A couple of days in the same post

There's been silence here for quite a few days, not because I have not done anything, but because what I have been doing has caused me to come back home very late. (As you can see on the timestamp of this post!) Monday was a good day, as it contained iaido. I turned down the "offer" (I was the highest ranking, so by rights I should have) of leading the practice session, because I really did not feel comfortable about standing in front of people and doing so. In the end, we decided on having free practice after the warmup. It turned out very well, and it was refreshing to just occasionally be asked questions, and not otherwise be disturbed. The front of my thighs felt tired afterwards, which was a great feeling. The warmup consisted of some running in which I partook with joy, and some other assorted things - core, crunches, pushups etcetera. And cutting. I focused on koryu, that is, old style iaido, and did every Musou Shinden Ryu Shoden kata twice (at least) and the Chuden kata that I know, too. I showered in cold water, but forgot to stretch the front of my thighs, hence the above tiredness! Tuesday saw me try out Wudang Tai Chi Chuan (martial art, rather than the meditative slow style), which was both as I expected, and not. I do like the softness of it, the deceptive ease with which longtime practicioners move, but the practice itself was a bit too lax for my liking. However, I shall try it again next Tuesday, since one should not judge it from once only. And today, again, iaido. I was itching for it, since yesterday's practice wasn't very physically challenging. The next to highest ranking iaidoka in our club was there (as usual on Wednesdays) and it is always inspiring to have him near. He is not necessarily nice, but he is just, and his kiritsuke (cuts) are the best I have the honour of seeing on a regular basis. Or, in my opinion, they are, but I am merely sandan (third dan). It is perhaps his strongest point, and my weakest, so I appreciate every time I am able to watch it. For, watching, and seeing, and analysing how others do their physical exercise, is also training of a sort! Regarding my own session, it was much the same as Monday's (...I am sleepy enough that I can't decide whether weekdays are spelled with large or small first letters; such is the price for living an hour and a half away from practice), except that I had the opportunity to show the kata we call "Evil-nami" by Stille-sensei. It looks deceptively simple, but it is truly evil. Watch the thumb, as they say, and with good reason - you will one day have a very sharp sword in your hand. After kata practice, we were told to use some interesting ways of traversing the floor, all of them core-strengthening exercises. Before, we ran around the room, which I must admit, I rather like these days. This new way of running is really my way. I can't wait until Friday when I'll go out and have a run in the nature! Or, perhaps not, if the Kali Sikaran practice turns out to be exhausting. But then, I'll do it on Saturday. In iaido, there is a lot more going on than your eye may catch. We have great exlposive and static strength, but it is also very beneficial for your focus. And as always, in "sports" that require concentration, if you have good stamina, it helps you immensely. So being a runner is good. As in all things, a well-rounded schedule of exercises is the best. Don't just focus on one thing, but remember that everything is a part of a whole! If you are mainly a runner, you still ought to do some core exercises, something for your back, and of course various things for strengthening not only the legs, but the buttocks and lower abdomen. If you prefer to lift heavy weights, you should still make sure to move a lot, running or walking, whichever you prefer. And stretching! One must not forget the most important part of the triad of strength, stamina and flexibility, which is the last.