Dave Samuel's Journal (7)

Back from Montana!  The pictures show my training space I had up north.  Definitely a different feel than the Dojo!  I'm back home in McMinnville now - the exciting news of the week is that I have two people interested in learning some Isshinryu, so I have a strong motivation to brush up on my basics!

I'm fairly happy with my training - I've starting slowing upping the reps on my situps/pushups and incorporating more "special" (triangle, finger tip) pushups into the mix.…

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Training went alright this week.  I fell short of my goals, but I'm still moderately pleased with my training given the random distractions in my life.  "All Kata" refers to the four Kata I know.

6/17:

All Kata x2, 100 pushups

6/18:

All Kata x2, 100 pushups, 200 situps

6/19:

Seiuchin x2, 25 pushups, 50 situps, ~15 minutes sparring, ~20 minutes grappling

6/20:

All Kata x3, 150 pushups, 150 situps

6/21:

2.5 mile…

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While leaving Sacramento was an easy decision for me in many ways, being more than 500 miles away from the Dojo was almost a deal breaker for me.  In an attempt to mitigate this, I am going to train here in Oregon, and log my training efforts.

My Three Goals: 

1)  Increase my fitness level and maintain my knowledge of Isshinryu. 

2)  Be prepared mentally and technically for the September belt testing.

3)  Find training partners to encourage and be…

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One of the core philosophies of our dojo is "Out of the Dojo and Into the World" - i.e. taking what is taught in the dojo and applying it to our daily lives.  I believe the most important value taught in the dojo is that of respect.  Treating people with respect, both in and outside of the dojo, helps lead to positive interactions, and creates situations where we can appreciate and learn from others.

 

I see respect in the Dojo stem from Mr. Oliver's respect of the students and…

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Getting kids and families having fun outside is important for many reasons. To name a few, exploring the outdoors leads to a greater appreciation for nature and natural beauty, enhances observation skills, increases environmental awareness, provides a venue for exploration, and teaches hands-on ecology and biology.

 

In order to help kids and families make the most of the outdoors, I am collecting fun and safe places to explore as part of my green belt project.  I am posting…

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On the way home from class tonight I realized I've been making a mental mistake expecting defeat when sparring against partners who I perceive to be more skilled than me. For instance, when sparring Mr. Oliver, I expect to take hits, and I am surprised when I land a blow. It seems to me that this is the wrong attitude. Regardless of skill level, speed or size, going into a fight expecting to get thumped seems like an excellent way to get thumped.



What I am struggling with is trying… Continue

I have enjoyed reading Karate-Dō, by Gichin Funakoshi.  My favorite passage is the subsection, "An Important Lesson", at the start of the chapter "No Weapons".  In the passage, two skilled fighters (the engraver and Matsumura) face off in a duel.  Matsumura emerges victorious from the match without landing a blow. In describing how he defeated the engraver, Matsumura says, "...I know this: you were determined to win, and I was just as determined to die if I lost.  That is the difference…

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