Training with Guro Dan Inosanto

I had the privilege this weekend of attending a seminar with Guro Inosanto, hands-down one of the most influential figures in modern martial arts. He was Bruce Lee's closest student and is the recognized authority of Jeet Kune Do, the style Bruce Lee developed. I trained for years in a school in his lineage (www.mkgseattle.com), studying mixed martial arts with an emphasis on the "arts" part instead of competition. So...what's a seminar with Guro like?

Well, for starters, he moves like a 25-year-old even though he'll be 75 this year. Movement and martial arts are not what he DOES, it's what he IS. He demonstrates all the drills himself (which are all done with a partner), usually speaking about and showing techniques for 5 or so minutes. He gives enough information/variations in those 5 minutes to give the most developed martial artist an hour's worth of concentrated effort in figuring them all out...at the seminar, you get two minutes, and it's on to the next thing! He speaks for longer periods about the incredibly complex (and mostly unwritten) history of Filipino martial arts, and encourages his students to know this history - know where the movements you're doing came from, so as to better understand the movements themselves. He talks of his own training history growing up in Stockton, California, and how he was able to train with all the greatest Filipino masters there because of the respect the community held for his father (a carpenter who housed hundreds of families during the Depression). My favorite quote of the day was one he attributed to his father, who gave him advice about training in so many different styles: "Open your mind! And shut your mouth." This could very well be Guro Dan's defining characteristic...you'd be hard-pressed to find a man who knows more about martial arts, and yet would say that he really knows nothing at all. Very inspiring.

I've always gravitated towards people like Guro Dan...those who are so respected in their fields, who have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and mastery, and who are so humble as a result. In the past, I've wanted to impress those people with my ability...I've grown up enough now, though, that I know a better path for me is to become one of those people myself. I'm going to be 35 this year...I've got time to develop in that direction! :)

Ideas For Spring

Okay, so I'm a Floridian...I'm really excited that winter is officially over. Snow is nice and all, but I personally long for the sun and the warmth. I love being outside, and some of my favorite activities are trail running and parkour (both of which are less fun in sleet). I get inspired by this season...I want to share some of that excitement and hopefully inspire people to move outdoors if they've been in the gym during these long months! So here's a few tips...

1. Make a date. It's waaaay easier to exercise and move if you're doing it with someone else! That person doesn't need to be a trainer, it can be your co-worker, best friend, toddler, or even your dog. And, because it's spring, make it a rain-or-shine commitment, with a contingency plan if things are truly horrid out there.

2. Look for new things to try. If you always walk around the lake, rent some in-line skates instead. Bored of biking to work and back? Discover a new route that might take a bit longer but will have better scenery. Change up your rock-climbing routine by signing up for a big climb and training with other people. Think outside your normal workout box!

3. Take your gym activities outside. Run stairs at the stadium, do yoga or tai chi in the park, swim in the outdoor pool or lake. Being a part of a gym community can make working out a comforting thing, and it can be difficult to take ownership of your own fitness...you don't have to stop going to your gym, but see what you can add to/switch around in your exercise schedule to take advantage of good weather! Some gyms (including the one where I work, Zum) offer outdoor classes when the seasons shift - see if there are any that you can participate in!

4. Collect experiences. There's a lot more to see outside than inside...did you see any cool plants on your walk? How did the air feel to you when you were sprinting on the track at the high school? Start a rock collection from your weekly beach volleyball escapades. Take it all in!!

5. Have fun. This seems like a no-brainer to me, but then again, I'm one of those weird people who really enjoy working hard and have fairly boundless jumping-around energy! My rule of thumb is this: never JUST work hard. Work hard, but lie on the ground like a starfish and look at the sky for awhile afterwards. Work hard, but before you start, take a few minutes to swing on the monkey bars and hang upside-down. Work hard, and on your breaks, take pictures of cool stuff around you. Take a hand in creating your experience so that you remember the hard work AND the fun. It'll keep you coming back.

Of course, there are many more ideas (and more specific ones) that can motivate you to move outside...these are a few of my favorites. I'm off to Carkeek Park in a little while to climb trees and race up and down trails...hope you get out there sometime soon yourself! Look for the burned-out tree on the ridge...it's a great place to appreciate the cliffs and the water. :)

exercise and youth

The New York Times has been publishing some really interesting articles on health lately! I've been discussing a number of them with friends and colleagues, but this one really caught my eye...one of my focuses as a trainer is fitness for life, not just looks. There's no reason why you can't be healthy and strong at every age. Check out this story!

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/can-exercise-keep-you-young/

Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky was reportedly surprised to find that the effects of exercise on mitochondrial health was so systemic and not regulated to musculature. Although I'm definitely not a scientist, my experience in working with my clients has shown me the effect his study demonstrates. Exercise really is the miracle drug of our future! :) And it's never too late to reverse the process of aging...