Can we heal quicker with Martial Arts?

"Ouch." - ET

If only we all had a great little Alien friend (apart from me) to wash away our pain. Today I wanted to look at when us as martial artists fall ill. To be fair it sucks and if your a man if sucks even more, well because we cant deal with it very well.

 I recently have recovered from food poisoning due mainly through my own lack of attention, so the price was pain and karma had me served. At first I thought it was man flu, shakes, cloudy head. Then all the not very nice areas that I will keep under my hat, if I was wearing one and so I can keep friends. It knocked me off my feet, so areas of my life suffered including my poor Wife. Anyway out of commission and a cramping belly (take note of the symptoms) it was no food for 3 days only water. As a result my weight hit my fighting weight again (bonus) but I was very weak (hate feeling weak - STRONG) To be fair water is our best friends and we all should keep some with us. Forget about how much people say you 'should' be drinking, just drink it throughout your day, at night and then when you wake up. So then, after a nasty ordeal and new found respect for all those who have fell victim to it, I began to heal and in some ways it maybe was a good thing to give the body a quick fast period. 

The Doctor rang me (not Dr Who, he was busy) and he was taken back by how fast I had recovered, even though the time period may have seemed reasonable. However he was ready to prescribe me some treatment, (not my brain, too tough.) I told him I'm better, taking my vitamins and gently training my martial art as my chosen exercise.

"O right, sounds like you have turned a corner." he answered.

Now I know it matters not how fit we can become, if nature is attacked by illness it can be just as simple as that. Never forget this though, the better your body and mind is the tougher a host you may be. I know for sure the fact that I am active training, thinking and how I am as a person has helped me bounce back. I began training even in pain, I needed to sweat this demon bug out and help myself along. Not everyone chooses to do this... It's this mindset self mothering and awareness, where as some wait to be 100% (and rightfully so) but being a martial artist we have to take control as soon as we can. 

Why?

Because like it or not we are fighters, that's why. 

And at times the battle is right within ourselves...

Thank you - Duane.

Reflections on Outdoor Training

 So, as summer is drawing to an end I thought it would be useful to look on some of the basic fitness workouts that I had indulged in, as most of my Finger Pointing articles have been based on Solo Training in Martial Arts Illustrated Magazine. But first a quick thank you to you for reading what I share, it means a lot so thank you. Putting the summer night Mosquito attacks to one side [laughs] I have had some good short workouts that I have added when pressed for time. Just little young me and a field, a place in nature with peace and quiet.
 After running to my secret training location, or one of them I would stretch do some kicks and punches or Kata. Then I would work on some rolls that I found great fun and I maybe looked insane to passers by. What was nice was the children playing on the parks who would stop and look at me doing the martial arts moves and they seemed to enjoy this strange man kicking the football posts and holding a crab arched pose... I hope to have at least inspired them to get involved, or pester mom and dad to take them :)
-TEA

 Tea is made, right...so I found working on my own I could gain some clarity of mind and spirit, joggers on and improved my rolls to a degree. On my travels I found a football post to condition my arms on and do pull ups of all kinds on, and no matter how you do it that exercise is always a challenge. With all the space available to me I worked on some spinning kicks and other body weight calisthenics...and came up with my own 100 push or press up routine - acend2decend.

 20 on knees, 20 standard, 20 feet elevated, then reverse, 20 standard, 20 on knees. What a nice burn out! But the best thing for me was my discovery of working my abs on a hill. Basically crunches facing up and leg raises facing down. incline my decline! The natural gravity was the equivalent of an ab board but with no ab board! It was great, I loved every minute of it and it never took as long or as many reps to burn them out and roll over crying.

Above all, it's them little times where you can work things out by yourself and you just feel young at heart out and about. Plus I felt like I had one up on the world, as most 34 year olds would be with family or in the gym. I can do all everyday things but I also choose to preserve myself, well at least keep the blood moving. Although I will still train in the winter conditions summer is summer. For some I may come across as a single minded fanatic lol but I love to chill out and do nothing too. To be fair there is nothing wrong with gyms as long as you put in the work there alone or with a friend, I have showed you what you can get up to so the rest as they say is up to you. I have not got the best body but I am fit enough for life and I will be fit enough for my Son. Tennis, basketball they are great activities. Even play football...that's a thought...I had the whole pitch to myself, does that mean I scared them off?
Until next time, take care and I hope you take a little bit of use from what I have to share.
- Duane.