Peter’s Soapbox

Plateau

I’ve been feeling like I’m on a plateau lately. At least, that’s what people usually call this type of period in training, when it does not feel like you’re making any progress. Continue reading Plateau…

Tetanus Shot

Yesterday afternoon I had my annual checkup. The only number on my chart my doctor said he didn’t like was “2000,” which was the date of my last tetanus shot. So, a nurse gave me one (good job, by the way – I barely felt it), and warned me it would hurt tomorrow.

Instead, it started to hurt about 10 minutes into aikido last night. I didn’t let it stop me, although I did a few fewer rolls than the others. What was interesting was when we started practicing technique, I was forced to not use my shoulder muscles to lift, or I felt some serious pain. It definitely gave me some extra guidance when we practiced tenkan and shihonage.

Everyone should practice aikido with a tetanus shot at least once.

But maybe not more than once…

Shoulder Tension

Why do humans have a tendency to “get into our shoulders?” I’ve been pondering this for a while now. When I first started practicing aikido, my sensei told me that I was “very much in my head.” These days, I feel like I’ve settled down from being in my head to more “in my shoulders.” Continue reading Shoulder Tension…

On Aikido and Injuries

If there’s one thing I’ve got experience with, it’s injuries. As always, I don’t claim to be an expert here, but with a broken clavicle, broken femur, sublexed patella, subluxed wrist bones, bursitis, and a psoas that can best be described as “too tight,” I definitely have some experience with training under less than optimal bodily conditions. Continue reading On Aikido and Injuries…

Blogging on Aikido

I’ve decided to start chronicling some of my thoughts and experiences on aikido here on my blog. While I’ve mentioned things from time time time, I’ve really only cited the fact that I’ve been at a seminar here and there, or referenced some other aikido-related website. Continue reading Blogging on Aikido…