Great weekend!!, but so so long ago now!. I can actually see myself there in the second row as either a blue or green belt at the time. 8yrs ago and I'm still feeling inspired by the spirit of Karate. I practice irregularly compared to my regime back then, but now more than ever, every act is an art to train the body and mind with breath work, stretching, learning of acupoints, reading, healthy diverse eating (intaking across all senses more open mindedly diverse), physical work outdoors aiding sustainability efforts & practicing all learned kata, none in that particular order, I'll also gladly bestow knowledge of the art to anybody I believe needs it and is seeking it or its philosophy in some way or another. Without these well formed foundations being shared with me and solidified so carefully over a vigorous 5yrs training from a handful of incredible sensei's, namely Garry Edwards and co., I'd surely be without that backbone of mindfulness to grow from in more progressive forms that are conducive of a future lead in sustainability. This is the ultimate practice of longevity, to apply such wisdom practically in our every moment, especially when collectively we're adapting to an environment that we're beginning to realize its finite nature of, this reveals itself as the time of mindfulness ..Globally! and an active theme for all beings to become deeper affiliated. Not short of a personal imperfection list that I struggle with sometimes, I cannot give enough thanks to all karate-ka who've spent time teaching me what I know over the years or supporting somehow, even if you where a student!, your time is not wasted. The exchanges between practitioners are profound and timeless, cherish these moments by being present in them, this is the art of Zen. No time in this state is wasted, this then can be employed to enrich every moment and bring the sharpest clarity to the haziest or aggressive of moments. The humor is in the irony in that I lacked different virtues back then that I now have discovered and have become more acquainted, but now I lack those virtues I was highly intune with then, key and true representation of is Zen is the applied practice of balance. Thankfully however, none of us are perfect and everybody realizes it :) In Summary, if you're a teacher, keep teaching, or a student keep training.. you are an absolute admiration!!, but remember to take time for you and keep doing your best to learn abroad with the philosophy in mind that all things are relative, but most importantly "Always breath, in~out" - Miyagi. Osu Martial Arts Community! Much Love. Daniel Brown.
Great weekend!!, but so so long ago now!. I can actually see myself there in the second row as either a blue or green belt at the time. 8yrs ago and I'm still feeling inspired by the spirit of Karate. I practice irregularly compared to my regime back then, but now more than ever, every act is an art to train the body and mind with breath work, stretching, learning of acupoints, reading, healthy diverse eating (intaking across all senses more open mindedly diverse), physical work outdoors aiding sustainability efforts & practicing all learned kata, none in that particular order, I'll also gladly bestow knowledge of the art to anybody I believe needs it and is seeking it or its philosophy in some way or another. Without these well formed foundations being shared with me and solidified so carefully over a vigorous 5yrs training from a handful of incredible sensei's, namely Garry Edwards and co., I'd surely be without that backbone of mindfulness to grow from in more progressive forms that are conducive of a future lead in sustainability. This is the ultimate practice of longevity, to apply such wisdom practically in our every moment, especially when collectively we're adapting to an environment that we're beginning to realize its finite nature of, this reveals itself as the time of mindfulness ..Globally! and an active theme for all beings to become deeper affiliated. Not short of a personal imperfection list that I struggle with sometimes, I cannot give enough thanks to all karate-ka who've spent time teaching me what I know over the years or supporting somehow, even if you where a student!, your time is not wasted. The exchanges between practitioners are profound and timeless, cherish these moments by being present in them, this is the art of Zen. No time in this state is wasted, this then can be employed to enrich every moment and bring the sharpest clarity to the haziest or aggressive of moments. The humor is in the irony in that I lacked different virtues back then that I now have discovered and have become more acquainted, but now I lack those virtues I was highly intune with then, key and true representation of is Zen is the applied practice of balance. Thankfully however, none of us are perfect and everybody realizes it :)
In Summary, if you're a teacher, keep teaching, or a student keep training.. you are an absolute admiration!!, but remember to take time for you and keep doing your best to learn abroad with the philosophy in mind that all things are relative, but most importantly "Always breath, in~out" - Miyagi.
Osu Martial Arts Community! Much Love.
Daniel Brown.