July 2014 Journal Entries (9)

Week 34 - Steady as She Goes

Video 3 - Working Out in Tucson

Week 33 - I FINALLY Went Swimming!

Self-discipline is definitely a crucial skill of becoming a respectable martial artist and it should be practiced like any other aspect of the martial arts. Each day I have a list of stuff I must overcome and each day is similar to the last. First when I wake up (and even after sleeping in) I read and do all my chores. It’s a struggle not to pick my phone up and watch YouTube and forget about my chores. 

After I finish my acts of self-discipline I head to the gym. I start with 100…

Week 32 - Staying Consistent

Week 31 - Another Week Down

My reading of Master Funakoshi’s “Karate-Do: My Way of Life,” provided me with a much greater appreciation and understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of Karate than I had previously. Through a varied and entertaining recitation of anecdotes from his long life, Master Funakoshi illustrated many important lessons for all aspiring students. All these were of great value to me, but one resonated particularly deeply.

Throughout his book, Master Funakoshi makes reference to the…

         For my required reading the first book I chose to read is The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi. It was written in 1643 about the science of martial arts. Miyamoto Musashi broke down the book into five scrolls: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Emptiness. Each scroll represents different pieces of martial arts.

         When I read the Earth Scrolls…

This is what the last few minutes of a sparring day can look like sometimes. :)