Summer, Training and Shaolin Patches

The summer training camp was lots of fun. We had indoor and outdoor training and even water training. I will soon post some videos about that alternate type of training, too. But until then, I am trying to get over some unsuccessful break falls. I told one of the Shodans I had pains and could not train on the last day and she gave me something called shaolin patches.

The box contains two bags with five patches, that is 10 patches in total.

This is what the box looks like from the outside:

  The patch relieves the pain, removes the stiffness in the muscles and has an energetic effect that helps in the healing process. Here you can see a great number of herbs that are listed under the ingredients section:

For me the patch helped somewhat  in easing the pain in my muscle. I actually caused the injury to myself with my right leg during a break fall, when my right knee landed on my left leg. But the patches soothed the injury somewhat. If you are to purchase this patch please make sure to read the instructions carefully. Among others you need to check whether you are allergic to any of the components. Should any redness occur remove the patch immediately. Also do not use more than two patches one day.

Update: Stages of the Shaolin Patch that I experienced

1^st day- the pain was too great and I felt just a little of the beneficial effects.  I applied two patches and I did feel the calming warmth and soothing effect, but all in all I could hardly step on that leg. The next days I was using just one patch.

2^nd day- I was already in the office sitting all day long, resting. The pain was attenuated and from time to time I started feeling the energetic properties in cooling and warm waves. I have worn the patch for about 9-10 hours and removed it in the afternoon. The pain was a lot attenuated.

3^rd day- today I got up with little pain whatsoever. I can already step normally on the foot and it feels like just having some slight tightness in the muscles. As I am writing, the patch is still on and I can feel warmth on the area where it is applied and also a slight prickle.

For tomorrow I expect to have no problems at all, at least no pains any more. I am not sure whether I will apply another patch. I will check how my leg feels in the afternoon and tomorrow morning.

Aikidoka Stylist

Beauty and Aikido ©
senpai 3 kyu, me, senpai 3 kyu

I curled and styled the hair of the aikidoka girls on the training camp.
I used my hot tool kit Remington  S-8670. It was lots of fun and the girls loved the result.

Beauty and Aikido ©

I also have a surprise coupon for you! Have fun and try out some virtual hairstyles

10% off when you sign-up to TheHairStyler.com! Use code OCTHAIR. Expires Oct 30.

I'm off to the Summer Training Camp

Beauty and Aikido ©

It will be a lot of sweat and tears, but I am off to the summer training camp. This will be one week of intensive trainings through which I hope to get better. In the picture you can see my old belt and the new one with which I am stepping into an era of perseverence in training...ok I am at least trying...

Wish me luck! o(^^o)(o^^)o わくわく

Eye Makeup Remover- Ahava vs. Yves Rocher

In this video I am comparing two eye makeup removers. In short, these are the two:

AHAVA- Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover

It was my all time favorite for a long time, but it has been discountinued （ToT）

The replacement is not very convincing. It is called Ahava Time to Clear All in One Toning Cleanser. It is just one of those typical make up remover lotions. However if you are so desperate after the Gente Eye Make-up Remover as I was, you might still be able to find it on StrawberryNet.

Yves Rocher- Express Cleanser for Sensitive Eyes with Cornflower

In the mean time I found a biphasic eye makeup remover from Yves Rocher which I really like. I will most probably repurchase it because it fights the most stubborn waterproof mascara also.

Interview with Lia Suzuki Sensei

Lia Suzuki began training aikido in 1982. Through her first teacher, the renowned William Gleason Sensei, 6th dan, she was introduced to the distinctive aikido of the late Yamaguchi Seigo Shihan, 9th dan and one of his most accomplished students,Takeda Yoshinobu Shihan, 8th dan. At present she is 6th dan aikidoka and the Executive Director for an Aikido Nonprofit: Aikido Kenkyukai Santa Barbara. She is a really charismatic personality with a lot of experience to share. I think this interview is really inspiring to listen to. This is the list of question that I used as guideline for the interview:

First of all the name betrays that you have a Japanese husband. Is that right? 

When did you start aikido and why?

Tell us about your time in Japan. Did you go through any cultural shock?

Tell us about the dojo in Santa Barbara.

Does non-profit mean that  the aikidoka do not pay any fees?

What is aikido for you?

What is the benefit of aikido?

How can the non-aikido public be educated? 

How could one make people understand that we are not just slaming each other?

Help aikido throughout the world, tell us more about this vision.

Do you consider it is important to show female aikidoka other female role models or you don’t care about gender in aikido?

And it goes on with Part 2

And the final Part 3

 To support AKSB with a donation click here:

For 2011

For 2012

*Technical tip for those who want to record a similar interview 

I recorded it with a VodBurner trial which created huge files. A one hour conversation occupied in raw 25 giga (this side and other side). The converted media file version is 14 giga, which I later had to compress and edit with AVS Video Editor because I did not like the VodBurner editing features.