Month of a Million Strikes

Month of a Million Strikes

So here's the deal. For the past half-week I've been practicing sword strikes by the thousands. As in, three or so days ago, I did 30,000, the day after that, 10,000, and today, 20,000. Keep in mind that my record for consecutive strikes prior was 500 earlier this week. (I guess what my sensei always used to say about being able to do basic strikes "all day" once you get the form right is true).

As such, hour after hour of effort has improved the quality of my strikes by leaps and bounds, as fundamentals of basic technique instinctively are born by sheer brute effort. (A decade of practice and knowing what they are "supposed" to be like helps. I should mention that the reason I couldn't get these techniques down years ago, was I was, VERY VERY DRUGGED AND OUT OF SHAPE).

All rants on the quality of local mental health care aside....

It's officially time to step up my game.

So here's the plan. In the month of September I'm gonna perform at minimum 1,000,000 separate sword strikes.

The Rules:

Strikes are to be performed with either a Shinai (bamboo training sword), Bokken (wooden training sword) or SCA Rattan greatsword.

Sword juggling practice does not count towards this goal.

Each stroke in a combo counts as a strike.

Primarily two-handed strikes will be performed. However one-handed strikes may be performed.

In the case of practicing Nito (Kendo style dual wielding) strikes will be counted either normally if only one sword is used to strike and the other to parry.

However, if both swords are swung successively as in alternating sword strokes by hand, one stroke per hand will count as ONE strike

Strikes are to be performed continuously in sets of 100s and 1000s.

Emphasis will be placed on strikes used in Kendo, with some strikes used in the SCA allowed.

Strikes may either be performed with footwork/stepping, or stationary.

Strikes may be performed with or without Kiai (shouting the name of the attack as you strike) as to avoid scaring the neighbors.

Barring exceptional circumstances at least 10,000 strikes are to be performed daily. Of course, much higher numbers of daily strikes will be needed on average in order to complete the challenge.

I will also keep a daily training journal of the physical exercise, miles walked, and total number of strikes performed. This will be done more or less in the same format as my dance and acting training journals were kept last semester, and will be posted on this blog, as well as linked to my Facebook feed. 

The Expectations:

At my current attack rate, I can do about 10,000 strikes in 50 minutes. Basic math suggests that I should commit somewhere between 80-100 hours for the month in order to complete this task, allowing for the slower session on occasion, and choosing not to be optimistic and assume that I can perform the strikes faster over time. (although that is most likely going to happen it's best not to plan on it)

This requires a commitment of about 20-25 hours a week, or about 3-4 hours a day.

Did I mention that the semester starts September 1st?

I will keep up with my studies, and be sure to ace any and all coursework this month. I will also retain sufficient stamina to walk to school and back each day (about 4 miles), go to the dance class I signed up for, swing dance club, auditions at the drama department, lab work for courses, part-time tutoring work, odd handyman jobs, church responsibilities, as often as i can get it yoga, the occasional swim at school, and my social life.

 I however may or may not choose to go to SCA practice depending on how much I feel like risking life and limb for some sparring.

So yeah, go big or go home time.

My bet?

Gonna go big!!

Performance Training Journal: 8/5/2015

Performance Training Journal: 8/5/2015

Activities:

Meditative Technique, Joint Training, Esoteric Studies, Self-awareness.Vocal Training, Vocal Conditioning, Emotional Channeling.

Results of meditative Technique:

During my studies this summer, I noticed that one of the important training tools for most actors was some form of meditative technique. During some high-stress life events, I spent some effort focusing on performing more, and deeper meditative technique. I quickly noticed that the deeper sense of physical relaxation, made me more comfortable in social situations less anxious, and happier. It also freed up mental energy from worry which allows it to be redirected towards perception, and technique building. 

Results of Joint Training:

for quite some time i have been aware of some joint issues, particularly with the joint of my left big toe as well as a recent pull of my left shoulder. I therefore recently resolved to train my joints actively to strengthen them. I noted that active training of each of these joints overall strengthened my endurance and capacity to uses them. My posture has also increased quite a bit. One of my training sessions involved alternating on and off sitting in Seiza (known as the hero pose in yoga) for hours. After that I noted a new 'spring in my step'. Overall I'm senseing that the smartest thing i an do overall for my body's health right now is to spam joint training as a regular part of my training.

Esoteric studies: 

In general i often find myself learning new things in unexpected places, such as reading magazines in areas where i do not normally, reverse-engineering techniques from tv, as well as trying new and silly things in multiple environments. While this self directed learning may not make sense to others it seems to be my primary learning mechanism, i should spam it.

Self-awareness:

As a result of my meditative and physical training i am much more emotionally aware of my personal strengths , tenancies and weaknesses. This allows me to tailor my activities to play to my strengths. it also ennobles me to trust in my own strength to greater degrees.

Vocal Training.

For quite some time, i've been practicing teh scales, some singing and a hymn in spanish. I also spam whistling training. i've noticed that this has improved my breath control, my overall sense of confidence, and is helping me to train past my sense of stage fright as i learn to look people in the eyes as i sing, i recall how my primary stage fright symptom was a tenancy to not look others in the eyes.

Vocal conditioning.

One of tmy esoteric studies brought me to understand that vocal conditioning is a base prerequisite to high-level musical and acting performance. I've begun some  tongue, and jaw stretches. Also i noted that my spamming putting a book on my head while walking (sometimes for miles) vastly improved my vocal capability.

Emotional Channeling.

I noted in my improv dance class whene we went between 4 emotional 'zones' that i could quickly (as in instantly) shift between very different emotions. I recognized the value for this in my acting trainnig and started using that in my acting class. Needless to say I am, and shall continue practicing that technique to improve my acting performance.

Further things to train.

Make a set of monologues that channel my primary personas of combativeness, playfulness, and cerebal logician modes. among others.

Practice more 'improv storytelling'