it and said, "Sure, do Sochin."
I strode out, announced my Kata, and performed it. The class watched.
Half of them had never seen a high Kata done with full force by a Black Belt.
Now they have.
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Musty...
When I started in Karate it was always held in big airy school gyms. You know the type, lots of air and lights, and a polished hardwood floor.
Very nice.
Today, we shifted our training into a small church hall, poorly lit, wavy floor, and musty smell.
I don't know why, but this just seems more like a Karate Dojo to me. Places like it always have.
Can you remember the boxing gym from the original Rocky movie? Boxers should train in places like that, not in carpeted, mirrored rooms with full wall views of the ocean.
And don't forget.
Yoda taught in a swamp.
Very nice.
Today, we shifted our training into a small church hall, poorly lit, wavy floor, and musty smell.
I don't know why, but this just seems more like a Karate Dojo to me. Places like it always have.
Can you remember the boxing gym from the original Rocky movie? Boxers should train in places like that, not in carpeted, mirrored rooms with full wall views of the ocean.
And don't forget.
Yoda taught in a swamp.
Monday, 6 June 2011
Limits
Sport competition messes up martial arts.
Any competition has to have rules for safety. These safety rules make the entire exercise suspect.
Take boxing. A dandy way of punching people. Allow all the things that boxing bans, and it doesn't work anymore. The distance is all wrong if the other guy can kick. The stance is too high and the feet too close together if the other guy can throw or sweep.
Take Taekwondo. A swell kicking method. Put back in the things that Taekwondo sparring restricts, and it doesn't work so well. They ban face punches, so they don't defend against them at all. They spend a lot of time on one leg, and would be very vulnerable to getting dumped.
Take Karate. A good general art, but the competition bans the ground. Karate people feel happy on their feet, and are terrified of getting taken down. Only straight punches score, so Karate people don't throw hooks.
How about MMA, which seems to take any technique from any art, and use them all in a no-hold barred scrap? Wrong. They have zillions of rules, and must fight within them. On the ground they often turn away from an opponent who is pounding their face in, to present the back of their head instead. That is an illegal target and they can't be hit there, but this is exactly where a real life opponent would love to strike. They are great at arm bars, but wrist or finger locks are illegal, so they don't do those at all.
Competitive martial arts can be very valuable. They teach distance, speed, strategy and much more. They also cultivate bad habits due to the rules they impose.
Keeping this in mind, and they are a training tool. Lose sight of this, and they can lead you down the Primrose Path.
Any competition has to have rules for safety. These safety rules make the entire exercise suspect.
Take boxing. A dandy way of punching people. Allow all the things that boxing bans, and it doesn't work anymore. The distance is all wrong if the other guy can kick. The stance is too high and the feet too close together if the other guy can throw or sweep.
Take Taekwondo. A swell kicking method. Put back in the things that Taekwondo sparring restricts, and it doesn't work so well. They ban face punches, so they don't defend against them at all. They spend a lot of time on one leg, and would be very vulnerable to getting dumped.
Take Karate. A good general art, but the competition bans the ground. Karate people feel happy on their feet, and are terrified of getting taken down. Only straight punches score, so Karate people don't throw hooks.
How about MMA, which seems to take any technique from any art, and use them all in a no-hold barred scrap? Wrong. They have zillions of rules, and must fight within them. On the ground they often turn away from an opponent who is pounding their face in, to present the back of their head instead. That is an illegal target and they can't be hit there, but this is exactly where a real life opponent would love to strike. They are great at arm bars, but wrist or finger locks are illegal, so they don't do those at all.
Competitive martial arts can be very valuable. They teach distance, speed, strategy and much more. They also cultivate bad habits due to the rules they impose.
Keeping this in mind, and they are a training tool. Lose sight of this, and they can lead you down the Primrose Path.
Summer Training
Our Dojo has just switched over to its summer timetable.
As soon as this was posted, there was immediately one student responding that she now has a conflict.
Sigh. Stupid conflicts. Summer is often full of other stuff to do. This is good, of course. It can mess up a person's training.
The good news with summer is that I become totally free when in town. I will be off work from July 1st until September 5th. I can train during the day, or any evening. In summer, a gym is not always needed either.
There is a problem in that I'll be away in Victoria visiting family, or seeing friends in the interior. Maybe half of the summer.
When in town, I'll be at all three of our club's regular weekly training times, and be free for any informal training as well.
I am secretly pleased that the Saturday class is gone now. This makes trips to Vancouver viable, perhaps for more training. Perhaps for shopping and fun.
Or maybe all three.
As soon as this was posted, there was immediately one student responding that she now has a conflict.
Sigh. Stupid conflicts. Summer is often full of other stuff to do. This is good, of course. It can mess up a person's training.
The good news with summer is that I become totally free when in town. I will be off work from July 1st until September 5th. I can train during the day, or any evening. In summer, a gym is not always needed either.
There is a problem in that I'll be away in Victoria visiting family, or seeing friends in the interior. Maybe half of the summer.
When in town, I'll be at all three of our club's regular weekly training times, and be free for any informal training as well.
I am secretly pleased that the Saturday class is gone now. This makes trips to Vancouver viable, perhaps for more training. Perhaps for shopping and fun.
Or maybe all three.
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Love the bike
I got my wonderful electric bike about two years ago. Originally, I got one from Canadian Tire. It had been non-functioning piece of crap, and the store gave me all kinds of grief. Do NOT buy one from Canadian Tire.
Well, anyhow, after about a month of bad service, I got a refund and found another electric bike dealer.
I got sparkling service from Spin Cycles in Gibsons, and bought the perfect electric bike.
Very soon afterwards, Helen bought one as well. We ride together during holiday time, but she doesn't use the bike through the work year.
Last week I hauled both of our bikes out, and bullied her into going for a ride. She loved it and didn't want to stop.
Today, she was up very early, all dressed, and ready to go again. I was the slow poke this time.
Lots of quiet streets, and forest trails. It was lovely. She kept saying how much she was enjoying herself.
It's nice to see something that has become somewhat mundane through someone else's eyes. I saw things afresh. I always enjoy my rides, but I loved it more, just because she was loving it, too.
We are social beasts.
Well, anyhow, after about a month of bad service, I got a refund and found another electric bike dealer.
I got sparkling service from Spin Cycles in Gibsons, and bought the perfect electric bike.
Very soon afterwards, Helen bought one as well. We ride together during holiday time, but she doesn't use the bike through the work year.
Last week I hauled both of our bikes out, and bullied her into going for a ride. She loved it and didn't want to stop.
Today, she was up very early, all dressed, and ready to go again. I was the slow poke this time.
Lots of quiet streets, and forest trails. It was lovely. She kept saying how much she was enjoying herself.
It's nice to see something that has become somewhat mundane through someone else's eyes. I saw things afresh. I always enjoy my rides, but I loved it more, just because she was loving it, too.
We are social beasts.
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Equal????
In Japanese Karate there is a very interesting form of relationship.
Anytime people train together, one is Kohai, and one is Sempai. Kohai means junior, and Sempai senior.
The job of the Sempai is to assist their juniors. They are expected to explain things, show things, and in general guide. The Kohai is expected to listen. The Kohai treats the Sempai with a bit of extra courtesy. They will often address their senior with the title of "Sempai". It is a term of respect.
How do you know who are your Sempai? Easy. When you start training, everybody with a higher belt is your Sempai. Everybody who has the same belt as you, but who has held it longer is your Sempai.
I bet this sounds simple enough, but it isn't.
Suppose you join Karate. You are a White Belt. That Yellow Belt over there is your senior, and you treat him as such. Easy? So far, yes. Suppose your sempai has to go away for a while, and misses training. You progress, and pass two tests before the Yellow Belt returns.
He is still Yellow, and you are Orange, higher than him. Who is the Sempai now? To western thinking, the Orange Belt would be. If only it were that simple.
The higher Orange Belt will still treat the Yellow with the respect due a Sempai, but perhaps less overtly. The Yellow, will now rely upon the Orange as his Sempai. He will accept the respect from the higher belt with grace, and also return it.
In effect each is both Kohai and Sempai to the other. It is an intricate dance. Even if they both earn their Green Belts on the same day, they are never exactly equal.
This is all very Japanese, and they can do it without thinking. It can confuse the hell out of westerners.
The Japanese are more confused by truly equal Karate status. Two guys starting on the same day are equal, but it's almost as if they are waiting for this to change. As long as they progress through the belts at the same time, they remain equal, with neither being Kohai or Sempai. As soon as one earns a belt before the other, the relationship's nature changes to senior and junior.
For westerners, it seems to work better not to think of it too much most of the time. If someone senior to you is ever particularly helpful, maybe teaching you a new Kata, you should label them as your Sempai. Address them as Sempai during training.
Some Dojo instructors use it as a sort of rank, designating several high belts as Sempai. This is slightly incorrect. If an instructor says, "Sempai, please help the beginners," they are actually saying, "Person who is senior to me, please help the beginners." This is usually not what is intended, not that it hurts anything.
Some people address every Black Belt as Sensei. This is nice, but not necessary. It is a much bigger word than teacher. Many reserve it to the Dojo's head instructor, or to anybody who teaches regularly, or who was your instructor in the past.
There is also the term Shihan, which translates as master. It is meant to refer to very high Black Belts. Some associations limit the use to the head of the style, or to those of a certain rank, usually 5th or 7th Dan. I address such people as Sensei. The term Sensei holds such respect in Japan, that such use is never unacceptable.
I usually get called Gordon.
Anytime people train together, one is Kohai, and one is Sempai. Kohai means junior, and Sempai senior.
The job of the Sempai is to assist their juniors. They are expected to explain things, show things, and in general guide. The Kohai is expected to listen. The Kohai treats the Sempai with a bit of extra courtesy. They will often address their senior with the title of "Sempai". It is a term of respect.
How do you know who are your Sempai? Easy. When you start training, everybody with a higher belt is your Sempai. Everybody who has the same belt as you, but who has held it longer is your Sempai.
I bet this sounds simple enough, but it isn't.
Suppose you join Karate. You are a White Belt. That Yellow Belt over there is your senior, and you treat him as such. Easy? So far, yes. Suppose your sempai has to go away for a while, and misses training. You progress, and pass two tests before the Yellow Belt returns.
He is still Yellow, and you are Orange, higher than him. Who is the Sempai now? To western thinking, the Orange Belt would be. If only it were that simple.
The higher Orange Belt will still treat the Yellow with the respect due a Sempai, but perhaps less overtly. The Yellow, will now rely upon the Orange as his Sempai. He will accept the respect from the higher belt with grace, and also return it.
In effect each is both Kohai and Sempai to the other. It is an intricate dance. Even if they both earn their Green Belts on the same day, they are never exactly equal.
This is all very Japanese, and they can do it without thinking. It can confuse the hell out of westerners.
The Japanese are more confused by truly equal Karate status. Two guys starting on the same day are equal, but it's almost as if they are waiting for this to change. As long as they progress through the belts at the same time, they remain equal, with neither being Kohai or Sempai. As soon as one earns a belt before the other, the relationship's nature changes to senior and junior.
For westerners, it seems to work better not to think of it too much most of the time. If someone senior to you is ever particularly helpful, maybe teaching you a new Kata, you should label them as your Sempai. Address them as Sempai during training.
Some Dojo instructors use it as a sort of rank, designating several high belts as Sempai. This is slightly incorrect. If an instructor says, "Sempai, please help the beginners," they are actually saying, "Person who is senior to me, please help the beginners." This is usually not what is intended, not that it hurts anything.
Some people address every Black Belt as Sensei. This is nice, but not necessary. It is a much bigger word than teacher. Many reserve it to the Dojo's head instructor, or to anybody who teaches regularly, or who was your instructor in the past.
There is also the term Shihan, which translates as master. It is meant to refer to very high Black Belts. Some associations limit the use to the head of the style, or to those of a certain rank, usually 5th or 7th Dan. I address such people as Sensei. The term Sensei holds such respect in Japan, that such use is never unacceptable.
I usually get called Gordon.
Motivated
There was a one hour class with Dixon Sensei this morning before he had to run for the ferry.
Most of it was doing bunkai from the first few Katas. Bunkai means application, which is how you use Kata moves in real combat.
It was fun. I've done this stuff before, but not in many years. Most of our club members never have.
The group was four Black Belts, and one each of brand new Blue, Green, and Yellow Belts. The coloured belts were so pumped that they want us all to meet early on training nights to keep working on bunkai. I'm always at class long before anybody else, so I said sure.
It is always great when something lights a fire under a bunch of Karate people. I don't know if it was the actual training, or the belt promotions, or it might have been the glorious sun beaming down on us.
I look forward to summer training, and even to the upcoming fall term. September is traditionally the best month for recruiting new members. I could imagine us getting ten new people, if not more.
New people would find themselves in a functioning and mature club. Tons of senior people to help them learn the ropes.
Time to go now, and see if I can apply Karate technique to a run in the sun.
Most of it was doing bunkai from the first few Katas. Bunkai means application, which is how you use Kata moves in real combat.
It was fun. I've done this stuff before, but not in many years. Most of our club members never have.
The group was four Black Belts, and one each of brand new Blue, Green, and Yellow Belts. The coloured belts were so pumped that they want us all to meet early on training nights to keep working on bunkai. I'm always at class long before anybody else, so I said sure.
It is always great when something lights a fire under a bunch of Karate people. I don't know if it was the actual training, or the belt promotions, or it might have been the glorious sun beaming down on us.
I look forward to summer training, and even to the upcoming fall term. September is traditionally the best month for recruiting new members. I could imagine us getting ten new people, if not more.
New people would find themselves in a functioning and mature club. Tons of senior people to help them learn the ropes.
Time to go now, and see if I can apply Karate technique to a run in the sun.
Friday, 3 June 2011
Happy Friday
Well, our seminar is over. It was another good one.
I try really hard to catch all the testable stuff he mentions. He is the examiner, after all.
Let's see. Heian Nidan move 7 sequence. He taught part step up to center of balance before kicking. Heian Sandan move 11. The stand up is unitary.
His Bassai Dai is a lot different from mine. I think I can remember most of his version.
Several times he mentioned people's body strikes being off target. I guess we should do something about that. Foot position in front kick was also a small issue.
Lots of technical stuff to polish. Nothing critical.
I got stuck at the examiner's table again, with nothing to do. Oh, well.
We did have the tests all filmed. That should be interesting.
There were five people testing. Three White Belts all earned their Yellows. One Green turned into a Blue Belt. The only Yellow testing for Orange, passed clear through Orange and was awarded the next colour up. He's now a very surprised and happy Green Belt.
Last time we were six for six. This time we're six for five. That is over a 100% pass rate. Our coloured belts are sparkling.
Now we can settle down until the end of June, seminar wise.
As interesting as seminar's are, I actually prefer ordinary training.
Usually.
I try really hard to catch all the testable stuff he mentions. He is the examiner, after all.
Let's see. Heian Nidan move 7 sequence. He taught part step up to center of balance before kicking. Heian Sandan move 11. The stand up is unitary.
His Bassai Dai is a lot different from mine. I think I can remember most of his version.
Several times he mentioned people's body strikes being off target. I guess we should do something about that. Foot position in front kick was also a small issue.
Lots of technical stuff to polish. Nothing critical.
I got stuck at the examiner's table again, with nothing to do. Oh, well.
We did have the tests all filmed. That should be interesting.
There were five people testing. Three White Belts all earned their Yellows. One Green turned into a Blue Belt. The only Yellow testing for Orange, passed clear through Orange and was awarded the next colour up. He's now a very surprised and happy Green Belt.
Last time we were six for six. This time we're six for five. That is over a 100% pass rate. Our coloured belts are sparkling.
Now we can settle down until the end of June, seminar wise.
As interesting as seminar's are, I actually prefer ordinary training.
Usually.
Thursday, 2 June 2011
Never step back
There is too much philosophy in Karate, and it's mostly the poorly-thought-out kind.
We do a thing called step sparring. I've always been taught that you face your partner close enough to touch. The designated attacker takes one step back, and we are now ready to start. A recent visitor insisted that the designated attacker must step forward, not back.
No big deal, I suppose, but it makes correct distance harder to gage. People can get hurt in step sparring. Safety is facilitated by accurate distance, and the step forward makes correct spacing much harder to judge.
Why did he insist on the step forward instead of back? He said, "In Karate we don't back up."
Really? We don't? Seems awfully short-sighted to me. But let's assume I'm wrong.
With either version of step sparring, the next movement has the designated attacker taking one step forward punching, and the defender taking one step backward blocking.
Did you catch that? The defender takes a step backward. The instructor's philosophy said we don't step back, but we do. Not well thought out.
I suppose it doesn't matter all that much if we step forward or back to set up step sparring most of the time. It will matter tomorrow, as we have a different visitor coming to do belt exams. Last time he was here we had six people testing. All did the step-back setup to that part of the test, and all passed. If the examiner had wanted step-forward, he surely would have mentioned it, even if he was willing to let it go.
I honestly don't know what he wants.
In the old days it was much easier for me to anticipate what examiners wanted. I used to write my own notes during exams on my students. Later, the examiner would tell me in detail what he had seen for each student. I would amend my notes accordingly. Usually, I had nothing to add or remove from what I had written. I knew all the test techniques for every belt by heart.
But that is beside the point. I was nattering about philosophy.
Take Karate punching. It is fabulous. It is fast, and very strong. But it does have one annoying weakness. The punches are straight. This is good, unless the opponent has a strong block in place. I'm not saying we need a hook. What we should have is the equivalent of an overhand right. This is where your punch's trajectory curves just enough to go around a defensively placed arm. Why not? Philosophy.
Fight on the ground, never. Philosophy.
If you have a philosophy about fighting, it needs to be consistent. In Science, it would be called a theory. If the evidence doesn't consistently support it, the theory is disproven.
We do a thing called step sparring. I've always been taught that you face your partner close enough to touch. The designated attacker takes one step back, and we are now ready to start. A recent visitor insisted that the designated attacker must step forward, not back.
No big deal, I suppose, but it makes correct distance harder to gage. People can get hurt in step sparring. Safety is facilitated by accurate distance, and the step forward makes correct spacing much harder to judge.
Why did he insist on the step forward instead of back? He said, "In Karate we don't back up."
Really? We don't? Seems awfully short-sighted to me. But let's assume I'm wrong.
With either version of step sparring, the next movement has the designated attacker taking one step forward punching, and the defender taking one step backward blocking.
Did you catch that? The defender takes a step backward. The instructor's philosophy said we don't step back, but we do. Not well thought out.
I suppose it doesn't matter all that much if we step forward or back to set up step sparring most of the time. It will matter tomorrow, as we have a different visitor coming to do belt exams. Last time he was here we had six people testing. All did the step-back setup to that part of the test, and all passed. If the examiner had wanted step-forward, he surely would have mentioned it, even if he was willing to let it go.
I honestly don't know what he wants.
In the old days it was much easier for me to anticipate what examiners wanted. I used to write my own notes during exams on my students. Later, the examiner would tell me in detail what he had seen for each student. I would amend my notes accordingly. Usually, I had nothing to add or remove from what I had written. I knew all the test techniques for every belt by heart.
But that is beside the point. I was nattering about philosophy.
Take Karate punching. It is fabulous. It is fast, and very strong. But it does have one annoying weakness. The punches are straight. This is good, unless the opponent has a strong block in place. I'm not saying we need a hook. What we should have is the equivalent of an overhand right. This is where your punch's trajectory curves just enough to go around a defensively placed arm. Why not? Philosophy.
Fight on the ground, never. Philosophy.
If you have a philosophy about fighting, it needs to be consistent. In Science, it would be called a theory. If the evidence doesn't consistently support it, the theory is disproven.
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Miles
I have been in touch with my old Karate instructor, Sakurai Sensei, recently. He said that it would be OK if I trained with him the next time he would be in Canada. OK, that is, if it was permitted by the hierarchy of my old association.
They have answered in the positive, and invited me to a couple of sessions during Sakurai Sensei's upcoming visit.
So what kind of training sessions have I been invited to share? A kids' class? A coloured belt class? Perhaps a Black Belt class? Not exactly.
Sakurai Sensei will be training the JKA Canadian National team in preparation for the Shoto Cup. I have been invited to THAT training. Holy smoke!
I assume we will be doing a mess of free-fighting training. On my very best day ever, I wouldn't stand a chance with the least of these guys.
I am looking forward to seeing Sakurai Sensei again, but am just as pumped to be included in the team training.
It's funny. Just when one thinks there are no milestones left, one pops up.
Tag, Mister Milestone. I got you.
They have answered in the positive, and invited me to a couple of sessions during Sakurai Sensei's upcoming visit.
So what kind of training sessions have I been invited to share? A kids' class? A coloured belt class? Perhaps a Black Belt class? Not exactly.
Sakurai Sensei will be training the JKA Canadian National team in preparation for the Shoto Cup. I have been invited to THAT training. Holy smoke!
I assume we will be doing a mess of free-fighting training. On my very best day ever, I wouldn't stand a chance with the least of these guys.
I am looking forward to seeing Sakurai Sensei again, but am just as pumped to be included in the team training.
It's funny. Just when one thinks there are no milestones left, one pops up.
Tag, Mister Milestone. I got you.
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