Flashback Rigorous Training

Unarmed training chapter 2

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A village cut off from the rest of Mizahar by the Valterrian, slowly reestablishing contact with the outside world.

Rigorous Training

Postby Eosi on December 30th, 2012, 3:13 pm

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The Academy

Summer, 500 AV


Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

The cadence of her own lungs rocked along with her plodding feet as she jogged from one end of town to the next. When near to exhaustion she’d stop, but that was wholly dependent on how much stamina she’d developed. Eosi did not train like the others – for they would train by numbers. She ran, pushing her heart to the brink, because her body could not be defined by repetitions. It was no mathematical equation to be solved. Each day she ran, she got imperceptibly better. It was because of this that she did so every single day and ran until she felt near to keeling over.

When she’d been across town several times she knew it was near to quitting time. She’d then move into her actual exercises. Eosi’s capable legs carried her toward the Academy, the haven away from home. When finally in the courtyard she halted, digging in her heels. The pounding of her heart roared in her ears. For a moment she just breathed, pushing oxygen out to her extremities. First it was time to work her strength training. When satisfactorily rested, Eosi moved to the center of the empty space. She needed no instructor for the initial routine.

The first part was the one she’d learned initially; it had been her induction to unarmed training. Holding her arms straight from her sides, she began to weave them front and back, bowing her hands in ever so slightly. Eosi strained to keep herself level. This time she’d work by math – lest she injure herself pursuing such elitist training methods. Sixty-five repetitions rather than her original fifty, and now she could do so easily. Her shoulders ached desperately by the time she finished, but it was that delicious ache. It was the kind she adored.

She’d layered in a new technique over the months, to push herself even further. Remaining shoulder-width apart, she bent her arms at the elbow until her fingers pointed forward. It was imperative to keep her elbows back so that her chest would remain open. From there she’d raised her elbows but not her shoulders. The key was to keep yourself limber. Straining muscles was not training muscles. This technique strengthened the trapezius muscles group; they were the ones that ran along either side of the ribcage. After about fifty of those she was completely ready to stretch and then get on with the lesson.

Eager to continue, the young warrior moved to the wall. With her palms set against it she leaned forward until her arms were hovering just beyond her ears. The tissue unfurled languidly, each tendon burning as it disengaged. After about a minute she straightened and moved to the next. Again she set her palms against it, this time at an about face. With her back to the structure and her palms close together she slowly bent her knees and lowered her body. Her elbows remained straight. Her parted lips released a small groan as the tenderness ached. There was only one other release she found in the world and that was at the smith. Her two greatest vices existed in the realm of hard work and self-denial. No one could doubt her nature as a Denvali.

Then it was the easy stretch. Raising out of the previous position, she stood with just one hand braced against the building. Slowly, she moved her body away from her arm. It was the routine – hold for roughly a minute and switch. The agony eased the tedium as seconds dragged by. Finally she was limber and moved to the center. She lapsed into an Indian style position to wait for her new master.

The woman gracefully moved out to meet her. There was a tradition that women learned from other women and vice versa. Eosi was sad to lose her first trainer, but eager to please the new one. Thus far they’d gotten on well. There was no idle chatter between them. Just skill. ”Greetings, Eosi.” Her cornsilk blonde hair was tied off to the side, neutral eyes looking over the young trainee speculatively. ”Well met, Asana.” Eosi’s reply was pleasant.

”We’ll start with some front stretch kicks. Rise, young woman.” Eosi moved to standing once more. ”Let’s review the basics.”

”With your left leg, take a step forward. I want you to open your arms, then look to your right hand. Try to relax your wrists. Your hand should point slightly southward.” The woman demonstrated the pose. Eosi mirrored that posture, reviewing the symmetry between them. ”Now, follow with the right leg. You’re going to bend your elbows, flip your palms and push both hands out straight, slightly behind the line of your shoulders. While doing this you’re going to be turning your head forward.” They moved together, though Eosi could not imitate the woman’s poise. That was acquired with much practice. It was something to aspire to.

Looking her over, she noted: ”Try to place your arms on more of an adjacent angle.” With a critical eye, she noted the change. ”Good, Eosi.” The pose strained her. ”Now step forward again on the left and kick with the right.”

”You’ll start by kicking to your forehead without moving your torso. Everything should stay exactly as it is, excepting your leg. With the motion, fully extend both knees.” Eosi strained to do so. ”Keep your standing heel flat!” The woman hissed, recognizing the mistake. Worn and dewing with sweat, she struggled to comply. ”You’re being too ambitious,” she chastised. ”Kick as low as possible at first. The height will come with practice and time. You’re doing well otherwise; just don’t forget to flex your foot.”

”Now,” she said, stepping back. ”Do four on the right, then four on the left.”

Eosi followed through, the woman tutting while circling her, correcting her form here and there. Toward the end it got a tad sloppy as her muscles began to protest their abuse. When the whole set of eight completed, she doubled over and gasped for breath. The woman gave her an amused look, crossing her arms. ”You push yourself hard and far. Remember Barlowe: There is wisdom in patience. You’ve grown rapidly since your humble beginning. Your left side was a tad off. Everyone is always stronger on their dominant leg. Try again.”

They spent the next half an hour training her left leg, stopping to stretch her hamstrings here and there.

When the trainer was satisfied, she gave her a penetrating stare.

”We’ll do one more, before you pass out from exhaustion.” The young girl barely had the energy to stand. She gave an ironic little chuckle. There’d be no rest until she hit the edge. ”It’s called the inside circle kick. Start the way you do with the straight kick.”

Ponderous, she shifted into position. Eosi felt strangely lightheaded. ”Now step forward with the left, as usual. Lift your arms with your palms facing out and slightly behind. Now step again and swing your right leg outside-up in front of your face.” Eosi looked at her in mute consternation. With a sigh, the woman demonstrated. ”Like, this!” Her leg passed an inch in front of her face. Stunned, her eyes widened fiercely. ”Don’t freeze!” The woman laughed lightly, touching her student on the shoulder. ”Panic is your worst enemy, Barlowe.”

Nodding slightly, she tried to mirror the movement she’d just witnessed. ”Good. Next time don’t use your hip with the kick. It should remain stationary. Try again.” Eosi tried again, finding a second wind somewhere along the way. The woman seemed visibly impressed. ”You respond well to rigorous training, girl. Your strength is your heart. Do the kick four times on either side and you’re free to go.” Unwavering, the Inarta followed through. Each time she pushed harder, endeavored to be stronger. The woman stood back and surveyed her pupil.

When the final kick hit the ground, she sank to her knees.

”Good work. Dismissed.”


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Eosi
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Rigorous Training

Postby Whimsy on January 5th, 2013, 5:09 am

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Experience Award


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Eosi

Exp
+3 Bodybuilding
+4 Endurance
+1 Running
+4 Unarmed Combat

Lores
The Body is Not Defined by Numbers
Trapezius Muscle Group
Unarmed Combat: Techniques to Keep You Limber
The Mental Release of Training
Front Stretch Kicks
Practice Makes Perfect
Inside Circle Kicks

Comments
You are a very skilled writer, to be able to make a training thread so poetic and lovely. I really like that you pay such attention to detail and techniques. Your descriptions are accurate and easy to follow. And you're not afraid to make your PC work for her abilities! I gave you bodybuilding because of the work on the muscles Eosi did during her arm exercises. Please PM me if you have any questions or concerns.
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