I'm up, I'm up...

[spacebug]

I don't have to get up terribly early for work, but today the bed didn't want to let me go, with its blankets and snuggly boy and all. I remembered some of my dreams, which thankfully were better than the last stuff. This time I was learning how to make a zip cord line from the abandoned top level of an old theatre, so I could swoop down on stage. It was cool. The abandoned top level of the theatre was very high up, and a very small ledge that could only hold 3 people or so. It was filled with cobwebs and the heights were very convincing. Later there were inflatable dragons with velcro-attached ribbons for tounges, and poi suspended just off the ground with balloons. Interesting.

Last night s4 and I checked out St Paul's new sister pub to The Local and Kierans called The Liffey. It was a pretty lovely pub that did a bang-up job of reminding me of Ireland until the high-heeled, no bra, bleach blonde Bacardi spokesgirl came out with a tray of samples of rum drinks and Bacardi buttons with blinky LEDs for us. We took the buttons and immediately dismantled them and thought of uses for burning man. Anyway, beautiful pub, it seems odd that it's fused to the underside of a Holiday Inn.

We went to Soft Monday with danger at the Saloon. Fun to talk to him; I still find I don't get into the music as much anymore. I feel out of shape, too, though I don't know if it's more not being in shape or not being into the music. At any rate, I think I wanna do something more active with myself soon- get a membership at the Y and start swimming, or maybe take a martial arts class. What do people think of various martial arts, or yoga? I kind of like the theories behind Aikido. Dunno. Would anyone who knows anything about them care to rate Yoga, Tai Chi, Aikido, Caipoera (sp?) or recommend others to me? That'd be neat.

Comments

[birdfigment.livejournal.com]

I took Tae Kwon Do for a few years and liked it. It was a very defensive style martial art, although more active (less reactive) than Aikido. I got as far as my green belt (about halfway up the belt color system) before I ran out of time and quit. I also hyperextended my knee once in doing it, which was not so good, so I'm not sure I'd go back out of fear of aggravating the old injury.

fayde tells me that Aikido is great. That it's the only time you'll ever see people get thrown across a room and come up smiling.

And personally, I really want to give Tai Chi a shot. It sounds very cool. I've heard of a place that gives free first classes; if you wanted to check it out sometime perhaps we could both do so.

I know very little about Yoga, except that it helped my brother stay in shape during chemotherapy; and very little about Capoeira, except that it's beautiful and would doubtless kick my out of shape ass.

[rahna.livejournal.com]

i've taken both yoga and aikido (classes at the Y are inexpensive - even for non-members) and i miss both of them...would like to get back into them...especially yoga.

yoga was very relaxing and is all about strengthening muscles and increasing flexibility. after two sessions i noticed a difference.
aikido was fun for me. it's not high energy but is quite physical. i always felt refreshed after class.

dunno if that says much...could tell you more another time if you'd like.

[lokey.livejournal.com]

Funny, I've been having very similar thoughts running through my brain. Last Sunday National Karate had its team tournament at my hotel. IT got me thinking back to when I took martial arts.

I used to take Tae Kwon Do, but have always found it to be a bit stilted. It is very clearly a more competition based form. Aikidio has always interested me with its defensive philosophy, and it can be fun. It strikes me as a more thinking persons martial art since you're generally figuring ways to avoid and redirect an atackers energy back at them. Tai chi at its heart is more a meditative exercise these days yet if you can find the proper instructor it can be a strong fighting style also. Capoeira is the one that interests me the most as a dancer. It looks like incredible fun, but I've always shied away feeling that I wasn't in good enough shape to take the first step with it. Dunno if any of this is helpful. One other note, I have a friend who teaches Kung Fu. The style he teaches is a blending of many different styles somewhat along the lines of Bruce Lee's Jeet Kun Do. I've considered taking classes with him, but am always a bit wary just due to our personal relationship (don't know how well the teacher/student thing would work out), but if you're curious I could get you his contact info. He's been studying for around 20 years now I guess, and teaching for the past 5 or so.

[jmutate.livejournal.com]

start simple. first concentrate on stretching, push ups, sit ups. then start running. run every other day. stretch every day. after that try yoga or a martial art. that's what i'm doing now. i think you eat pretty good from what i remember. diet is important. your body will need more fuel to build muscle if you are exercising frequently. other than that wrestling with your friends will add variety. hope that helps.