Repetition and the New Normal

In Black-Belt Candidate by Lisa SpagnoloLeave a Comment

Over the course of my working life as a manager, I have occasionally heard the question “when are we getting back to normal?” The answer is usually “this is the new normal.” Time passes, and whatever change that was met with resistance is often incorporated into routine–until the next changes come, and they come fast these days. It goes without …

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The Ins and Outs of Breathing

In Uncategorized by Mike OliverLeave a Comment

I received an e-mail from a student today asking about breathing. Why do we breathe in through the nose and out the mouth? I’ve been puzzling and haven’t yet discovered a benefit other than the sound. First we have to understand that both inhaling and exhaling are very important to the breathing process. It’s the job of our lungs to …

A little bit of tofu in your life…

In Uncategorized by Chrissy ScottLeave a Comment

A couple weeks ago Mr. Oliver asked me to share some tofu recipes with the class. So, here comes recipe number 1. nLet me just say… A lot of people I talk to who dislike tofu say it’s “a texture thing.” Now, you can sneak the silken tofu into a smoothie and *poof* … You just protein’d up your frozen …

UBBT Day 7

In Black-Belt Candidate by Lisa ClarkLeave a Comment

Day 6 was hard. It made waking up today, Day 7, tough as well. Bodily aches and sore muscles are very satisfying though. Its like they’re saying, “You survived yesterday’s challenge. Get ready for today!” There was a lot to look forward to today. I have started watching some very cute girls a couple days a week. They were the …

UBBT: Letter of intent

In Black-Belt Candidate by Tai PflegerLeave a Comment

In 2010-2011 I will be participating in the Ultimate Black Belt Test to empower my mind, body and to accomplish the requirements to be able to test for the rank of Sho Dan. I plan on doing the following: 150 push-ups daily 150 crunches daily Approximately four 2-minute rounds of sparring (any style) 5-days a week 3 repetitions of all …

UBBT Letter of Intent

In Black-Belt Candidate by Lisa SpagnoloLeave a Comment

I realized I had been talking about my goals earlier but hadn’t yet posted my letter of intent. Here are my stated goals for the Ultimate Black Belt Test, some of which intersect well with some things that were already in mind. I have really appreciated how lessons at the dojo have contributed to a developing practice of discipline, which …

UBBT Day 6

In Black-Belt Candidate by Lisa ClarkLeave a Comment

Sore. Achy. Grouchy. Sunday’s everything hit like a ton of bricks but I pushed through to finish the daily requirements before class. Even a little prideful that I did 6 miles instead of 3. My knees are suffering for my pride… Then in class we did a third set of exercises. Yes. A third set. All but the last crunches …

UBBT Mission Statement

In Black-Belt Candidate by Chrissy ScottLeave a Comment

My Statement of Intent Over the next 13 months I will: Complete 50,000 push-ups and 50,000 sit-ups Complete a 1,200 mile journey by swim/bike/run/walk Complete 1,000 repetitions of my basics/kata Complete 1,000 acts of kindness Complete a community service project Meditate for 15 minutes a day Read 6 books Complete 1 personal goal: 10k in less than 50 minutes I …

UBBT: Week 1 (ish)

In Black-Belt Candidate by Chrissy ScottLeave a Comment

Week 1 So, it’s not really been a week yet, but I’m a the Monday – Sunday week kinda’ gal, so… This week felt good. I’m able to get a lot in during my hour lunch break which is pretty lucky. I slip away from my desk right at 12 and am out the door for my run by 12:05. …

UBBT Day 5

In Black-Belt Candidate by Lisa ClarkLeave a Comment

Sunday. Not a day of rest this last weekend. My aunt is moving rather unexpectedly and the whole family is helping. The day’s objective was to move the garage, storage shed, books, games, movies, other media and glass into storage. An early start and off we went to Escalon with muscles ready. I was a bit concerned when we left. …