Shameless promotion (www.manchester-bagua.org)

Just had someone ask me about my martial arts training.

We had a nice chat about internal martial arts, Tai Chi, Xing Yi and Baguazhang.

But I found it rather hard to stop myself from saying something like:

"Hey, why don't you come to our class. It's great! You'll love it. Come on... Come to our class this Friday!"

Thankfully, I just about managed to preserve my dignity and prevent myself from blurting it all out.

That said, he is still sitting across from me. Got about an hour to last til we finish work.

Maybe this is what televangelists feel like? Gotta spread the Bagua-love whereever I go!

Speaking of which! - www.manchester-bagua.org

More obstacles to training

I could list for you the many things that have prevented my training as regularly as I'd want. There are plenty to choose from. Finally having moved house and having a new home to mould to our taste. Having a crazy, three year old daughter (soon to be 4 - on June 23rd!), the current disruption to the trains (a whole line being closed, causing the once hour long trip to class to be closer to two). However, really, it comes down to my attitude letting me down again. I need to refocus and make myself attend, no matter how awkward getting to class might actually be. Now I have a car, too, gives me even less excuse not to attend. Add to that the fact that we now have a crosstrainer and a heavy bag in our otherwise-unused garage, and I have very little reason not to train at home every evening either. The very thing I've been telling myself will be the key to improvement in my Baguazhang. So, after tonight (cos I am falling asleep while typing this) I am back to training every night and attending every class - no excuses. It is all too easy to let the excuses take over and keep you from your goals. I am taking control of myself again and redirecting my path away from laziness and a flabby gut.