Writers are often told, correct or not, to write what they know, write what they love. As spring approaches, I’m going to write a series of blogs that both reflect something I’ve been learning a lot about over the last decade, and also ties in to my fiction writing. (My cozy mystery is coming along at almost 60,000 words so far!) What’s the topic? Martial arts. Tai chi. Qi gong.…
the ancient health secrets of martial artists
How can it help me? Why would an athlete with an injury, a runner dealing with runner’s knee, your Grandpa with a bad back, your Aunt with shoulder pain, care about all this martial arts remedy mumbo jumbo? Because they spent CENTURIES developing ways to: Strengthen themselves for training Prevent injuries Treat new injuries Care for chronic issues and ongoing pain Martial arts are ancient. Sources suggest that…
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the yin and yang of competition
Competition is tricky. A balancing act. Being 100% non-competing or always competing can be difficult. For me, competition lures me in. In the realm of Ayurveda, I’m a pitta (with some kapha) and once I get into competition mode it can get…fiery. As I face my third taekwondo tournament, the first two not having gone so well, with last place my average finish (sigh) I’m not sure how I want…
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When the Army asks you to army crawl, they let you wear shoes
It’s been a while since I regaled you with tales of my flops and foibles and mess-ups in class. I’ve been in a pretty good groove for a few weeks. Then I decided to go with another parent to Taekwondo Day Camp while our kids were there. (Are you already laughing? You should be. I didn’t even do a camp like this as a kid.) They do taekwondo but…
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Lifting the Earth element: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Talking to parents outside my son’s taekwondo class, I hear women say, “I can’t join class because I can’t do the jumping jacks.” You could substitute in run, trampoline. laugh or sneeze hard, or any high impact cardio activity. For so many women it isn’t possible to do these activities without leaking urine. And it seems this is just a problem many women endure. WHY?? You don’t have to! …
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The gift of groundedness, or, my third attempt at being a runner
Every so many years, I try running. Since my mid-20s, I’ve tried to be a runner THREE times. I love the idea of being a runner. People talk of having dreams of flying. I dream of running. Fast. Of gliding, foot fall after foot fall, wind in my hair due to my speed. The latest attempt at becoming a runner was this summer, when I signed up for a local…
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Does practicing martial arts mean you like to hurt people?
In a class at our Summer Expo, working and practicing in one of the many classes, I was admonished by someone with “oh, you don’t like to hurt people.” In the moment this felt like negative feedback, and I had a momentary flash of shame, of not feeling “tough enough” in class. Wait…Hold it just a minute. So…in my head I was asking this person, so you do martial arts…
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Low muscle tone: how taekwondo can help with neurodiversity
A taekwondo class may seem THE place for the naturally athletic and sports-gifted… but maybe it’s an even better place for those who aren’t. Why? Did you know that taekwondo is an excellent sport and exercise for kids with low muscle tone and other motor challenges? The format and nature of teaching is helpful in that it offers repetition with consistent structure and organization. (1) Did you…
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What do we say about coincidences, Sherlock?
Mycroft Holmes: What do we say about coincidences? Sherlock Holmes: The universe is rarely so lazy. I suspect that my son and I learning Taekwondo is no coincidence– that it is the universe’s way of helping us with all the fights and struggles. It’s way of strengthening us for current and future battles. I never had grandiose plans for both of us to train in Taekwondo, some sort of…
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My, what a long belt you have, Grandma!
Parents sit outside taekwondo classes, reading, looking at their phones, watching their kids. I do the same during my kid’s class, even completing CEUs for my acupuncture license while I wait. One day after my adult/teen class, a parent was watching me take off my belt and fold it into my bag before heading out to my car. “Wow, that’s a really long belt!” Said Little Red Riding Hood to…
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