I’m writing on a Sunday night for this week’s Bulletin. Regular readers might note that this is somewhat uncharacteristic, as my preference has generally been to do so on a Monday morning in time for our copy/distribution deadline at 10 am.
However, a Sunday session is likely to be my habit for the next 15 weeks (COVID-based interruptions not withstanding) as I embark on the next phase of my studies, with clinical placements for my Physiotherapy degree. 0730 work starts will do that to what has been a fairly leisurely Monday start for the last few months. This will no doubt also mean some interruptions to my availability in the Dojo and for administrative matters during this time. I would ask that if you have queries regarding issues at the Club, that you contact the discipline coordinators or Executive members in the first instance. as I may not be able to get back to you as quickly as I would otherwise like.
I wanted to mention how lovely it has been to see the influx of new faces into the various classes, and to see the dedication of our regular attendees as they polish off the bits of technical rust that developed over the lockdown period. We have had two visits from Ivan Hills, who drives all the way from Gin Gin for a Saturday Class. Folk continue to regularly attend the Zoom session for FlexiFit, and we are starting to get some interest in our regular class video stream. With the Club’s diaspora continuing to have an active role in what we are doing, it has been feeling a bit like “getting the band back together”, without the nuns, Illinois Nazis, or police car chase (well not yet anyway).
We continue to be living with uncertainty regarding how the next few months will pan out. We are only a few errors away from a Victoria-like situation, but can hope that with good planning and vigilance we can avoid this. Some things that I would certainly encourage at the moment include
Be vigilant and methodical with your physical distancing and hand hygiene. Your small actions will have a material affect on others.
Come into the dojo as often as you can, because you do not know when we may be forced to take another break, or for how long
Check in with yourself and check in with your friends and family. Dealing with a pandemic is a marathon effort, and people become both mentally and physically exhausted from it.
So I hope that everyone has a good week ahead, in spite of some interruptions that have intruded on our plans. And as always, I will look forward to seeing you in the dojo (physical, virtual or second)!