Unshod: Nekkid running!

First lap around the Bella Vista perimeter with the pups, shod. Sock and shoes were then removed for two laps.

First barefoot lap using mid-foot strikes. 2nd barefoot lap using a combination of mid-foot and fore-foot strikes. Shod lap used rear-foot strikes with an emphasis on changing gate towards mid-foot strikes.

Observed:
All plantar acu pressure points- awake and fully aware!

Lack of movement betwen 2nd and 3rd tarsals.

3rd tarsal inferior and striking first in fore-foot strikes.

Stopped due to the intense bombardement of information to the senses. Two much sensory input in a single mile! It's like meeting VGER for the first time!

Goal: 3 laps! Booyah!

Lessons mulled over...

Start every task from the beginning.

Trust. Trust. Trust.

Don't you think one "trust" is enough? : )

Thanks Emerson.... dude... thanks...

Somebody is a published photographer!

Digital Photography Magazine approached me a few months back and asked if they could use one of my shots. Just got the issue and it's in the 2010 buyers guide!!







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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Expanded massage hours!

Dear friends,

My massage practice continues to deepen as my understanding of the connections within the mind-body broaden. I'm working on listening, acceptance, gratitude, compassion and awareness, melting the ego and opening the heart. I'm challenging myself to try something new with every session... to explore the body in new ways... infusing the intuition of spirit with the research of science.

Recently, I've been finding the interplay between soft tissue pain patterns and the stabilization of the skeletal system. I'm discovering the disfunction of the ankle and foot to be directly related to a great deal of low back and hip pain. I'm honing in on the fluidity of the spine as an overall indicator of musculoskeletal health as well as seeing the spiral patterns within myofascial restrictions. It's all such fun to this bodywork geek!


While the student massage clinic at East West College is on break, I have a few extra days open for massage!

Through the end of the year, in addition to my regular Sunday-Tuesday schedule, I also have the following availability...

Thursday, Dec. 24th
Saturday, Dec. 26th
Thursday, Dec. 31st

Starting in January, I'll be expanding my regular hours to include morning and early afternoon session on Thursdays!


In other news, Community Health Project is working on a new video or two. We should have something inspiring out soon! Art is important to healthcare too!

May every joy find you this holiday season! Happy Festivus!!

Blessings and love,
Hamid : )

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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Latest massage scam

Here is the latest massage related scam to arrive in my email inbox. Note the awkward sentence structure and wording of phrases (a request for "Remedial massage treatment") and long duration of requested services. I've seen this in many forms through the years. If responded to, they will eventually want to send you a money order from some other source, like an employer or other company.

Trust me... this is bogus. Don't even bother to respond to emails like this.

Stay safe out there, LMT's!

Blessings and love,
Hamid : )

***

Good day,

I am Mr Carry George of Unity Consultancy. We will be coming for Remedial massage treatment.We are in number 6 adults, and we are to spend 10 days.

Get back to me with the rate per person per hour daily for 10days. Your professional advice is needed.

Arrival Date:15 JAN 2010

Departure Date: 25 JAN 2010

Check the availability and get back with total cost.

Thanks

Carry George.

Unity Consultancy

14 Peters Lane, Cowcross Street,

EC1M 6DS United Kingdom
Email :carrygeorge24@gmail.com

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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Hey! We're talking about health care here!

Happy Thanksgiving from Community Health Project! In our latest, greatest video, we interview passers by on southeast Hawthorne Avenue in Portland, Oregon.

For more info on Community Health Project, check out our website! Make your voice heard!
http://www.communityhealthproject.com/


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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Twelve Mile Corner

Just returned from a run. It's Tuesday, Nov. 3rd at 3:07 pm as I begin typing.

Leave nothing left for the run home.

I bolted under the still opening garage doors and headed out the cul-de-sac, towards Division. Glided down the hill towards Eastman, heading North.

I hit ol' Twelve Mile Corner no more than 30 minutes after departure. The East Wind kicks like a mule.

The old corner just isn't the same. Zim's is missed. Enough nostalgia... See ya, babe.... I've got to run...

I took the long way home and cruised the side walk in front of my old haunt, the home of the Gophers. I burned across Divison into Historic Downtown Gresham.

I throttled past Srivichai... the finest Thai food in town (the pumpkin curry will tickle every part of you). Shame not to stop and say hello. I pulled the brake and skidded 'round, Big Wheel Style™. I entered the delicately spiced haven of Srivichai. José was there, peering over the counter. I spread my arms and greeted him... "Paradise!"

His face lit. Genuine friendship in his eyes. "Hamid!" bursted from the far side of the counter where José sat. He asked if I wanted a drink and refused to take payment, handing me a delicious, sweet and smooth Thai Iced Tea. Even in the cooler months, it still sips divinity in to me.

He asked if I had driven. I held up one running shoe'd foot. "I took my tennies"

Did you take the bus?

Nah, I put these on. They make me feel like Superman!

I parted with a bow and a thanks, hands in prayer on my forehead.

Home is still a mile uphill...

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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Painting with Fire: A Shaman's Dream

Photography and music by Hamid Shibata Bennett. All photographs are single-exposure snaps, as captured in camera, with no moving of pixels in any image manipulation software. Shot with the Pentax K10D. The photos are older. The music was recorded earlier this evening and the video cobbled together afterwards.

http://www.photographybyhamid.com/

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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Bella Vista Park

The city of Gresham, Oregon is actually sinking money into improvements to Bella Vista Park. I tossed this quick video together for my friend's little son. He's rather fond of trucks and construction equipment.



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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Artsy Fartsy

Just a silly visual experiment to go along with a song I recorded years ago....

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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Fight back!

It takes only a moment... let Congress know we want real health care reform! It's time for change! Dig it!

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/fight_back/?source=20091013_OFAFB

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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

You'll fall in love with Farmer Dave!

The Community Health Project visits Farmer Dave in Troutdale, Oregon.

Make your voice heard!
http://www.communityhealthproject.com/


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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Wolf Man runs the Portland Marathon!

Photos of my journey... health care starts with the self....

http://racephotos.net/RunnerDetails.asp?nRunnerID=723716

Marathon tidbit... I passed 348 people in the last half of the race. I was passed by 24 people.

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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

I've been blogged!

My friend at East-West College, blogged about me the other day....

http://portland.balance.fm/blog/elizabeth/2009-oct-5/hamid-shibata-bennett

In other media, two of my photos have been posted at Digital Photography Magazine...

http://www.dpmag.com/your-best-shot/north-america/united-states/oregon/6305-peek.html
http://www.dpmag.com/your-best-shot/north-america/united-states/oregon/6306-alien-scape-ii.html

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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Our first interview video!

The Community Health Project is just starting to roll! We've just completed our first video! It's from a series of interviews at Pioneer Square in downtown Portland, Oregon. For some reason, only men wanted to talk to us that day... must have been the rain!

The Community Health Project, official YouTube channel...
http://www.youtube.com/user/communityhealth1


Help us spread the word! We can make a change, if only we speak up!

Blessings and love,
Hamid : )

Make your voice heard
http://www.communityhealthproject.com/


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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Thank you all!!!

I just wanted to publish your amazing pre-marathon wishes, encouragement, etc... thank you all for your support! Couldn't have run the marathon without ya!


The best of luck!!!! We will be thinking of you and wishing you smooth roads, endless stamina, cooperative muscles and a willing spirit.

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You can do it!!!

~

Best wishes on your journey in the marathon, Hamid! My spirit is cheering all of you during your run! Cheers! Cheers!

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Sending you love and a virtual high five!

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Good Luck Hamid!!!!!!! I have no doubt that you'll make the best of every moment.

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Hamid, I wish you a great run! Have fun and run like the wind!

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Hey Hamid,

I loved reading your email. I like these phrases:
"letting go of the future"
"a rich lifetime of sufferings"
"I'm not sure if I merely have something to prove to myself. Or, if I just need to plummet heart first into the unknown. We find our answers in the journey. "
"Rocky and the Karate Kid" - that's funny!

I'm inspired by your journey!

Sara, River, and I are coming to watch the marathon tomorrow and hope to see you and cheer you on. You can do it! Hell, you've already done it!

~

I wish you the best during your journey tomorrow. If I have the opportunity to see you among the thousands of others who are also making the journey, I'll wish you well in person! Enjoy the moments!

~

Good luck, hamid!

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Fly like an angel brother; but go slowly enough to take in the beauty of it all.

~

Hamid,

Every step is a blessing

Every breath, divine

There is no "end"

Only the joy and learning through the "means"

~

Good luck to you Hamid! You are so inspiring. I wish you the best, let me know if you will need a massage after wards :) I am free on Tuesday. Go Forest go!!

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Hello Hamid, I will be sending you lots of wind power for your run. I am not clear - are you running the 3 mile race or the 26.2? Either one is quite an accomplishment. Let me know and glad to hear you are well.

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Go go rocket feet! i love you hamid! blessings to you & thank you for your sweet mirror of love that you give so freely.

~

Oh my goodness ~ that's Awesome!! Congratulations Hamid, for taking action...............I appreciate you, your stories, videos and you keeping me informed of your life. Even tho' we physically spend very little time together I feel very close to you somehow. Take care and keep on keeping me in the loop and I shall do the same. Peaches and ~> Sparkles




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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Marathon... defeated!

Dear friends,

Impossible is a myth created by those who have never tried.

I vanquished my foe, the Portland Marathon, today in 5 hours, 37 minutes, 20 seconds.

I started off the run needing to stop at the first restroom! It was fun making up so much ground, weaving in and out of people. I didn't stop at an aid station until mile 14. On the ascent up the Saint John's Bridge, I saw an eagle overhead... spread my wings to do my eagle dance. Crossing into mile 20, I was feeling good, then hit the wall. I walked through most of that mile and picked up again before mile 21. At that point, nothing was going to stop me!

Crossing over the Broadway Bridge, I accelerated my pace and tore into downtown Portland. The last 2 miles, I really picked it up, feeding off the encouragement from the crowd.

In the last corner, I raised my arms up in the air and yelled out to the crowd, "C'mon! Make some noise! Let's hear ya!" They erupted! I sprinted past some people, crossing the finish line in a two-footed stomp, pounded my right fist into my heart and screamed, "I am Samurai!"

I feel totally alive! Except for my legs, which feel like jello! I came home, crawled into a hot Epsom salt bath, then settled in for a nap.

This is such an abbreviated account of the day. I will write more later. I just wanted to send you a quick detail before I collapse! ha!

Thank you all for your support and well-wishes! My friends... I couldn't have done this without you! I was reading all of your messages the day before the run and weeping. It was wonderful! And, thanks to those that messaged or called, after the race, following my progress online. Loved your messages! Thank you!

Blessings and love,
Hamid : )

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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

A little jog...

Dear friends,

It's the day before the Portland Marathon. 24 hours from this moment, I'll be in the first 3-mile ascent. This is more than a run. This is the beginning of my Shamanic journey, shedding the past, letting go of the future. Learning to live in the beauty of the Now.

I've had a few tests along the way. A rare cancer right out of high school. The death of my parents in 2004. Divorce this year. Life is filled with loss and love. There is not a single person you'll ever meet who has not experienced a rich lifetime of sufferings. Different experiences from our own, but no less challenging.

I'm not sure if I merely have something to prove to myself. Or, if I just need to plummet heart first into the unknown. We find our answers in the journey.

I don't know if I'll make it. My longest run is far shy of 26.2 miles. I'll be channeling Samurai and Wolverine, Wolf and Lion, Rocky and the Karate Kid! Mostly, I run with faith, love, compassion and meditation. What makes us powerful, even when we are weak? What makes us keep going, though we are weary and tremble? I intend to find out.

If we have crossed paths, even for the briefest of moments, you have been an inspiration. Thank you for braving this lifetime. Thank you for choosing life.

If you'd like to learn more about the Portland Marathon, here are a few good places to start...
http://www.portlandmarathon.org/

Here is the course for the 2009 Portland Marathon:
http://www.portlandmarathon.org/details_coursemap.php

To follow me during the marathon, click on the link below and enter the following info:
Bib number: 7685
First Name: Hamid
Last Name: Bennett
http://www.liveraceresults.com/liverc1/


Blessings and love,
Hamid : )

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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Three Smiles

A behind the scenes introspective on the making of The English Channel.



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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Oh, no...he's made another one!

A motion picture that should probably never be watched about a man training to run across the English Channel, which is not shot on location and is in fact The Columbia River on the Oregon side at the Sandy River Delta.

Enjoy!



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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Community Health Video Project joke promo

We're just getting started! Real interviews coming soon! Really, we're quite serious about the Community Health Video Project!

For more info, check out our web site!... Community Health Video Project



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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon