Judo: Class 11 & 12: Carpal-Fu
14/07/10 20:06 Filed in: Judo
Class 11 & 12: Carpal Fu
7/12 & 7/14
Ow: A lot
So, I was having severe wrist pain from all the typing at work. A coinciding physical with my doctor returned the diagnosis: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in both wrists. This makes doing things like push-ups excruciating (and so I don’t or I do modified ‘girl’ pushups). We’ve done some ergonomic adjustment at work and at home, and it will hopefully get better, but this is just yet another Judo setback. My spirits are high, and I’ve gotten a new mantra: 11th Dan or Death. There are 10 ‘Dan’ grades, aka Black Belt grades. I talked about Shodan (1st degree), but there is Nidan (2nd degree) Sandan (3rd degree) etc. It only goes to 10, and realistically there are like 15 Judan (10th Degree black belts) EVER. Also realistically, Americans don’t really make 10th Dan. Or even 9th Dan. BUT The Shihan Jigoro Kano (he is called Shihan, and is the founder of Judo) did write that if someone were to reach a place that is above 10th Dan, then there is no reason they shouldn’t be awarded 11th Dan...but it has never happened and it’s not going to.
So, that is where my new Mantra comes to. I’m going for 11th Dan or I’m going to die trying. As long as I have two arms and legs, I’m good. I don’t need my eyes (my Sensei is visually impaired), I don’t need my ears. I’m going for it or I’ll kill myself trying. A little wrist pain is nothing!
I honestly don’t remember much from tonight. I’m learning new throws and new ground techniques and I’m improving. In Randori I still feel like I’m flailing some, but at least I have a couple techniques to try so I’m not trying the same thing over and over, and I can do better staying on my feet.
I’m getting through more and more of the warmup, my confidence is improving, my skills are improving, I’m very happy!
7/12 & 7/14
Ow: A lot
So, I was having severe wrist pain from all the typing at work. A coinciding physical with my doctor returned the diagnosis: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in both wrists. This makes doing things like push-ups excruciating (and so I don’t or I do modified ‘girl’ pushups). We’ve done some ergonomic adjustment at work and at home, and it will hopefully get better, but this is just yet another Judo setback. My spirits are high, and I’ve gotten a new mantra: 11th Dan or Death. There are 10 ‘Dan’ grades, aka Black Belt grades. I talked about Shodan (1st degree), but there is Nidan (2nd degree) Sandan (3rd degree) etc. It only goes to 10, and realistically there are like 15 Judan (10th Degree black belts) EVER. Also realistically, Americans don’t really make 10th Dan. Or even 9th Dan. BUT The Shihan Jigoro Kano (he is called Shihan, and is the founder of Judo) did write that if someone were to reach a place that is above 10th Dan, then there is no reason they shouldn’t be awarded 11th Dan...but it has never happened and it’s not going to.
So, that is where my new Mantra comes to. I’m going for 11th Dan or I’m going to die trying. As long as I have two arms and legs, I’m good. I don’t need my eyes (my Sensei is visually impaired), I don’t need my ears. I’m going for it or I’ll kill myself trying. A little wrist pain is nothing!
I honestly don’t remember much from tonight. I’m learning new throws and new ground techniques and I’m improving. In Randori I still feel like I’m flailing some, but at least I have a couple techniques to try so I’m not trying the same thing over and over, and I can do better staying on my feet.
I’m getting through more and more of the warmup, my confidence is improving, my skills are improving, I’m very happy!