|
Written by Jake Mcburns
|
|
Tuesday, 24 June 2008 |
|
Sorry for the delay of updates. We had lots of family visiting, which kept us busy. My brother Matt and his family flew in on the 10th of June and then the next day my mom and stepdad arrived. They had a condo at Kapaa Shores, a vacation condo, which was a 5 min. trip from our house. Roxy got plenty of play time with her cousins, Ruby and Indy. My local brother, Ron, paddles for an outrigger canoe club and we went to Hanalei for one of his regattas. Talk about local flavor. I think we were about the only non-Hawaiian people on the beach. Holland and I watched the kids while my brother, his wife, Erin, my mom and stepdad went to the Hanakapii beach on the Na’Poli coast. I tormented the kids with constant sunscreen applications, but two of them still got a little red. My mom was out to conquer Kauai within her short trip. I think she got more accomplished on this island that most people do in 5 years: helicopter tour, catamaran tour, hiking, waterfalls, and restaurants. She didn’t leave a stone unturned. I did get a chance to go golfing with my stepdad and brother. We had an 8:45 Tee time last Monday at the Wailua municipal golf course. I can’t believe how nice and cheap this place was. $32 for the round, and the course is on the water. I think the next cheapest course is $125. It rained all that morning until 8, then dried up and stayed that way the rest of the day. I mastered the 5 iron, which helped keep my score respectable.
Since my last update about class, I have 2 more hours of the Advanced series under my belt. First, the C hour. After the Z, the C is exactly what the body needs. This hour is a deep spinal hour, from tailbone to the head. The goal is to, as always, open up the space that seems to get shortened during our life times. The C gets its name from the fetal position that is required for the client. I see it as a quiet hour, a chance for the client to go deep within themselves to find the expansion that is possible. Since we work on each other in class, we get first hand sensations of the experience. I was quite sore the next day, but after my morning run, my entire spine did not feel bound by any restrictions at all.
Second is the L hour. Surprisingly the L hour gets people smiling more that I would ever expect. I kept my models seated for 45 minutes while I worked on them. Since we are in class, I figure I can see how much the models can take as I veer out of my comfort zone. All three of them stood up after the work and smiled. As with me, I know they actually could feel a difference in the way they stood, walked, sat. I wouldn’t have thought that an hour of bodywork could be done this way, but that is why I am here taking the course.
So, as I head into the last week of class I can’t help but anticipate how this extended educational experience will enhance the structures of my clients. This work continually amazes me. Kauai is becoming a community of organized, processed people, as Dr. Rolf would say. I hope that through me and my peers, we can bring Spokane up to this level of awareness. I should be able to get another post in before I return on July 3rd. Until then, Aloha, Jake.
Click HERE to see new pictures
|
|
|
Written by Jake Mcburns
|
|
Thursday, 12 June 2008 |
|
Last week Emmett brought to us the “Z”. The “Z” is a position in the advanced 5 series. I have never been around this kind of work. I knew that it was coming, but I wasn’t sure where it would begin or end. The work is hard to receive and requires an active participant, but the over all effect is great. The Idea is to get the Pelvic girdle and the “core” separate. I am very impressed how the shoulders change by working on the legs. Jim, my trade partner, has a right shoulder that doesn’t fit with the rest of his body. Due to many injuries, lots of golf and recovery from a porticath for his chemo, his right shoulder sulks off his ribs. Spending an hour in the “Z” gave his shoulder a much needed lift. Neither of us could believe it but it was happening as the hour progressed we could see it change, and he could feel it change. I will be looking forward to bringing this work back to Spokane.
Finally, Roxy and Holland made it to the island. Roxy didn’t sleep at all on the flight, in fact she stayed up until 10:30 pm Kauai time, which is 1:30 am Spokane. Holland crashed right when we got back to the house. I think it took them until Monday to really start coming down. We have been to the beach more times than I can count. Roxy is fearless with the waves. She attacks the waves, full on, only to get pummeled and shocked by the force. Then, only after recovery, she is back at it.
My class had a party on Saturday night at my instructor Emmett’s house. Of course Roxy and Holland were invited, but this meant that one of us would have to chase Roxy around the house so nothing would be broken. All I needed was Roxy to break some priceless object in my mentor’s house. We escaped after 3.5 hours, nothing broken, and full bellies to boot.
On Sunday, we got an invite to a parents group barbeque at Kaelia beach. Much fun followed trying to keep tabs on a dozen kids between 1 and 8 years old. Kaelia has a heavy current and will suck the unsuspecting away. We met people who have just moved to the island as well as people who have been here their whole life.
Tonight my brother and his family arrive and then tomorrow my mother and stepfather. It will be a busy week for the McBurns’. Aloha, Jake
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 12 June 2008 )
|
|
|
Written by Jake Mcburns
|
|
Tuesday, 03 June 2008 |
What a busy weekend. Roxy and Holland will be here on Friday so I am trying to get all the major stuff out of the way. On Saturday, classmates and I went north to Hanalei and enjoyed the Lahaina noon. This is when the sun is directly overhead. That means no shadow, the straightest line between the center of the earth and the sun happens through me, or whoever happens to be standing on their "line" at 12:35 pm. This experience does not happen in Spokane, sorry. So after an intense interview with the sun, we eventually left to head back to Kapaa. Sunday I got out of the house early and made my way to the south end of the island, only to go climb back north on the west end into Wiemaa canyon. I drove up to 4000' where the air is actually cool and parked at Kokee state park museum. From there I hitched a ride up to the Awaawapuhi trailhead. My destination was the Nualolo valley on the Na Poli coast. The hike, which I think is the best on the Kauai, descends for 3 miles until you get to the rim of the canyon. At this point, I am at the North end of the canyon. You can view the photos here. Plenty of signs warn of death, but since the weather was exceptional, I tempted fate and eased my way out on the lava spine, which has a trail width of 18", then 2000' of drop. Such a beautiful place. The ocean in the distance was calm. I could see the reef extending 1 to 2 miles from the coast. After quality "hang time" I began walking the rim of the canyon. This trail winds in and out, and in some places is very washed away ( see pix). On the south end of the rim, views north toward Ke'e beach, the other end of Na Poli, quiet and refresh the mind. Once again, beautiful. After five hours and 11 miles I got back in the car and made my way home. Upon my arrival, Ron ( my local brother) mentioned a reggae concert that was happening in a few hours. He convinced me to drive him and his friends and he would get me in to the show. OK. So, he failed to share that "getting me in" was more like sneaking in from the back side of the venue. I value musicians and feel that they ( we) deserve the benefit of paying the entrance fee, even though it was $30. The group was Groundnation and they were great, which made me feel even more wrong about sneaking in, so I bought a shirt. Ironically, Ron got booted, cause the security saw him without a bracelet. He had to wait outside until I, the driver, made it back to the car. Today was about getting things done: this update, brakes on the car, laundry, ect...
Class last week was great. We started right off by getting introduced to the Advanced 5 series. Emmett did a great 1st hour demo and excited all of us by his showing us how easy the work can be. I am trading with Jim, who owns the Maui massage school. I worked on him first. The advanced series is a different approach for me because I am not sure where it is headed. I am having trouble foreshadowing or planning the next session, which normally isn't an issue. By the time I leave, I am sure that I will have a grasp on it. Anyway, I felt that my hour working on Jim was great, I see what needed to be done in the hour and let go of think ahead. After lunch was my turn to receive the work. For the most part, the advanced series doesn't start with much leg work, because the 2nd hour takes you there. But there are always exceptions, like me. In March, my right knee took an impact into the concrete, which, I know knocked my femur into my hip. Everyone one in the class could see this. I knew it, but just haven't dealt with it yet. So as the hour got on the way, Jim started out on my hip, then Emmett came over and assisted with work on my Right knee. Isaac, one of the assistants, joined in an began working with my Right heel. So, I am laying on my Left side with a hand on my back, an elbow in my Right hip, another hand on the medial side of my Right knee, another elbow working the lateral side of right shin and two hands making sure my calcaneous (heel bone) is moving properly. Having six points of contact on my Right leg was a lot of information to process; my leg had to give in. Keep in mind, as intense as it was, I felt no pain. Sure some of it was sharp, but very workable. My leg went weightless. Still feels that way a week later. We ended with some great shoulder and neck work. I am already looking forward to the next hour, which will be about legs. Our advanced series models came in on Thursday. All of my models are bodyworkers of some sort. When I live here, I will take advantage and be a model just like they do. Not to be out-shined by Emmett, Tom and Isaac are also doing wonderful demo work. Tom is walking us through the basic 10 series, which all of this work is based on and Isaac is providing a different view of the Advanced 5. I will discuss more about them later.
As I get ready to begin my 3rd week of class, I can't help but not get excited for the arrival of the family. My roommate, Noreen, is planning a dinner for when they get here. Next update I will have more photos of Roxy to share. Until then, Jake
|
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 03 June 2008 )
|
|
|
Written by Jake Mcburns
|
|
Tuesday, 27 May 2008 |
I have been on Kauai for one week now. The weather has been magnificent. Some crazy, heavy rain the first few nights, but otherwise sun. My classed are taking place in the Kahuna Valley at the same location I was at in 05'. Tourists don't go this deep into the island. The amount of Mana ( heart energy) on this island, and in this valley especially, is invigorating.
My instructor, Emmett, looks fantastic. I believe that he will be 74 this year and looks younger that when I was here 3 years ago. I am one of twelve students in the class, which is loaded with experience. One classmate runs the massage school on Maui, another travels to war zones and provides Structural Integration for the children of those areas. We have a professional mountain biker and a sheep farmer from Florida. Most of us are from the US, but we do have Taka, a Japanese student. We are all committed in helping Taka understand the information better. His English is good, not great.
The class started fast. Emmett, Tom and Issac (the assistants) assume we all know the routine and have wasted no time in getting the ball rolling. On the second day we already had models coming into the class for us to work on. My model( client) runs the Kauai Lomi Lomi massage school. She has been terrified of "Rolfing" for 20 years and finally gave in. I know she is very happy with my work so far. This week I will get two more models. I happen to know one from my last visit. She runs the Argentinean Tango classes on the island. My mother and step father will be meeting her we they arrive in June.
Speaking of arriving, I can't wait for Roxy and Holland to get her. We have Roxy Talking on the phone and she kinda gets the video chat, but it just isn't the same as having her here. Do yourself a favor and check out the new pix I posted of her on her new website. They fly in on the 6th of June.
My roommate, Noreen, is too great. She totally takes care of me. Between the garden and the cars she provides, makes my time here anything but stressful. She runs a montessori preschool out of the house during the week and on the weekend, you would think that all she would do is sleep, but instead, she is all over the island hiking, going to ancient paddling regattas, that her son is in, and gardening.
My dad has been here for a wedding so the last few days I have spent with him. We did a Napoli coast trip on a catamaran on Saturday and today we drove up to Kokee state park. I must go now until next week. Aloha, Jake
|
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 27 May 2008 )
|
|
|
Written by Jake Mcburns
|
|
Monday, 12 May 2008 |
|
In one week I leave for my Advanced Training on the Island of Kauai. I am looking forward to spending time with Emmett Hutchins, who I studied under in 05' and I am also excited about studying with Tom Wing, who will be the assistant for the class. It is very weird to be leaving again when things are so well. For those who don't know, I moved my office last year. Mary Iverson, Shelley Brady and I bought a commericial condo in downtown Spokane and opened up 2nd Avenue Healing Arts. We have 10 great therapists and a great space, who could ask for more?
Both Roxy and Holland will be meeting up with me for the month of June. Current pictures of Roxy will be up soon. Speaking of Roxy, she is now 27 months old. Her grasp on the English language is becoming tighter by the day. She officially runs the house. Holland and I knew this would be the case, but our pug Bobo doesn't quite get it.
During my time on Kauai, I hope to keep everyone up to date about my adventure. Roxy's website will be up again soon and If your interested in booking an appointment for my return please do so soon, so that you my get a time that best suits your schedule. If you would rather not recieve my emails just let me know.
Aloha, Jake
|
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 12 May 2008 )
|
|
|
Jake's Blog 
