Forgot the Reward?

After a full year of hard work we all need a little bit of pampering and some sort or reward.

Just like my last day in China, after my intensive schedule (a 2 hour training every 4 hours, around the clock, day and night for 10 straight days) I paid myself a very unique kind of Chinese foot massage.

















With most of the training being mostly static, immoveable, standing positions, my feet were in need of some pampering.

After, walking outside felt like walking on sponges, I was relaxed but rejuvenated at the same time.

Which is exactly what you should do as well after you've maintained and "stuck with" a certain fitness routine or you've followed healthy eating habits or lost the desired weight.

You should celebrate with some sort of reward.

The biggest mistake people make is reach a goal and immediately set another one without rewarding yourself or taking the time to treat yourself to some sort of self-indulging activity.

It's during that reward time that you can reflect on how good you feel when you do what you've set out to do (exercise regularly, eat right, no smoking, reaching a certain rank in martial arts, etc...) and you can even smile and think about all the people who told you you couldn't do it or didn't believe in you.

Then when you return to maintaining and surpassing the goals you've set, you'll attack them with double the enthusiasm and determination while feeling refreshed and unstoppable.

Master Yourself,

Sibok M

P.S. If tackling the world of Internal Martial Arts has been a goal of yours but failed to act on it, here's a great place to start.

Massaging Reflex Points: An easy way to have more energy

Did you ever wonder why the Japanese arts always train bare feet and the Chinese arts wear shoes?

Pretty simple.

The Japanese trained inside on tatamis and the Chinese trained outside on rugged terrain. That's it!

I enjoy both.

Try to train at least once a week bare feet.

By doing so, you strengthen your foot and simultaneously massage the reflex points under your feet without having to ask your spouse for one. I agree getting one feels WAY better but if no one is around at least you know what to do.

Massaging the reflex points can be done without the use of your hands. Just one round of shadow punching and kicking bare feet gives your feet enough stimulation.

Stimulating these reflex points are good for:

• Improving circulation
• Increasing energy
• Eliminating or reducing pain
• Deep relaxation
• Detoxification
• Improved glandular function
• Stress relief
• Ability to sustain a high level of productive activity and an overall sense of well being.

Also when you finish your Station Training workout and you're ready to do your cool down using your Stretching and Flexibility tools it's the perfect time to stimulate those reflex points.

Whether you're doing Forward Bends, Upper Thigh Stretch or Inner Thigh Stretch, take some time to dig into those points with your fingers, palms and knuckles.
You can press into them, you can squeeze them or slap them. But do it!

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin

P.S. The reflex points like Stretching needs to be part of your training routine to maintain optimal health and energy.

Remember, pressing into the reflex points is your way of doing a "systems check" or body inspection. If there is pain, stay on that point, you've found a weak spot.