Thursday, November 22, 2012

P is for Pushups and Progress

I have gotten the "all-clear" to start doing pushups again and strange to say, I am thrilled about that. It turned out that the issue with my shoulder was not rotator cuff (insert big WHEW!!) but a substancial sized knot/spasm/contraction in the tricep head. A good round of acupuncture and electrical tens current fixed that issue. After treatment I was instructed to let my arm rest for the next few days to a week and then start the pushups slowly so I don't re-spasm the muscle. Started back at the pushups yesterday with so far so good and I am taking it slow. The funny and cool part about this is that the combination of practicing stick and having acupuncture in the same spot left a bruise on my arm right in with my dragon tattoo. The bruise is right under the dragon's left nostril so it looks like he is snorting out smoke. One of the coolest bruises I've had.

Okay so enough about me even though this blog is all about me. However right now I want to shine the spotlight on Dennis. As I have blogged before Dennis has COPD and is undergoing treatment via inhalers as well as eliminating gluten and suspect allergens (the best we can) with the latest being Sensodyne toothpaste. Dennis describes all of this in his blog http://dennisdonohue.blogspot.ca/ that is well worth the read not because I'm married to the guy but because he gives valid points to think about.

Anyhow I watched Dennis' class on Monday and was quite impressed and surprised as to how well he performed in class. Sifu Masterson led a very good and active warmup through which I kept an eye on Dennis to see how his lungs were holding out. He was strong (for him) throughout the warmup that was longer than usual. Even though he was winded in the end, it was not as severe and took a lot longer to set in. A point to note that winding for Dennis is hypoxia (think strangulation) not heavy breathing like the rest of us. I can tell when Dennis winded because his shoulders are slouched forward, he can't think or remember worth a damn, and just does things that are "huh???!!".  Some of that was evident through his forms after the workout, but he has improved greatly from where he was. Even during the jogging part of the warmup I noticed he had a much greater sense of confidence about him. For me to see the changes in him is both relieving and thrilling. He is on the right path for sure! We often talk about his progress and the changes he is seeing. The biggest thing for Dennis, besides breathing easier, is the realization that his lack of inactivity was not wholely due to his laziness, there was indeed a physical inability. Yes he's not exactly the "leap to the pump" type of guy (unless there is a problem to solve), but his resistance to exercising has decreased and he is enjoying the physical activities more. To me, that speaks volumes.

There was something that made Dennis' day that I'm going to share here. Dennis is on the Snake team next year and has started posting his blogs on the I Ho Chuan site as well as his own. To his surprise there was a comment on his IHC site post, however, it was where it came from that was the surprise. The comment was from a sports medicine Doctor from New York stating that she liked his post. Very cool way to end the day.
Sherri Donohue
Hot Torch, Room Full of Glass and a Kung Fu Kwoon

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