Redding Shotokan Karate

I love to read the morning paper over coffee each day. It is one of my rituals (I should probably read it while doing kiba-dachi, now that would be a much more impressive ritual!). The sports page however, is not usually part of that morning read (except when the comics are attached). It's not that I don't care for sports, it's just that I don't follow teams unless I have a close relative playing - then I am following - live. Wednesday morning though, a headline caught my eye that connected me with both my past and my present with respect to karate. A story about the Tevis Cup and a local Redding rider graced the front page of the Record Searchlight Sports page.

Mention of the Tevis Cup or Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run always brings to my mind one thing: The story of Dr. Gordy or Gordon Ainsleigh, a Chiropractor from Meadow Vista, CA. The Western States 100 was originally an equestrian event - A gruelling 100 mile trail ride through the rugged terrain of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, but thanks to Gordy who opted to run the event on his own two feet after his horse turned up lame, it is now an ultramarathon for horses and human runners alike. Dr. Gordy has also been practicing Shotokan for probably more years than I have not. And I once had the pleasure of practicing with him in Auburn, so many years ago. Now around 60ish and still running ultramarathons, he epitomizes the concept of pushing the limits of ones physical capability (both perceived and actual) - a subject which has been cropping up quite frequently in class lately and even more so with the approach of Special Training.

Fast forward to today. Once I returned from my trip down Memory Lane and reproaching myself for being such a wimp in comparison to Gordy, I actually began reading the article. The rider, Deanna Guinasso, a Redding Fitness Instructor with a long list of accomplishments; is discussing another topic which hits close to home: Breathing, and even more specifically - the Exhale. It's ALL about the Exhale. "Don't even think about the inhale" she says, "'cause you have to breathe anyway. Think about the exhale and you'll blow away that negative voice that says, 'I can't.' It blows away the toxic buildup." Wise words...where have I heard them before (Hiroko, Brad)????!!!!

So, at last night's practice I tried to focus even more on breathing than I have been. Unfortunately, I can't tell you that I had some terrific breakthrough, but the differences are there, albeit subtle. I found myself feeling clumsy as I was trying to coordinate exhaling with my basics practice. It took my focus off of my form and I struggled to keep the pace, but I did feel like it was helping me ever so slightly during the Iai (?) practice last night and I will take all the help I can get to combat my "telegraphed" attacks. And, I am a firm believer that good breath control is essential to any successful kata. Possibly the greatest significance, I noticed, was during Mokuso. Since I have been paying more attention to my breathing during practice, I am no longer struggling to slow my breath during meditiation. Instead, I am completing 2-3 long, full breaths. Now if only I can remember to exhale when my kids are drawing all over each other with ink pens!