Horaiji Temple to Yuya Hot Spring

Domestic trip since 2006.
Aichi prefecture, central Japan. Couple hours of express train ride, about 4 hours of hiking around and got to the lodge.




Gate


Temple hondo


Bottom of Rock wall


Horaiji temple and Kagami iwa (mirror rock)

Only trail to hotel


Gyoja Goe - Missonary trail


Ashiyu - hot spring for feet dipping


Yuya onsen, small hot spring town


Uren river, from hotel room


Uren river


View from hotel lounge

Trip

Probably my first domestic trip since about begining of 2006.
Just got fed up with my problems and can no longer think straight, had to breath some fresh air.
My trips domestic or oversea for past 2 years.

June 2007 Los Angeles, St.Paul, San Francisco (one day at Sacramento)
June 2008 St.Paul
May 2009 St.Paul, Burnsville, Minneapolis.... you get the idea.

I'm planning to go hiking. I'll be visiting Horaiji, a 1300 years old temple and walk around streams and mountain. Not a bad thing at all. Hot spring for the night.
Next day, old ruin of Nagashino Castle and 1575 battle scene of Nagashino.

Health wise, not at my best. I almost threw up doing lots of back spin kick at Krav Maga studio.
Kick boxing sparring was depended on proper mindset than physical ability. I used some football defensive lineman tactic on these sparrs. If people knows 3 technique, 4 technique, 5 technique alignments and some pass rush drills, then that's it. It worked well but body wasn't normal.

Turkish Get Up, Two Hands Anyhow

Old high school football mate, Chris on my left at downtown Minneapolis. This was right after my day 3 CK-FMS. Guy in the middle later claimed that he was in this picture so I punched him in the stomach (lightly). Lots of drunk people.

Today:
Turkish Get Up 16kg 3,3


Double Military Press 24kgX2 5,5,5


Two Hands Anyhow 3,4


Turkish Get Up 24kg 4


Turkish Get Up 32kg 2





Some FMS shoulder drills to follow, narrowed down my shoulder stiffness by 4cm.





Last guy I screened was Boris last week and he had perfect shoulder mobility and Active Straight Leg Raise. These two are problematic for most people, but there's something in him that does well.





Probably get to do John Wild Buckley in couple weeks. One thing that worries me, I don't know the FMS kit is big enough for him. If John's shin is more than 25 1/2 inches , then I cannot do hurdle step and inline lunge. Hoping this kit has done for lots of NFL linemen, probably is good enough for him too.





Health wise, stressed out and broken. Stomach problem occurs when I'm in extreme stress. I have decided to take some mountain hiking this week days and spend a night at onsen (hot spring) lodge. Hopefully something comes up. I have not been to any domestic trips since 2006. Last 3 trips since 2007 were all St.Paul and surrounding areas.

John Buckley Orange Kettlebell Club Workshop Tokyo July 19, 20

There's a slight change in place and time for John Buckley's Orange Kettlebell Club Workshop

Please refer to the following. If in need of more information, please contact Nazo nazonewyork@yahoo.co.jp

Date time
7/19 (Sun) 10:30(open) 11:00(start) to 16:00(end)
7/20(Mon) 10:30(open) 11:00(start) to 16:00(end)

Place
Paraestra Koiwa
Lion's Mansion 101 2-17-1 Nishi-koiwa Edogawa, Tokyo
http://www4.plala.or.jp/parakoi/
7 minutes from Sobu line Koiwa station

Fee
For day one only, 20,000 yen
For both days 30,000 yen
For one day, only 7/19 is allowed. 7/20 requires prerequisite covered in 7/19.

Instructors
John Wild Buckley, Head Instructor OKC
Nazo OKC
Taikei Matsushita RKC II


Why attend OKC workshop?
I had some response from John Wild Buckley. This is worth a value and unlikely they will come back til next year.

Question 1:Given you participated in just about every major kettlebell certifications in United States and along with NSCA background, seems like your kettlebell quest is yet to be over. To what extent are you bringing your kettlebell skills, and what is it that you're trying to bring to Japan.

Every time I feel like like I am getting very good at Kettlebell lifting I meet someone who is so good I am humbled completely. Even yesterday I was learning something about my grip that blew me away. So simple, but it made such a big difference. This is what I am bringing to Japan, the little things that have helped me so much. Things that I have not learned at a certification, but rather things that have been taught to me by great lifters from around the world.

Question 2:You demonstrated GS style kettlebell last year, probably first one to do in modern day Japan. What is it that you'd do different this year.

Last year I gave a demonstration of AKC GS style lifting. The AKC was the leading source of GS information in the USA at the time. Over the past year I have been lucky enough to learn from people who have never heard the phrase "one true way". They are not affiliated with any USA organization. My personal coach is just a Russian who learned Kettlebell lifting in school in Siberia. He has taught me drills to improve my numbers that I can share with you. I have also learned new lifting concepts that will improve lifting form and help avoid injury.

Question 3:In your blog, you mentioned it. You mentioned to me that your materials are compatible to what people learn from RKC style. What precisely is shared between a so-called hard style kettlebell and competitive kettlebell lifting.

It is a common misconception that there is to be no tension in a competition lift. This is not true, it is all about how much tension and the timing. There are many things that are similar between a true GS snatch and an RKC snatch. Think about it as a set of tools. An RKC snatch uses some tools, AKC uses other tools, a true sport snatch uses all your tools. Nothing goes to waste. It is both efficient and powerful. Even if you are training for the RKC the breathing sequence alone will add reps to your snatch test.

Question 4:In Japan, there are lots of martial artists who train with kettlebells. What benefit can martial artists expect from your kettlebell style.

The sequence of force is the key. There are many movements that can be done with a kettlebell that mimic a fighters movements. These movement help build strength but they will not truly "train" the fighter. The beauty of the kettlebell is that it is a power-endurance tool. Learning to generate force sequentially will make an athlete powerful and super quick. Learning to repeat the sequence over time will develop true power endurance. The idea that you can't switch hands when you want to develops mental toughness and grip endurance. During a long set you have no choice, you can not quit, you must endure, you will learn to perform under the weight of pressure, pain, and exhaustion. Just like in a fight.

Question 5:Can you elaborate your joint mobility routine that you would teach. And also, how important is joint mobility drill to do kettlebell lifting. Is it an absolute necessity?

It's hard to explain the joint mobility routine in an email but it has elements of z-health and martial arts. Also, there are drills from Russian schools that are designed to unlock the joints for the shoulder/hip/ankle. They are so simple but totally effective. Joint mobility is essential for most KB lifters. If you are not mobile injury awaits to. If you can not "lockout" your arm you risk wrist/elbow/shoulder injury. If you have no hip mobility your lower back is at high risk. If your back hurts right now this is probably why. Joint mobility will also increase your ability to lift huge weight. Since I have focused on it my numbers have jumped!

Question 6:Many people here separates strength and endurance. Terminology "strength endurance" mentioned in various styles of kettlebell is still unfamiliar in Japan. In your very opinion, can you briefly explain what it is and do you have any basic formula to train strength endurance.

When it comes to "strength-endurance" I refer to it as "power-endurance". Training for P-E is as simple as training a power movement for long periods of time. You have to teach your body to perform a fast-powerful movement repeatedly for long periods of time. This requires a lifter to control all elements of the lift. You must pay attention to the effort and the rest. It all comes down to your technique and your goal. For example, if your goal is to snatch a 24kg bell 200 times in 10 min your best bet is to get your technique solid. A plan that relies on pure strength will not get you there. You would have to be pretty strong to do that and with poor technique you will get injured before you get that strong.If your goal is to snatch a 66kg kettlebell (rumor has it we will have one at the workshop!) one time you could train for pure strength but your technique will also have to be solid or you could die :-)Like Vasili Ginko says-"To snatch a lot you have to snatch a lot"

Sign up now!!

Value in Life

Man, I need a picture with Fawn


High school football mate, fiancee and her son in Minneapolis beer festival.

Pretty much what I enjoy in life sums up as drinking beer at a nice backyard in St.Paul, going places which a driver is an owner of extremely dirty BMW through Twin cities and Burnsville area, and teaching kettlebell in Tokyo.

It all fits!!

I'm hoping to have a trip to Maui early next year. Hopping into Chris Brooks and Karen's wedding. Karen's son Tyler's my favorite kid. Likely to reunite with James "Juice" Guice there, who's also my high school mate. I talked to him over the phone, who had a steep Texas accent which reluctantly have to say I understood every single syllables. 24hrs of Juce 6 days a week is great. Another new addition in life.


Whatever I did for 39 years, hopefully it sums up into big one next year.

Twice

If you have to do 100 snatches in 5 minutes to pass RKC:
Do twice for at least twice a week.

Do 200 snatches total without setting a time frame
or
Do 10 minutes of snatches regardless the total number of reps.

Get this over with and make it a non issue, end of story.

Some Activities

Saturday, I trained Matt ready for Budapest RKC. A very respective Englishman living in western Japan, it's always good to see him.
I caught Boris at Tokyo station that night, next day Boris ran a workshop along with my students. One of the easiest workshop I hosted, it required less translation.

After the workshop, I picked up Kenneth Lee who came from Seoul Korea. Boris and I trained him following day for his September RKC. I saw Kenneth snatching and I was pretty much relieved that he has good techniques. All he need is repetition. Luckily Boris would be assisting the very September RKC.
Boris left to the other side of Japan, Kenneth and I discussed lots of things about RKC and kettlebells til late at night. Both Boris and Kenneth stayed in a questionably small apartment of mine.
The day of Kenneth's departure, we had a short morning session in the rain. We sheltered under the bridge and done some swings. Snatch descending techniques were covered as well.

Not once in my life I had two RKC candidates and another RKC in one weekend over Tokyo.

Boris Bachmann

I met Boris in Tokyo June 2007, then I met him again in Tokyo June 2009.

Basically he and I don't need a "filling the blank" conversation despite couple years abscence with each other.

Boris ran an excellent kettlebell workshop. My students liked him, and Boris simply liked my students.

My students have good reputations. They take notes on techniques covered, are friendly, laugh, joke, some travel extremely long distance to attend.

I almost stumbled when I saw my student Daisuke wrote his name on the kettlebell. Lots of fun, as always.

CK-FMS Follow Ups

It's difficult to keep scores during CK-FMS class. Things go on in a wild manner where every one has different scores and different solutions. I spent a day summarizing on what they scored and what corrective drills I had them do. 4 pages in PDF and it was good enough.

One attendee had a 1 in hurdle step and managed to get him to 2. Brett's "do/don't" list of kettlebell works based on score and asymetry was in tact. His analysis was a pin point hit. Scoring the least in hurdle step had nothing to do with his inflexibility. Rather he was the most flexible man kind in the room. Significance is he's never had sport experience so nothing traumatic injuries haunted him. Stability was the key.

Another person had quite similar score. He scored better than mine when I was at CK-FMS but the injury history, asymetry on toe touch, love of heavy kettlebell press and bent press showed some similarities with mine. I did manage to fix a few.

So far I've screened 8 people including my parents. More to come.

Fellow student and Alaskan native, Kenneth Lafavour doing 28kg pull up. I think he can do more.

Returning to Tokyo

Not me. I'm always in Tokyo

John "Wild" Buckley will hold a two day workshop in Tokyo July 19(Sun) July 20 (Mon national holiday) in Shinjuku Tokyo. He's done a seminar and helped a workshop last year, now on to his one man show teaching Russian technique of kettlebells never been unleashed in Japan.

Date: July 19(Sun) July 20 (Mon national holiday) 2009

Place: To be solidified soon but Shinjuku mura studio, studio 11 , near Nishi Shinjuku Station

Cost: Til July 11, 20,000 yen per day, 30,000 yen for both days After July 13 25,000 yen per day, 40,000 yen for both days.

For further detail, contact nazonewyork@yahoo.co.jp , representer of OKC.

How can you free up your rigid shoulder and joints using kettlebell and related joint mobility moves.

Secrets of Russians which has never been filtered via United States.

What it takes to become a Russian kettlebell lifter in Japan.

Apply now!

Things Going On in Tokyo

Kettlebell class May 24 2009


Kettlebell Workshop May 17 2009



Kettlebell Workshop April 19 2009

Kettlebell Workshop March 8 2009

Kettlebell Workshop November 22 2008

Kettlebell Workshop November 2 2008

Kettlebell Workshop November 1 2008

Kettlebell Workshop September 21 2008

Kettlebell Workshop September 20 2008

Kettlebell Workshop August 31 2008

Kettlebell Workshop July 6 2008

This isn't every workshop I've done. I forgot my camera at yesterday's CK-FMS workshop. Tripod is useless without camera.

CK-FMS Tokyo Workshop

I ran a CK-FMS specialized workshop in Tokyo. Probably first of this kind in east Asia.

I should post some pictures, however brought my tripod and forgot the camera.
Screening went well, as all students scored higher than my first ever score in Minnesota.

It is always great doing workshops. After a long busy preparation and workshop, it is rewarding to see their smiles. Sense of humor is in tact for every workshop. This one's no exception.

Fart and Minnesota, my thoughts.
June 2008, some group of us were at Aaron and Fawn's place. Rif called a single cab to get us to hotel. There were six of us. We squeezed in and I threatened Katie that I may fart.
Testimonial from Lauren Brooks, author of DVD "The Ultimate Body Sculpt and Conditioning with Kettlebells" on comment section,
http://swingsnatch.blogspot.com/2008/07/rkc-level-2.html
Everybody laughed.

May 2009, a single day of CK-FMS ended that day. We were on elevator, no one was talking. Lulin Tsai said "This is an awkward moment". I decided to have someone fill in the air.
I looked to my right and said "George, this is a perfect moment for fart jokes". Everbody laughed.

Fart jokes work in elevator and vehicle. Never in open area. Irontamer tried that when we were walking at a department store in Tokyo and didn't work.

Why fart jokes are successful:
1. Simply it is funny.
2. People fear and do nervous laughs.
3. People simply laughs because everyone's laughing from reason 1 and 2.

There are more reasons to laugh than standard jokes and everyone can hear it. That's what this makes successful. Don't do this in Japan.

Two other significant Minnesota elevator incidents I saw or experienced.
After day two of my original RKC, a guy who was covered with sweat and dirt almost got into an elevator where a lady with beautiful evening dress rode. He gave her mercy.
After day one of CK-FMS at the elevator. Darrell Banning said to me "Are you going to relax rest of the evening".
I said
"No, I'm going to a kettlebell class." Everybody laughed and I said "I'm serious!!".
Why would I miss Fawn's class?

On a note, Whenever I go to Fawn and Aaron's house, I feel like I'd be visiting them next week even I know I won't be seeing them for a year. It's that natural.
Fawn once said "make yourself at home". This is one place I literally make myself at home.