People often ask me if Myachi is a game, a sport or an art. I used to scratch my head on this one, but after years of considering it, I finally settled on the correct answer: D, all of the above and then some.
For many people, Myachi is simply something to do while they're waiting on a long download or while eagerly anticipating their turn on the Xbox. For others it is a community that spans the etherial planes of cyberspace and connects distant fans at every point on the globe. For still others it is a never ending challenge that promotes physical activity, balance, flexibility and the value of practice. All told, Myachi is a lifestyle.
So what is the Myachi lifestyle? To answer that, let me borrow (and amend) a common saying:
Some look at what is and ask "why?". Others look at what could be and ask "why not?". Still others look at what is and ask "Can I toss that behind my back and catch it on my forehead?"
The Myachi lifestyle is about constantly challenging yourself. There is no "end" to Myachi. There is no point where one can reasonably say "okay, I've got that Myachi thing mastered, now what?". Every trick you learn opens up worlds of new combos and ever more difficult challenges. Every drop brings you one step closer to mastery. Every error carries the potential for accidentally hitting upon a never-before-attempted move.
Through the years, a massive community has organically grown around the movement. Myachi clubs litter the landscape from New York to Chile to Madagascar. Myachi has been banned from schools in 31 states and counting. The Myachi corporation has grown from nothing but an RV, a sewing machine, a dream and plenty or Ramen Noodles to a worldwide phenomenon available in thousands of stores and hundreds of varieties.
Because the Myachi Movement is so diverse, it is difficult to point to one single thing that Myachi players share in common. There are the gamers, the Maniacs who spend the bulk of their time learning and mastering new and ever harder tricks. There are the jammers who have a strong repetoire of moves and spend their hours devising new shreds and routines. There are collectors who scour the web and their local toy stores for the precious gem of a 2.2 sack or a Dunkin' Donuts. Others focus on filming and editing the next great Myachi YouTube video. Still others live to teach and spend their time on online forums and at clubs helping newbs master the basics.
In truth, I've yet to meet a perfect example of any of those types. The people that we meet tend to share some elements of all of the varities of Maniac above.
This blog is for the Maniacs, for all of those dedicated fans of the game that have helped turn the concept of a hand-hacky sack into an empire. The Myachi Masters who contribute to this blog are dedicated to helping to build a stronger and stronger bond between the whole of the Myachi community. We will share our thoughts and experiences as we criss-cross the nation spreading the word and teaching the human race to use the back of their hands for something other than wiping their noses.
Remember, each post in this blog is meant to start a conversation. If you'd like to be a part of it, please leave a comment in the comments section or send us an email (blog@myachi.com or aaron@myachi.com). The point of this blog is to act as both a resource and a common space for all the handsackers of the world.
STWAKOJ,
Aaron "Crazy Ivan" Davies
