Gym, Thursday afternoon

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker had slept in, then gotten up late, so she was well-rested for her swordmanship lesson with Alanna after lunch. She might have been humming the theme from Princess Bride under her breath when she got to the gym.

[ooc: for threeweapons, but open for all your gym needs]

Comments

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

Alanna came in and sent Faithful to gaurd Lightning. "Parker."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Hey, Alanna. Thanks again for this." Parker had already grabbed a practice blade, and now shouldered it while she waited for Alanna. "Peter mentioned that he's teaching Willow right now too. Think either of us will be ready to spar before Halloween?"

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

"Hm...if you're both wearing a lot of padding and Peter and I around, it might even make a very good exercise." Alanna began to stretch out. "Give me a few minutes here."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Yay!" Parker started going through her practice forms at half-speed, trying to be sure her movements were absolutely perfect. It was starting to feel more natural, the reflexes easing a bit from the last time.

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

"Elbow." Alanna said from her position on the floor and stretched out her left arm a second time before picking up her own practice sword. "Do you have any of those sand ball things?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Stress balls? Yes." Parker corrected her elbow, bringing it more in line with her shoulder, and re-adjusted her grip.

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

"Sand balls, stress balls, same thing." Alanna got up and walked over to Parker. "They're good for hand/arm strength. Gaurd."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker assumed the position, and brought her practice sword up to guard. "Okay. I used to use them when I played piano, years ago."

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

"That would make sense. I only play the lap harp. Poorly. Basic drill, let's start with you blocking. Top, middle, low. Slow first, I'll increase the pace if I see you're keeping up." Alanna began the drill.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker followed her through the forms, softly chanting "top, middle, low" as she repeated the moves, and said, "You need strong fingers for Rachmaninoff. I haven't kept it up, though."

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

"Who?" Alanna raised the pace a little. "Think less, let your body take over. Do you meditate?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Composer, Russian. Deadly finger stretches at speed on the keyboard." Parker closed her eyes for a moment, letting her arm take over, following the flow of gravity then back, and said, "No, I don't. Think it would help?"

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

Alanna nodded. "Body taking over good. Eyes closed while sharp pointy objects are near bad. If you want to practice without vision, do it when I'm not 'attacking' you. And yeah, meditation helps control your heart rate and tune out the outside world. I find it to be my most useful tool."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Got it." Parker's eyes were open again, watching Alanna. "I dance to relax. Meditation-- I get jittery." She brought her sword up to guard position again, careful to make sure it could intercept any blows aimed at her face and eyes first.

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

"Meditation is more than relaxation. Those of us who are Gifted have to learn to mediate before we learn our first spell. Bring your arm up a bit."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker did, felt the tension in her wrist ease, and frowned, mimicking Alanna's moves. "So what is it, besides relaxation? And how did it help you with the spells?"

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

"It helps control the mind. So you don't get any stray thoughts and can concentrate. Also helps with discipline. Want to try attacking?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I think I'm ready." Parker took up her ready stance, shook out her shoulders, then aimed a blow at Alanna's shoulder, after a feint at her torso.

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

Alanna blocked both easily. "I'm right handed, so aim for my left side. Also? I'm a wee bit shorter than most people you'll face, so keep that in mind."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Aim for the less dominant side, remember to aim higher," Parker said, doing as Alanna suggested, and adjusting her stance to her own right to compensate.