Celebrating 12-20-2025 - A Date Which I Will Remember

 

Jun Bo at Christmas

Today, Saturday was a wonderful day.

However, to set the stage, we have to look back at Friday, December 19th. 

On Friday, work was interesting, but not difficult. This was good, because I got out on-time, and made it to school on-time and returned after four days out to recover from doing too much with the pearls. My back had been one big cramp for a couple of days, and I had let it settle back down for a couple of days more.

Lesson: Never work a group of rarely-used small muscles more than one day in a row. Always take a day off between and do different exercises.

On Friday, December 19th of 2025, I worked on leg-strengthening exercises, and then on Jun Bo. It was my second round of training. Basically, in English, we would call the Jun Bo a quarterstaff. It's about 6' long in my case. I just really love the feel of working with this weapon. Learning to spin it and control it feels good physically. I was really feeling a workout in my shoulders, upper back, chest, and bicep/tricep muscles. It was a good, slight soreness afterwards, the kind that you know is building strength.

I love working with the Jun Bo enough that I ordered my own online. It was a very reasonable price, and it's a really nice-looking hardwood Jun Bo from what the pictures show online. It should arrive sometime Christmas week.

Today, Saturday, 12-20-2025, I stepped onto the scale, and I was at 299 lbs. I have not been this light since 1999. This is despite a few holiday meals.

Getting up off our couch or low chairs is now much, much easier. A lot of things are. My clothes are also all much looser-fitting.

Finally, I was also able to work with the pearls again today, though I only did two sets. I'm feeling good.

I came home and decorated the front room inside our house for the holidays. I got the wreath put up on the front door, and Christmas flowers in the planter on the front porch. I also put some magnetic decorations on the car.

Thank you for reading.

I bow to my instructors and fellow students, to our past masters of the art, and all who have preserved, improved, and passed down this art before me.

With Respectful Regards,

Dan

Wow - I'm Really Enjoying Jung Bo Practice!

 

Gong Bo

I got a thorough workout with my pearls today, and then National Instructor Ben started teaching us Jung Bo, which is a six-foot hardwood staff. I absolutely love it!

There's something about the staff spinning that, when it's going properly, just feels fantastic. Plus, it's something I can do without stressing my knee.

I didn't think I would want to do weapons training, but this one makes the most sense out of all of them. I often carry a walking stick when walking around the neighborhood because we have coyotes, and lot of people walk their dogs. 

I am totally going to dive into this one.

Also to note, there is a small ritual to observe when you pick up a weapon to train with; First, you bow to the flags in the room. Second, you pick up the weapon. Third, you bow to the instructor teaching you the weapon forms.

When returning a weapon to storage, you bow to the flags, place the weapon in its proper place, and then bow to the flags again.

Also, I picked up my new gi (uniform) from the tailor shop with the patches added to the sleeves and the pant legs hemmed up. Today was the first day I wore mine to school. Also National Instructor Ben presented me with my first belt, and taught me how to tie it properly.

It was one of my favorite days in school so far.

Thank you for reading.

I bow to my instructors and fellow students, to our past masters of the art, and all who have preserved, improved, and passed down this art before me.

With Respectful Regards,

Dan 

Grasshoppers In Dragon School...

 

Grasshoppers At Dragon School

Today at school was very good, in several ways.

First, the master of our art in the US was there. I got to meet him briefly. It sounds like I will be working with him roughly around February - near my birthday - for advanced training and guidance on progression. I do have long-term goals for learning martial arts, with the intention to be of service to others. I feel that this will be a good thing.

Second, our Head National Instructor was there. He has an excellent sense of humor, and was teaching me some seemingly minor positional changes to my forms that lead to much greater engagement of my body core in what I'm doing. It's amazing what a difference small changes make in strength, structure, and engagement.

I worked out quite well, but my knee was still giving me grief. Our Assistant National Instructor helped me with some stretching exercises. I still am certain that the damp, rainy weather we're having right now is part of it. I've felt most storms coming in that knee since I was at least thirteen years old. However, it did improve. I will keep doing this particular stretch daily going forward.

It still amazes me, the kindness of this school. They work with people of all races, genders, ages, and conditions with kindness, consideration, and compassion. This really is a community, and so far, I have enjoyed meeting every person I've connected with here. I am grateful to be able to learn here, at this particular school, at this stage of my life.

Thank you for reading.

I bow to my instructors, and all who have preserved, improved, and passed down this art before me.

Thank you for reading.

With Respectful Regards,

Dan