Didn't want to miss blogging; entering this post w/ my Blackberry.
I'm in the hospital with my daughter; been here for 2 days. No sign of going home yet.
Nasty stomach virus + T1 diabetic 4 year old equals a trip to the ER.
I'm trying to practice mindfulness and kindness despite the parental instinct to lash out in anger at everyone who I think isn't doing enough or moving fast enough.
It's good training.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Martial Artists Create "Peace Garden" in Boston's Allston Neighborhood
On September 21, the students of our karate dojo, along with members of the local community, spent time together commemorating the International Day of Peace with a number of activities. I read books about peace to young children; we created "peace rocks" as an art project, and then planted the rocks in the "peace garden" I created next to the dojo. Into the evening, adults at the dojo spent time discussing approaches to peacemaking, and we concluded the evening's events with a 30-minute period of silent meditation and contemplation.
Building the peace garden was a lot of work, but it was also a fun and enjoyable — and hopefully long-lasting — project. The stones we used were donated by The Stoneyard in Littleton, MA. I picked them up last week, then took them home to clean them up before the event. I purchased outdoor paints, sealant, and brushes at a local art supply store, and picked up two bags of mulch and some weed barrier at the local home improvement outlet.
Before the rock-decorating event, I went out next to the dojo to the are we call "the Black Belt Garden." Members of our dojo cleaned up the area and planted trees and flower during several of our previous community projects. There, I dug out a five-foot by five-foot hole, lined it with weed barrier, and then filled the hole with mulch.
A number of my adult karate students, our "little dragons," and even other youngsters from the neighborhood who were not members of the dojo came to decorate the stones, which I laid out to dry overnight at the dojo. (I'd created a few samples in advance.)
When the stones were dry, I covered them with a protective sealant. Then I placed them in the garden in the form of a peace sign.
May our labors bear the fruits of peace, compassion, and wisdom.
Building the peace garden was a lot of work, but it was also a fun and enjoyable — and hopefully long-lasting — project. The stones we used were donated by The Stoneyard in Littleton, MA. I picked them up last week, then took them home to clean them up before the event. I purchased outdoor paints, sealant, and brushes at a local art supply store, and picked up two bags of mulch and some weed barrier at the local home improvement outlet.
Before the rock-decorating event, I went out next to the dojo to the are we call "the Black Belt Garden." Members of our dojo cleaned up the area and planted trees and flower during several of our previous community projects. There, I dug out a five-foot by five-foot hole, lined it with weed barrier, and then filled the hole with mulch.
A number of my adult karate students, our "little dragons," and even other youngsters from the neighborhood who were not members of the dojo came to decorate the stones, which I laid out to dry overnight at the dojo. (I'd created a few samples in advance.)
When the stones were dry, I covered them with a protective sealant. Then I placed them in the garden in the form of a peace sign.
May our labors bear the fruits of peace, compassion, and wisdom.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Waging Peace
At Emerald Necklace Martial Arts, I require all of my students to complete some kind of "peace education project" as part of their training for Black Belt. The project can be almost anything: an individual may choose to learn about nonviolent communication, build interpersonal skills for negotiation and peaceful conflict resolution, or study techniques for anger management. Some may choose to read about and study the lives of peacemakers such as Gandhi, Mother Theresa, or MLK. Individual projects vary based on personal interests.
September 21 is the International Day of Peace. So this month, I'm embarking on a peace education project of my own: I've just finished reading "Will War Ever End?" by Captain Paul Chappell. Mr. Chappell will be in Boston in November, so I've reached out to him to invite him to visit the dojo when he is in town so that we might talk together about how martial artists can creatively act as peacemakers. Will see if he responds. I'll next be reading Mr. Chappell's second book, "The End of War."
I believe we martial artists have some responsibility to engage in creative ways of peacefully resolving the conflicts — large and small — that occur in our lives. After all, we spend a great deal of time studying "the arts of war," and we generally claim to put our knowledge to some positive use, So in the coming days, I'll be dropping in at my "peace dojo:" the Peace Abbey in Sherborn, MA, in order to spend some time in reflection on peace and on the true human costs of war and conflict. I'll be posting photos and video from the Peace Abbey in the next weeks.
Lastly, I'm hoping to hold a Peace Day Event at the dojo — for both my students and for members of the community — on Tuesday the 21st. More on that soon.
September 21 is the International Day of Peace. So this month, I'm embarking on a peace education project of my own: I've just finished reading "Will War Ever End?" by Captain Paul Chappell. Mr. Chappell will be in Boston in November, so I've reached out to him to invite him to visit the dojo when he is in town so that we might talk together about how martial artists can creatively act as peacemakers. Will see if he responds. I'll next be reading Mr. Chappell's second book, "The End of War."
I believe we martial artists have some responsibility to engage in creative ways of peacefully resolving the conflicts — large and small — that occur in our lives. After all, we spend a great deal of time studying "the arts of war," and we generally claim to put our knowledge to some positive use, So in the coming days, I'll be dropping in at my "peace dojo:" the Peace Abbey in Sherborn, MA, in order to spend some time in reflection on peace and on the true human costs of war and conflict. I'll be posting photos and video from the Peace Abbey in the next weeks.
Lastly, I'm hoping to hold a Peace Day Event at the dojo — for both my students and for members of the community — on Tuesday the 21st. More on that soon.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Fighting and Facing 40
I've not much to report this week, although I taught at the "Boston Martial Arts Academy" back on August 28. It was a fun experience, and it was good to connect with other martial arts instructors from the area. In the morning, I worked directly with Ezra Dyer, a reporter from the Improper Bostonian. (See his blog here.) Ezra was covering the event with a neat angle: he has no previous martial arts experience, so in the morning, I trained him in point sparring techniques for three straight hours. Then, at noon, we squared off for two three-point matches to see how he could perform under pressure against a more skilled opponent — me. (You can imagine the results, I'm sure, but it was fun, and Ezra was a good sport about the whole thing. I'll have to see if the article ever makes it to print.)
By the way, Ezra, if you're reading this — I've been reading your column, and I know that you and your wife just had a baby boy, too. Please tell your son Rhys that my son Caleb says hello:
In the afternoon at the BMAA, I taught two physical classes and then two lectures on the origins and history of Okinawan karate. I think both were well received.
Oh, and the 29th was my birthday. It came and went without much fanfare, which is pretty much the way I prefer it. But now at 39, I'm trying to set and go after some meaningful goals that can be accomplished within the next year, so that I hit the milestone of 40 at a dead sprint and in the best mental/physical/spiritual shape of my life.
Summer is coming to an end.
Caleb, at 4 months, is almost 20 pounds.
Ava starts pre-K in another week.
For now, I'm looking forward now to some down time with family over the holiday weekend.
By the way, Ezra, if you're reading this — I've been reading your column, and I know that you and your wife just had a baby boy, too. Please tell your son Rhys that my son Caleb says hello:
All in good fun, my friend!
In the afternoon at the BMAA, I taught two physical classes and then two lectures on the origins and history of Okinawan karate. I think both were well received.
Oh, and the 29th was my birthday. It came and went without much fanfare, which is pretty much the way I prefer it. But now at 39, I'm trying to set and go after some meaningful goals that can be accomplished within the next year, so that I hit the milestone of 40 at a dead sprint and in the best mental/physical/spiritual shape of my life.
Summer is coming to an end.
Caleb, at 4 months, is almost 20 pounds.
Ava starts pre-K in another week.
For now, I'm looking forward now to some down time with family over the holiday weekend.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Eating Like A Champion, Part IV: A Trip to the Allston Farmer's Market
In the past few weeks, I've been writing a lot on my martial arts training blog about how the way we eat connects directly to our level of health and vitality.
Eating Like A Champion
Part I: Breakfast
Part II: Lunch
Part III: Dinner
You've probably heard me say at one point or another that healthy eating is self-defense. Sure, an attack from that mugger in the dark alley is a part of we train for in the dojo, but truth be told, we're much more likely to suffer pain, discomfort, and long-term physical damage as a result of what we stuff into our mouths on a daily basis. I'm learning that our diet can contribute to or prevent all manner of maladies that have an impact on our quality of life: obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, certain kinds of cancers, joint problems, type II diabetes, and more — all of these can be caused, exacerbated, alleviated or prevented all together depending in a large part on how we eat.
Well, what we eat starts with what we choose to buy and prepare for our meals, and for the meals of our families.
I've be reading a lot about diet and nutrition, and even more about being conscious about the sources of our food. In an ideal world, we'd always have access to locally grown, sustainably harvested, organic produce that's good for our bodies, our local communities, and our environment. Well, even here in the busy city, we have options available to us!
I recently dropped in to visit the Farmer's Market in my neighborhood — what an amazing and festive atmosphere! I brought my camera along for the ride, and shot some video:
While at the Farmer's Market, I took the opportunity to interview some of the local vendors. If you like, please check out the short clips I shot of the wonderful folks from Monkey Joe Roasting Company, or E.L. Silvia Farms, or Dragonfly Farms.
There were other vendors there, too: I haven't gotten all the still photos off my camera yet, but when I do, I'll add the photos here! More information about the Farmer's Market, including dates, times and featured vendors can be found here.
I was so excited by what I found at the market, that I sat down to film some of the amazing vegetables I bought:
The time at the Farmer's Market was time well spent. And the meal I prepared from the foods I picked up there was very, very tasty.
Shop locally if you can.
Practice good self-defense, and eat for your health!
Sensei Jason Gould
Emerald Necklace Martial Arts
95 Everett Street
Allston, MA 02134
(617) 202-3856
Eating Like A Champion
Part I: Breakfast
Part II: Lunch
Part III: Dinner
You've probably heard me say at one point or another that healthy eating is self-defense. Sure, an attack from that mugger in the dark alley is a part of we train for in the dojo, but truth be told, we're much more likely to suffer pain, discomfort, and long-term physical damage as a result of what we stuff into our mouths on a daily basis. I'm learning that our diet can contribute to or prevent all manner of maladies that have an impact on our quality of life: obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, certain kinds of cancers, joint problems, type II diabetes, and more — all of these can be caused, exacerbated, alleviated or prevented all together depending in a large part on how we eat.
Well, what we eat starts with what we choose to buy and prepare for our meals, and for the meals of our families.
I've be reading a lot about diet and nutrition, and even more about being conscious about the sources of our food. In an ideal world, we'd always have access to locally grown, sustainably harvested, organic produce that's good for our bodies, our local communities, and our environment. Well, even here in the busy city, we have options available to us!
I recently dropped in to visit the Farmer's Market in my neighborhood — what an amazing and festive atmosphere! I brought my camera along for the ride, and shot some video:
While at the Farmer's Market, I took the opportunity to interview some of the local vendors. If you like, please check out the short clips I shot of the wonderful folks from Monkey Joe Roasting Company, or E.L. Silvia Farms, or Dragonfly Farms.
There were other vendors there, too: I haven't gotten all the still photos off my camera yet, but when I do, I'll add the photos here! More information about the Farmer's Market, including dates, times and featured vendors can be found here.
I was so excited by what I found at the market, that I sat down to film some of the amazing vegetables I bought:
The time at the Farmer's Market was time well spent. And the meal I prepared from the foods I picked up there was very, very tasty.
Shop locally if you can.
Practice good self-defense, and eat for your health!
Sensei Jason Gould
Emerald Necklace Martial Arts
95 Everett Street
Allston, MA 02134
(617) 202-3856
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Some Training Outside the Box
The following quote recently came to mind: "Five years from now, you'll be the same person you are today, except for the books you read, and the people you hang out with." I think it's by Brian Tracy — or perhaps I just heard Brian Tracy repeat this quote that was originally spoken by someone else. That's not important — what is important is that the quote itself came to my mind, and it inspired me to do something a little different in my karate class.
So one night last week I decided to change the format of class: I asked a group of my students to come to class with one or two of the books they are currently reading, and to be prepared to discuss what the book was about and why they are reading it. I didn't give much more guidance except to tell my students that they could NOT bring a book related to the martial arts, fighting, or eastern philosophy. Too easy.
That night, instead of training on the floor, a group of martial artists sat around a table, taking turns talking about the books they were reading. Instead of focusing on blocks, kicks, punches, chokes, traps, and take-downs, we were learning things about each other's outside interests, hobbies, pastimes, personalities, and motivations. It was a good and unusual class. There's usually not much social interaction at the dojo because we're too busy training. And I think this would have been a memorable class if we simply stopped there.
But then I changed the rules — after all, it was a martial arts class. After each of us had spoken in turn while sitting relaxed at the table, I invited each of my students to get up from the table and discuss their book while standing in front of my rolling camera, as a way of practicing their public speaking, improving their confidence, testing their spontaneous mental flexibility, and increasing their body awareness. The immediate looks of shock, fear, and panic were, in a word, PERFECT — I had challenged them in an unexpected way.
I had, in fact ATTACKED them.
My unexpected request was a good way to introduce fear and adrenal stress without even throwing a punch. It forced people to think on their feet (literally) and act quickly and spontaneously in an uncomfortable environment. And my students' responses to the assigned task were very similar, I imagine, to what their responses might have been had someone actually jumped them from behind. Confusion, resistance, mental and physical rigidity — they all showed up in spades.
So I gave them a moment to compose themselves and then turned on the camera:
So one night last week I decided to change the format of class: I asked a group of my students to come to class with one or two of the books they are currently reading, and to be prepared to discuss what the book was about and why they are reading it. I didn't give much more guidance except to tell my students that they could NOT bring a book related to the martial arts, fighting, or eastern philosophy. Too easy.
That night, instead of training on the floor, a group of martial artists sat around a table, taking turns talking about the books they were reading. Instead of focusing on blocks, kicks, punches, chokes, traps, and take-downs, we were learning things about each other's outside interests, hobbies, pastimes, personalities, and motivations. It was a good and unusual class. There's usually not much social interaction at the dojo because we're too busy training. And I think this would have been a memorable class if we simply stopped there.
But then I changed the rules — after all, it was a martial arts class. After each of us had spoken in turn while sitting relaxed at the table, I invited each of my students to get up from the table and discuss their book while standing in front of my rolling camera, as a way of practicing their public speaking, improving their confidence, testing their spontaneous mental flexibility, and increasing their body awareness. The immediate looks of shock, fear, and panic were, in a word, PERFECT — I had challenged them in an unexpected way.
I had, in fact ATTACKED them.
My unexpected request was a good way to introduce fear and adrenal stress without even throwing a punch. It forced people to think on their feet (literally) and act quickly and spontaneously in an uncomfortable environment. And my students' responses to the assigned task were very similar, I imagine, to what their responses might have been had someone actually jumped them from behind. Confusion, resistance, mental and physical rigidity — they all showed up in spades.
So I gave them a moment to compose themselves and then turned on the camera:
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
An Open Letter to Mr. Azby Brown, Author of "Just Enough"
Dear Mr. Brown,
An odd series of events has just led me to your book, "Just Enough, Lessons in Green Living from Traditional Japan," which I have just ordered from Amazon.com. I'm writing to thank you for putting these pages together. As a martial artist, I've been recently expanding my definition of "self-defense" to include the concepts of environmentalism, sustainability, conscious consumption, and material simplicity. After all, if we don't take care of the planet, the planet will surely "take care" of us. So, in a very real sense, my small efforts of preserving and protecting the planet are, in a way, self-serving acts of self-defense — for me, for my family, and for my community.
Discovering the phrase, "ware tada taru wo shiru" in your book brings everything together perfectly. I know that I have much more than I need, and that my small actions and choices can make a difference to the benefit of all.
Although I've studied Japanese martial arts for decades, I had no idea that green/sustainable practices were a (necessary) part of life in Edo Japan. To tie my evolving understanding of "environmental self defense" back to my practice of martial arts, and more directly to the Japanese martial culture and period that I am most familiar with — well it's a wonderful way to continue my personal growth and development.
After reading your book, I'll be sure to take and apply many of the lessons of sustainable living in the urban environment of old Edo into my daily living here in modern-day Boston. And I'll be sure to share what I've learned with my karate students, too.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Best regards,
Jason
Sensei Jason Gould
Director / Chief Instructor
Emerald Necklace Martial Arts
95 Everett Street | Allston, MA 02134
www.karateinboston.com
mobile: (617) 230-1973 | dojo: (617) 202-3856
An odd series of events has just led me to your book, "Just Enough, Lessons in Green Living from Traditional Japan," which I have just ordered from Amazon.com. I'm writing to thank you for putting these pages together. As a martial artist, I've been recently expanding my definition of "self-defense" to include the concepts of environmentalism, sustainability, conscious consumption, and material simplicity. After all, if we don't take care of the planet, the planet will surely "take care" of us. So, in a very real sense, my small efforts of preserving and protecting the planet are, in a way, self-serving acts of self-defense — for me, for my family, and for my community.
Discovering the phrase, "ware tada taru wo shiru" in your book brings everything together perfectly. I know that I have much more than I need, and that my small actions and choices can make a difference to the benefit of all.
Although I've studied Japanese martial arts for decades, I had no idea that green/sustainable practices were a (necessary) part of life in Edo Japan. To tie my evolving understanding of "environmental self defense" back to my practice of martial arts, and more directly to the Japanese martial culture and period that I am most familiar with — well it's a wonderful way to continue my personal growth and development.
After reading your book, I'll be sure to take and apply many of the lessons of sustainable living in the urban environment of old Edo into my daily living here in modern-day Boston. And I'll be sure to share what I've learned with my karate students, too.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Best regards,
Jason
Sensei Jason Gould
Director / Chief Instructor
Emerald Necklace Martial Arts
95 Everett Street | Allston, MA 02134
www.karateinboston.com
mobile: (617) 230-1973 | dojo: (617) 202-3856
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