Grab Bag: Training Involution #96

A high school student’s wonderful interpretation of Achilles’ shield as described in the Iliad of Homer.

“Grab bag” is the theme of the week, starting off with a grab bag of info you may find of use if you are new to the blog.

Want to get a sweat on? Click here and pick one of hundreds of fitness training segments we’ve used at the martial arts club since 2009 (we call them ‘constitutionals’).
Want to read a great book? Go here to view the 50 books that have most influenced the development of Cabal Fang martial arts (click the link and buy one from Alibris I’ll get a few cents commission). Or read the Cabal Fang Study Guide!
Want to get stronger inside and out? Practice Cabal Fang martial arts at home. Email me at first.elder@cabalfang.com to enroll in the 100% free Hermit Path Distance Learning Program. Cabal Fang Temple, Inc. is a federally-recognized tax exempt educational charity — so it really is free.

Grab your training dummy, set timer for 15 mins and execute your favorite throw as many times as you can before the timer beeps. Don’t have a training dummy? Stuff a duffel bag with tightly folded linens. That’s what I did. There will be a detailed breakdown of this drill on The Emerald Lamp Video Series Vol.1 Episode 4 which will be available to Patreon supporters tomorrow, others next month. Episode 3 is now live (see below)!
Grab your heavy bag and complete Wrestling Conditioner #1.
Meditate on the Shield of Achilles. Assume your meditative posture of choice and place the image above at eye height — either print it out or stand up your phone or tablet (making sure to adjust the sleep settings). Regulate your breathing and fall into the image with your visual imagination. Do not think in words — just experience the picture. Some people think that Homer’s description is of an ancient Greek mandala. When you’re done, think about why Homer describes the other character’s shields as being emblazoned with the heads of Gorgon and other monsters, images of panic and terror, and yet gives Greece’s most devastating warrior a beautiful one depicting the whole range of human life and experience within nature and culture.