tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-751251418815835562024-02-06T22:45:32.596-06:00Mind and Body TogetherA blog about the thoughts and experiences from practicing Tukong Moosul martial arts and yoga. My continuing quest to find love from strength, purpose in activity and insights during practice.Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-41417821359035754232012-01-16T17:50:00.009-06:002012-01-16T18:34:03.510-06:00How Sitting on Your Ass Can Wreck Your Body<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluPfYwKHiMHtARwjGAAyDhZ8n6XUvD_LEbLKU0y1wRmDZEmIxDA6LDjhtRU_4gsC6HffpwwjAKZ3RKAcogahcfBu2Kg7vrG-fIkYX9gFfkjXnSjS9zDjlz8H2GyuLMNgJFqiB5puxQTI/s1600/IMG_1115.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluPfYwKHiMHtARwjGAAyDhZ8n6XUvD_LEbLKU0y1wRmDZEmIxDA6LDjhtRU_4gsC6HffpwwjAKZ3RKAcogahcfBu2Kg7vrG-fIkYX9gFfkjXnSjS9zDjlz8H2GyuLMNgJFqiB5puxQTI/s200/IMG_1115.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698388811278273538" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">I recently read <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/magazine/how-yoga-can-wreck-your-body.html?pagewanted=all">a New York Times article that told me Yoga Can Wreck Your Body</a>. It pointed to several injuries caused by yoga, and has generated a storm of coverage and <a href="http://yoganonymous.org/new-york-times-yoga-wreck-body-article-response-mary-mann/">defensive rebuttles from yogi’s</a>. <br /><br />But are we missing the point? What is the effect of not exercising? This article mimics the tone of the New York Times article to point out that yoga may wreck your body, but sitting on your ass will certainly put you in an early grave. </span><br /><br />On a cold Saturday in early 2009, I sat down to watch reruns of Jerry Seinfeld, a talented comedian who has many awards for his works and devoted followers. Seinfeld and his group are typical of the kind of teacher you will find on television, relaxing 30 minute sit coms that are interrupted by brief suggestions to eat junk food. I watched him and many other television shows in the naïve belief that I wouldn’t succumb to the national obesity epidemic. Drug commercials further assured me that they, not regular exercise and good nutrition could cure any ill effects from a sedentary lifestyle fed by junk food. <br /><br />The Center for Disease control confirms it, our lifestyle is causing diabetes, heart disease and a host of economic, psychological and physiological problems. Yet the popularity of a sedentary lifestyle continues to grow. Fast food resteraunts have doubled in the past 30 years and obesity has risen by 30-50%. Foods increasingly contain high amounts of sugar, fat and salt, and incidences of stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes are skyrocketing. <br /><br />“I just don’t understand why I can’t loose weight” said Lu Ann, a worker at Burger King who get’s half her calories from SlimFast and the other half from her employer. “I used to exercise, but I am so busy lately” <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggv7r-kxo8-i_QJMOrB4VwYCJ4zJPCGHDWxEnv89HgK5srmaprd3RXgRtRbQbzCw8Xud17xJZimPyacUSrgR2Jm6QnHJir6ieHzoFdc6I-W90K6Agrfqre9n6ZZn0zysxc5-AI8a27GfU/s1600/FLKR4100490617_12c12338f5sittingonass.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggv7r-kxo8-i_QJMOrB4VwYCJ4zJPCGHDWxEnv89HgK5srmaprd3RXgRtRbQbzCw8Xud17xJZimPyacUSrgR2Jm6QnHJir6ieHzoFdc6I-W90K6Agrfqre9n6ZZn0zysxc5-AI8a27GfU/s200/FLKR4100490617_12c12338f5sittingonass.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698388013144589634" /></a><br /><br />Americans care about their health, and the media responds by warning people about the dangers of anorexia. Anorexia, and eating disorders are serious business, as is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, but there is a question of perspective. Remember that anorexia effects less than 0.2% of the population, while 63.1% of Americans are overweight or obese. It makes perfect sense that the bulk of coverage should focus on stories of supermodels being too skinny. <br /><br />Every month a newscaster will warn you of the dangers of exercise. Remember Jim Fixx they jogging guru? He died of a Heart Attack. The media makes sure we know the dangers of being too skinny, or getting injured in exercise. Americans are concerned, and continue to watch hours of television in the hopes of a solution. But still heart attacks, strokes, cancer and other illnesses continue. <br /><br />For me personally, my love of Taco Bell and television continues to grow my waistline. My one saving grace was exercise. But could the deluge of media attention on the dangers of roller blading, running and yoga lead me to think I should opt for a more sedentary lifestyle? <br /><br />Yoga, when practiced poorly can lead to injury. I have been in hundreds of yoga classes and only rarely does a teacher fail to warn students not to go too far. But I have never seen a singl news episode about the near certain problems caused by laying there watching the news all the time.<br /> <br />People may think "why not just watch TV and eat what you like?" One death in a hot yoga class is covered nationwide while the daily deaths from our sedentary lifestyle get sheepish attention. While teenagers do tend to make poor choices in the hopes of being skinny, the overwhelming problem is not eating too little, but eating too much, and too little nutrition. Teenagers need to be told how beautiful healthy is, instead of being discouraged from trying to lose weight. <br /><br />Do we need more studies to show us that our lifestyle of calorie dense, nutrition poor food coupled with lack of exercise is killing us? Or can we face the cold hard facts. Laying on your ass can be very dangerous.Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-85257484568446831922011-12-29T09:23:00.022-06:002011-12-29T10:57:13.619-06:00Teaching Martial Arts<p class="MsoNormal">These are some thoughts from my teacher, Master Ali Brown, head instructor at the Tukong Moosul School in Austin, Texas. Master Brown has studied under the guidance of Grandmaster Wonik Yi since age 6 and is experienced at teaching all ages of students at many stages of their development. Here are a few thoughts he shared with us on teaching.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><b>Qualities of a Good Teacher</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Ali began by discussing three qualities of a good teacher.</p><div><span><br /></span></div><ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal"><b>Know What you are Teaching –</b> “we have all had an experience of someone trying to teach us something they didn’t know”. </li> <li class="MsoNormal"><b>Love What You Do</b> – It is important to have a genuine enthusiasm for martial arts which will transfer to your students.</li> <li class="MsoNormal"><b>Be Invested In the Student</b> – Do not separate yourself from the student, but rather enter into a relationship and dialogue with the student. Each person learns differently, and has a different body type. So we must realize that they will take what you learn and incorporate it in an “organic” way into their practice. Another part of this is a genuine commitment to the student’s progress, to the extent that you want them to learn it better than you. Master Ali elaborated on this quality at length.</li></ol><p class="MsoNormal"><span><b>Investment in the Student</b></span><br /><br />“Teaching Martial Arts is not a one way process” Ali said, “It is not ‘<i>I am going to impart my knowledge upon you’ </i>as though there were only one of you learning<i> </i>“When one demonstrates a technique, they must present a concept, and allow the person to integrate organically. As a teacher you cannot know how they are going to integrate that technique. </p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">If, for instance, we were to hook up a series of sensors and probes to Grandmaster Wonik Yi, and determine exactly how he moved in a technique, then imitate it, we would not have the technique. Grandmaster Yi’s body is different, so the energy will flow differently for him than for another.</p><h1><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMG9tAWmhL1drqIMWA1VWBufmBwnaYMb1Dusd4hd5gCCqqCOCfJ-aqyjcTcBD96yn07SxIuKQKJncArTWt-hwxErO3JEivyCyOqFnAGjpP_hEXWF3h5PCaZ0AJBnXSYfHEsgvOSC2NiA/s200/teaching.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691581029021616034" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width=" height="203" /></h1> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A teacher can never know how a student will integrate a technique. Ali gave an example of how changing his foot in a basic form changed his practice. However, that exact same instruction would make no difference for many others. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Teaching Martial Arts is like teaching someone to smile” he said “Or, making Kimchee.” One can analyze every element in kimchee, use the right ingredients, the right timing, and follow a set of steps precisely. Yet one person’s kimchee will taste very different from the other. “ he said “Only the taste will tell you if the kimchee is good.” </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“You are learning from them” he said “If it were possible to simply give a set of directions, postures or instructions, we wouldn’t need teachers. That is the difference between a video and a teacher”; the teacher is invested in the student, guiding them through a personal relationship.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><b>Three Types of Students</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Master Ali described three types of learning. People learn three different ways.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><ol><li><b>Visual –</b> watch and imitate.</li><li><b>Auditory –</b> describe the technique in detail and they will perform it.</li><li><b>Kinetic –</b> need to feel the posture, sometimes you have to touch and guide them to the correct posture.</li></ol><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Master Ali discussed visuals and cautioned teachers about some weaknesses. Visuals seem to learn the technique very quickly. They are imitating it quicker than the other styles; however, they often do not truly understand the underlying principles. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">He told a story of a friend who watched a Jet Li movie where Li performed a powerful, and beautiful kick. His friend watched it and very quickly was able to leap in the air and spin like Jet Li. “Then he tried it in a fight” Master Ali added and with a wry smile said “it did not end well” </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A teacher needs to realize that teachers may have trouble helping a visual learn because the visual learner thinks they have done the technique. He recommended giving the visual learner something to hit, like a bag or pad.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><b>Attachment</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Master Ali recommended that one should erase your attachment to how a student performs. This attachment is particularly strong in testing situations where a teacher takes pride or is disappointed in a student’s performance. It is natural for a teacher to feel pride in a student, but can be a hindrance to good teaching.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><b>Teaching Children</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">The number one goal Master Ali has when teaching students is that they must love what they are doing. This is more important with children because they often have not made a firm commitment to the martial arts training when they come. If the child doesn’t love the class, they will, sooner or later, stop coming.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><b>Hard vs. Tender</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">People have different energy and respond to different styles. It is important to distinguish when to be tender and when to be firm. Knowledge of the student is very important in this regard.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Similarly, one should never give an order that one doesn’t fully expect to be implemented. If a student refuses to follow through, you have lost credibility. Also never give an order you are not fully prepared to do yourself. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Master Ali told a story of his youth. As a new black belt he asked one of the junior ranks to do 100 pushups for a minor infraction. A senor (adult) black belt was standing directly behind him and said “Good idea! Ali, please join him in his push ups.” After that, young Ali Brown was more lenient in his pushups. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">He emphasized this and another story where a student refused an order to bring the focus back to the investment in the student. Orders, instructions and discipline must spring from a genuine commitment to the student’s success. “You should want a student to do something better than you”.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><b>Culture of the Student</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Some people have difficulty teaching because they view themselves as a student. They wonder why they should teach when they have so far to go in their practice. Master Ali encouraged self respect. Humility is a good quality, but one should also acknowledge their accomplishments; even if you haven’t mastered everything you have learned a lot and should impart this to others.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-7947397649838210772011-04-08T15:54:00.008-05:002011-05-20T10:36:58.621-05:00Distractions from Training Part 2: Illness and Injury<h1><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; ">In <a href="http://mindbodytogether.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html">previous blogs</a> I discussed distractions from training. Things which keep us from getting the most from our practice, and can lead to an end for a lifetime of health through practice. </span></h1><h1><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; ">The second most common reason for a break in training is an illness or injury. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All human beings take ill on occasion, and if you practice yoga or martial arts there will be times when you injure a muscle or joint. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This section on distractions from training deals </span></h1><h1><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; ">with continuing a lifetime pr</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; ">actice by maintaining a level of training while ill or injured.</span></h1> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; font-size: large; ">Illness</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JgYydj0cfTXAjIXslllkCs3fB7-IK6xEK9OaIyY0UfC8Hvia34tPl2FEpcTQ6WRJCnpULjBcNJyqyBhca8AKe_dfr9XcfAHa2EUmEPhT8_AOX_L0k232cf29caFbmUdKtaK60tmx0TM/s200/Flikr4866348966_0cc6160d7c_z.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 190px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604372805881641842" /><p class="MsoNormal">I recently have been experiencing a lot of congestion during my practice due to high cedar counts in Austin.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The temptation was to take a day off and stay at home, but I forced myself to keep going to class.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN">Yoga classes are actually a really good thing to do when you have </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN">allergies.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><b>Ujjayi breathing </b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(making a sound like Darth Vader through the nasal passages) is particularly helpful if you are able to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sun salutations invert the upper respiratory tract, then bring it back upright, which causes the congestion to move.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><o:p> </o:p></span>My Martial Arts practice also helped clear the lungs but less effectively.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We were focu</p><p class="MsoNormal">sed more on moving, punching, kicking etc…<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was quite challenging, and I was definitely “not in the mood” for such activities.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In martial arts I huffed and puffed on some of the most rou</p><p class="MsoNormal">tine moves.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I grasped for air and panted like a dog most of the class.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But at the end of the class much of the congestions hadcleared.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><o:p> </o:p></span>So physically, the lesson learned was the when one has congestion due to allergies, it is best to exercise.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Exercises that change the orientation of the nasal passages help cleanse the practice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When one is suffering allergies, be prepared to have a more challenging exercise, and accept that you are not “at the top of your game”.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Training the Mind when the Body is Sub Par</i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><o:p> T</o:p></span>he more profound insights came from continuing my practice even though the body was</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2rAbbbs112Mmk53Hg4HaJaot05AXCBcPAjMq0ohqZ5rm3tXx_3HOjQZ6XfHHGClOsvXanMheEN9m1jL9enm7Jm6Be5KHNbbFDRvLO4nnP6QrOpuvG34GkgLK-Ajqj1DaYAeLCyCNjpA/s200/Flickr4780572510_79c552564e_z.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604374715225715282" /><p class="MsoNormal"> exhausted.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I took a 9 hour yoga workshop with the amazing Shiva Rea on one of my worst days.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Going into the workshop I was congested and generally tired and sluggish.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I believe</p><p class="MsoNormal"> I was also having a mild cold on top of allergies.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><o:p> </o:p></span>Shiva Rea began the class with a series of sun salutations.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She added 16 chaturanga’ s (slow pushups)<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>instead of the usual practice with only one chaturanga.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The morning practice consisted 108 chaturanga’s wrapped in a series of sun salutation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was able to do the first two rounds with little problem, doing full slow chaturanga’s.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I was getting less oxygen, so the practice was wearing me out quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>By the third round I was starting to feel weary.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is the point where the real practice began.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I focused my will to push past the weariness.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I made modifications to my postures to make them a little easier.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Heat was building in my body.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I monitored it closely to make sure that I didn’t overheat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I monitored my muscles to look out for cramps due to low oxygen intake.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I took brief five second rests if I felt my breath getting out of control.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I continuously pulled myself back into focus, exercising a calm but determined mind.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now I don’t want to act like I did this perfectly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My friend looked over at one point and said “are you allright?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was, but I sure didn’t look it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was pushing myself right to the edge of my ability that day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This was hard to do because my edge was so much closer than usual.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On a </p><p class="MsoNormal">good day I would have been challenged.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On this day, round five was requiring extreme effort.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Oddly I began to get energized.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I believe at this point I had purged all the congestion (as evidenced by the tissues filling a cup by my mat) and was able to do some powerful moves.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><o:p> </o:p></span><b>When ill, focus on the mental training</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><o:p> </o:p></span>Certainly when one has the flu it is wise to cut back.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I have seen people with cancer, broken legs and rashes all over their body continue to practice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Those people tend to come back quicker.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><o:p> </o:p></span>Don’t push yourself to the extreme when you have an infection or virus.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Rest is of utmost importance.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So focus on the mind. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Meditate, practice breathing techniques (even if congested), <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>and listen to your body. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have found that if I am very sick I listen to my body. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The last time I had the flu I knew the exact moment my fever started, the moment it broke, and when it was time to resume activity. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Injuries</span></span></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5xdqdiCJmWLTX7sMCojiwZ8s27RdD_fDfAMQcvSo1nkfNXQSlF71agH9Uytd4KgLbruo5kbACygkRKmsO6QRrD4pP_nfmdV5oLNn3ocndXqp9fjGq4xFPEv7-1DiOMrCF27sZaYyBZw/s200/FLIKR4317980173_08790d1b28_z.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604373691898750530" /> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Injuries require special attention.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yoga in particular has given me a lot of insight into dealing with injuries and preventing them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yoga emphasizes listening to our body.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As I have listened to my body more I have been able to head the injury off before it happens.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> Mindor injury example: </o:p>I injured my large toe while kicking, and it gave me some insights into training through and injury.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> <b>1. </b></o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Examine the cause: </b>First, the mind body disciplines taught me to reexamine myself at the moment of injury.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Why did I snag my toe?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The short answer is that I was trying to impress the grand master and not being present with the moment. I learned a good lesson for that sore toe, focus on your practice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Good impressions may come later.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Every injury is different, it may be you were practicing with a partner and not paying attention, or it may be you pushed to hard, or it may be you lacked some knowledge of your</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">2, Back off - </b>The second insight came over the months of healing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I had to back off quite a few poses.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was able to do them, but it slowed healing of the toe, and thus, was counter productive. The body will heal itself, but not if you continue to aggravate the injury. So while I think training through an injury is good, I am not advising to put any strain on the injury. If your knee is hurt, don't put pressure on it until it heals. Come up high in <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> your long stance; give it time to heal. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> <b>3. L</b></o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">earn from the injured body part </b>- So if you can't use your shoulder, it is an opportunity to learn the different ways you use your shoulder. In my example, I learned a lot about the big toes importance.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is critical in guiding all motions of the foot, comparable to a rudder on a boat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It turns and the energy glides along with it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"> 4. Be mindful of even the smallest injury</b> - Finally, I discovered the real danger of a small injury- it can compound.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I caught myself compensating for a bad big toe by puting less pressure on it, causing an imbalance in the foot, and putting pressure on the outer knee.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> I was able to make the pose or posture look good on the outside, but the imbalance I was using was setting me up for more serious injury. Hence, the need to back off. </span>If the knee starts to ache you may lean on the other foot, causing an impalance in the lower back, if the lower back aches you may hunch forward causing all kinds of problems.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One great thing about yoga is it encourages balance in the body which keeps us from putting unnatural pressure on the joints. Be aware of how you are <b>"cheating" to compensate for injury</b>, and stop it. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">5. Major injuries</b> are more problematic.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I don’t think a blog is a good place to deal with a major injury.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In these case you have to work with a teacher and your doctor to come up with a good program.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some doctors will recommend you stop training.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I advise dumping these types.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">A good doctor will tell you to modify (not stop) your practice </b>so you can continue with a lifetime of good habbits, and let the injured limb heal.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So if you break your ankle, work on the arms.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you break your neck practice breathing techniques.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The practice of yoga, martial arts, or mind-body exercise allows for a broad range of activities suitable for any situation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p>Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-73691969486630866432011-03-06T13:14:00.015-06:002011-03-14T22:16:49.469-05:00Lifelong Practice - Part 1: Maintaining Practice with Outside Obligations<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3U2sWthjsnONKaYcydVIBc6d32j4OcSk4LCs-96OY95gHVRQbG9ZPntcXs-ZBHOKndwcvd6dLP7ZWs4xRpCEkSL5X4Vy02CSMFXTeTzAWDW5zvxkVowD_djNhbcLDFMeD-w77dCHzO4/s1600/SaniehHandstand.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2dv4ZidRe1B-p3QMw3L4Ou5hcAIedHS7tuwG6lgQONb-UMw4OkZ0ioi1SPyQCGFMS7UKDxlnPe_s1nEpnFv9eDS6j-Y4CNNhRwvDujDdDABadTRinv7zojCK6irulV2UTXKK8CCkdh8/s1600/garden3518819934_90e255d6fa.jpg"></a><h1><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN">Distractions from Training</span></h1><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyNLk-dT2e1S_wOke9t6P64rb1YsVwuXkoISm7fQD1FzbpIT0BJl3eVro1ZROaylqBzJOK5gMyqw-5hF62LUnoDYDhSWYAa-UXN0ofsLaukwC1xjqXSXkU6w6ZoJRB39eW2EjN1a5BAM/s200/meditateFlkr3753270308_2392eda785.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 146px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583016924516852242" /><p class="MsoNormal">I have come to realize that one of the differences between your average person and a person who excels at the arts of the mind and body is how they practice their art, despite, or even within the distractions of life which pull us from our practice.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"><o:p> C</o:p></span>onsider Patanjali’s statements on Yoga as focus without distraction.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He classifies distractions as real and imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Most of the time the yogi or martial artists thinks of these distractions as occurring during meditation, and sometimes during practice of asana, or forms but rarely do we realize that these distractions are constant and ongoing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To truly master our art we must recognize these distractions and deal with them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In this multi part blog posting I consider some of the distractions from practice and offer advice on how to continually improve when distractions arise.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Types of Distractions</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"><o:p> </o:p></span>The following are some of the distractions that keep us from practicing our mind-body<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>arts.</p> <ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN">Obligations –</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"> The most frequently cited reason for not practicing is “I am too busy”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We have very real obligations we undertake to our family, work and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Finally we oblige ourselves to other activities.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have heard quite a few parents say things like “my child cant come to martial arts because he is doing swimming, dancing, band etc…”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN">Illness –</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"> when we are sick or hurt, we are unable to do many of the things we could do at peak health.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN">Injury -</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"> Sometimes rest is the best thing for us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For example, if our shoulder is hurt we will only make it worse with pushups.<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN">Mood –</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"> sometimes we just want to take a day off.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN">Cyclical –</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"> <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We all have periods where we have more energy, more enthusiasm, and more<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3npXn-8DJG-Yas_siUevi8RicDyN7vI6J6ko3gGwUDUftmQjU7rdpOtKdV9JvWyPW1zrXIvGjpgAM4MNhoAaDDI68eVL_zAbpCL86jIys94sBVqm9pdDKgSdd2V6Ka_iC2HfQTV0xYE/s200/lazyflkr2864757366_3cc6c82a51.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583015774869328914" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /> support from people around us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Anyone who has run a studio can tell you that bad or nice weather days have low turnout. There is also the Nov-Dec slump in attendance followed by a Jan. bump.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is natural to have some weeks where one trains hard, and others where training is soft. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN">Leisure food and sleep –</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN"> everyone needs time off, time to eat and time to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For most people about half their day is spent doing things like cooking, cleaning, sleeping, showering, or just relaxing. In short, “get a life”. <o:p></o:p></span></li> </ol> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN">I will post blogs over the next few weeks describing these distractions in detail, and suggesting remedies.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I hope some of my readers will add thoughts to this discussion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><h1><span lang="EN"><span class="Apple-style-span">Part 1: Obligations</span></span></h1> <h2><span lang="EN"><span class="Apple-style-span">Practicing when you have Obligations</span><o:p></o:p></span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"><o:p> </o:p></span>Obligations outside your practice to family work and yourself can interfere with your practice, but with a few alignments in your thinking you can still progress even in the most demanding times.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"><o:p> <b>C</b></o:p></span><span class="Heading3Char"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><b>onnect wi</b></span></span><span class="Heading3Char"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><b>th your love of the Art -</b></span></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><b> </b> </span>Every single time you practice, cultivate a sense of joy and excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Consider all the things that brought you to the practice, and note how each session leads to an improvement in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you are unable to find this joy, consider what can be changed to reconnect.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><o:p><b>F</b></o:p></span><span class="Heading3Char"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><b>inding more time </b>-</span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN"> <span lang="EN">I do not recommend forcing yourself to go train more. We also need to be wary of neg</span></span>lecting our obligations for training.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Both are, in the long run, short term fixes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, is there some activity that you are currently doing which is not serving you?</p> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY73mbeUbkzD5YZuvUSf4tsxoCBee_capbTR-eBRVERuCLZdYIZxXdFJSVjbAmWo7QGFC06uDy_g35__0apqsZ55X-C-y5GvamZ65iLBwLnR5nTtkWEiyeJg2Zk0a_sexxfcy3MSJnn0w/s200/284995199_c4d0989afd_z.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581751735630984514" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"><o:p></o:p></span>Rearranging your schedule to get more time with a favorites teacher, or attending a workshop is no small matter.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Consider a simple change, like getting up an hour early. If you skip an hours sleep, your mind</p><p class="MsoNormal">/body will eventually wear down, so you have to get to bed earlier every night.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Getting up an hour early means you give an hour of evening time up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is not a gain of time, but an exchange of time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"><o:p> </o:p></span>What do you do the last hour of the day?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Maybe it is the time for vegetating in front of the television.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you give up this time, what effect will it have on you?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It may seem a small thing to miss a sitcom, but you developed that habit for a reason, and changing it could lead to stress.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We all need down time, a time when we are not doing something.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"><o:p> </o:p></span>When you rationally evaluate how you spend your time, and what you can do to spend more time with your art, more time will appear.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The time will flow naturally, as an exchange of activities that are less fulfilling to you. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you make it a chore, or an obligation, you will find yourself coming up with reasons for not practicing. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When you are making excuses to train, rather than take a day off, you are on the right path.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"><o:p> </o:p></span>Similarly, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">obligations to others are a central part of our practice.</b><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Did we neglect our job, our house, our friendships so we could train?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Family, career and community support you so that you can move ahead in training.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you undermine this foundation you will find yourself hindered in training.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3U2sWthjsnONKaYcydVIBc6d32j4OcSk4LCs-96OY95gHVRQbG9ZPntcXs-ZBHOKndwcvd6dLP7ZWs4xRpCEkSL5X4Vy02CSMFXTeTzAWDW5zvxkVowD_djNhbcLDFMeD-w77dCHzO4/s200/SaniehHandstand.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584139829920180866" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"><o:p></o:p></span><span class="Heading3Char"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><b>Perfect Practice </b>–</span></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"> Master Ali frequently asked us if practice makes perfect, then proceeded to state that perfect practice makes perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is very easy to relax a bit in practice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I often catch myself during an extended yoga pose letting my body soften, and relax rather than engaging in the perfect posture that will stretch and tone the muscles. It is much easier to do a long stance with the foot pointed to the side rather than straightforward as our style demands.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"><o:p> E</o:p></span>ach time we practice the least optimal method of the pose we are losing the benefit.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is not a waste of time to practice less than perfectly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You can still sweat, brn calories, find peace of mine and grow your skill.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But if you practice perfecly it is like adding hours of practice to your session.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You not only gain the ability to achieve the next level, you don’t have to go back and spend hours unlearning a bad habit.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Heading3Char"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><b>Two Minute Practice </b>–</span></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"> Most people will need to maintain obligations of family and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I found myself one year with an overwhelming set of work responsibilities.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was unable to regularly attend class, and even solo practice times were limited.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I improved my sidekick immensely during this period.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I practiced my sidekick as I walked down the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I practiced it when I was (alone) in the elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I practiced it while waiting on water to warm in the microwave.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Collectively these small moments added up to thousands of sidekicks.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My teacher noted the improvement during one of my rare appearances in class.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Certainly it is better to have longer, focused sessions, but taking a minute to practice can give immense benefits.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Stretch your hamstrings with a 30 second forward bend.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Meditate for two minutes in your office.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Find brief, focused practices and your art will improve.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language:EN"><o:p> </o:p></span>The two minute practice has great potential for the modern day practitioner.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Beyond the extra time, the two minute practice engages you at every level of your life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A martial artist who practices for short, intermittent periods throughout the day is training his mind and body to be aware at all times.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A yogi who inserts brief asana, or pranayama into their regular daily routine is constantly realigning her body and mind so that during dedicated practice she can take it to the next level.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2dv4ZidRe1B-p3QMw3L4Ou5hcAIedHS7tuwG6lgQONb-UMw4OkZ0ioi1SPyQCGFMS7UKDxlnPe_s1nEpnFv9eDS6j-Y4CNNhRwvDujDdDABadTRinv7zojCK6irulV2UTXKK8CCkdh8/s200/garden3518819934_90e255d6fa.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583022039337818626" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Heading3Char"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""><b> </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px; "><b>Practice off </b></span><span class="Heading3Char"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""><b>the mat –</b></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "> <span lang="EN"><span class="Apple-style-span" >In his fictional book “Musashi” Yoshikawa has entire chapters about the historical Miyam</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">ato M</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">usashi dedicating himself to activities which seem unrelated to his swordsmanship.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">Musashi, in real life and in the book, saw his art in every activity he undertook.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">If he saw a lute, he considered the way it bended and vibrated, and applied this quality to dueling with swords. Musashi’s Book of Five Rings discusses how ways of the farmer, craftsmen and other ways apply to fencing (a term he uses for martial arts).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">If you have other ideas for dealing with distractions let me know. The next Blog will focus on other factors, like illness and mood. </span></p>Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-17325753465054928122011-02-22T11:26:00.009-06:002011-02-22T11:45:03.708-06:00Physical Culture in Yoga<div>My friend Matt Borer posted something on his wall that really made me think.<br /></div><div align="center"><br />“Asana is to yoga, as a hammer is to a house; </div><div align="center">a useful and necessary tool, but it is not the house.”<br /><br /></div><div>This comment got a lot of support from teachers and yoga practitioners. But I wasn’t so quick to hop on board.<br /><br /><br /><br />I pondered and contemplated. What is the role of physical practice in this thing we call Yoga? Truly Matt and I are fellow pilgrims through this multifaceted training, but I am fascinated at the differences in our views of physical practice. For me this thing we call yoga has an indispensible physical culture component. <strong>If yoga was all about chanting, praying, meditating, contemplation of out actions, sutras and focus of the mind without distraction, I would have nothing to do with it. </strong>I view the physical practice as the foundation of any spiritual growth.<br /><br /><br /><br />So odd that I would find myself (who can’t do many of the “fancy” poses) embracing the physical culture of yoga more and more while people like Pamela Beauchamp and Matt (who are amazing physical practitioners) are kind of seeing it as a smaller and smaller component of your yoga. I could never see the physical practice as irrelevant; I see it as part of the any house I live in. <br /><br /><br /><br />There is this prevailing attitude in the ATX yoga community (and beyond) that the physical practice is not as important as the “spiritual journey”. Oddly this attitude often comes from those, like Matt and the people responding, who have a vigorous physical practice. I understand their viewpoint that yoga is not simply a set of acrobatic, contortionist moves. There is something more going on when we get into these poses.<br /><br /><br /><br />However, <strong>sometimes I think the “spiritual practice” of some is every bit as hollow as those people who take a fancy pose with no spirit.</strong> How could we neglect this beautiful physical vessel and claim spirituality on any level?<br /><br /><br /><br />Maybe it is simplistic, but living in that moment of practice is more sacred to me than rubbing beads in my hand and speaking a prayer in a language I don't fully comprehend. <br /><br />Please believe me when I say I am not demeaning praying with beads, I know there are some who chose this path and I respect them. I am simply stating how it is for me.<br /><br /><strong><br /><br />When I see some people do those “fancy” poses, I DO see them reach a spiritual state that is quite beautiful to behold</strong>. Sure I notice some people who do the beautiful pose and have no....spririt, and that is empty exhibitionism. Yet, as I write this I think of Pamela in Warrior 1; who would say there was nothing spriritual?<br /><br /><br /><br />I remember this man I knew from Tai Chi, and his physical practice was (to be blunt) terrible. He always wanted to discuss the metaphysical aspects, which he espoused were the true essence of Tai Chi. But his movements in the physical practice were disjointed, lacking integrative integrity. Because he lacked integrity in his physical practice, I could tell, in a very real way, he had no clue about the metaphysical things he discussed. The physical practice showed a lot about him and the state of his spirit. He was a good person, I just felt he was really missing something. In contrast, I knew a woman with Lupis who engaged her weakened body and SHOWED her big beautiful spirit.<br /></div><div> </div><div>The physical practice also allows us to connect, as a community without religious barriers. When we practice the phyisical asana of yoga, we are able to connect in a fundamental way that transcends our religious thought. Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Atheist can all find common ground in the physical practice. The physical practice leads us in a subtle way to certain truths about ourselves as humans. Because it is rooted in the undeniable presence of our physical body, unsupported dogmatic beliefs are burned away. We are left with a pure, undeniable (and unexpressable) bond, shared in our Kula.<br /><br /><br />So I say to you Mr. Matt, Mizz Pamela and all you beautiful people in my Kula, please keep at your physical practice and show me your big beautiful poses they <span ><strong><em>are</em></strong></span> an inspiring spiritual expression.<br /></div>Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-56975417294506520142011-02-01T16:32:00.005-06:002011-02-22T11:47:23.754-06:00Breaking a Fall<p class="MsoNormal">Last night we practiced sweeping and throwing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As with many martial arts techniques, I think this family of techniques can teach a lesson that transcends the mat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Fear of Falling </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">I must confess that throwing (or rather being thrown) scares the hell out of me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I found myself reacting in a way that is not typical in a Tukong class.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My intense spirit is challenged by these techniques.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After slamming to the mat a couple of times, I find my enthusiasm, and strength wither.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The internal struggle began before I even tried the techniques. When Master Ali demonstrated the throw, my eyes widened and my jaw dropped.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I can’t do that! I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I am over 40, isn’t there a modification? <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That looks dangerous”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We began to practice, and Haemy, a young lady who is probably half my weight, threw me over her hip.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She actually had doubts that she could throw me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, she executed the technique quite effectively.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When I hit the mat I was stunned for a moment, but still had the presence of mind to shrug it off, laugh and smile; there were a lot of lower belts around and I didn’t want them to get scared.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I even managed to make a good point, laughing and saying “That technique is quite” rubbing my butt “effective against a larger opponent.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">However, in my mind a struggle was beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was getting very anxious about the days practice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I glanced at the clock; we were only halfway through class, and already we were going in the air. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As we progressed to an over the shoulder throws, the falls got even higher and harder.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I started to feel weak, like “that is enough for tonight”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I had a pain in my hip and ribs, and I was inflating it to a potential fracture in my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But, when I truly examined the pain I could tell it was just a minor soreness.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> <b> </b></span><b>I was not injured, yet I was convincing myself I was because I didn’t want to do that technique again. </b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Realizing this, I immediately lined up with my brother Casey who slammed me to the mat even harder.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Also, because I was freaked out, I didn’t control my fall.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Martial artists learn to fall well, to spread the impact out, and land on the most resilient body parts.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think they can even distribute the impact into the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I haven’t learned this yet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When I am flying through the air, I go blank for a moment, until the floor wakes me up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So, I was just being flopped around.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Why Falling is Hard</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Personally, I am not surprised that I would find falling a hard technique to master.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Balance and centering are some of my better qualities in Yoga and Martial Arts. Even without the extra body fat I carry, I am a pretty solid dude who can lower his center well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I love standing on one leg, or getting into horse stance.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In sparring I often grab my opponent and pull them off balance before striking.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I like wrestling and grappling.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I consider the ground my friend, my support, and the source of all power in my techniques.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But, all these tools of balance, lowering your Tan Tien and grounding are not available when you are thrown.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You are without support for a moment, hanging in space. So instead of having support from the ground, it was now a weapon, which was slamming into me.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Consider falling,</b> essentially, when being thrown the martial artist must handle a moment where they have absolutely no support.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We are free falling and <b>can only prepare for the mat which rushes up to meet you;</b> sometimes we hit something harder than a mat.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Off the Mat: Breaking a Fall</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In our day to day existence, everything we count on can fail.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our jobs can disappear.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our savings and investments can dwindle or sharply decline.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our house can lose it’s value.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>People we love can become distant at precisely the moment we need them most.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In fact, like the ground in throwing exercises,<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>things we counted on can even turn on us and inflict pain.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The bank can be your savings, or take your house.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sometimes families turn on each other in times of crisis.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, what should one do when they are falling, with no support?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Don't Fall: </b>First, I highly recommend learning to balance and center one’s self.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Find the ground and root down into it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If someone, or something is trying to throw you, lower your Tan Tien, and let them pull themselves over.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Give ‘em a little push if they need help.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think it is best not to get thrown.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Throwing an Opponent: </b>If you are in conflict with a highly grounded opponent, remember that they probably cannot deal with losing the support.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So if you are having a conflict in your life and need to exert your will, remove the opponents base, and they will likely lose all control.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Undercut their authority or reputation and they will crumble.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>More importantly, be very wary if an opponent tries to undermine your reputation or authority. In other words, don’t get thrown.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Be Prepared:</b> If one is not ready to be thrown, then when that moment happens, and you find yourself in the air, you will lose your mind, and the impact of the fall will hurt. So we must be prepared to be thrown. The key to success is breaking your fall.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Break Falling:</b> There are several different directions the human body can travel, and for each there is a way of falling that can make the impact negligible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For instance, if you are thrown forward, one can tuck, and roll along the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have personally experienced this on a bicylcle, flying over the handles, hitting the pavement, rolling and coming to my feet unharmed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We call these techniques “break falls” in martial arts.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><b>In life, we can practice the art of breaking a fall by being aware at all time</b></i>s. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While you are in the air, keep your mind strong.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Don’t give into fear, panic or despair.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Instead, relax your body, feel the direction of your fall, and with great and speedy calculation, prepare your body to hit the floor in the least painful way.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A martial artist sends the force of their impact into the surrounding ground, preventing injury to themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In daily life we can distribute the impact by relying on friends, family, even strangers to help us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If your support network wont help with all your problems, get them to help a little, ask a friend to help a little, and even ask help from acquaintances, strangers and institutions.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you remain calm and relaxed, you will hit the ground with minimum impact.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We often cannot control how life comes at us, even our own body will cause us pain.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We have very limited control.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But we can engage in a form of practice where we maintain our calm, and relax.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So that when we hit the ground, with great force, we can spring to our feet and take on the next challenge. </p>Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-10508577552752773352010-12-13T19:28:00.007-06:002010-12-13T20:07:38.812-06:00The Role of Community in Martial Arts and YogaRecently I had the priveledge of moving with people I knew from BOTH martial arts and yoga. This gave me thought about the way that mind-body practitioners work to build community. In fact, it is a critical part of both practices. <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Independance</span></strong><br /><br />Do you remember when you got your first car? The thrill of independance? Your sudden ability to go so many places with no help, even take others? Driving is one of the greatest times for independance. For all it's hassles, I love getting behind the wheel of a car. I feel so in control, moving this vehicle around at high speeds. <br /><br />But on this moving day day I found myself backing a U-Haul truck and totally dependent. You need someone to stand behind your truck and guide you back. At first I found myself trying to look around for myself, but it is hopeless. You cannot drive and see behind the truck. So the best thing to do is to rely almost entirely on the person backing you up; in fact, <strong>you have to be totally dependant on their ability to guide you.</strong> So suddenly, something you have to depend on others for something you have done a long time without help. <br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Off the Mat: How Mind-Body Practice Builds community</strong></span><br /><br />Now consider the application to martial arts and yoga. Our practice is largely our own, but true parcticitioners of these mind body arts realize that they are practicing within a community. That is one of the reasons teachers are so venerated. The Kula and the Dojang rely on constant development of community and helping each other. This is one reason why I like it so much more than a gym, or other form of exercise. <br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Training on the Mat for Off the Mat Community</span></strong><br /><br />Sure there is a comradarie in many activities, but yoga <strong>and martial arts incorporate the building of trust within almost every lesson</strong>. From the opening call for brotherhood in a Tukong Moosul class to the closing Om of yoga, one is reminded that your practice is part of a whole.<br /><ul><li>The martial artist must trust that the person who is working with you on self defense will have the judgement not to punch you. I remember my sparring partner messing up and feeling his wiskers as I pulled a punch to his jaw. It is an almost daily occourance that someone comes at you with a crippling blow, then stops short before impact. Without this trust one could never develop a high level of skill; you have to get a feel for the human body.</li><li>Yoga is kind of different. Although sometimes you get help with a pose, it is very rare that a yogi risks serious injury if their partner fails. However, there is some kind of nurturing love built from the sensitivity of the practice. Yogi's in a group are very much aware of each others practice. Even the notoriously cold Ashtangi's can tell you all about someone else in their class. Yoga also draws out a personality from the practitioner. </li></ul>On a personal note, I have to say that martial arts was a much more practical training for the task of backing a truck. My martial arts brother and I were very used to cueing each other, and working out the best way to do things. This is born of trying to figure out how to train in combat exercises, or even line people up for sword practice. Yogi's on the other hand just pretty much practice on their own. What you do doesn't really effect your neighbor on the mat beside you. But for both, the trust was 100% there. <br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Not an Option</strong></span><br /><br /> I believe it is no coincedence that these two arts emphasize community. At their core they are both about living life in a full and meaningful way. From the earliest days of mankind we have realized that this means depending on each other. <br />You get a lot of power from the practice of a mind/body art. One might be tempted to think they don't need others. Private practice is indeed encouraged. But in the end, the highest aspiration of most practitioners is to teach others, to build on the art and move it forward. This goal <strong>cannot </strong>be achieved alone. If you wish to progress, y<strong>ou must depend and be dependant on your community.</strong><br />So if you are a serious practitioner of Martial Arts and Yoga realize that <strong>community is not an option. </strong>In fact, is there any human endevour where this is not true? Sure one can drive a Nissan Maxima with no help, but some things, like backing up a truck cannot be done without help.Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-8124549185058268092010-11-19T11:47:00.000-06:002010-11-19T11:48:01.648-06:00Yoga<div align="center"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:180%;">is</span></div>Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-24528113424968088722010-09-07T21:37:00.010-05:002010-09-07T22:38:19.649-05:00The Odyssey of YogOdysseus<div><br /><div><div><strong>AWAKENING<br /></strong><br />YogOdysseus woke up on the morning of the day of Labors with a feeling of anxiety brought about by deeply disturbing dreams of car wrecks and social shame. These anxiety attacks are not, per se, part of the Odyssey that soon ensued, but an important fact about our hero. For he wakes up many mornings with these feelings which he buries under the mask of wit and strength.<br /><br />This day however was unusual for YogOdysseus had decided to embark on an Odyssey to far away yoga studios. The previous day he had celebrated the day of free yoga opening ceremony where he practiced in the shady courtyard of the Whole Foods terrace. Surrounded by the Yogis of his homeland he was astounded at the beauty of forms and the wonder of practicing on the cool stone with the high billowing clouds. Focusing on a far away airplane in tree pose, or the beauty of expression that enfolded.<br /><strong><br />THE TEMPLE IN THE HILLS</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCMOk3yC2JkDIzZRMZLugbmdudmea5wMJbdqOayJOQ9VVWX12Zvc4UVqdhvpTg0eo98_XA1J3GEk_CMSZF5gO-nooCloWg8LrCgt7KGV0SK4mdMG9Qvv0ub9Za9JCBK8J_LmVNcSSJG4/s1600/temple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514381534732012994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCMOk3yC2JkDIzZRMZLugbmdudmea5wMJbdqOayJOQ9VVWX12Zvc4UVqdhvpTg0eo98_XA1J3GEk_CMSZF5gO-nooCloWg8LrCgt7KGV0SK4mdMG9Qvv0ub9Za9JCBK8J_LmVNcSSJG4/s200/temple.jpg" border="0" /></a>This morning YogOdysseus set out to a place south of Austin near the edge of his homeland. He passed over the Barton Creek basin through mists of the morning rain and into territory where pickups and men with red necks is more common. There in the hill country he was astounded to see a four story spire rising from the base of a Hindu temple. Peaceful people from the area gave him a ride on a golf cart from the temple to a spacious yoga studio nearby. On the golf cart ride over the lady informed me that the temple and the Barsana Dham Ancient Yoga Center had been built in four years, from concept to reality.<br /><br />YogOdysseus was greeted by two of his classmates, tall amazon warriors who radiated joy from across the room which was filled with strangers with varying levels of expertise. He began his practice and felt his morning anxiety drift away and the mask soon became reality as asana worked it’s magic.<br /><br />YogOdysseus was particularly impressed with a man who had never done yoga. His postures were all crooked, his leg was unaligned…yet the man had a smile and ease that takes some people a lifetime to acquire.<br /><br />After practice he met and talked with Chris Dionsi, the teacher. One of the amazons amazed them all by shooting golden light from her chest. Following this beacon they explored the grounds, the pond, the playful Krishna frescos and the open arena which is great for practice of martial arts and yoga.<br /><strong><br />BLACK SWEATY YOGA</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioRoJRhdOL2eKVjjnecS9LUNyyVuokb0CoZFlJO1QUhtTtJ52e3HQ8ZavhvbMFL5mgwVvwbJcTKWpgtOIhV1BJR3Uj8n1FTWv-Uv1411eNWfpG4mHDlw8KphxxD_ohk4UOVgvbRZ_SmU/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514378143260912130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 202px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioRoJRhdOL2eKVjjnecS9LUNyyVuokb0CoZFlJO1QUhtTtJ52e3HQ8ZavhvbMFL5mgwVvwbJcTKWpgtOIhV1BJR3Uj8n1FTWv-Uv1411eNWfpG4mHDlw8KphxxD_ohk4UOVgvbRZ_SmU/s200/IMG_0339.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />YogOdysseus departed the temple and headed back into town dining on nuts and lembas. Parking at Whole Foods he walked through the HOT Texas sun to Black Swan Yoga. He was greeted by his one time teacher and all time friend who engaged in an intense “sweaty Yoga” class . The sirens of Black Swan yoga practice a fiery form of Asana. The room quickly heated as sun salutations turned to intense thigh burning lunges and balance postures. Heat from the vents buffeted the pair of practitioners moved through each move, dripping sweat, brushing on sun salutations and loving every moment of life.<br /><br /><strong>THE FLOW OF SEVA<br /></strong><br />After practice YogOdysseus and his companion walked through the REFRESHING <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtKf1r2XpVA_Qd3Jm85mhAVaLAzKgVfjvCf8ybpfkMURTm1BLh7bsRmog3w9_i_F04pXw4KbxnSeejJyhgFnJURGQl4p3jkg761XlXUf94Ae3YqLGhRnNuD7E00hpyDHmGuUzJC65GwA/s1600/IMG_0340.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514378999840304178" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 165px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtKf1r2XpVA_Qd3Jm85mhAVaLAzKgVfjvCf8ybpfkMURTm1BLh7bsRmog3w9_i_F04pXw4KbxnSeejJyhgFnJURGQl4p3jkg761XlXUf94Ae3YqLGhRnNuD7E00hpyDHmGuUzJC65GwA/s200/IMG_0340.JPG" border="0" /></a>Texas weather to have a bittersweet smoothie and bond in Kula Yogic Gossipy Soul Sharing. They then journeyed to Seva Yoga. As he gazed across the parking lot he was already struck by the diversity of studios and styles. From the exotic temple hatha, to the Indie minimilism hot yoga and now a classic Austin strip mall containing a simple giant room with cool tile. The Twila began a restoritive Hatha flow. There could not have been a greater contrast to the Sweaty Hot Black Yoga where the warmup was sun salutations in a hundred degree room. After a few smooth arm rotations from a seated position the teacher announced “OK, the hard part is over”. We layed back on the floor and gently rotated our hips in gentle hip openers and twists.<br /><br /><strong>CASA DE CONFUSION</strong><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514379357058991298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokyn13nEMdzxQ1D7tWQy-Hk7OJBAM06W64vO3eoDsy-Za-lASiXjc2OVyDthDl8IGREZlZZvTzEuzBbDjzC81eheIRyouOL73A46VTyGkx0c-D_iU-6HvXo0go0AXMgPckXU20RXXL0A/s200/IMG_0349.JPG" border="0" />YogOdysseus then set out to Casa De Luz where there was a Stomp Yoga planned. Upon arrival he discovered there was no stomping, and that the yoga teacher was “running late”. Taking advantage of this interlude he had two bowls of the Casa’s legendary biotic soup which invigorated him greatly.<br /><br />He joined a group of practitioners who sat bewildered in the kitchen, when a flustered teacher bounced into the room. After a few moments of confusion about rooms, class and other things, she sat down in a state of dishevelment and began to explain how hers was the “traditional” yoga with many benefits to mind and body. She then had the class sign waivers and embarked upon very simple practice suitable for someone undergoing triple bypass surgery. What the waiver was for remains a mystery forYogOdysseus was in more danger from the bittersweet smoothie than this practice. Although it did test his compassion and patience. YogOdysseus put his best face forward, but inside was deeply disappointed at the lack of stomping and yearned to “connect, stretch and laugh” as was advertised.<br /><br /><strong>LOVE CHANTING AT THE COOP</strong><br /><br />He was soon to be redeemed however as he made his way to the Co Op of Love and Yoga to practice a late night Kirtan class with a group of hippy looking smiling people. Their chants filled the night air with bliss and harmony. This studio, the only one YogOdysseus had been to previously, was cozy and intimate and beamed with the power of love and harmony.<br /><br />As he stepped out into the moonlight, he gazed through the darkness at the courtyard. A giant tree whose roots run deep give the area a pranic feel that made YogOdysseus long to practice and teach Tai Chi beneath it.<br /><br />He headed home, gazing occasionally at the starlit clouds that were thickening. Perhaps the next morning he would awaken refreshed, or yet again find the fear of life which we all experience. Yet today had made him stronger, happier and at that moment, he knew….peace.</div></div></div>Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-4893825817436957352010-07-14T15:25:00.016-05:002010-07-14T18:20:34.229-05:00What is an "Advanced" Practice<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36-wg1P6f-Gw5-idssd7OU-2v74anUs_nnNSJOGGD4wQ3NB8NQcqMLrGsoQVblK6GPtC_RI5thQeq4JBlppQy3JOY7a0MzHKW9JaJpa_1lYfk-X-Lr8ryItD83l6YUTDlqVHmnqmi4Z4/s1600/handstand.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493903430646931426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36-wg1P6f-Gw5-idssd7OU-2v74anUs_nnNSJOGGD4wQ3NB8NQcqMLrGsoQVblK6GPtC_RI5thQeq4JBlppQy3JOY7a0MzHKW9JaJpa_1lYfk-X-Lr8ryItD83l6YUTDlqVHmnqmi4Z4/s200/handstand.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><div>The other day I was with some fellow yoga practitioners and one said she didn't want to go to the advanced class because she couldn't do a handstand yet. Coincidentally I had just had a conversation with the advanced class teacher. She had told me quite clearly that I was welcome even though I wasn't "there yet" with handstands (which I can't do). The whole thing got me thinking about what constitutes and advanced practitioner of yoga or martial arts. </div><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Mastery -</span></strong> The first thing I should do is distinguish advanced vs. mastery. There are people who practice mind-body exercises every day for hours. These people, with the right combination of talent, skill and instruction reach a phenomenal stage of achievement. When I use the term advanced, I am not talking about these professors of martial arts and yoga. My use is more akin to someone moving up in elementary school (more on this later.) For the purposes of this article, I am talking about someone who operates in this modern world and practices mind-body exercises on a regular basis. </div><br /><div align="center"><strong><em>So in our culture, what constitutes an advanced student?<br /></em></strong><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">N<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvcy628ezYJBOykjzF8Had_9OjnwQUa863FMwJedVPbErWkfriaIGLARBd2f6FcfCkH6G0kzhWnz_n0boLxUaTTQaISrfifDFX7jnIm7B7o1truXfFblIlaDVtbMAHeOqCbfbel9bSTQ/s1600/yogi.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493895059860903730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvcy628ezYJBOykjzF8Had_9OjnwQUa863FMwJedVPbErWkfriaIGLARBd2f6FcfCkH6G0kzhWnz_n0boLxUaTTQaISrfifDFX7jnIm7B7o1truXfFblIlaDVtbMAHeOqCbfbel9bSTQ/s320/yogi.jpg" /></a>ot Ability to...-</span></strong> In yoga advanced is not reflected in your ability to achieve a certain posture. If it were, then 16 year old gymnasts would be the best yogis. Similarly, your ability to break boards or beat people does not distinguish you as an advanced martial artists. There are people who can do both that I would characterize as macho men, street thugs or just tough...but not advanced martial artists.</div><br /><div>Sure an advanced martial artists are powerful warriors, and an advanced yogi can do things many can not. However, I believe these abilities are a reflection of their advanced state, not the reason they are advanced. The ability to... is the fruit of practice, but not what defines the tree that is the practitioner. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The qualities I believe constitute an advanced student are:</div><ul><li>knowledge of self</li><li>low injury rate</li><li>unstoppable</li><li>self assured</li><li>humble</li><li>open minded</li></ul><p>An advanced student may have a rank in a school, or a certificate on the wall, but in the end, each of us must decide, for ourselves and others, what advanced is.</p><div><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Knowledge of self</strong></span> - an advanced practitioner knows exactly what she can do, and is constantly pushing that ability. They know how to walk right up to the edge. A Yogini will twist her outer leg in Pigeon Pose until her IT band burns. But she will not harm her knee. She knows her edge, and she pushes it. A martial artist will block with the bone 100 times until his forearms are bruised, and little micro-fractures form to toughen the forearm. But if the wrist tendons are in danger he will back off, putting his ego in check so he can advance. </div><br /><p><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Low Injury Rate -</span></strong> Closely related to knowledge of one's self is a low injury rate. I see new people come into a martial arts or yoga class and "go for it". They push themselves hard, ready to quickly master something. If they feel that tweak in their knee they tough it out. They make no allowance for swollen toes, full stomach, lack of sleep or any other impairment. Consequently they get hurt, sometimes seriously, and never come back. In martial arts these people are especially dangerous because they are reckless and can hurt others. If you see these wreckless practioners in a martial arts class be very careful doing two person exercises. </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Unstoppable -</strong></span> One of my teachers told a story of a wom<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapIQhElJxtb8LhkWNcVpDa7bcnthkQWzrFZxvj-kNSgCxe5RYrq50myqfk-u1gMdlYrf_JPs5wCaODmGPG3lQWS_a6xAJsWAs7qLesBXJ2CboI5aAHbKKjcihpU1OAtSrnb8MlbPCgxs/s1600/determine.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 181px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493896392177166754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapIQhElJxtb8LhkWNcVpDa7bcnthkQWzrFZxvj-kNSgCxe5RYrq50myqfk-u1gMdlYrf_JPs5wCaODmGPG3lQWS_a6xAJsWAs7qLesBXJ2CboI5aAHbKKjcihpU1OAtSrnb8MlbPCgxs/s200/determine.jpg" /></a>an who was in the black belt club. While most black belts, regardless of size were kicking the hell out of targets, her kicks were...moderate. She was slow in form, and a little wobbly in her balance. Not at all what one would see in most black belts. Even her Keeyap was funny. But my teacher learned later that she had been diagnosed with a potentially fatal disease, and that the doctors had said she would be disabled at best. We all agreed she was the best black belt on the floor. I see this all the time. People with cancer, in their 80's, children, and people who decide for the first time in their life to exercise--<span style="color:#ff0000;">this unstoppable fire is a thing of beauty.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Self Assured -</strong></span> I am just starting to teach and find that nothing can be more humbling. At first I was flustered when I made a mistake, and terrified of teaching something wrong. What if I made a fool of myself in front of these talented students? But as I watched I saw that even good teachers made mistakes. In fact, they constantly made tiny little errors in their teaching or motions. But they recover and continue. In testing we tell people not to show frustration if you mess up. Either continue or ask to start again, but don't groan, make a face and throw a mini tantrum. In yoga I see those people holding their breath, grunting and groaning and looking around to compare themselves to the rest of class. Advanced students may look, but they are always in a place of calm self assurance.</p><p><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Humility -</span></strong> when we practice martial arts and yoga we undertake the study of some very complex systems that have been developed over thousands of years. The people I know haven't lived their lives in an Asian temple, practicing morning noon and night since childhood. And even those who do will attest there is still much to learn. </p><p>At one point in my practice I realized that I there was so much to know. I had learned the basics of hundreds of techniques, postures, principles, over years of practice. And I yet I still find things to correct in my long stance. As you get more advanced, you are adding to a bigger and bigger list of things you can't do. It is overwhelming, and humbling. </p><p><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Intermediate students</span></strong> often make the mistake of thinking they know something a teacher is showing them. You will hear them correcting other students, even arguing with the teacher about the "right way" to do something. They have learned enough to know the basic technique, but not enough to see subtle variations. </p><p>Beware of overly proud intermediates; they may have certificates, trophies and awards, but if you are not careful they will waste your precious practice time. I advise listening to them, but don't let someone who is "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtWcb0bcA-A">in the teacher training</a>" be the final word in your practice.</p><p>Intermediate students are easily recognizable. They are accomplished and able in their practice. Sometimes an advanced student is indistinguishable from a beginner. Think of the classic martial arts movie where the maintenance man is a master of Karate, or Guru who looks like a beggar. <em><strong>An intermediate student will list their accomplishments. They take offense when someone tries to show them something; an advanced student smiles and listens, tries it out and moves forward. </strong></em></p><p><em>note: I am not pointing fingers...very few people skip this stage of development, and most of us cycle through it repeatedly as we advance. An advanced student will recognize this attitude in themselves and correct it. </em></p><p><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>The Open Mind -</strong></span> so the open mind is, in my thinking, the most important quality of an advanced student. Despite an advanced students many accomplishments and wealth of knowledge, they realize how little they know, and eagerly approach each new lesson with a beginners mind. This is why an advanced martial artist can adapt to a variety of fighting styles. It is why they are hard to trick, they see things as they are, not as a repetition of something they have seen before. Advanced mind-body students are able to learn under any circumstance. I knew a student who came from a bad teacher. My teacher confided in me his amazement: "When I saw that teacher practicing Tai Chi, I couldn't tell it was Tai Chi, but his student had had taken his instruction and did the moves correctly!" </p><p>When a student is advanced they learn from those less skilled, they learn from obnoxious intermediates, they learn from beginners, they learn from nature. Their practice extends beyond the mat, and their practice off the mat comes back to the mat for exploration. When you see this quality in a student, they are probably advanced.</p><p align="center"><em><strong><span style="color:#cc66cc;">I saw this quality in my friend, who can't do a handstand, but is, </span></strong></em></p><p align="center"><em><strong><span style="color:#cc66cc;">I think, </span></strong></em></p><p align="center"><em><strong><span style="color:#cc66cc;">advanced.</span></strong></em> </p></div></div>Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-61590475694846208152010-07-11T19:55:00.005-05:002010-07-11T20:14:50.611-05:00My Teacher and our Martial Arts Lineage.Courtesy of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=613951415">Janell Vela Smith</a><br /><br />HistoryThe ori gin of the Dae Yeon Sa Tem ple can be traced to AD 1200 years. The first original Tem ple was Dae Yeon Am, meaning “Great Achievement Place”. It was located in North Korea, and founded by Master Ji Suk along with two other masters.<br /><br />Dur ing this time the masters practiced Buddhism without the Martial Arts. It was only after Mas­ter Song Jae and Mas ter Bup Kwang came to the temple that the prac tice of Martial Arts began around AD 1269.<br /><br />Several hundred years later, the temple moved to South Korea (1692) and the name changed from Dae Yeon Am to Dae Yeon Sa (“Great Achieve ment Temple”).<br /><br />At that time, three masters from China joined and continued to develop the Martial Arts. That is why the origin of the Tukong Moosul system is both a hard and soft style, a blending of Chinese and Korean techniques.<br /><br />In 1965, Grand mas ter Wonik Yi went to the tem ple and began train­ing in Buddhism and the Martial Arts. I Korea there are two types of Buddhist temples. One is similar to a church of mission ary work and is open to all people. The other is solely for individuals who wish to seek self-enlightment. These tem ples are ones of sanctu­ary and privacy, and are not open for public visitation. A few of the temples in Korea choose the later type.<br /><br />The Dae Yeon Sa Temple is a very traditional temple that teaches Buddhism and Martial Arts. This is the tra di tion that is taught to the students of Tukong Moosul today.<br /><br />Eun Kwang Bup Sa was born in 1895 and passed away in 1996 at the age of 101 years. He was head mas ter of Dae Yeon Sa Temple from 1955 until his passing. Eun Kwang Bup Sa was Master Yi’s Grandmas ter and the greatest mentor influencing, molding, and guiding Master Yi for the rest of his life.<br /><br />Eun Kwang Bup Sa taught “Jeong Shin Il Do, Ha Sa Bul Sung”. Translated, this means that when one summons one’s mind, heart (body), and spirit in one direction together, nothing is impossible and you can accom plish any­thing that you desire.<br /><br />Grandmaster Wonik Yi’s goal, in honor of headmas ter Eun Kwang Bup Sa, is to offer and pass forward to his students all of the knowledge, wisdom and philosophy that he has acquired through his years of training. The students that are willing to listen and work hard will find direction in their life; they will become humble beings, with a great understand ing of self-accomplishment, self-esteem, and an under stand ing of the impor tance of life.<br /><br />Grandmaster Wonik Yi entered Dae-Yeon tem ple at the age of five in 1964. He lived at the temple until the age of nineteen and trained in traditional Moosul (Mar tial Arts) until he joined the South Korean Special Forces to do his duty for his country.<br /><br />While he was in the special forces, his commander, General Chang, and the Korean Government noticed his prominence in Martial Arts and asked him to devise a more modern, powerful, and effective fighting martial arts for the South Korea Special Forces and the military version of Tukong Mar tial Arts was born in February of 1978.<br /><br />In the beginning, Tukong Moosul was called Tukjun Moosul. In 1980, Korean Military 26th division became Tukong Division and most other divisions started creating the Tukong Battalion.<br /><br />There are now over a few hundred thousand South Korean military and reserve soldiers training each year in the military version of Tukong Martial Arts.<br /><br />Grandmaster Wonik Yi came to America in 1982 and has been teach ing Tukong Moosul ever since. The Tukong Moosul taught by Grand­mas ter Yi in the USA is very traditional and taught in the same way he learned from his Master, Eun Kwang Bupsa, at the temple. His Tukong Moosul is the combination of this traditional ancient temple style which was developed through many gen er a tions from 1200 AD and the inno v a tive mod ern style based on sci en tific research and theories.<br /><br />Tukong Moosul taught by Grand mas ter Yi consists of the following:<br /><br /><ul><li>Basic physical conditioning to optimize the human body’s condition</li><li>Advanced physical conditioning utiliz ing acupres sure and acupuncture</li><li>Basic and advanced body movements in forms and steps</li><li>Tra di tional and modern weaponry</li><li>Basic and advanced Ip-sun (Tai Chi)</li><li>Ulti mate Ki Kong (Ki Energy) Training</li></ul><p>Grand mas ter Wonik Yi was granted the 9th degree designation, which is the ultimate degree in martial arts, by his master, Eun Kwang Bupsa, before he passed away in 1996. Grand mas ter Yi also holds a doctorate degree in education.</p><p>Grandmaster Wonik Yi’s Tukong Moosul is evolving into a total philosophy of the human being. What he teaches is not just physical or mental martial arts. He teaches the students how to live their lives. That is because he strongly believes that the best way to pre dict the future of a human being is to create one.</p>Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-17660914774036159862009-11-26T09:35:00.005-06:002009-11-26T10:07:18.393-06:00No Can Do!"Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right."<br /><br /><br /><br />This week I had a revelation about how often I tell myself I can't do something. It started in Martial Arts. Master Ali took us through a set of exercises ranging from practicing forms to dragging your training partner accross the room (very tiring). I did these as I ussually do with confidence that I could do things. In fact, I was already observing a certain level of judgement. For instance, I wa staking pride in remembering certain things, and getting rattled when I forgot.<br /><br /><br /><br />Master Ali did an exercise where we held two sticks and banged them togeteher while the class practiced agility by stepping between the sticks. From the moment I saw the drill I was starting to dread it. I realized that before I tried the exercise I had convinced myslef that I couldn't do it. In fact, I couldn't. I jumped in and the sticks hit my foot. Two or thre times I tried to no avail.<br /><br /><br /><br />But this time I realized why. I was telling myself I couldn't jump rope, that I had poor rythum, that I never did good at these things, and a thousand other things I had learned from failures since childhood.<br /><br /><br /><br />So, I made a decision to just forget that bullshit and do it.<br /><br /><br /><br />Now by the end of class I was not doing it as well as others, but I had managed to get seven repetitions out. With a little more practice I am sure I could have done it much better.<br /><br /><br /><br />I was pretty sore after the workout so I decided to go for a nice easy Yoga workout. Mandy was teaching. I was pretty sore from the Tukong training so I decided to go and just kind of take it easy. A little Hatha would work the kinks out.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thomasvinson.com/blog/mindbody/uploaded_images/wheel-hatha-yoga-pose-749866.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px" alt="" src="http://www.thomasvinson.com/blog/mindbody/uploaded_images/wheel-hatha-yoga-pose-749864.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Mandy focused on backbends that day, and then went to full wheel. She heard my little snide snort when she said "<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I was essentially doing it again. Telling myself I can't do it. I was sore, tired, and have never ever ever come even close to raisning my head in wheel.<br /><br /><br />This time was particularly bad because Mandy decided to work with me in front of the whole class. So imagine the forces at work in my mind:<br /><ul><li>I can't do this</li><li>my chest is tight</li><li>back bends just aren't my thing</li><li>I am already tired and don't want to do this</li><li>a classroom full of beautiful women is watching me try this, oh god I look ridiculous!</li></ul><p>Three times I tired.</p><p>Three times Mandy pushed coached instructed discussed and told me what to do.</p><p>I didn't do it, and in fact, almost cranked my neck a couple of times. </p><p>So then we went off to practice with a partner and I was lucky enough to have another yoga teacher as my partner. At that moment I realized I had once again told myself that I couldn't do it. </p><p>So I made a point to push into it, and make sure I knew I was able to do it. I was able to push up into wheel and get my head off the ground for about five seconds. It was a breakthrough...first time in my life I could do it. </p><p>So today I learned that the secret to success is to catch yourself when you think you can't. Identify that dialogue and tell yourself you can.</p><p>It sounds easy, but believe me, it is very hard. Your mind is smart, and it will come up with all kinds of logical reasons why you can't do something. It will provide you with evidence based on past experiences. It will fill you with fear of injury, humiliation and failure. </p><p>Another thing. No matter how experienced you are in your practice, this will come back. I had a break through today, but in a week, or a day, or an hour later, the mind will once again place limits on what I can do. It demands constant attention. </p>Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-24641829960195343962009-10-06T10:26:00.004-05:002009-10-18T12:10:33.204-05:0010 Principles for Any techniqueThis is from one of Master Jay Davis' "nuggets" that he gives in classes at the Tukong Moosul Academy.<br /><br /><br /><br />There are Ten Principles in any Martial Arts Technique<br /><br /><ol><br /><li>Breath</li><br /><li>Keyap</li><br /><li>Self Control</li><br /><li>Space Control</li><br /><li>Inner Control</li><br /><li>Leverage</li><br /><li>Anticipation</li><br /><li>Timing</li><br /><li>Balance</li><br /><li>Speed</li></ol>Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-23736137799145545962009-08-09T10:50:00.000-05:002009-08-09T10:50:35.272-05:00Nunchaku LawWe were in class on Saturday practicing nunchaku and began to wonder how the weapon was treated in the eyes of the law. <br />1. Texas Law - Does someone know the specifics of Texas law? I would think that nunchaku falls under Title 10 Chapter 46 of the Texas Penal Code. Nunchaku's seem to meet the definition of a club: <a href="http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/pe.toc.htm">http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/pe.toc.htm</a> But that is just my best guess...I would consult a lawyer if a policeman tried to confiscate my nuncaku's. I know there was a great article on the laws of knives in one of our newsletters. <br /> 2. National Law - According to the Wikipedia:"Legality in the <a title="United States" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States">United States</a> varies at state level, e.g., personal possession of nunchaku is illegal in <a title="New York" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York">New York</a>, <a title="Arizona" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona">Arizona</a>, <a title="California" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California">California</a> and <a title="Massachusetts" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts">Massachusetts</a>, but in other states possession has not been criminalized. In New York, <a title="Lawyer" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawyer">attorney</a> Jim Maloney has brought a federal constitutional challenge to the statutes that criminalize simple in-home possession of nunchaku for peaceful use in martial-arts practice or legal home defense.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nunchaku#cite_note-12">[13]</a> As of March 2009, the case was awaiting the filing of a petition for certiorari for review by the U.S. Supreme Court." [They are illegal in many parts of Europe.]<br />3. The Supreme Court Case (pending) - Jim Maloney's website is VERY good. He discusses the current case at:<br /><a href="http://homepages.nyu.edu/~jmm257/mvc.html">http://homepages.nyu.edu/~jmm257/mvc.html</a><br />He also has a Blog called "Forbiden Sticks, a Four Century Blog Tour" - <a href="http://nunchakulaw.blogspot.com/">http://nunchakulaw.blogspot.com/</a><br />NPR had a great story on him as well. "Come on, they are just a couple of sticks with a string" was one of his defenses.<br /> 4. My experience - I was pulled over in Dallas and the officer saw my nunchaku's that I have had since my 12th birthday in the back of my hatchback. He tried to confiscate them, and I told him that I used them in martial arts practice and was on my way to class. He shrugged his shoulders, put them back in the trunk and proceedded to write me a ticket for expired tags. The point is that it is probably worth it to stand up for your rights if someone questions your martial arts weapon.<br /> 5. My Opinion - Using any weapon, including your pinkie finger, or even your words to threaten another is and should be illegal. However, laws specifically banning nunchaku's in a society where mass murderers go to gun shows and get weapons for their killing sprees is absurd. Our consititution specificallly protects us "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." I think our founding fathers would not pass a law banning nunchaku's and we should carry our nunchaku's with a peaceful mind and a strong heart.Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-17510427624819004162009-04-13T20:57:00.005-05:002009-04-13T21:25:36.411-05:00Recovery from Mistakes<span style="font-size:180%;">Living in the Moment</span><br /><br />When you make a mistake don't hold on to it. Once I was practicing moving hard blocking, which is a series of seven sets of moves designed to move your body in unconventional ways. They are also sometimes refered to as "confusion forms". Even after practicing these forms for many years I still have days where I miss a move. I take an extra step, or miss a punch. It is like my mind plays tricks.<br /><br />So on this day I tried to do moving hard blocking 1-7 and on the 3 series I made a mistake. Then the 4th, then the 5th, then the 6th. By the 7th series I was totally befuddled. One of the black belts said "don't let the mistake carry forward."<br /><br />Master Ali has emphasized this before several promotion tests. He says, "If you make a mistake while testing either reset and say 'permission to do again', or carry on through."<br />"Don't stop and go ugh!" he usually mimics someone in a front stance shaking their head in frustration "no one wants to see that."<br /><br />When you make a mistake, go to the next moment fresh and with an open mind. Live in that moment, don't waste a micro second on regret. This is particularly important if there are high stakes. In a combat situation regret and self examination will get you killed.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Learn from Mistakes</span><br /><br />Even though you live in the moment, don't be accepting. <br /><br />Grandmaster Yi saw the whole class was having a hard time with a sequence he was teaching. At the end of class he emphasized the need to learn from your mistakes. So while you shouldn't dwell on your mistakes, you should learn from them.<br /><br />One thing he said that stuck in my mind was "don't smile when you make a mistake" . Smiling says it is ok, or that you are making the mistake, but don't care. Don't be accepting of mistakes. <br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Don't Understand, Do It</span><br /><br />A few days ago we were working on an intense set of sparring moves, and I just wasn't doing it right. <br /><br /> Master Ali told me how to do it,<br /> I missed the move. <br /> He told me again<br /> and I said,"Understood"<br /> "Don't understand it" he replied,<br /> "Do it"<br /><br />Nothing could have summed it up better. It is not about dealing with mistakes, or fixing something wrong. It is about doing it right!<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Don't understand....DO IT!</strong> </div>Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-45154023191774301822009-01-17T14:21:00.005-06:002009-01-17T14:49:25.863-06:00A momentary lapseOne of the great benefits of training in a mind-body system is that you learn to handle mistakes better than most people. This point was made by one of Shaival in a Tukong Moosul class. We practiced observation of the breath. This is an incredibly difficult exercise to do corretly.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Observation of Breath</strong></span><br /><br />In this exercise we <em>observed </em>our breath. This involves sitting still, closing your eyes and observing how your breath goes in and out accross your upper lip. It is not relaxing your breath and controlling it, nor counting slowly while you breath in and out. This is somewhat difficult, but much easier than simply observing your breath.<br /><br />In my practice I find this a little disconcerting. If I ignore my breath it takes care of itself. But if I observe it, I need to focus on the in and out, controlling the length and depth of the breath.<br /><br />Observing without interfering is disturbing to me. I feel the breath go out, and in that moment before it returns I jump in and <em>tell my lungs to inhale.</em> So far I have not been able to watch such a fundamental thing without letting the mind control it.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Martial Arts Application</strong></span><br /><br />In Martial Arts there are many tests. The tests may be for a promotion. You may be tested by tring to do something new or simply trying to do a form you have practiced for years. I have noticed that many people are unable to get past a mistake. They are worried about what people think, or concerned about how poorly they do, or how hard it is. <br /><br />A good martial artist is unconcerned about the past or future. I once read something from Musashi that said a true warrior does not go into battle considering the outcome. If he considers the outcome he will surely fail. *<br /><br />If, heaven forbid, you are ever in a conflict, the ability to live in the instant of conflict could save your life! Ideally you would never be hit by someone else. A good martial artist has the ability to spring to their feet after being knocked down and continue fighting as though nothing happend ---- of course, a master is never knocked down, but that is another subject.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Yoga Application</strong></span><br /><br />My inability to observe my breath is at the core of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/posts.g?blogID=75125141881583556&searchType=ALL&txtKeywords=&label=savasana">why Savasana is so hard for me.</a> I will have to work on this.<br /><br />*I read this and pondered it in Book of Rings. I have since been unable to find the exact quote. If someone can find it, please pass it along.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Application in Life</span></strong><br /><br />How powerful would every business dealing be if we live in the moment? If we were unconcerned about our promotion, lay offs, and how good we look to others we would be highly effective in all of our dealings.<br /><br />Consider how many ventures have been cancelled because people were more concerned with the outcome of the undertaking. In your personal life I encourage you to take Musashi's advice, be a warrior who is unconcerned with the outcome.Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-15083054741383692622008-09-14T11:53:00.008-05:002011-03-06T13:09:02.836-06:00Be a Mountain<a href="http://www.thomasvinson.com/blog/mindbody/uploaded_images/seoraksan-(22)-773572.JPG"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.thomasvinson.com/blog/mindbody/uploaded_images/seoraksan-(22)-773185.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.thomasvinson.com/blog/mindbody/uploaded_images/DSC00883-712774.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div>I am exploring a common thread in all aspects of my life, and this aspect is being like a mountain.<br /><br />Mind body exercises are great because every movement, every session can be a metaphor for your life.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Tukong</span></strong><br /><br />Master Ali asks me if I have any questions about the form I am working on. I reply that the main thing is I know there are things about my forms in general that I am unaware need fixing...this is code for tell me the one thing I need to work on in my practice.<br /><br />Master Ali said that my motions were too tight and small. Tukong is a mountain form of martial arts. This means that movements are like climbing a mountain. Your motions should be big and definitive. While we learn other ways, we tend to practice in a big, solid way.<br /><br />In contrast, there are times when you move in "beach" style. In this way your movements are small, and very close in. Picture walking up a mountain versuswalking in a big mushy beach with shifting sand.<br /><br />I discussed when beach style was good versus mountain style. Master Ali showed me a few examples of each, but emphasized that my practice was too close. In fact, I had heard that from several black belts.<br /><br /><strong><em>My Tukong movements were too constricted, too small.</em></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Professional Development</span></strong><br />Flash back to a couple of months ago. I had merged my Zero Waste Network with the UT Arlington Division for Enterprise Development. Our director was at a conference and wanted me to promote the Center for Environmental Excellence. I asked her to give me the vision.<br /><br />She looked at me for a moment, and then said "you need to articulate the vision". This led to a discussion that basiclyamounted to my movements being small. I was looking at my small business unit, she wanted me to be looking, and assuming leadership for, the entire environmental program. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong><em>It was time to think big.</em></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Inner Body Bright</span></strong><br />Anusara Yoga teachers frequently use the term <strong><em>"inner body bright".</em></strong> <em>Inner body bright </em>is very hard to explain, but easy to see, and with focus, easy to do.<br /></div><br /><br /><div><br />Take a moment and stand with your arms at your side.<br /><br />Now picture a giant power field eminating from your core, out through your limbs, into your head, glowing out around your body. If you watch, you will see that your body will seem to swell up from the inside. You wil look bigger.<br /><br />So in Yoga the other day I set the intention of "being the mountain", which in my mind is pretty much "inner body bright". The teacher Sanieh, actually noticed that something was up, and made a point of letting me know.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Be a Mountain</strong> </span><a href="http://www.thomasvinson.com/blog/mindbody/uploaded_images/38-774716.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://www.thomasvinson.com/blog/mindbody/uploaded_images/38-773557.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><br />Being a mountain gives you an enormous amount of personal power and influence. People take notice of you when you are in a room. Setting the intention of being the mountain immediately begins a change in:<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><br /><li>your posture, which gets taller.</li><br /><br /><br /><li>your breath, begins to expand becase your lungs have lots of room to take in air,</li><br /><br /><br /><li>your eyes tend to sparkle a little, and you are looking around,and seeing a whole valley</li><br /><br /><br /><li>you tend to move decisively</li><br /><br /><br /><li>you speak with conviction,</li></ul><br /><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">But not all the time</span></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>So why aren't we always being a mountain? Well, as in Tukong and Yoga, the mountain is not alway the bset way to move. When the path is uncertain, or we need to let others stand tall it is good to use 'beach style".<br /><br />In martial arts, you change your energy constantly to seek advantage. You may be able to tower like a giant even when your opponent is bigger than you. But if both of you are being a mountain, it may be good to turn into a tight little stream and cut them in half. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Note that in martial arts mountain style is used to control the space. So, if you want others to speak, act, or express themselves in any way,back your mountain down for a while.<br /><br />In my personal life being a mountain can be inspirational, but in some situations it is intimidating. I noticed this first in a supermarket. People were saying "excuse me" and not walking past me even when there was a lot of physical space around me. I could be looking at something in an asle that could hold three of me. People would stop as though I were blocking the whole aisle.<br /><br />The certainty of your speaking can mislead people, giving them the impression you know what you are talking about when you are guessing. A friend of mine got irritated in Korea because he thought I knew where I was. In my mind I was saying "I think it is over there". He heard "it IS over there".<br /><br />If you have had a long and intensely high energy yoga practice. Make sure you take a moment to go inside. Bring your energy back into your core and let it cool. Ashtanga practice always ends with a series of tight postures. This prepares you for final relaxation, and lets you get the maximum health benefits. </div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Big and Small</span><br /></strong><br />Scholars of the ancient Chinese game of strategy, Wei Qi (Go), willl tell you that all strategy is about knowing when to make a big move and when to make a small move. If you never make a big move you will be "living small". You may survive, but youwill be unsatisfied. However, people who move big all the time will have massive losses.<br /><br />When you are on uncertain ground, revert to beach style. For instance, in business make sure you understand a contract before you step out on the sand. Ask many questions, examine each step closely. Once you sign it, the ground is firm execute the strength of a mountain.</div></div></div>Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-56120822079064607812008-08-30T20:20:00.004-05:002008-08-30T20:49:35.388-05:00Animals Animals EverywhereLately I am realizing how deep my immersion in martial arts and yoga has become. One symptom is the way I talk to my teachers. Here are some typical questions:<br /><ul><li><em>is that a pigeon pose?</em></li><li><em>should I go to dragon stance?</em></li><li><em>kind of like a one legged dog?</em></li><li><em>should we turn the head of the snake upward?</em></li><li><em>cobra, sphinx or upward dog?</em></li><li><em>a drunken monkey?</em></li></ul><p>I swear these are all legitimate questions which were asked in perfect seriousness and got detailed responses. </p><p>In martial arts and yoga many of the poses and postures are modeled after animals, and the animals We spent about ten minutes discussig how to use our hand like a snake after class. We looked at how to bend our hand around poles, and move our hands upward or sideways in a shimmering motion. </p><p>As we discussed this I began to wonder:</p><ul><li>Is it possible to take the anology too far? Obviously we are not pigeons, camels dragons or tigers, so why should we study their motions?</li><li>Animals are adapted to move certain ways, but the same laws of physics apply to them, so if we move our hands like a snake we can take advantage of the unique coiling motion of a snake. If we think of a tiger we can make our hands into claws that tear. If we think of a dog stretching out, we can get that angle in our upper back that feels soooooo good. </li></ul><p>So the next time you are doing Cat/Cow, king pigeon, or a drunken monkey, think about how the animals move. At the very least it will bring some art and fun to your practice. </p>Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-60333081309293438552008-08-22T17:11:00.005-05:002008-08-22T17:26:21.165-05:00Off the Mat...Public SpeakingOne thing I have brought from yoga is a connection between my mind and my body. Your posture influences your mood, and vice versa.<br /><br />Consider public speaking. It is one of the most stressfull situations people can have. People rank fear of public speaking above fear of death.<br /><br />So what is happening as you sit in a chair, waiting to be introduced? Your legs are folded in an unnaturally chair constricted posture that let's your quads shrink, and even atrophy. <br /><br />These are your fight or flight muscles. When an alligator leaps out of the water these muscles need to fire up and carry you off the field. So your body is telling your mind that you are not ready to move. Your mind, in turn is telling your body that you are about to enter a dangerous situation. <strong> It is a feedback loop. You are about to expose yourself with no ability to fight or fly!</strong><br /><br />The trick I learned at a recent speaking engagement was to loosen these up these tense muscles. You will be cool, calm and relaxed as you speak. Just sit a little forward on your chair, and bend your leg to the floor. The top of your body will be unchanged, so people watching you sit at a table will simply see your upper body and a smile on your face. Meanwhile your quads are loosening allowing you to relax and prepare for a stressful situation.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.thomasvinson.com/blog/mindbody/uploaded_images/speak1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://www.thomasvinson.com/blog/mindbody/uploaded_images/speak1.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div align="center"><strong>And...if your speech is not well recieved.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong>You will be able to fight or fly!</strong></div>Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-67494964814645985832008-08-21T18:27:00.004-05:002008-08-22T14:55:37.726-05:00On and off the mat --- Relaxation ResponseToday, I had a demonstration of something truly amazing. <strong>If you conquer your fears, and relax your anxiety, problems start to disapear!</strong><br /><br /><br /><br />Some may say this is mystical, but the explanation could be much more simple.<br /><br /><br /><br />Case in point. On my way to a meeting today, and already running late.<br /><br /><br /><br />RED LIGHT! At this point there is nothing to be done. Talk about pressure....I am sitting there, with a BIG ASS MEETING Coming up....SITTING IN THE CAR, WAITING ON A LIGHT!<br /><br /><br /><br />Then I remembered the NPR show this morning. That if you elicited a relaxation response at a red light you could have a significant effect on your health.<br /><br /><br /><br />Well, I was still pretty sure this light was going to make me late for the meeting, but at least I could arrive with low blood pressure, no rashes and not a trace of sweat (or other bodily fluids). So I<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><em>took a deep breath</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em></em></div><br /><div align="left">The light changed, and I drove one block to anohter red light. </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><em>breath, calm</em></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Three red lights later I was calm.</div><br /><div align="left"></div>The funny thing. All those lights slowed me down less than ten minutes. I made the meeting, smelling and looking good, and a little early.<br /><div align="left"></div>Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-78877980155421144502008-07-30T15:34:00.009-05:002008-08-01T15:27:35.868-05:00My Temper, My QuadsNo doubt about it now, every time I get into a pose that stretches my quads I start to feel irritated. Liz was working on Hero pose (vira sana) and I was just getting more and more angry. It started with frustration (why cant I do this pose), then fear (is that my knee?) and ended with outright irritation (why in the HELL don't we do another pose....HERO AGAIN! <strong>C'MON LIZ, DO ANOTHER POSE</strong><br /><br />This by the way is a variation with the toes bent....(photo from <a href="http://www.yogaelements.com/blog/sore-feet.html">Downward Blog</a>)<br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 88px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 159px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="356" alt="virasana" src="http://www.yogaelements.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/tucked-toes.gif" border="0" /><br />I really wasn't being much of a hero.<br /><br />So here is my conclusion.<br /><br />1. I tend to sit in a pose, much like the one I am in now. Hips folded in an unnatural chair, psoas compressed, quadricepts tightening.<br /><br />I do this all the time, and have done it for quite some time.<br /><br />2. The hips are supposed to contain the fight or flight mechanism. Stetching that tight muscle releases aggression.<br /><br />Liz mentioned that Hero pose does a really cool thing. It connects the heart to the core.<br /><br />This got me thinking of a story Grandmaster Wonik Yi told us. <paraphrase><br /><br /><em>"There once was a region that the king wanted to collect taxes from, but the people were fearsome fighters. The king sent a general who had strength. One year later the people sent a basket to the king with the strong generals head in it.<br /><br />So the king sent a general who was smart. For three years the rebellious region sent tribute. Then one year the tribute came with the smart generals head in it.<br /><br />So the king sent a general with a strong heart. The next year, and forevermore the people of the region sent more tribute than was asked.<br /><br />The moral is:<br />Strong body is weaker than strong mind<br />strong mind is weaker than strong heart."</em><br /><br />So let's think about this hips to heart thing. What would a person who had mastered Hero Pose be like? The following is pure conjecture on my part, I could be completely wrong.<br /><br />Mastering Hero's pose connects the heart to the core. Or the physical strenght to physical compassion.<br /><br />If one could master this they would be powerful and loved for their power. They would have a lot of strength. Their strength would emenated from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dantian">Tan Tien</a> (a.k.a. the root lock <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manipura">manipura</a>). This area holds the power that is projected in martial arts moves.<br /><br />If I can master this pose (and apply the principle at all times) I can be cool under pressure<br />I can avoid conflict out of compassion, but never from fear<br />When I do enter conflict I could do so without anger, maintaining my awareness, emotional stability and strenght all at once.<br /><br />This is very exciting.Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-22036261770998940712008-07-27T19:48:00.002-05:002008-07-27T19:49:28.665-05:00class attendance - Yoga Yoga, Repost from MyspaceI just figured out that I have access to my class attendance records at yogayoga<br /><br />I took my first yoga class at Yoga Yoga with Kewal on March 7, 2006 at noon. Since then I have taken 345 classes, averaging 13.2 classes per month, or about every other day for two years. I tend to go every day, but have breaks when I travel. <br /><br />My favorite class is by far Hatha (41%), I also took a lot of beginners Hatha (23%) and Hatha flow (20%). I went to Ashtanga about 7% of the time. If you don't know Ashtanga from hatha, here is a guide to the classes.<br /><br />My most frequently attended teachers kind of suprised me. I really take advantage of the diversity of teachers at yoga yoga. I have taken a lot of teachers for two or three classes. Over 30% of my attendance was to a teacher I only took a few times. The number of times I went to a teacher doesn't relate closely to how much I learned or enjoyed the class. <br /><br />I know I ussually pick a class because of the time, type of class, my schedule, how sore I am from other exercise and my level of energy. Teacher is about the third thing I look at. Nevertheless, some teachers consistently rose to the top and that isn't coinciedence. These teachers shaped my practice and taught me a lot. <br /><br />My top teachers were:<br /><br />Mandy 12%<br /><br />Liz B and Sapphire with 8%<br /><br />Gundega, Larrisa, Pamela B. and Chuck (5%) <br /><br /><br />I think Mandy is on top as much because of her regularity, and the amount of time she has been teaching as any other reason. Mandy is a great teacher, has taught for the past two years and teaches a lot different time slots. In contrast, Gundega who I have recently been going to has only had a few classes for about a year. Liz B. has had extended absences but would probably be the teacher who has the deepest effect on my practice. <br /><br />I took classes through two marathons, countless martial arts classes, injury, sickness, S T R E S S and MORE STRESS, I even found it comforting the day my dog died. <br /><br />I still can't do a headstand, full wheel (for very long), stick my toes up my nose and kiss my ass, but I think I am getting stronger and more flexible every week. I have learned to look deep in my body, align my muscles, heal sore achy muscles. In combination with martial arts I have increased my ability to balance immensely. I can relax under extraordinary circumstances, and deal with my emotions much better than before. On a more mystical level I can feel the flow of Prana (also known as "Chi", or "Ki"). <br /><br />I am very glad to have incorporated yoga into my life, and highly recomend Yoga Yoga to anyone in Austin.Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-45127258963798815052008-07-26T19:33:00.004-05:002008-07-26T20:03:55.917-05:00Appropriate Use of ForceFor the past two days we have been reviewing a series of joint locking techniques. These techniques consist of trapping some part of the body, like the elbow, shoulder, wrist or thumb. When you feel these techniques even lightly applied your knees turn to jello. If force is applied to that one small part of the body the whole body just melts, and in that moment you can lead your opponent wherever you want. <br /><br />The key is learning how to apply that force at just the right angle with perfect timing. I was practicing one today and I went left instead of right; I noted this worked fine since I still controlled the person and my elbow was in a perfect position for a strike. Shaval (the instructor) however was not going to let me off that easy; he noted that from the position we started I had a number of strikes available to me.<br /><br />"If someone grabs you with both hands" he said "I am grateful because both my hands are free to strike his face<br />groin<br />elbows"<br />with each word he showed a strike. <br /><br />"The point is not to break our friends nose here, but to control them" <br /><br />hmmmm...<br /><br />A true martial artist has a large arsenal at his disposal for any situation. He can launch a debilitating kick, or simply escape the grasp. In this case we apply pressure to a tiny joint and basically arrest their movement. This is the essence of martial arts.<br /><br />We are not street fighters who simply seek to win a conflict. We are artists who turn conflict into art; the ideal outcome could be no conflict at all. <br /><br />If someone grabs you what is the best response?<br />Talk?<br />Escape their grasp?<br />Strike the arm so they release and think twice?<br />Lock their weak joints and bring them to the ground?<br />Strike them so hard that they are permenantly injured?<br /><br />A fighter always goes to the last option, they seek to fight and win. The artists will instantly apply the correct response. <br /><br />This is why we must train our philosophy and hearts as much as our body. If we only go around hitting people at every conflict then you are probably going to eventually wind up in jail or the hospital; not to mention unnecessary pain you inflict on others. Yet only with a lack of fear and complete awareness can we react with the correct response. <br /><br />We must use our art to get the desired outcome. Applying a small amount of force to a weak point.Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-86254873396928954372008-07-26T01:30:00.005-05:002008-07-26T01:51:42.290-05:00Introducing....The Psoas<a href="http://www.thomasvinson.com/blog/mindbody/uploaded_images/400px-Anterior_Hip_Muscles_2-732278.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.thomasvinson.com/blog/mindbody/uploaded_images/400px-Anterior_Hip_Muscles_2-732097.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />The purpose of the psoas is to lift the leg to the body, or move the body towards the leg. Both functions were adequately explored in the last two Anyusara Hatha Yoga classes I took.<br /><br />This muscle tends to tighten and shorten in long periods of sitting. I have come to believe that this tightening leads to a feeling of stress and anxiety. <br /><br />Releasing this muscle can greatly lower you stress.<br /><br />Strengthening and increasing it's flexibility has some rather obvious advantages for martial artists. Most notably getting into a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front_stance">front stance, or long stance (ap kubi)</a>.Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75125141881583556.post-22971213402627962562008-07-23T22:34:00.000-05:002008-07-23T22:35:20.601-05:00Three moves in a formMaster Ali helped us with forms. I can tell I am improving because this time he waited until the first move to offer correction. The last time he started at "ready position". The higher your rank the more exacting the instruction becomes. There is no end to the detail.Thomas Vinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652892070104329897noreply@blogger.com0