The truth hurts. Kind of.

[flexagon]

Someone left a comment on one of my Toledo videos saying "nice, but you are progressing very slowly." I've been meaning to write about exactly that. I really do learn slowly -- most people, I've heard it said, learn a freestanding handstand in 6 months to 2 years, which I sure haven't done. But I never give up, Mr. Commenter, so let's see where we both are in 20 years. :-/

This seems to be my schedule now:
Sunday open studio at LCS
Monday AM straddle workout, PM handbalancing class
Tuesday AM leg workout, PM acro practice with Scooper
Wednesday bent arm workout, PM acro class & open studio
Thursday AM semiprivate handbalancing, PM rest (aka work late)
Friday AM straddle workout, PM handbalancing class
Saturday make up a missed workout, or straight-arm workout, and/or 3-hr acroyoga jam, or acro semiprivate if scheduled


See what's missing? Yes. A rest day. I'm pleased enough with the rest of it, though. Still managing to retain strength, so far, even as I pour a lot of time into learning skills.

Comments

[apfelsingail.livejournal.com]

Wow, what a jerk. Especially considering how much progress you have made (and continue to make!) in so many areas- let's see, strength, flexibility, pretty advanced acro/handbalancing, just to start. While working a demanding job, maintaining skills, a social life, hobbies. It's not like you've been doing Ido-only for two years, with the goal of FREESTANDING HANDSTAND ONLY. What a jerk.

[flexagon]

Thanks for the outrage -- you're a true friend. :-) The person didn't say anything I haven't thought many times, and yes there are Ido students out there with better "N months" videos than mine. BUT... humans thrive on making progress, not on the pace. And Ido himself was happy with me back then, which covers the only opinion a person really cares about when Ido-ing.

I know you've had similar thoughts -- it's hard to get better fast when there are jobs, school, families and pets in the picture. (It's ironic that this comment came in at a time when I feel particularly not-slow, for me.) But what action are we supposed to take based on that... stop progressing at all? I think not. Double down on handbalancing classes is more like it.

[soong.livejournal.com]

whatever. I picked you up tonight, and I think we havn't been working together much for a while, and you were noticeably tighter tonight than 2-3 months ago. Also, you posted one picture of a one-legged hang off some playground equipment that just keeps making me think: "nice butt".

[flexagon]

Yes -- and thanks, it's interesting to get the perspective of a base. Did we actually float our hand-to-hand a bit? I think so; I think the spotters came off for a second or two. And if so, high fives!

A nice butt helps with many things. :-)

[a-kosmos.livejournal.com]

I can't believe someone would say that to you! What an ass. I think the stuff you are doing looks amazing. Beyond that, why would he feel that it is necessary to evaluate your progress. This doesn't seem like one of those endeavors where a person ever stops learning.

[flexagon]

The comment was on the last video in the series, the one saying "6 months" when there were also 2-month and 4-month videos. So my pace of progress was evident enough, assuming the guy watched all of them.

I solemnly swear to never stop learning. :-)