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<blogEntries>
<blogEntry id="3054">
	<title><![CDATA[Overcoming Injury/Condition]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[It is becoming quite common that I only post an entry in this journal 2-3 times a year now. I swear this last break was not my fault this time. I have taken two years to come to the realization that I MUST return to my Aikido studies. I have mentioned sufferring from back pain on here before, and still trying to overcome to return to Aikido.

Turns out, after getting some x-ray work done, that I have stage 3 (advanced) scoliosis ranging from my lower lumbar to upper thoracic spine. My lumbar spine has a 17 degree curvature (spaning 5-6 vertebrae) and my thoracic spine has a 24 degree compensatory curve (spaning 2-3 vertebrae). I am in pain everyday, but when I excersice, it subsides. Doctors told me that it is ideopathic, and has probably been developing for my whole life as a result of my left leg being 2mm shorter than my right. So, my spine is shaped like an S. How can this happen???? I am only 23 years old!!!! :disgust:  I have played sports for my entire life (baseball, basketball, soccer, etc.), and now my doctor is telling me that I should not even jog or run. Apparently I can only do activities that are non-impact, or it could progress the curves further. 

But...........

What if.................:rolleyes: 

Over the past few months I have concentrated on staying stretched out and doing various strenthening excercises for my spine. What if.....I modify my Aikido training when I return, and remain conscious at all times of things I shouldn't do while there. I.e. keep my break falls to a minimun, no high rolls, and be sure my Sensei is aware of the condition so that he understands I can only do so much.

I love Aikido to the point that it feels like something is missing from my life. I need to release the stress of school and relationships and work, and Aikido was one place I remember helping greatly with that. Also, I have traveled the world, and the people I have met in the Aikido community have by far been the most influential and kind. Everyone is always willing to help eachother, and you just don't find that everywhere. 

If anyone shares the same type of hurtle I am trying to overcome, or one like it, please feel free to comment. Thanks.]]></body>
	<date>08-13-2007</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2824">
	<title><![CDATA[Hello Journal]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Today I was late to work (2 hrs) because not only was there a book signing at the dojo for my Sensei's book, but a weapons demo!! Who wants to miss that!? Not me. 
Anyhow, my back issue is still present, but I will be getting back to training non-the-less. I plan on being back at the dojo full-time (2-3 classes...full-time for me) on Janruary 1, which is the date of the New Years seminar. I will need to get two prep classes in between then and now. I have been away from the dojo for 8 months now. I also found out today that there are many students of aikido that study regardless of injury (specifically back). I think the stretching and rolling will relieve some tension.
]]></body>
	<date>12-04-2006</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="2603">
	<title><![CDATA[Back Again]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I swore before that I would not take breaks from training. Well....Monday night I went to class after 9 long months of no training. I have not felt this good in months. Partly, the reason it took me so long to get back was because of a lower back strain/injury which has improved. I think attending class the other night has actually helped stretch my back out. Love this stuff.]]></body>
	<date>04-19-2006</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1867">
	<title><![CDATA[Back To Training]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[This morning was my first class back since taking a break for two months to finish the semester of school. I realize now that I hate taking breaks from training. It is not so much that I forgot things, like I thought would be the problem, but it is that when I took a break from my Aikido training, I almost stopped working out all together. Then, when I went back today, I was struggling just to keep up with the warm-ups, because they work the whole body. By the end of the warm-up period, I had already broken a sweat, which normally did not used to happen until about half way through the class. Anyways, it went well for the most part and I am going to strive to not take any more breaks, and if I must I dont want them to be two months long. I am also going to start taking my training more seriously. 
Today I bought 'Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere'. I am looking forward to it for a good summer read and hope that it will give me a little more in-depth knowledge. The beginning of the book also states that it will later discuss a workout routine specific to Aikido for 'off-the-mat' time, which I want to incorporate in my training. 

Lastly-I think I am going to start running to the dojo in the mornings. It is 2.3 miles one-way, but I think that it will be good for me. I am more worried about the run back. haha.]]></body>
	<date>06-04-2005</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1704">
	<title><![CDATA[Break Time]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I have unfortunately been unable to attend regular classes at my dojo due to work and school schedules. I am only able to go once a week if I am lucky. I cant wait until school is over because this sucks. I guess everyone has to take a break sometime.]]></body>
	<date>04-15-2005</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1629">
	<title><![CDATA[Training]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[So I work for a security company and the other day my triaining supervisor came to me and said that he wants my help in developing a self defense program for our building's management staff and security staff. He had just gotten back from a 3-day seminar in which he learned basic self defense tactics from the same person that did our handcuff training at work. For a long time, I have been telling him that the new hires should be trained in some kind of basic self defense for safety and liability purposes. Because he knows about my study of Aikido and knowledge of basic martial arts principles, he wants to teach me what he learned, and for me to assist him with teaching it to everyone else. He also said that because of the Aikido training, I can through a few things in there along the way that might compliment some of the techniques that he wants to teach. 

The best part about his is that on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of this week, I will be pulled away from my normal duties at work, and I will be doing a 3-day training thing with him.........and getting paid for it. 

Lynn if your reading this, I would like to try and go over some things with you before class on Wed (tomorrow) if you were going to be there.]]></body>
	<date>03-29-2005</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1572">
	<title><![CDATA[Structured Learning]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Last night we did something new, or at least something that is new to me. We learned 6 breath throws in order from #1-#6. It really helped me to remember everything that we had gone over by learning the variations to a throw in sets. Very helpful.]]></body>
	<date>03-09-2005</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1486">
	<title><![CDATA[Saturday's Seminar]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Saturday's Seminar went as follows:

9am-Everyone on the mat! Shihan Bill Witt took center stage, and opened the Seminar with a handful of syundo counters. 

There was very little room on the mat, not even enough for me to be a good uke and fall during each practice of the techniques that Sensei Witt had demonstrated. There were so many unfamiliar faces on the mat because several dojo's were there practicing, and it was nice because it was the first time I ever trained with anyone from other dojos.

10:15am-Sensei Howard Hoa Newens is now the main man, and demonstrated several syundo techniques as well as some irimi throws.

Overall the day was awesome.  ]]></body>
	<date>02-07-2005</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1483">
	<title><![CDATA[Interesting Day]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Today was a very interesting and eventful day. 
Today was:

The 70th birthday of my Sensei (Sensei Dang Thong Phong of Tenshinkai Aikido)

The Anniversary of my dojo (Tenshinkai Aikikai)

The Anniversary of the Tenshinkai Aikido Federation (TAF)

The entire TAF community in my area, along with many others, went to a beautiful Chinese Seafood restaurant for a dinner and birthday/anniversary celebration. I saw so many interesting people that I did not even expect to see. Sensei Fujita was there, along with several California Senate/Congressman peoples, and the Mayor of the City. Sensei Phong was given a key to the City of Westminster and all this other stuff. I was so amazed at how this thing was put on, and I did not think that it was going to be so huge with all these important names in Aikido in general.

I did not want to leave early, but it was worth the little time that I was actually able to spend at the dinner before having to leave. This has just made me that much more interested in the art of Aikido, to be sorrounded by so many high ranking people of the art. 

SEE YOU AT THE SEMINAR THIS WEEKEND! ]]></body>
	<date>02-05-2005</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1451">
	<title><![CDATA[Ki]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Yesterday's class was good. We did just two techniques for the entire class, and the second one was just an add-on to the first one. They were Ki excercises for the most part, and they felt good when I was able to flow. Then, about 5 minutes before the end of class, we did that one technique (cant remember what its called) where both aikidoka side knee to knee, and take turns grabing eachother's wrists. You are supposed to use your breathing and Ki, I think, to push them over. I absolutely cannot do this, haha, I keep using my upper body strength to do it. lol

Today in class we did some nikkyo technique when faced with a suki (spelling? Punch). And we also did some kotegoshi with this as well. All was well.


 ]]></body>
	<date>01-26-2005</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1427">
	<title><![CDATA[Blade Conscious]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Today before I went to work, I did a little Aikido technique practice/warnup at the house (kinda becoming a little ritual thing that I practice technique even though I am away from the dojo). After this I wanted to work on some stuff that could make me more blade conscious with practice. I got an old piece of cardboard and hung it from the ceiling with a string. I then pushed it back and forth, pretending that it was a person coming in and out at me, attacking me with a blade or some kind. 

I found out that this was an excellent way for me to practice my tenkans (90 degree). And with the idea in mind that the 'board' had a knife or blade, I was able to also include some knifing footwork and stances. 

Even though I am getting a lot into the knive and FMA stuff, its only for the purpose of learning how to defend myself against one. I think that Aikido defenses (getting out of the way), are a great help to anyone in a knife fight because you are then able to use the most reliable defense against someone with a knife....run!!! lol.

I think that this will become part of my usual ritual of studying techniques outside of the dojo on my own. I think that doing this puts you more in-tune with yourself doing it on your own, because you are the only one around...its your own private dojo.

 ]]></body>
	<date>01-20-2005</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1422">
	<title><![CDATA[I hate leaving class early]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I hate leaving class early! I feel like I am being soo disrespectful. I had to leave class 1/2 hour early today because I had something to take care of for work, and I feel bad about it. I know that I should not consider it such a big deal, but I don't want Sensei to think less of me. Gotta do what you gotta do.
And while we are on the topic, I have noticed that there are a few different students in the weekend classes who show up to class 45 minutes late when there is only 45 minutes left. What is the point of this?! lol.
And by the way I am not to happy that next week will be the last week that I am able to attend weekday morning classes until this coming school semester is over. 
Well anyways. Still having a little bit of trouble with my breakfalling. I am able to get off of the ground, but not more than an inch or two. Practice continues... ]]></body>
	<date>01-19-2005</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1409">
	<title><![CDATA[Back In My Groove]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I think that I am back in my groove now, since I was sick the last few weeks. 

Class today was good, worked on nikkyo and kote-goshi (spelling?) techniques, as they apply each in two to three different ways. Lynn met with me for about 20 minutes before class upon my request for him to show me a little more knife work and technique (if you are reading this, thanks Lynn; and by the way I think that in my spare time I may build myself one of those dummies we were talking about. Got any tips?). We discussed slap blocks and the five angles of attack rather than Marc 'Animal' MacYoung's nine angles. Its really hard to apply the pivoting and footwork to the five angles that we were going over, but I guess that I will get it in time. 

I have just about finished reading The Art of Aikido: Principles and Essential Techniques by Kisshomaru Ueshiba. Started reading Don Pentecost's "Put 'Em Down, Take 'Em Out!", which seems like it has a lot of useful information. Then I got two other books; one knife book by 'Animal' and then the knife fighting Encyclopedia by Hochheim. Thanks for everything Lynn, and the video compilation to! 

Wow! Im really liking this stuff!!

I practice my techniques for both Tenshinkai Aikido and Knives at work now...figured out how to manipulate the system. ;). haha ]]></body>
	<date>01-17-2005</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1359">
	<title><![CDATA[Out Sick]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Whenever I go out of town or am sick, like I am right now, I hate missing classes at the dojo. I feel like when I go back I have to relearn a lot of the stuff. Anyways, I have missed two classes this week already, so hopefully I will be better by tomorrow so that I can go.  ]]></body>
	<date>01-03-2005</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1357">
	<title><![CDATA[New Years Day Seminar]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Attended the New Years Day Seminar at school today. I was very impressed with how many people showed up. We practiced many different techniques that I have never even seen before. For example, today was the first time that I have ever seen a nikkyo technique beginning with a catch and then a tenkan. There was very little room on the mat and I was surprised that not one group or person collided with another. The mat was so crowded that while practicing a technique we had to end it before the throw because there was no room to throw anyone. I think that I got some good pictures with my camera, and quite a few guests showed up to watch the class. I wish the warm-ups had not been cut short because I felt as though I was not totally stretched out. 

Overall my first real seminar that I participated in was a lot of fun.  ]]></body>
	<date>01-01-2005</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1355">
	<title><![CDATA[New Years]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Well another year has past now. I will have been studying Aikido for a year when January hits. I cannot believe that my New Years Resolution from the beginning of 2004 was to study Aikido, because its the only resolution for the new year that I have ever kept for the entire year!!! haha. I guess I must really enjoy it. In fact, I woke up today, and headed down to the dojo, knowing that it is a holiday, anxious to train. Upon arriving I saw all the lights off and nobody parked out front. I read the sign that I have read about 30 times already that states, "Closed December 31." I was looking forward to training so much that I completely forgot.

HAPPY NEW YEAR ]]></body>
	<date>12-31-2004</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1352">
	<title><![CDATA[Merry XMas and a Happy New Year]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Class last night was probably the most intesnse class that I have participated in since starting my training almost a year ago. For the majority of the class all we did was break falling and rolling techniques. I have never done break falls so much, but it payed off because I am getting more comfortable with doing them. We did alot of riotitori (spelling?) throws into rolls and break falls. 

I wish I would have gone to class this morning, but I would have only gotten 4 hours of sleep. 

I HOPE THAT THE ENTIRE WORLD OF AIKIDO HAD A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAS A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Looking forward to Saturday's seminar. ]]></body>
	<date>12-29-2004</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1345">
	<title><![CDATA[I did it]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Finally! Today, during the warm up I was able to break fall on both my right and left side without any hands. And then I tried it over another student's back, and it, for the most part, worked. It still needs to have a little more work. It seemed that I had unlimited energy in class today. We did mostly Iriminage techniqe, in two different variations. All of the variations were somewhat difficult for me to grasp, but I think that I have the basic jist of them. 

I cant wait to try more knife work with some techniques, and I was looking forward to doing this tomorrow, but I keep forgetting that it is already the 23rd, and the school will be closed tomorrow and on Friday. I will just study on my own I guess at home. Thats the great thing about Aikido is that you can practice a lot of it at home on your own if you have to. :)

Workin with the bali still and its going well.  ]]></body>
	<date>12-24-2004</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1338">
	<title><![CDATA[I was looking forward to...]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I was looking forward to getting to use a little knife work with a technique! Finally, today I got to do it. My interest in knife work had been on a steady rise, and now I realize that it is something else that I will most likely end up studying. We knife work in a sankyo technique in class today. Its funny how using a knife in a technique makes you more aware of what you are doing with the entire technique in itself. Now, whenever there is no knife involved I still imagine one, which helps me apply the technique in a better and quicker way. Lynn if your reading this, THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP IN CLASS TODAY!

Sensei's birthday is coming up, and I am really looking forward to our New Years Day seminar and the Aiki Demo 2005, seeing as that will be close. Cal State Dominquez Hills here we come! I wonder if Andy can hook me up with a parking pass at the school, or let me borrow his. lol! ]]></body>
	<date>12-22-2004</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1325">
	<title><![CDATA[Yankyo]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Did alot of yankyo technique in class yesterday. Never really did any of that but its cool. Wow, this is like the shortest entry I will probably ever have in here. Well, off to work. ]]></body>
	<date>12-18-2004</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1296">
	<title><![CDATA[More Nikkyo]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[We did a ton of more nikkyo techniques in class tonight. Unfortunately Senei was feeling under the weather, so one of the black belts led the class. Hopefully he will not be out for to long. 

I think I finally grasped break falls without rolling, or using hands in any way....but only falling on the left side. hahaha. I will still have to work a little more on the right. The problem was that I was trying to flip vertically with the floor, instead of turning my head to like a 45 degree angle in the direction I land. 

I am really looking forward to the New Years celebration at the dojo. Hopefully I can get some people from work to start training, if they would only come watch a damn class!! Looking forward to Sensei's birth day celebration to, and the anniversary of the dojo.

In the news today: RIP Dimebag Darrell ]]></body>
	<date>12-10-2004</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1285">
	<title><![CDATA[Everyday thing]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I am going to make writing in this journal an everyday thing now. lol. Class this morning was great, did about 5 different techniques, which is a lot, so I guess that we were all performing them fairly well. We went from syundo(spelling?haha), to nikkyo, to different kokyo-nage, all mixed with irimi and such. Very cool stuff. Its pretty amazing how, when applying a nikkyo technique, the smallest difference in how you 'katame' your attacker can make the technique. For example, the placement of the opponent's attacking hand on your shoulder. EVEN MORE SWEET! SENSEI DEMONSTRATED HOW TO COUNTER A NIKKYO TECHNIQUE USING THE SAME EXACT NIKKYO TECHNIQUE!! At first everyone on the mat was really tripped out by it. It was so cool! Unfortunately Sensei was simply showing us that it could be done, but not teaching it to us. 

In due time...

  ]]></body>
	<date>12-08-2004</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1282">
	<title><![CDATA[Nikyo]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[Went to class tonight and am totally nikyo-ed out! I usually dread practicing nikyo because I tend to be less effective when applying the technique with my left hand. Right hand is perfect, but left hand bad. 

Learned a new technique to apply nikyo though, which is pretty cool. Instead of the first technique I learned, which is the basic same hand/opposite hand application, there is the application of nikyo at sort of a 45 degree angle towards the attacker. It sort of is more like a push, because when applied correctly, the attacker will react by stepping backwards, and all you have to do is push them down.

Well, I wish that I would have signed up for this website back when I started training in Aikido. ]]></body>
	<date>12-08-2004</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1273">
	<title><![CDATA[Glad]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I am glad that I went to class this morning. One of those classes where you feel that you have really made some improvements. You have been slacking off lately self!, and not going to class as much. This week I will go to class four times! Thats a lot for me. Well, I said it so lets see if I do it in between work and school. Got to get ready for work.

Later

-chris- ]]></body>
	<date>12-05-2004</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1255">
	<title><![CDATA[Back to work]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[I was out for medical reasons for the last week. I will be attending class @ 8 in the morning tomorrow. 

Last time I took time away from the dojo, I went and found out during the warm-ups that I had almost forgotten how to break fall and roll. Hope I don't experience this tomorrow. Is this normal? Does this happen to everyone? 

Tried recruiting a few people from work to come join the dojo, which is good. I have noticed that when I talk about training in Aikido, I don't just talk about the physical aspect, but the philosophical aspect as well. It is like some sub-conscious thing that I am leaning towards, because I feel that trusting in the ki and energy of the universe will help me train better. I never believed in anything like that before I started training in Aikido almost a year ago, but it seems necessary to be able to fully understand the art and lifestyle, and not just the physical aspects. ]]></body>
	<date>11-30-2004</date>
</blogEntry>

<blogEntry id="1241">
	<title><![CDATA[Break Falls]]></title>
	<body><![CDATA[...just recieved Kyu 7 but im still having a great deal of trouble with the break falls over a fellow student's back. i am starting to believe in what some other students are telling me: in that everyone experiences cycles with training. right now i think i am at the downside of a training cycle. 

i feel i have a lot less energy at my disposal than i did in past training sessions. i guess the only thing i can do to master break falling is to continue practicing it non-stop.  ]]></body>
	<date>11-23-2004</date>
</blogEntry>


</blogEntries>