The art of falling

Thanks to Lance's friend for taking this picture of Sensei Grayson James throwing me in a high fall. I hope that someday these falls become familiar and easy, because currently they still scare me every time, especially on the left side . . . I am eager to learn "soft ukemi" techniques for falling, as even the name sounds gentler.

On: going

It is amazing that even when I just can't imagine putting on my gi and stepping onto the mat, due to either stress, anxiety, or physical aches and tiredness-- just going makes me feel better! It is transformative; I can arrive lazy, perturbed, disheveled, and leave energetic, peaceful and excited.
So I suppose the lesson for me is just to keep on going, even when I think I don't want to. For I always learn something . . . and my emotions and thoughts are always altered by the experience, usually in incredibly positive ways.