Last Sunday we had such a fantastic weather we decided to go to the slope and have a BBQ after training.

Boris and I were first in place so we started running up and down.  By the time the other guys arrived Boris had already run twice. When the other ones started I went for my second time. That is the thing, this slope is a real pain! You have to have good stamina and real good legs otherwise it is [...]]]> insertAd(true);

Last Sunday we had such a fantastic weather we decided to go to the slope and have a BBQ after training.

Boris and I were first in place so we started running up and down.  By the time the other guys arrived Boris had already run twice. When the other ones started I went for my second time. That is the thing, this slope is a real pain! You have to have good stamina and real good legs otherwise it is impossible. Boris is running it up like it is nothing!!! I stopped a couple of times to catch my breath and have my legs recover. It felt good to be able to do it two times anyway,  I even run all the way down. 

Some sparring after that and two injured people, André has probably a broken rib and Michel twisted his ankle.

After a while we decided it was time for reward, the BBQ was awesome, Mikael and I had portable ones from the company where I work ( Primus ) and Mikael even had another type of stove which he used to make a “ratatouille “, it was a pretty advanced BBQ style but it was so GOOD!!!!

We had an amazing time, as usual.

Yesterday in the afternoon I started to feel pretty tired , my legs felt strange, as the afternoon went it became worse and on the way home when I walked up the stairs that lead to my appartment,  I felt the pain ! OMG today is even worse can´t walk down stairs at all !

Yeah  this is how you realize that slope is doing the work ! We need to do that again

This is not too difficult since both Mikael and I are suffering from inflamed muscles.

We worked only on kicks and leg strength yesterday and I almost puked at some point.

That was an awesome training, it took a lot of energy and strength of mind to go through it.

Talking about injuries my [...]]]> When Boris and André arrived yesterday we got a request, as Boris has a shoulder injury ( yes him too ! ) he asked if we could adjust the training.

This is not too difficult since both Mikael and I are suffering from inflamed muscles.

We worked only on kicks and leg strength yesterday and I almost puked at some point.

That was an awesome training, it took a lot of energy and strength of mind to go through it.

Talking about injuries my shoulder and arm are back to worse, I knew I would pay for last Sunday.

This is actually really getting on my nerves, it´s been 3 months!

and even better when everybody was there, the whole group together, it was such a great day.

When the guys arrived we thought it would be too tight and warm inside so we decided to get the cars and drive to the slope instead. The sun was shining it was a great opportunity.

We introduced the slope to our newest members and started runing it as [...]]]> now that was a day like I love them ! OUTDOOR training, first of this year = AWESOME!

and even better when everybody was there, the whole group together, it was such a great day.

When the guys arrived we thought it would be too tight and warm inside so we decided to get the cars and drive to the slope instead. The sun was shining it was a great opportunity.

We introduced the slope to our newest members and started runing it as a warm up.

after that we worked on pads up hill first hook kicks and front leads, both sides

A light sparring   : the pad holder is attacking and making it difficult for the other person to advance

then we started with sparring.

I sparred with Michel , we decided to take it easy because we both have the same shoulder injury but as usual the “easy” part is forgotten quite fast . I also  got a straight lead right in the nose again, this makes me say only one thing, FOOTWORK God damn it ! I ´ve  got to get better at this someday! Rotation to the right side still sucks … Well there is no better way than sparring to notice what you need to work on.

This session  felt good and everyone was happy,  as usual we train in a very good atmosphere.

We are a great team and a day like this is always one of the best. I look forward to next sunday.

I asked Warren if he would like to write something and here is what he sent me.

“It was good to me another martial artist that was on much the same wave lenth as me. I have always thought that the straight lead, for instance, is made truly for “intercepting”. It [...]]]> As I said before, Mikael was on a trip to Charlotte  NC , USA and took the opportunity to meet with Warren Graham who is a certified Ted Wong JKD instructor.

I asked Warren if he would like to write something and here is what he sent me.

“It was good to me another martial artist that was on much the same wave lenth as me. I have always thought that the straight lead, for instance, is made truly for “intercepting”. It is very hard to hit someone with it who is on guard and waiting for you. But as he makes just that slight movement forward and thinking offense, forgetting defensive posture for a split secongs, that’s when you nail him with the lead. His forward motion acentuates your strike and you can knock him out cold.

We also discussed the endless politics in JKD and how silly most of it is as it usually boils down to money and ego. Let’s just all get together, gear up and sweat! Today in our work out, to what new levels can we rise? That is my priority.”

As I understood, Mikael was very pleased to meet Warren and had a great time talking and sharing opinions and experiences.

Botttom line of this session was switch! switch side , switch step switch switch and switch to the point I switched even if I was not told to !

I worked only on the heavy bag and on the kicking pad. I started the first exercise with my left side : hook kick and straight lead immediately after before the foot lands, it [...]]]> It was only me this sunday, which was kind of awesome regarding what I was in for!

Botttom line of this session was switch! switch side , switch step switch switch and switch to the point I switched even if I was not told to !

I worked only on the heavy bag and on the kicking pad. I started the first exercise with my left side : hook kick and straight lead immediately after before the foot lands, it was not that good so i tried it on the right just to get the feeling then i switched to the left and it started to get better. Then I had to kick  left and right switching lead very fast in between, Mikael told me to stop because that was not good, he tried something else to have me get the switch feeling better and this is what we did on the pad, he increased the tempo gradually until I just switched on my own and before he said anything!

My favourite was on the bag , low front -low hook and  high hook kick, alternate and switching lead and  side. I felt good about this one, I managed to feel more stable more in control and stronger. I repeated lots of times. This is only after that mikael told me waht he thought and that was good to hear it also showed that I got this one Ok  .-)

One on one session are always very intense as there is no time to rest and hold pads for someone else, which is good because intensity like this makes the body and mind concentrate and work much harder.

I have always been told I should work on both sides and I did but not as much as the right. Now I have no choice but train the left  and all that  injury stuff makes me realize I should have done that all along. I start to feel I am more flexible in a way I can change lead more easily and use it, still not perfect but I am getting better at it and as I cannot use the right side, I feel good I am not totally worthless and still can train making the weak side stronger and usable.

We did some killer drills, it was an intense session as always !

We worked on balance, in wide and low  on guard position  holding [...]]]> It was only André and I last wednesday, as I still cannot use my right side I trained only the left . I feel it difficult to adjust but I think it is a good thing to train this weak side, I will definetely notice the advantages when I have fully recovered and can train as usual.

We did some killer drills, it was an intense session as always !

We worked on balance, in wide and low  on guard position  holding the medecine ball in front of us with straight arms, holding the position as long as possible.

Then switch from on guard to  low and wide position, fast movements and multiple repetitions

kicks : 50 hook kicks on each side , with speed and control

On pads: 50 of all punches first, 50 kicks and finish with 100  straight leads on the sand bags.

We rotaded on drills with mitts using both kicks and punches , with very short  breaks in between.

I worked on the heavy bag while André worked on the technique  with Mikael.

Then we worked on the strength of the legs trying to push Mikael with only one leg in side kick position..

Push ups, only 10 for me as the shoulder could not bear my weight , I was very disappointed because I could do 50 clean ones and after so much time not training them I know I will loose it all  and have to start from the beginning all over again… but that´s the way it is .

Situps holding the medecine ball  to finish the session, no problem with this one .

Even if this is very frustrating I try not to let that negativity affect me, I  find ways around my limitation, I know it is not permanent and even if it was I could not let this destroy my 7 years of work.

there won´t be any group training until sunday of next week because someone is travelling for one week to the sunshine of Charlotte, USA. I am not very happy about that !!!!

Well I will stay here in the coldest country in the world and train by myself then …

I will only use the left side in this case, I want my strong side to fully recover so I can go on with my regular training but there is no reason why I should not train the rest of my body.

I don´t feel too [...]]]> Ok then, I have a couple of exercises to do everyday for the shoulder and the arm. It will take some weeks to recover from this apparently and during the first times I am not supposed to train.

I will only use the left side in this case, I want my strong side to fully recover so I can go on with my regular training but there is no reason why I should not train the rest of my body.

I don´t feel too good about the situation but I have to see the positive aspect, there is no other way.

I have an appointment with a  physiotherapist today and I look forward to it.

Remy and Michel were present yesterday , we worked mainly on the legs I think Mikael adapted the training to my disability [...]]]> Ok I don´t know yet what I can do with an inflamed shoulder but I am sick of not being able to use my right arm, at the training session yesterday I used it anyway but I take it easy and try not to do more damages.

I have an appointment with a  physiotherapist today and I look forward to it.

Remy and Michel were present yesterday , we worked mainly on the legs I think Mikael adapted the training to my disability ! which was nice so I could participate. We did some killer leg drills , lots of kicks and stability exercises.

it actually got the best of Remy at some point who felt really sick for a while, the picture says it all, great session !

I worked on footwork and shadow boxing yesterday, I take it easy of course because my back is limiting my movements and my right arm is not good enough , but it is better as the constant pain [...]]]> that´s it, I am done with not being able to train, something will have to happen now. I am scheduled to the Xray tomorrow morning, I won´t get an answer right away but I decided I will start training anyway and already did.

I worked on footwork and shadow boxing yesterday, I take it easy of course because my back is limiting my movements and my right arm is not good enough , but it is better as the constant pain is gone, I only feel it when I move and if I take it easy I think it will be fine, I will try anyway because I am getting insane soon !

The sun is shining we have beautiful days in Sweden now,  this is the right time to start with outside training, biking and running, can´t wait to pay a visit to the stairs!

Scandinavia is the most depressive place to be in the winters, but the rest of the year is beautiful and the presence of the light can´t be wasted a single minut, so let´s go !

Not only my arm is hurting 24 /7 , so do  my neck , upper and lower back , result : I can do nothing and after two weeks,  I start loosing my mind. I am tired of [...]]]> So I thought , well I will train the left side if the right is out of order for the time being, but that is not so easy. there is also something wrong with my back and the doctors say NO TRAINING !

Not only my arm is hurting 24 /7 , so do  my neck , upper and lower back , result : I can do nothing and after two weeks,  I start loosing my mind. I am tired of the pain and depressed.

I tell to myself : what was I whining about last year with my arm injury ? that was nothing, I could at least train other things, now I am totally useless because when the back is not working nothing works! I have difficulty working, walking, sleeping, you name it .

I am waiting for an X ray, it can take 10 days says the doctor, only after that can I get a treatment.

Last week  after the wrestling sessions I injured my arm again, I must have squizzed it real bad when Mikael threw me all over the place :-),  I [...]]]> It was only Will and I this sunday, we worked rounds on the heavy bag and then sparred with each other but with no contact, we had to control the distance and the movements and be very active with the footwork, we also used the hanging bags as obstacles to take into account.

Last week  after the wrestling sessions I injured my arm again, I must have squizzed it real bad when Mikael threw me all over the place :-),  I will not be able to wrestle for a while so I let Will take it all !

It was a really heavy lesson he got there. Mikael showed and explain how to and especially gave him the reasons why you should not go down. When you are down the only thing you should try to do is to get up again. Some guys only want the floor fighting and are so good at it you don´t want to end up there, JKD is about fighting on your feet , not on your back .

The techniques were  repeated in  lots of different situations to prove the point, this session even for me who was just looking, was very rich and interesting.

I worked with Remy first and we did that footwork fun stuff, we have done this many times before, I really  like this exercise and it is tougher than it sounds ! We face each other trying to step on each other´s feet, the key is to keep a good form and footwork and not to look like  a couple of retards dancing around, we laughed  [...]]]> Yesterday was mostly about interception and speed , we also worked on blocking, with mitts and on the Redman.

I worked with Remy first and we did that footwork fun stuff, we have done this many times before, I really  like this exercise and it is tougher than it sounds ! We face each other trying to step on each other´s feet, the key is to keep a good form and footwork and not to look like  a couple of retards dancing around, we laughed  but  managed pretty good in my opinion.

Another thing I would like to talk about is holding pads or mitts. This is important to know how and not only for the other person. We worked on speed when one person is trying to punch or kick and the pad holder moves the pad away at the last second. Holding the pad correctly and moving it away correctly will avoid certain accidents !

Wrestling time ! Mikael had a lot of energy yesterday, Remy André and I went flying around a couple of times. Even André who is around 100 kgs, was picked up and thrown on the floor. I came last and wondered what´s the point ???  but I don´t think this is pointless, I would say it is the other way around, getting used to difficulty will make me better, even if trying to move Mikael is very hard,  he gives us some opportunities to try some stuff and this is our job to recognize the openings and act.

Pushups situps and stretching after that, it was very quiet in the room during stretching time

Will requested some footwork drills for yesterday´s session, I really liked it and I think we need more of this.

Then we worked on basics , pad drills and appropriate footwork. The session was intense , we focused on footwork and techniques only .

I was happy to work with [...]]]> JKD Sweden has a strange habbit, they break things …Now Will killed our dummy with a kick in the heart !  Mikael repaired it  with silver tape so it is not totally dead yet  :-)’

Will requested some footwork drills for yesterday´s session, I really liked it and I think we need more of this.

Then we worked on basics , pad drills and appropriate footwork. The session was intense , we focused on footwork and techniques only .

I was happy to work with Will yesterday, he is very focused, we worked with good tempo. The only drill I had trouble with was when Will had to punch with high tempo and as hard as possible, for that I held two pads and positionned myself against the big bag, but I felt like a slice of bacon in beween and had trouble breathing.  Will hit pretty hard and it was the point. So good work !

As I just said Will and I worked with high tempo and the session was intense,  it felt really good. Adam and André worked together and we laughed at several occasions when Mikael told him to work less with his mouth and more with his body :-)  Adam was very “ entertaining ” yesterday,  at one point I asked if he had taken any steroids before the session !

We are a great team I really like all these guys, it is really nice to train with all of them. Thank you for this last session and see you next time.

After some killer stretching exercises with Remy and Mikael ( who suddenly decided to join our stretching challenge,  not sure I like that ! ) , we started with  drills on mitts and light sparring. the tempo was high and I fighted to the end to get this done !

Mikael put the Redman on and we had [...]]]> Yesterday´s session was hard for me, I have been sick earlier in the week , but even if it was hard I did it…

After some killer stretching exercises with Remy and Mikael ( who suddenly decided to join our stretching challenge,  not sure I like that ! ) , we started with  drills on mitts and light sparring. the tempo was high and I fighted to the end to get this done !

Mikael put the Redman on and we had a harder sparring session.

I want to talk about protection today, it did not take too long for me to be stuck against the wall but I punched and kicked my way out a couple of times but then I lost my focus and bend my body too much so Mikael´s punch ended up in my breast.

Let me tell you, breast protection is as needed as groin protection in sparring, I lost my breath a couple of minutes and could not go on with the fight. This is something to think about because all you need is one good punch in the right place and that´s it. I use to look like a little crazy mosquito when I sparr and it felt like someone just slapped me flat !

Joke aside,  this is not a good feeling, I never wear protection  but I may start.

Now about the stretching challenge , Remy and I had decided to be able to do the splits on July 1st. Now Mikael has joined the party but he is ahead of us…….

We had a great session with  Remy and André yesterday, two really determined guys who work very hard and who have a great spirit and sense of humour. Mikael is always mixing seriousness and jokes , we always have such a great time!

I have always written about everything since I was very young. I almost have a book of my life, now I also have a blog.

This is something that I do and enjoy doing. Not sure a lot of people are reading or even are interested but I mostly do it for myself . Writing about some events is for me a way to remember. In this case the purpose is to see the [...]]]> My blog is 2 years old today, 215 posts.

I have always written about everything since I was very young. I almost have a book of my life, now I also have a blog.

This is something that I do and enjoy doing. Not sure a lot of people are reading or even are interested but I mostly do it for myself . Writing about some events is for me a way to remember. In this case the purpose is to see the progress, the evolution, to remember things that happen and feelings that I have at that moment and have something written about the way that I train. JKD is such a part of me, I see nothing else I would want to write about.

I rarely go back and read what I have written at all,  but  sometimes I do and I often smile. I like to think that events are not just happenning , I write them down so I don´t  forget anything.

Some events like the trip to San Francisco in 2010,  celebrating Bruce Lee´s birthday and  meeting his family and friends. The second trip in 2011, spending time with Allen Joe and his wife Annie, Jeff and Julie Chinn taking us around town visiting Bruce Lee sites,  these were  days that I described in details, some of the best days of my life.

There are of course a lot of events prior to the Blog that mean a lot, these are described somewhere else because of the personal aspect but there is definetely one day to  mention, the day that changed my life is the day I met Mikael. I believe none of what I have experienced after that would have happenned if I had not met him. Of course I forced a couple of things on him, like facebook. I believe it helped us getting in contact and  meeting great people along the way and we have learned from the good and from the bad that came out of it. Where we are now is the result of our hard work as a team.

It has not always been easy, I have my opinions and I speak them. I have not always written about everything because when I have an issue with someone I take the matter directly. I don´t want my blog to be  political or controversial, some people have tried to use it that way through comments but I decide which comment I publish and these are going straight to the trash.

I am happy to have lasted so long and I look forward to write about more special days and experiences.

Thank you for reading and thanks to some of our JKD friends in the USA who have linked my blog to their website.

The other aspect is being the only woman, is that a problem for me? No Sir! It is an advantage and I [...]]]> Being a woman and training JKD in Sweden is a challenge. First of all, no one understands why I do that. Not my problem, I do it because it makes me happy and it brings all kind of positive things to my life and to my health, mental and physical, I do not need to explain this to anyone.

The other aspect is being the only woman, is that a problem for me? No Sir! It is an advantage and I will tell you why.

When I started in 2004, I was put in the girls group and I did not like it because it had nothing to do with JKD.  But soon they moved me to the JKD guys group. This was better although not good enough as most of the guys did not want or dare train with me. That was one of the reasons why I left and started with Mikael instead.

What is good about our group now is that no one treats me like a girl, I train with anyone and they are professional enough to adapt but still they don´t hold back too much.

I like training with guys and especially Mikael because he is twice my size and weight and it is so hard for me,  it makes me train harder and be used to the level of difficulty, this is how I progress.

My goal training JKD is simple and personal,  I do that for me and no one else. I don´t need to prove anything, I don´t need a belt or a piece of paper telling me how “good” I am. The proof is in fighting , the proof is in me.

I don´t want to participate in any war, a lot has happened lately, groups within groups, alliances, strange attitudes, discords… I have no time for these childish guy attitudes fighting about who has got the biggest ego…  Again, this is their problem not mine. I ´d rather spend my time training and even if nobody would ever notice me, I will always feel good about myself because I know where I come from and what I have achieved.

I will always say what I think and some people won´t like it  but I don´t need anyone liking everything I do, I don´t need sucking up to anyone to be noticed either, to me training is a personal thing not a race towards fame and recognition.

So what´s the point?

The point is what JKD brings me, the person I have become and the people I have met along the way.