Holding on for Dear Life

Sometimes we need to do things in life without a harness.  Ropes that tie us down and keep us safe, can also keep us from experiencing the feelings that make life memorable. 

Today I spent a couple hours with my cousin hiking and bouldering up this massive rock formation in the desert.  It was an intense undertaking on its own, but what made it really stand out as a challenge to me, was that it was the first time that I had climbed boulders without any protection.

I was put in a position where I couldn’t give up…because my life was at stake.  I found strength where I thought there was none.  This isn’t necessarily strength drawn from the fear of pain, but more from the determination that I knew I could do it.  The fact that it was my only option was just additional motivation.

This experience meant a lot to me, in that it was another example of how I can’t live in fear.  The bruises, tears and cuts are proof that I overcame a challenge that couldn’t keep me down.

It’s the same with life, I suppose.

Camaraderie of the Early Morning Hike

There’s something so refreshing about being out in nature early in the morning.  For the last few weekends I’ve pulled myself out of bed bright and early and headed to Griffith Park to challenge some of the miles upon miles of hiking trails populating its hills.

I love the cool morning air and the beautiful view of the city below, still misty and covered in fog smog.    But what I enjoy the most is the company that I keep on these excursions.  Not necessarily my own hiking partners, as I have been hiking alone lately (although anyone is invited!), but the men and women who have also sacrificed their morning to sleep in, to tackle the trails either alone or with their children and even their dogs.  Always friendly with a greeting, it really does make the travel so much more pleasant.

Even if you’re in a large city like I am, I always recommend squeezing as much nature in your recreational activities as possible.  Sometimes you just need a break from being engulfed in the smog.

Happy Labor Day!

The Addiction of Rock Climbing

Okay, so I haven’t gotten to climb outdoors…yet.  But I do know there’s no comparison when it comes to the intensity that comes with training for it.  Nothing gets your blood pumping like trying to navigate a reach with the strength draining from your arms, while you’re 50 feet above ground.

I scoped out Rockreation (a local rock gym) last night and was pleasantly surprised at their facilities.  I’ve been out of practice for a little over a year now because I no longer have a partner to go with.  However, I’ve learned to do a lot of things on my own in the last year…so I think I’m ready.

Rock climbing is a sport in which people climb up or across natural rock formations or man-made gyms, with the goal of reaching the end of a pre-defined route.  This is one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports.  A successful climber needs strength, agility, endurance, balance and mental control.  Along with the traditional proper training, yoga is often recommended and included in conditioning.  It takes a lot of hard work and training to be able to sustain yourself on a climb.

I once tore a photo out of a rock climbing magazine and taped it to my computer at home.  It was a picture of a man peering over the very top of a peak, as you could see the tops of many mountains below.  This 2X3 inch photo motivated me to reach several of my goals.  What a truly amazing accomplishment, and luckily, an obtainable one.

Eagle Claw Kung Fu

Along with the Wushu training that I previously wrote about, I have also been pursuing Eagle Claw kung fu, for training in a more sparring-based martial art.

Eagle Claw is a traditional Chinese martial art that is known to be one of the oldest and complex of the remaining Northern Shaolin kung fu systems.  Although is includes the traditional long strikes and kicks that are typical to Northern systems, Eagle Claw is unique in that it teaches gripping techniques and system of joint locks, pressure point strikes and takedowns.

There were many different types of kung fu in my area, but I chose the Eagle Claw program at Shan Tung Kung-Fu because I really liked the teachings of joint locks and pressure point strikes.  I needed a martial art that I could effectively use with my small stature.  Having the ability to keep a large attacker off balance and at the same time being to disable him with an excruciating lock is a very powerful tool to have.

Aside from the physical benefits of the training, I always leave feeling so at peace with myself.  I am thoroughly exhausted, of course, but there is something almost spiritual about leaving all of your life stress behind and doing something that is balanced, intense, and just for you.

I will be attending the Las Vegas Chinese Martial Arts Championship at the end of the month, so keep an eye out for my post on the event with photos and hopefully video as well.  Although I will be only an excited onlooker this time, I plan on being a fierce competitor at the next event.

The Art of Wushu

Yesterday, I discovered a Chinese martial art called wushu. After finding out that the National Wushu Training Center was less than a mile from my house, I decided to explore it and take my first class this evening. Before class, I had told one of the assistants that the bigger the challenge and higher the pain, the more likely I would be to return.

In the middle of class…I almost blacked out. Literally. I actually had to take 5 min to let my head get itself back in order. What a wonderfully intense workout and such a beautiful artform! Yes, I will definitely return as soon as I can. Wushu will not defeat me.

Wushu is a term that refers to general Chinese martial art activities. The term is also commonly used in regards to the modern Chinese sport which encompasses gymnastic-like movements while performing bare-handed and weapons forms (think Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon).

The basic forms consist of stances, kicks, punches, balances, jumps, sweeps, and throws. The more advanced forms can include 540 and 720 degree jumps which are absolutely amazing to see.

Click to see Wushu in action at the Wushu Masters in China. (It’s worth the click!)