Thank you, cookie. Yes, aikido is great for some types of arthritis, and it was a shame about your husband's friend. It's painful at first, but the pain goes away, because the pain comes from lack of movement. A lesson learned the hard way! (And I speak from experience about that!)
Sorry I've been away for so long - I had an unexpected influx of work that's kept me busy (though not bringing in as much money as I'd hoped). Hopefully, things will slow down soon so I can catch up with my other responsibilities here.
I went for a nerve conduction test. Unpleasant, but not painful (not really). The good news is, the nerves in my back are not permanently damaged, although I will never get the reflex back in my left knee. The nerves are just "irritated" and I will likely continue to suffer from numbness and tingling for a while longer. No surgery or cortisone shots required just yet, either. I still have to take care not to fall straight down on my tail bone because of the dislocated vertabra.
I was able to get some physiotherapy, and that has helped tremendously. I have exercises that I have to do at home now to strengthen my back.
As a result of my father's insistence that I drive down east to pick up stuff from his apartment (he's paying for the trip, so I couldn't very well say no), I will be going to a seminar in Montreal being taught by Yamada Sensei (of the North American Aikido Federation) and Osawa Sensei of Hombu dojo. I went to a seminar last fall taught by Yamada Sensei, and I have to tell you, I've got the most terrible crush on him, now, and I'd follow him like a puppy anywhere he went (funds permitting).
I decided to go to the seminar because I had to drive through Montreal anyway, so why not? And, as I mentioned, my father's paying for the trip (although he doesn't know why I'm electing to stay 2 nights in Montreal instead of just zipping on through as I have done in the distant past, on account of I still haven't told him I'm taking aikido).
I continue to have problems doing forward rolls. However, in spite of this, I have decided after all to take my 4th kyu test in September. I'd been in some doubt about that, because I can't do the ukemi requirements, which would likely mean I would not pass the test, but that shouldn't stop me from trying. I know they sometimes give passes to people with physical disabilities, and part of the problem I've been having with forward rolls is related to my physical problems. So maybe I'll be able to slide through this test. Probably wouldn't be able to slide through 3rd kyu, but maybe this one. I hope.
In the meantime, I continue to practice. I hope now that the weather is warmer and I'll be riding my bike to and from the dojo (and elsewhere as it is my main means of transportation during the summer), I will be able to lose some more weight and perhaps that will help with the forward rolls problems I've been having.
Thank you all for your continuing interest in my aikido adventures! I'm going to be doing this for as long as I can. And I'll continue to report for as long as you can stand it!
Sorry I've been away for so long - I had an unexpected influx of work that's kept me busy (though not bringing in as much money as I'd hoped). Hopefully, things will slow down soon so I can catch up with my other responsibilities here.
I went for a nerve conduction test. Unpleasant, but not painful (not really). The good news is, the nerves in my back are not permanently damaged, although I will never get the reflex back in my left knee. The nerves are just "irritated" and I will likely continue to suffer from numbness and tingling for a while longer. No surgery or cortisone shots required just yet, either. I still have to take care not to fall straight down on my tail bone because of the dislocated vertabra.
I was able to get some physiotherapy, and that has helped tremendously. I have exercises that I have to do at home now to strengthen my back.
As a result of my father's insistence that I drive down east to pick up stuff from his apartment (he's paying for the trip, so I couldn't very well say no), I will be going to a seminar in Montreal being taught by Yamada Sensei (of the North American Aikido Federation) and Osawa Sensei of Hombu dojo. I went to a seminar last fall taught by Yamada Sensei, and I have to tell you, I've got the most terrible crush on him, now, and I'd follow him like a puppy anywhere he went (funds permitting).
I decided to go to the seminar because I had to drive through Montreal anyway, so why not? And, as I mentioned, my father's paying for the trip (although he doesn't know why I'm electing to stay 2 nights in Montreal instead of just zipping on through as I have done in the distant past, on account of I still haven't told him I'm taking aikido).
I continue to have problems doing forward rolls. However, in spite of this, I have decided after all to take my 4th kyu test in September. I'd been in some doubt about that, because I can't do the ukemi requirements, which would likely mean I would not pass the test, but that shouldn't stop me from trying. I know they sometimes give passes to people with physical disabilities, and part of the problem I've been having with forward rolls is related to my physical problems. So maybe I'll be able to slide through this test. Probably wouldn't be able to slide through 3rd kyu, but maybe this one. I hope.
In the meantime, I continue to practice. I hope now that the weather is warmer and I'll be riding my bike to and from the dojo (and elsewhere as it is my main means of transportation during the summer), I will be able to lose some more weight and perhaps that will help with the forward rolls problems I've been having.
Thank you all for your continuing interest in my aikido adventures! I'm going to be doing this for as long as I can. And I'll continue to report for as long as you can stand it!
