In Chinese Medicine, there are five fundamental elements that reinforce or supress one another – they are water, wood, fire, earth, and metal. Each corresponds to a season: notice there are five. The fifth season is often viewed in one of two ways. First, as the later part of summer that turns into autumn. Second, as a season that connects each other and expresses the change between seasons. This is the element of earth, which is associated to grounding, crossing, and returning. As Summer turns to Autumn, we are solidly in earth as a season, and it is a good time to ground one's self, cross paths with old friends, and return to things we hold dear.
I have taken the time recently to re-focus and re-engage my budo practice. I have continued regular trips to Pittsburgh to further my instruction in xingyi, taiji, and bagua. I am making sure to train regularly, even if it means doing so early in the morning or late at night. I am working on re-engaging my fitness — getting back into running and commuting to work via bicycle. I've also re-engaged in my yoga practice and am hoping to continue to go climbing, to focus my balance and strength.
I have also commited myself to carve off time on the weekends to continue my kenjutsu practice, both at the Hobyokan and at Capital Katori. Last weekend I visited the Hobyokan and had a very rewarding session training with my fellow Jiki practitioners. I am currently working on learning the kodachi kata of Jikishinkage-ryū, and finding them cryptic and at the same time quite rewarding. This weekend I was able to attend Capital Aikikai to practice Katori Shinto-ryū kenjutsu. I enjoyed seeing all my old training partners and teachers and admire how their class has grown. I really enjoyed getting back on their mat and plan to be back regularly — between their Sunday class, open mat on Friday, and getting together with Bob Galeone outside of the dojo some Saturdays, I should be in good stead.