The Photo:
It was in the upper 40's this morning with a strong E E/SE wind. The tide was coming down, low at 9:35 am and high at 2:55 pm. Sunrise at 7:40 this morning. It's getting earlier and earlier. It's very interesting for me to be connected to the sun and moons influence on the earth. There was plenty of hard pack sand to practice on.
The Practice:
I stayed focused on releasing any and all excess tension downward. Feeling a release and expansion and sinking in the area that I'm focused on. I spent most of this session recognizing tension (awareness/Ting) and releasing it (Ice to Water, Water to Gas) as best I could. I was especially focused on continuously monitoring the tension that would build in my shoulders and low back. When I noticed excess tension, perhaps from the previous posture, without emotion I simply released the area in question. Being non-reactive when adjusting how you are doing a movement, on the fly, is essential to improvement. No blame, no shame just stay calm, centered and strong and simply do what is needed. This paradigm exists in all endeavors.
In my experience:
"Anything worth having, is worth working for"
6' Staff training with Gary this morning. Gary is working on:
1. How to switch grip, right to left
2. 12 Angles of attack (right side)
3. Forward figure eight largo with both sides. I just introduced corto.
4. Upward figure eight largo with both sides. I just introduced corto.
5. Redonda with Staff
6. Single Sinawalli with Staff
7. Basic Spear exercise on right side.
Note: We had to go back to single hand push hands to get the idea of shifting front to back and visa versa.
There many examples of needing to have one part of the drill/technique developed enough to show up in the variation, addition or extension of said drill/technique. For example in Modern Arnis training the actual shifting of the weight to facilitate mobility needs to be almost automatic, with as little conscious effort as possible. If your stance work and body alignment is not easily transferrable to a new ??? then I'd say that specific aspect of stance and movable alignment needs more work.
Notes:
I saw the 4 early morning beach walkers and Paul the jogger. Then Bob the mailman and his walking partner Mike stopped to talk on their way south.
Mike is continuing to see that right foot slap when he walks. He is working on the exercise to strengthen the muscles on the front of his shin and to stretch the calf muscle simultaneously.
Progress is slower as we age. No question about it!! But progress is STILL possible with consistent effort. Bob, Mike and I talked about using exercise as medication and the exercises that they regularly do on their own. Mostly stuff they got from physical therapists after and injury. But they keep doing them....Yay! That's the way ya do it guys!! Kudos!
The Lesson:
IMHO The prescription for using exercise as medication is pretty simple:
1. You need a clinically effective dosage; Not to little and not too much. Both extremes will lead to a poor result. I'll warn you this is very tough when it comes to exercise, especially as we age.
2. You need to be very regular about taking the medication. The prescription for exercise is daily. I'll warn you that this is by far the toughest aspect of using exercise as medication. I think it's best work on developing the 'habits' that will best serve a positive outcome. It's easy and complicated all at the same time. There's a massive amount of potential for personal growth as you negotiate and compromise with yourself (Internal dialogue/Self-speak)
What's the 'best' exercise?
Whichever on you will do!
Just do it!!