Thoughts | Tendu at the Bus Stop

I started this post on May 4 and never published it. Six months later I am still confronted by same academic and personal challenges. This is what I wrote then:

May 12 will mark the second month of my staying in Waurn Ponds (Victoria, Australia) and this is my eighth Saturday. My weekends here have been in state of almost complete isolation —and frustration. Frustration in dealing with academic politics as well as cultural and emotional isolation. 
Studying, creating and "moving" are my survival means in this emotional desert.
I am addicted to movement; perhaps there is such an addition. If don't power walk for at least 8km, or practice 45 minutes of fast aerobic routines, one hour of "power yoga" I feel helpless and hopeless. My moving body is my only friend and support. The effect of movement on mental processes is one of the research questions of my thesis and I have become the living proof of how physical exercise can dramatically improve emotionally states and give clarity and focus. I practice battement tendu while waiting for the bus and use any chance I have to purposefully and harmoniously move in every task and function of my daily routine.

As of today I have been still resorting to movement and creative production as solace to my isolation and frustration for the lack of progress in my PhD journey, which seems to be totally trapped in academic politics —with a major twist a few days ago. Unfortunately since the past Sunday I have also been dealing with a tendinitis and my range of movement is quite limited: any compression in the left leg causes severe pain, even in walking. I am still trying to continue with my usual yoga practice, which has become totally asymmetric, but for a few postures. I am also trying to focus more on pranayama (breathing exercises) as well as learning a few kriyas from kundalini yoga, definitely shifiting from cardiovascular exercise to a more spiritual practice.
My weight loss intention of ten days ago has been greatly impacted by my injury, as almost all the cardio routines I am familiar with, heavily depend on use of legs. I started to learn some seated cardio workout.
Again, I am trying to adapt to change, but I feel extremely weak and vulnerable, without a nearby social and emotional support system; especially now with this physical injury, I cannot count only on the virtual presence of my friends overseas. After the solace of the few hours spent on the beach yesterday, all the negatives of my experience are today amplified. I am seriously questioning if I should stop this endurance test, admit that I cannot live in isolation and go back home...

Endurance | NYC, Zoe's Black Belt

On December 5 Zoe took a three-hour test for a first degree black belt in Tae Kwondo. Although not a practitioner, I have always shared martial arts structure and endurance and been impressed by the five taekwondo tenets:

• Courtesy
• Integrity
• Perseverance
• Self-Control
• Indomitable Spirit

The first hour of the test was about endurance, in the form of excruciating warm-ups, hundreds of jumping jacks, sit-ups push-ups.

Great guidelines for life itself,and metaphor --- especially for those of us in creative professions, trying to make art, culture or critical thinking...

More about Zoe's journey toward the black belt at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytdpic-FRfM

Event | New York City Marathon: Endurance and Motivation

I usually don't like spectator/spectacle sports: the only exeception is the New York City marathon. Every year many thousands of runners (over 100,000 applicants in 2009) gather to endure the 26.2 mile race.

The runners are from all around the world, from many different social, economic and ethnic backgrounds. And many different level of fitness, including a large number of physically challenged participants. So are the spectators, from so many different neighbourhoods around the city and often even arriving from different countries to cheer not only their friends, but everybody who participates. No ticket to purchase and no line to wait on; just get outside in the streets and parks. Diversity is the only thing in common among runners and spectators.

The marathon is not about the few prize winners, but about everybody who participates. And it is mainly about motivation, drive and endurance. What a wonderful metaphor for life, running and overcoming obstacles, giving your best in spite of adversities. And running is the simplest and most primitive way to arrive at a destination, going through different landscapes, views, streets, parks, roads...

This year I made the resolution that next year I will be not only a spectator, but a participant. Anybody else joining me?