Waking the Dragon and Walking for a Cure

Wow!  Who could imagine so much could happen in a weekend!  My Saturday starting out teaching a great group of people for the FUSE Workout. What's FUSE?  It's a small group training class I offer a few days a week, with a focus on FUSE: Fitness, Understanding, Strength, and Endurance. The regulars in this class always show up ready to give it their all.  We work it all and then some.

After the class, I got to work with the Lansing Dragon Boat Team. I'm using the word "work" lightly because it was SO. MUCH. FUN. Last year I was introduce to this amazing person named Rob Flanders, the captain of the Anahata Dragon Boat Team.  I instantly had respect and love for this person that I had only known for 5 minutes, but I knew little about what "dragon boat racing" was.

Later in the year, I was contacted by Rob to discuss off-season Dragon Boat Team training.  When we met in person to talk training, I was introduced to his wonderful partner, Johanna Johnson.  I instantly had respect and love for this person too, and the passion they have for each other bleeds into the dragon boat team. Rob took the time to explain what a dragon boat is, and the background of dragon boat racing. I was hooked. Here is Rob's (written) explanation:

"A dragon boat is a 42' long with a dragon head and tail, primarily used in competitions. There are 20 paddlers sitting on ten benches side by side along with a steers person and again a drummer in races.  The sport originates over 2,000 years ago in China, thus a Chinese dragon boat, and is based on the story of power, intrigue, integrity, betrayal and a suicide drowning of an artist statesmen. In commemoration of the death of the statesman dragon boating began.  It has become popular in the Western world since the mid 1980's (and the sport is) being dominated by Canada, Great Britain and Germany.  The USA is a 'baby' in the sport as we have been active for 15-20 years.  It is said that it is the fastest growing water sport in this country.  Living in the very s...l...o...w...mid-west who would know, right? " 

"Anyway, there are many beautiful attributes to this sport such as it being, gender, age and size neutral.  Most races are 'mixed races' which require at least 8 males and 8 females.  Due to the shape of the boat people of different height, size and weight are needed.  The purpose is to get 20 people doing the exact same paddle stroke at the very same, exact time...can you imagine...20 people doing this...not only would we go fast...we would change the world.  And you are doing this outside, on the water...too cool.  Oh yeah, it takes effort so you are exercising at the same time.  To me, it is the ultimate team sport, there are no different positions, or duties...everybody is the same...a paddler...working with 19 other paddlers...wow!  It is the ultimate way to get out of yourself and to be a part of something bigger than yourself..."

First paddle of season

After the explanation, he put me on this thing that looked like a rowing machine (erg) with an unusual seat and pole (paddle).  The stroke or technique wasn't anything I had experienced in past training. I was instantly hooked and ready to get out on the water. I signed on to train the team right then and there.

I started training the Dragon Boat for their off season strength/cardio, and it has been nothing but a thrill ride.   What a wonderful and amazing group of people.  Sure they swear at me and hate me during a workout but they secretly love me (I think).

Rob (standing) giving us technique drill 

This last Saturday my dream became a reality -- I was on the water paddling with this Team of Awesomeness.  They even invited me to participate in the Awakening the Dragon Ceremony of getting the boat & dragon ready for this year's season.  The ceremony really showed the respect they have for each other, for their community community, and their respect for the boat itself.  The ceremony is beautiful- Dragon Boating SSA explains the ceremony better than I can:

"The traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival is held on the 5th day of the 5th Chinese lunar month (varying from lat May to middle June), which is traditionally considered a month of death and disease, evil and darkness, due to the high summer temperatures (in China).  Therefore, venerating the awakening Dragon was meant to avert misfortune and encourage rainfall, needed for the fertility of crops and prosperity of the people.  The annual celebration is mean to protect the people from evil & disease for the rest of the year."

"The Dragon Boat Festival was primarily held as a ceremony to awaken the hibernating 'Heavenly Dragon'.  Sacrifices, sometimes human, were involved in this ritual and it could be a violent clash with the crew members of the competing boats throwing stones and striking each other with cane sticks.  Originally, paddlers (or even an entire team) falling into the water could receive no assistance from onlookers as the accident was considered to be due to the will of this 'Dragon Deity' and could not be interfered with ....  If people drowned it was considered a sacrifice."

Awakening the Dragon Ceremony

"The ceremony called 'Eye Dotting' or 'Awakening the Dragon 'traditionally involves a Taoist priest dotting the protruding eyes of the dragon head carved on the boats, thus ending its slumber.  The ceremony is practiced at many Dragon Boat events throughout the world today, sometimes with event dignitaries performing the 'dotting of the eye'." 

Thankfully there were no human sacrifices this year. The dragon was woken up, the dragon's eyes were dotted, and we got to get on the water!

This is a group of people that love what they do.  It was an honor and privilege to be on the water with them and feel their "passion for paddling."  I am ready and willing to continue this adventure- as long as they don't sacrifice me to the dragon deity!

Survivors in front of Capitol Steps- 2012

 Sunday was the annual Susan G. Komen- Race for the Cure in Lansing Michigan.  The Komen Foundation puts on this national race to help raise funds for breast cancer cure research, to support those undergoing breast cancer treatment, to celebrate breast cancer survivors, and to honor those who lost the battle. Myself, my daughter, and three of our friends got together to walk and lend our support. It is such an emotional race to see how many people who are breast cancer survivors and those who are currently undergoing treatment, but the hardest is to see participants with the "In Memory" signs on their backs.  One person had 4 individuals on her "In Memory" sign.  To know that this person suffered so much loss due to one disease is heart-wrenching- and makes me want to do more for finding the cure.

I am very familiar with the Komen organization from working at the YMCA, and I was happy to support the organization once again.  They have a great grant program called Turning Point that has yoga and various exercise classes that are specifically designed for those battling breast cancer & survivors.  A participant's first year in the program is free and the participant can go to all participating locations in his or her location.

I learned of another breast cancer awareness (non-profit) program called It's a Breast Thing.  While I was getting my hair cut at Salon Savvy in East Lansing Michigan, I saw a brochure for It's A Breast Thing at Shirley's station.  I asked what the program was all about, and she introduce me to one of the ladies that helped start the program-- who was on staff at Salon Savvy. It's a Breast Thing helps cancer patients with out-of-pocket medical expenses.  We never really think about the cost someone accumulates with medical expenses even with medical insurance.

It's wonderful to be getting a haircut and find out how many people are supporting their community. Community support is all a part of living a healthy lifestyle.  You find those people that you want to be around and common goal. 

You might ask, "What does ANY of this have to do with fitness?"  It has EVERYTHING to do with it; if you are not an emotionally healthy individual, the workout will suffer. If you are too tired from staying up all night because you are worried, that effects your workouts.  Fighting with a family member or friend will make the workout suffer (okay, you can have a kick butt boxing workout..trust me I know). 

This week has been a lot of dreams come true and has gotten my mind of being frustrated about my weight.  In fact, because of my refocusing on the world around me, I am doing so much better. Sometimes when we take our eyes off our own circumstances we can actually be a benefit to other people.  No one wants to be around a person that only thinks about their woes and problems all the time.  Don't get me wrong, I am not saying you shouldn't ever talk about your problems.  Just don't be that emotional "sucker" that drains everyone else around them to benefit yourself.  It gets old really fast and you might find yourself alone with your woes. 

I am trying to teach my clients that workouts are great but you really need to focus on the person as a whole.  I love it when my clients text me "I've had a hard day at work, and I really need you to kick my butt in training tonight." That doesn't mean I injure them or make it so they can't walk the next day.  What it says to me is, "Hey Amy, I have had a really hard day and I know working out is going to help me feel better.  Also, I might need to vent a little during my workout. So don't be surprised when I punch the bag extra hard today!"  I am great listener and great at making you sweat to forget the troubles of the day.  Don't give up, just try something new!

Amy Jo