Natural Arts Center

My introduction to cupping was pretty dramatic. I had a horrible case of the flu, and called to cancel an acupuncture appintment. Rachel (Rachel Rubin, Emerald Acupuncture Center) had me come in anyway – and quickly decided that cupping was in order. I had no idea what she was talking about, but felt so crappy I didn’t really care.

Rachel pulled out some plastic cups and went to work attaching a handful of cups one at a time – then removing them, moving them over a bit, removing them, moving them over a bit…systematically working the whole back. By the time she was finished with the treatment, a few things were obvious:

1. My back was covered with dark marks from the cupping.
2. My back felt amazingly good, my fever was down, and I was beginning to feel like a human being again.
3. A ridiculously fast, simple, and easy treatment can make a world of difference.
4. This would be a handy thing to know how to do…since I’d probably get the flu again at some point. read more »

Beginning Breathwork Mini-Workshop
Wednesday November 16, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Space is limited – email Jim to register

Breathing is one of the few automatic actions in the body that we can consciously engage in. One of the wonderful things about breathwork is that you can practice anytime, anyplace, and in any physical condition. Working with the breath is something that can be cultivated over an entire lifetime, ceaselessly deepening as your body – and your experience of your body – changes over time. read more »

A few years ago I was sitting at Theo’s (the funky coffee shop close to our old dojo) catching up on some email. At the table behind me there was a pretty vigorous Mac/PC debate going on. All of the usual arguments were made (price, proprietary software, blah blah blah). Both sides were well represented, and I briefly thought about buying a PC for my next computer.

And then the conversation turned to the working environment – the PC side of the argument was that the user could tweak everything about the machine, both the hardware and the software. Total freedom. You just can’t do that with the Mac.

The Mac side of the argument was that the elegant interface inspired creativity. Not about tweaks to the machine, but about what you were doing with the machine. The working environment, and its effect on the user. (And, I wonder if the conversation that took place in a funky Eugene coffeehouse would have happened at Starbucks or MacDonalds…)

In the years since the episode at Theo’s, hauling my laptop around has been replaced by an iPod Touch. A very different environment to be sure. While I wouldn’t want to write a novel or edit video on the thing, it’s a wonderful device for access to the web, quick emails, my schedule. It’s a digital multi-tool. It’s got a camera, shoots video, works as a small flashlight, a level. It holds Gray’s Anatomy (the anatomy text, not the TV show), Sam’s PDF articles, some mighty-fine push hands reference videos, client notes. It reminds me when it’s garbage day.

Oh, and it plays music, too.

I’m bringing this up for a couple of reasons. With all of the posts about Steve Jobs and how Apple products have changed peoples’ lives, I’m wondering:

a) How do you utilize current technology in your study/training?

b) What are you reading this on? (my technology consultant is curious, since she needs to know how many folks will be reading this on mobile devices)

No, not another review of content. Time has shown that Musashi’s Book of Five Rings has some game. You can read the Amazon.com reviews here. This is more about Kodansha International (of Japan) and the fine books they have produced. read more »

a newer translation of the book in question

During a routine check of the martial arts section at Smith Family Bookstore, all of the usual titles were there – and an oddly almost empty shelf. In the middle of the shelf was a single, old, hardbound book – completely out of place.

The book as an object sucked me right in…with beautifully set type, old book smell, the way it fits in your hands. But the content made me buy it. Turns out it was a copy of Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius.

If I’m not, in fact, the last person to know about this work…check it out. Meditations reads like a Roman version of the Daodejing.