Sunday, November 28, 2010

Arm ache

Lots of my friends are suffering from sword arm ache, across top of the forearm and also front deltoids. I had this very bad years ago and get it on occasion when I've not being doing my reverse arm curls with free weights. But these friends of mine have it bad ALL the time...

Is there any remedy for these guys, like some kind of topical or whatnot that they can use/wear? They do moan a lot...lol

Dit da jou or dit da chiu same stuff different spelling, it is a Chinese herbal medicinal tincture. I've been using it for some 15 years now, it can work wonders especially if combined with some self massage.You may of course want to test for an allergic reaction before covering large portions of your body with it.

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly.


Tiger balm is another one that I use. It comes in three different strengths, green - red - and white. If the pain persists, maybe they should consult a physician to make sure it isn't a repetitive stress injury or something along similar lines.


Even without the tincture, a deep arm massage can often fix the problem. I used to (well, still do) get this in my right arm, and it's just caused by the build up lactic acid and other junk in the muscles from lots and lots of use. Massage it away (enough that it hurts!), using the tincture as well if you can get it, and it'll get much better. Once upon a time I had to wear a wrist brace every time I fought right handed, now I only have to do this massage maybe once a year I don't have a problem.

I'd include massage as well. However if the problem is originating from a tendon this may not be advisable. Be very aware when the long head of the bicep starts showing signs of strain as this could be a prelude to a bicep rupture. You'll notice this by intense pain around the deltoid region by way of the glenoid cavity. I've had one chap in my Savate class rupture his - even though he went through a very good stretching and warm up routine prior. I know several other senior combat athletes and martial artist who have suffered the same fate. Don't take a chance have a Doctor check it out ASAP.

Monday, November 22, 2010

I do round 43

Any word on round 43? I went on the website and it has it listed as available for sale, but I haven't recieved an e-mail

I saw that my credit card had been charged, but I didn't receive an email saying it had been sent.  I contacted PB and they said it looked like it had been sent out, so they are on their way....I hope!
 
I got the email last week, a friend got hers yesterday and I am anxiously awating the mail carrier!

I got my email 3 days ago and it said to expect it in 3-5 days.  I didn't get mine today.  I was hoping... maybe I will get it tomorrow!  I can't wait!
 

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Finale Sound effects

I've been teaching TK for a couple of weeks and I love it!! Just wanted to ask the experts about the sound effects in the finale section--do two bells mean switch sides or what?? I find in class that I've spent a long time on one side--I'm doing Round 33 since it's pretty basic and not so tricky choreo--would love ya'lls input!

I think it just depends on you. This is what I do:

1. When the bell/whistle goes I finish the entire phrase we are on.
2. We then step right/left with a clap - I holler we are halfway there.
3. After 16 counts of step right/left we jack 8 times until the next phrase starts and then we are on the left lead. If you need to rotate to position yourself to the left lead you can while you are jacking.

This seems to keep us at the halfway point. The newer rounds all have the whistle so it is easy to keep the left/right split 50/50.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

from the mouth of a babe...or a new qigong student

below is an email I got from a fairly "young" (in experience) student.

As I was telling my class I had some difficulties in relating to the metal for the lungs she came up with a great observation, I asked to write it to me and here it is posted below.

"When hearing in Qi Gong class about the "metal element" that benefits the lungs, it seemed odd at first. After more thought, I realized the "metal element" fits with my understanding from Western medicine of the role of the metal element iron that is a crucial part of the hemoglobin molecule in our red blood cells. Hemoglobin picks up the oxygen from our lungs and transports it via the bloodstream to all of the body's tissues. Each molecule of hemoglobin contains 4 iron ions. Each iron ion binds 1 oxygen molecule, so each hemoglobin can carry 4 oxygen molecules. Each red blood cell contains 250 million hemoglobin! This metal element is indeed important for our lungs.

Also, our body stores the iron we eat in the liver until it is needed to make new red blood cells.
 
It's so amazing to see how people differ in their interpretations and found a lot more than I was expecting from one question! : )
 

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

When ya get old?

Just curious. I look at a lot of 'combatants' demonstrating this or that weapon or system or art. Talk a lot about Aikido or Karate or Aikido. This or that knife. Broadsword or longsword. Etc. I'm nearly 70, still alert, moderate strength, still smart and savvy. Still ride my motorbike. But still, I'm in the last quarter of my life. I wear glasses and have a tremor. What do I use? What do I do?
 
BTW, that goes for folks in wheelchairs or who have various disabilities. Give some thought to this, folks. Not the quick, snappy, snarky answer. Don't just tell me, "Oh God, geezer, just roll over and die." Not all of us are at the prime of our lives, nor young nor flexible.

If you are trying to defend yourself you get a shotgun. If you are looking for fun and exercise anything will do. The main thing is to shop around and find a group you like training with. The people are more important than the style, imho.

My favorite martial arts schools have been the ones with people who I would want to hang out with even if we were doing something other than martial arts. You learn more when you are having fun. You keep coming back too, which is the only way to get good.
 
You adjust your martial arts practice to your body. Young or old, healthyor infirm, you always do. I'm "mid-life" now so I don't heal like I used to. Minor injuries which would be gone in a day or two when I was young will last for a week or two now. I have had to adjust my "competition" type martial arts accordingly. You don't have to stop doing martial arts, you just have to adjust how you do them.

Some of you old farts might enjoy this How Our Fighting Styles Change As We Grow Older in Martial Artsby Rick Kirkham. I hear many young martial artists pose the question how will my martial artschange as I got older. Having started martial arts at 14 and being 48 as I write this I believe I can shed some light on the question.... 
 

I'm heading towards seventy myself but unfortunately I'm not able to walk around with a shotgun or even a handgun as the police seem to frown on such practices, though I would certainly keep one at home if allowed
In the kung fu system that I study (the Beggars Art) my late sifu Tan Siew Cheng used to categorize some of the techniques as old man methods these were soft methods, moves that didn't require large amounts of strength to make work. In reality many systems have such techniques and my advice would be to make sure you have a few 'soft' techniques up your sleeve. On the other hand I remember reading some research results (can't remember the source) which showed that old (retired) boxers retained a surprisingly large amount of their former punching power and reaction speed so don't sell yourself short. Pick a system that you think will suit your purpose and go for it.

As for wheelchair bound or crutch using students and other disabled people it will obviously be much harder for them but even so they can still learn a few things to use in a self-defence situation, I know because I have taught disabled people in the past. Yes, the odds are stacked against them but I take the view it's better to have a few moves than none at all. Other than that, as the man said, enjoy yourself

So true, so very, very true. I do an awful lot of 'adjusting' these days

You adjust your martial arts practice to your body. Young or old, healthy or infirm, you always do. I'm "mid-life" now so I don't heal like I used to. Minor injuries which would be gone in a day or two when I was young will last for a week or twonow. I have had to adjust my "competition" type martial arts accordingly. You don't have to stop doing martial arts, you just have to adjust how you do them.

Just a little heads up Adam, my comments about the police were meant to be joking but unfortunately the smilies. I included haven't shown up in my reply, don't know why!