How did you first discover KB training?

I discovered KB training from Pavel and the folks at Dragon Door. A couple of friends and I attended one of Pavel’s workshops here in Seattle. I believe it was his abs/stretch/PFTP triad. I liked what he was doing, it made a lot of sense, and did some research of my own into “physical culture”. I wrestled throughout high school, and have done Japanese, Filipino, and Chinese martial martial arts. Some systems have power training components built in, some don’t. I found what Pavel was offering was reasonable and you didn’t have to sell your soul and wallet to reap the benefits.

What type of work have you done with KB's and do you use any other styles of training?

As I am getting older and accumulating more responsibilities, I have to look at how much time I have to put inand the environment in which I can do it. I tend to randomly cycle between KB and the gym (dead lifts and side presses), body weight and dynamic tension exercises at home. Depending on the day I may practice a kung fu set from Hung Gar after first doing Tai Chi or Ba Gua and finish it off with whatever KB exercise strikes my mood. My days are often long seeing patients in my clinic, so I must be careful on how much I tax my muscles. An acupuncturist with a shaky hand is not a good thing!

Could you tell us a bit about your health practice? How did you get started in eastern medicine?

I have been an acupuncturist for approximately 10 years. Before that I worked as a respiratory therapist. My practice encompasses acupuncture, herbal medicine, and structural (body) work. I was first exposed to acupuncture during my junior year of high school when I injured my right hamstring. My mother took me to a couple of general practitioners. They both told me to do various things and then I ended up limping around on crutches for about 5 days. I was at a friends house one day and his father was from Korea and had trained in traditional oriental medicine. He wasn’t too impressed with my mother not taking her eldest son to a specialist, and offered to treat me. So almost every day for a month I would go to his house for treatment.

I then figured out my own exercise rehab program. In less than a year I was stronger, faster, and more flexible than I was before the injury. I was sold! Today in my practice I treat just about everything, but I have a very special interest in sports & traumatic injuries.

Do you have any basic tips for people on how to be healthier?

The Japanese poet Basho said: “Do not follow in the footsteps of the men of old, seek what they sought”.

I think that’s pretty sound advice. Use common sense in regards to life style and working out. Anything that is overly complicated or expensive probably doesn’t work and probably is harmful in the long run. Working towards longevity in one’s life and health are the true aim.

What are your current training goals? New year's resolution?

New Year’s resolutions and fad trends are the same, they just don’t work (or at least for long)! I’m always looking for what gives me the greatest return on my investment over the long haul. Currently I’m doing a lot of Somatics to help workout a few kinks which I’ve discovered in my 38 year old body. I’m also looking at how I can effectively train in intervals throughout my day to get the work done. With our first child on the way, I know that I’ll have to be more creative than ever in terms of getting in my training. Cheers to everyone in the New Year!