The previous post is Tokyo (August 19).
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Tokyo (August 20) · Oct 8, 05:10 PM

Today is another for-sleeping-in weekend day — Sunday. We’re up around 9 or 10, and on the roof in the late morning sun about an hour later; it’s very hot. Rob spends about half an hour going over the body-axis training and staff work. I see how to lead from the hands while keeping the body connected and stable — at least the surface of it. When we start playing in a push-hands format I can feel my body “being” different.

Rob comments that I’ve started developing the heavy feel and that I’m very noticeably moving with basic structure — emphasis on the parts about starting and basic. I’m encouraged, and happy to have my own feelings confirmed. It’s a hot and very sunny day. The breeze helps a little, but we don’t stay up there for an exhaustive workout. Besides, we’re meeting people for lunch — Japanese style curry.

After lunch Rob and I visit a street festival in an upscale district. The streets are crowded with crowds for blocks. Street food is everywhere and expensive, but I splurge on ham kabobs and then a Korean vegetable pancake. Rob got a massage from an old man who advertises pricing by age: young people have bad bodies these days, so if you are under 25 you only pay 500 JPY per session; most people pay 999 JPY; if you are over 90 you pay only 5 JPY; if you are over one hundred, you don’t pay at all. Rob, anyways, is recovering from a back injury from one of his tussles at a local MMA school. He’s said he’s been surprisingly successful, and I’m further encouraged.

He’s also got to work tomorrow, so we aren’t out late.

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