Got a feedback from Ryan Bertrand, a PCS (Progressive Combat Solutions) Instructor I’d met at the USAF Raven Special Forces training at Joint Base Ft. Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst.
I’d given Ryan some adjustments to improve his already superb balance, bio-mechanical efficiency, and power delivery. He wanted to share how it improved his running. Ryan is an avid runner and plans on competing in triathlons this year.
So there is a saying about a student sharing his success with his teacher… While applying “Golden Rod” working on my perfect spinal alignment to my run, I have had a bit of a personal break-through. My prior best run was 15 miles on flat ground. Today I hit 18 miles on nasty hilly trails in a local state park. Energy was way up throughout and a LOT less suffering!!!
~ Ryan Bertrand
Crime Detective in City of Sioux City, IA. SWAT Team and Department Defensive Tactics Instructor, USMC (Amphibious Assault) operational experience in Mogadishu, Somalia. Wrestling/grappling background, Ground fighting/Combatives 15 years
If I had a penny for all the teachers who’ve come to me in hopes of taking something back to claim as their own, I’d be a rich man. KaizenTao is first and foremost about gratitude. Gratitude is a sign of strength, humility, and integrity, which builds friendships and opens doors. We are always pleased to meet and welcome sincere and humble seekers such as Ryan.
Thong,
These photos are great! Thanx for sharing with us at Fort Dix. All of our staff appreciated the exceptionally helpful insights to structure and movement. Ryan’s comments are the perfect testimony to that. So you all know, days started with us early in the morning and sometimes “ended” at 2:00 – 3:00 am. I say that because it actually never ends!
Much to talk about, much to be explore, much to be re-calibrated.
Ken,
Thank you again for your gracious invite and making this “Mastermind” event happen.
The best part for me was the synergy, openness, respect, and spirit of contribution which permeated the week under your guidance. No one walked away wanting, and all left with ample of food for reflection, digestion and assimilation.
Always nice to be around folks who can dispense of brands, arts, and styles, to focus on the business of sharing and caring.
Until September, if not sooner!
Interesting post on gratitude. The most recent thing to come from my efforts is the recognition that I should have gratitude to humanity itself, as well as to God. All these years, I’ve known great gratitude to God and in the last few years, that has become even stronger and clearer.
Recently, I realized that I need to have gratitude to humanity, itself.
I find it easy to not be grateful to various individuals and also to be abrasive toward some. So it never occurred to me to be grateful to the mass of humanity. The essence of the recognition is that all humanity is connected on the etheral level and without all of humanity, none of humanity could be. Maybe we can think we could do without some part of humanity. But in fact, we are what we are and what we are is who—human beings, none perfect, all children somewhere inside. And each deserving of some share of gratitude due all humanity under God.
Interesting that you should post on gratitude just now.
Best to you.
Thank you for your beautiful poignant words David. Gratitude is a powerful expression of who and what we are. I have found those who cannot express it, do not value their gifts. Therefore, as with anything in life that is taken for granted, it ceases to linger longer.
Enjoy your path!
Thank you Thong sharing this wonderful testimonial from Mr. Bertrand. Thank you Mr. Bertrand for sharing your humble and sincere application of some of Thong’s teaching’s.
Nice job Ken and Thong, keep up the great work Brothers!
Thank you Brother. Always a pleasure to work with good folks!
Thank you Thong for sharing this very important lesson on gratitude. Thank you Mr. Ryan Bertrand for sharing your insight and application of Thong’s teaching with us. Thank you Thong for all of your teachings and lessons. I too have found the application of the “Golden Rod” concept greatly impact my runs. It provided a much deeper level of body alignment during my runs with incorporated relaxation to proper body alignment instead of the typical “keep your back upright and straight”.
Thank you for sharing Jason. I know you are an avid runner and am pleased to hear you are deriving benefits from our adjustments. Indeed, being supported is far different from supporting oneself. Have a great race!