Inspired by a video shared by one of our students, last night's class followed the premise of earning "XP" during different drills in the class (calisthenics, stretching, proper technique, mistake free forms and board breaking). Bonus "XP" could be earned for certain challenges (like breaking a board during a form without losing concentration and finishing strong). We discussed how a character in a video game evolves and related it to the process of becoming more powerful and skilled as an individual. Leveling up in the game is like earning a new belt. "Prestige" is the act of starting over, just as in some games (like COD), which is similar to earning the cho dan rank. Now, last night was really more like a tutorial in a game and each student kept track of their own XP. Students seemed to enjoy and were motivated by the idea, even tracking and sharing their XP results at the end of class with fellow students.

Inspiration can come from just about anywhere...even video games. :)

There is one thing nearly all modern Americans have in common: we sit all the time. Though our great shift towards computer-based work has done great things for productivity, it has, unfortunately, done terrible things for our health. From increased risk of heart disease and obesity in the long term, to sharply hampered cholesterol maintenance in the short term, the negative health effects of sitting are starting to weigh heavily against the benefits.