This morning, I got in my exercises. I focused on the shodan requirements: sixty knuckle, “tricep” push-ups on my toes, one hundred squats and one hundred sit-ups. I also did my usual forty “chest” push-ups on the mat, and was able to stay on my toes for about twenty. For sit-ups, I decided to do them like I will need to for the test: one hundred straight, and not mixing in other kinds of ab exercises. I lost track of the count. Honestly I was worried that might happen. This evening, I do sixty “chest” push-ups on my knuckles then move to a mat for forty tricep ones, and it was hard to do any of the last forty on my toes. I did my usual mix of lower abs, however, instead of regular sit-ups.
During lunch, F and I did intervals and alternated jump rope with other things, like jumping jacks or burpees. Burpees are hard. I suspect we will be doing those for our test, since Sensei warned it would include some Tabata training. Afterwards, we practiced kata.
Friday night’s class went well: Senpais T and TF taught. T is an excellent instructor, as well as TF. They are a real karate power family. Sensei taught on Saturday. He covered both the shodan and nidan syllabi. I really needed to practice those, but I admit that the hook heel kicks, particularly since you need to execute them then bring your foot back to the starting pose, require significant skill. I sure hope I can grow into those, but I have my doubts. This middle-aged body of mine finds high kicks challenging, let alone hook or spin kicks.
Saturday afternoon, after karate class, Sensei also held a seminar on the history of our dojo, karate politics, and basically running a dojo. It was very useful; we also discovered we have a colorful history. The Burbank dojo had links to both Don Buck, who established his own style, and, through Shihan Brian Bastien, Shihan Bobby Lowe.
On Sunday, we had our usual organizational planning meeting. Tonight we also met to go over the teaching schedule.
I see F pacing the hallway, probably waiting for me to finish up here.
Though meditation week is over for me, I want to close on some notes I made about meditation from Friday. I wrote about how the days felt like they were running together. Perhaps this is because the days are so alike during quarantine, or because I’m getting older, and simply experiencing time differently?
I certainly value time differently. What is the value of ten minutes? Ten minutes to write or meditate, or minutes to talk with grandparents and children over the dinner table; ten minutes to find a good place for a plant, and put it in the ground; ten minutes do to exercises (or a bit more); ten minutes to text a good friend or relative, just to check in. Ten minutes can mean so much: peace, accomplishment, connection, rest, recognizing beauty.