We are on Day 7 of a three-week lockdown as of this writing. To paraphrase the Rolling Stones: “Lock Me Up!”

Omicron has run wild up here, like anywhere else in the world. Hospitalizations have risen an unbelievable 182% since New Year’s Eve, pushing the healthcare system to the breaking point. In addition, there are rumblings that the military may be called upon to provide extra staffing to the hospitals. As a result, elective surgeries have been put on the back burner for now.

So much for “Happy New Year!“

The Ontario Science Table projects that the current wave will peak by the end of this month. So, it looks to be a long three weeks. As I indicated in the last post, I have postponed all live private lessons until this lockdown ends. The lockdown will end on January 26th, but I suspect it may extend a week or two beyond that date.

On a side note, I have followed the comments of Ontario martial arts school owners on FB. They are frustrated, and understandably so. First, this is the third lockdown that their businesses have had to endure. Secondly, like many small businesses, martial arts schools have not gotten governmental assistance like the large corporations and big-box companies. Many martial arts schools are barely hanging on—just a terrible time for them.

What can I do? Keep me busy.

So, what am I up to during this lockdown?

My wife and I watched the latest season of Cobra Kai last week and loved every bit of it. A review of the new season will come out next week. I’m also catching up on “The Expanse” on Amazon Prime. Of course, many football games on TV, both college and pro, also help!

And yes, I’m training and working out. I am training in the basement since gyms are closed during this lockdown. I am mostly doing bodyweight training and solo martial arts training.

The training sessions consist of empty hand and cane anyos, heavy stick training, planks, 15-minute horse stances, pushups, stair climbing, solo double stick work and single stick attacking combinations (shown below).

If you are not able to view the video, click here.

In addition to the above, I’m still teaching Zoom classes to students in Ottawa and Florida, as well as private lessons. It’s not the same as live training, but it’s better than nothing!

Oh yes, I’m experimenting with YouTube Shorts.

What are YouTube Shorts?

It is YouTube’s answer to TikTok. Like TikTok, they are vertical videos lasting 15 to 60 seconds. YouTube rolled this feature out a year ago, but I didn’t even know about it until three weeks ago. It shows just how far I lag behind current social media trends. Anyway, I vow to do a better job of that this year.

Here is one YouTube Short that I did.

If you are not able to view this video, click here.

Let me tell you; it was FREAKING COLD and WINDY! -7ºC/21ºF. I chose to film this YouTube Short on a soccer field next to the Ajax Community Centre. Before leaving the car, I rehearsed what I wanted to do in this video. I only wanted to do one take due to the frigid temperatures. Fortunately, I succeeded in shooting this video in one take and getting back into the car as quickly as possible.

Since I’m looking for fun in any way I can, YouTube Shorts are giving me a welcome break from the lockdown.

What are you doing to occupy your time during the lockdown? Let me know!

PS. I have a review of Season 4 of “Cobra Kai” next week! If you haven’t read this post from last year, here it is Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy.


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