I’ve just completed week two of the “Bob Patterson Something has to Change, Challenge.”
So far, so good.
I’ve exercised and practiced martial arts five days each week. This is what it has looked like:
- Run two miles
- Chest & triceps (Peak Fitness: 30 seconds of reps, 60 seconds rest, 3-5 sets)
- Legs (Peak)
- Shoulders, back, & biceps (Peak)
- Run two miles
I’ve done a artial arts review and/or tai chi practice 3-4 of the days. I’ve totally shunned the kettle bells in favor for running twice each week.
My version of Peak Fitness: I’ve eased into this with 3-5 sets. This week I need to kick things up a notch and start doing 5-7 sets. The Peak Fitness routine makes me sore but in a different way. It’s not the “lift heavy weight” sore and focuses more on endurance. The muscles still burn but in a different way. The other nice thing is that you can rip through a session in about 20 minutes. This gives me enough energy to still *sometimes* practice the Chen short form. I have enough of the form memorized that it takes a few minutes. It’s still rough as corn cob but it’s a start!
Where I’ve slacked? Teacher’s homework assignment: Standing stake meditation. This is a foundation of tai chi so I need to start practicing this.
Rather than nag you about practicing your standing meditation (“standing stake” or “standing post”) let me just tell you that when my teacher taught it to a bunch of middle schoolers, some of them, it was reported to him, just started spontaneously doing it on a field trip. It feels good. It can be difficult, yes, but it feels good.
Enjoy it.
Hey, Jay…
I think my challenge is the same one I have with any meditation: doing it! I figure if I practice standing meditation a few times each week its something. Teacher says every day… baby steps.
I’m about 1/3rd of the way into the Chen short form. My goal is to have all the steps by summer and then polish. We shall see. With a monthly drive it may be fall.