Martial Arts and Cycling

[KnottedYet]

Yes, please! That would be great! Thanks!

[Dianyla]

Yes, please! That would be great! Thanks!

OK, here's what she gave me:

My master's school page is http://www.yijiaowushu.com/ -- she's fabulous. Things are a little weird because she's just about to have a kid, but for Taiji she is just incredible.

One of my Chen classmates is also a Wushu instructor through Hong Shifu's lineage. Her school (one of them, she also teaches kajukempo) is http://seattlewushucenter.com/default.aspx . In fact, my little sister is on the main page... Rusty's a fabulous teacher. Depends a bit on what she's looking for.

[Torrilin]

Now I'm trying to figure out if I'm safe to ride with the group tomorrow morning... Any thoughts?

It is sounding like you might have some biomechanical problems. Normal people with good mechanics just don't have the cycle of pain you're having. So it sounds to me like your mechanics are bad (thus leading to injury) or your body is built a bit off from normal (making you injury prone).

Physical therapists, sports medicine docs and podiatrists can all be helpful if you're trying to track down what's wrong. If there's a structural problem (like the bone deformities in my feet), there are treatments available. If it's mechanical, they can help you learn better ways to move to prevent injury.

[KnottedYet]

Thanks Dianyla! I've bookmarked those pages and I'll be checking them out! How cool! Thank you!

[liberty]

Thanks Torrilin, I was beginning to wonder the same thing. I am never sick and never had physical problems like this; so it is all a bit disturbing.

BUT I went ahead and did the ride Saturday. We did 33 miles of hills. I wore the knee brace. And my knees did wonderfully. No pain, no stress. I took it easy and didn't try to improve my riding. Been focusing on stretching out the inner thigh muscle and the hamstrings. Two days later and I did another ride this morning. Knees are fine.

Decided to do Tae Kwon Do. I really enjoyed the class. It is simply not fair when you are thinking about doing martial arts and then Jackie Chan puts out another movie...

[liberty]

Ladies, I just have to say that my knee is SO much stronger since I started this class. I've had three classes so far, and the change is remarkable! It is slightly stressful on the knee during class, but I take it easy during the stances and kicks. Already I can do things that weren't possible before. Thank you so much for encouraging me in this direction!

As for how it is improving my cycling: I've been able to do large group rides the past two weekends. 33 and 44 miles of hills. I would never have made it past the first 20 miles in my previous physical state. But now there were only some periodic knee twinges. Still using the brace, but I think within a week or two I will try doing hills without it.

Thanks!

[Trek420]

Here's a pretty good video of my teacher.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnHEuGqAmEQ

This starts with Kayla Fedor sensei of Aikido of Berkeley, then the blonde with the pony tail who jumps in with the machete that's my sensei Pat Hendricks dojo cho (head instructor) Aikido of San Leandro.

Also featured are Luis Jumaville (dark hair, ponytail) of Aikido Lafayette I think is where he teaches now. And I apologize for the brain fade I really do know the names of the other two uke (taking falls) they are from our school, I just need more coffee.

Due to my recent foot injury I have not been in the dojo for a while but I am committed to returning.