Along this journey, I have learned so much! I would never attempt to list all of the lessons that I have been fortunate enough to learn from Ishikura-Sensei. It would take a very, VERY long time. This blog does, however, highlight one of the most important lessons I have learned since I began training. A spiffy title would work amazingly here. Alas, I can’t think of one at the moment. Perhaps later. (^_^)
I was always a big kid growing up. Both in girth and height. My parents were never taught the importance of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. Naturally, nor was I. Up until about 2 years ago, I always carried around a spare tire (figuratively speaking). Even with intense taiko training sessions and sweat-drenched clothes, I could never seem to lose the weight.
The excess weight definitely hindered my ability to play with high energy. I could never seem to last as long on stage as some of the other drummers could. I envied them and wished I could just wake up one morning and be fit as a fiddle and ready to drum my heart out. Yeah, that never came true.
In 2008, I suffered a serious back injury on the job. Three of my lumbar vertebrae were herniated and I was forced to have surgery to repair the damage a year later. I was out of commission for months! Being only 22 at the time, I was desperate to get back out on stage and on with life. I needed to play!
The physician who performed the surgery also provided me with some hefty pain medications while I waited for the surgery to happen. I was always in a fog but, for the most part I was able to function pain free. A few months prior to surgery I still made my way to the dojo and even on stage.
I may have been able to talk my way out of being dazed and confused to some people, but Sensei could see right through me and my youthful shenanigans. He tried very hard to be patient with me in regards to my abilities to play under such circumstances. That year, he even allowed me to perform in Savannah, GA for their annual Asian Festival. I remember that trip vividly. I was so immature and without regard for my own well-being. All I wanted to do was play taiko. The day of the show with medication in my system, a back-brace underneath my sarashi, I set out to perform with everyone else that day. I can assure you that it did not go well. My ji was way off the entire set. My costume was poorly affixed and untied mid-show and needless to say…I was on a completely different planet.
The following week when I went to practice, I was told that I was not to return until I was better. Why? I remember what Sensei said, “if you are not 100%, you cannot give taiko 100%.” Crushed, embarrassed, and a little wiser, I left that evening and did not return for almost a full calendar year.
Early 2009, I went under the knife and came out on the other side with a successful surgery. After months of recovery and rehabilitation, I felt ready to return to taiko. I did not perform for quite some time and everyone seemed to take caution as I helped carry drums and equipment. As time went on, I continued to heal. But, one thing remained the same. I was still far too heavy.
This weight I carried around would continue to wreak havoc on my back. For nearly three years, I just ‘dealt’ with the pain (without medication, of course…I got off of those as soon as I possibly could).
In 2012, I decided that enough was enough. I knew that there needed to be a change in my life. It was time to stop making excuses! A fellow colleague told me about a program that is almost tailor made for someone like me; injured, unable to exercise, and lacking the knowledge of a healthy lifestyle.
Take Shape For Life was a miracle program that helped me not only lose the weight, but also learn how to change my lifestyle to accommodate health! I adopted a new mentality; "You should eat to live, not live to eat."
Since then, I have been nearly pain free every day. I practice yoga daily, I do my very best to eat right (even on holidays), and I make sure to stay active as much as possible.
My playing has since then accelerated ten-fold! My energy level is through the roof and I am free from the chains of exhaustion and pain! I have my life back!
So what is the lesson in all of this?
If you are not at 100%, you can never give taiko 100%.
Have no fear, however, because when there is a will—there is a way. I think we as a people in modern society have grown accustomed to how we feel now. What many of us may not realize is that how we feel now is mediocre to how we COULD feel. We just have to take the necessary steps to feel better and discontinue the thought process that is adopted, instead creating one of our own.
Being injured, playing taiko and having a Sensei who is much more like a father to me is the best thing that has ever happened! I hope that this valuable lesson may help others as much as it has helped me. Taking small steps everyday to lead a healthier life will ultimately show when you are playing taiko. Giving 100% to your practice is the only way to find the inner most spirit of taiko within your soul.
Taiko connects us in so many amazing ways. This is just one them.
Happy Drumming! (^_^)
I was always a big kid growing up. Both in girth and height. My parents were never taught the importance of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. Naturally, nor was I. Up until about 2 years ago, I always carried around a spare tire (figuratively speaking). Even with intense taiko training sessions and sweat-drenched clothes, I could never seem to lose the weight.
The excess weight definitely hindered my ability to play with high energy. I could never seem to last as long on stage as some of the other drummers could. I envied them and wished I could just wake up one morning and be fit as a fiddle and ready to drum my heart out. Yeah, that never came true.
In 2008, I suffered a serious back injury on the job. Three of my lumbar vertebrae were herniated and I was forced to have surgery to repair the damage a year later. I was out of commission for months! Being only 22 at the time, I was desperate to get back out on stage and on with life. I needed to play!
The physician who performed the surgery also provided me with some hefty pain medications while I waited for the surgery to happen. I was always in a fog but, for the most part I was able to function pain free. A few months prior to surgery I still made my way to the dojo and even on stage.
I may have been able to talk my way out of being dazed and confused to some people, but Sensei could see right through me and my youthful shenanigans. He tried very hard to be patient with me in regards to my abilities to play under such circumstances. That year, he even allowed me to perform in Savannah, GA for their annual Asian Festival. I remember that trip vividly. I was so immature and without regard for my own well-being. All I wanted to do was play taiko. The day of the show with medication in my system, a back-brace underneath my sarashi, I set out to perform with everyone else that day. I can assure you that it did not go well. My ji was way off the entire set. My costume was poorly affixed and untied mid-show and needless to say…I was on a completely different planet.
The following week when I went to practice, I was told that I was not to return until I was better. Why? I remember what Sensei said, “if you are not 100%, you cannot give taiko 100%.” Crushed, embarrassed, and a little wiser, I left that evening and did not return for almost a full calendar year.
Early 2009, I went under the knife and came out on the other side with a successful surgery. After months of recovery and rehabilitation, I felt ready to return to taiko. I did not perform for quite some time and everyone seemed to take caution as I helped carry drums and equipment. As time went on, I continued to heal. But, one thing remained the same. I was still far too heavy.
This weight I carried around would continue to wreak havoc on my back. For nearly three years, I just ‘dealt’ with the pain (without medication, of course…I got off of those as soon as I possibly could).
In 2012, I decided that enough was enough. I knew that there needed to be a change in my life. It was time to stop making excuses! A fellow colleague told me about a program that is almost tailor made for someone like me; injured, unable to exercise, and lacking the knowledge of a healthy lifestyle.
Take Shape For Life was a miracle program that helped me not only lose the weight, but also learn how to change my lifestyle to accommodate health! I adopted a new mentality; "You should eat to live, not live to eat."
Since then, I have been nearly pain free every day. I practice yoga daily, I do my very best to eat right (even on holidays), and I make sure to stay active as much as possible.
My playing has since then accelerated ten-fold! My energy level is through the roof and I am free from the chains of exhaustion and pain! I have my life back!
So what is the lesson in all of this?
If you are not at 100%, you can never give taiko 100%.
Have no fear, however, because when there is a will—there is a way. I think we as a people in modern society have grown accustomed to how we feel now. What many of us may not realize is that how we feel now is mediocre to how we COULD feel. We just have to take the necessary steps to feel better and discontinue the thought process that is adopted, instead creating one of our own.
Being injured, playing taiko and having a Sensei who is much more like a father to me is the best thing that has ever happened! I hope that this valuable lesson may help others as much as it has helped me. Taking small steps everyday to lead a healthier life will ultimately show when you are playing taiko. Giving 100% to your practice is the only way to find the inner most spirit of taiko within your soul.
Taiko connects us in so many amazing ways. This is just one them.
Happy Drumming! (^_^)