I miss martial arts. It's been almost 2 years since I've set foot in the dojang for purposes other than visiting, and I sorely miss it. Once, martial arts was a big part of my life. They physical conditioning gave me a fit body, a focused mind, and a chance to explore my inner self deeply, in addition to release from all of the stress of the day. I worked out five nights a week, sometimes for an hour, sometimes two, depending on what classes were scheduled. I enjoyed the feeling of power singing up my legs and arms as I connected with the heavy bag or another student's padded torso. I loved the concentration required to perform eight forms in uninterrupted succession. I loved the community and the comeraderie. I miss practicing the perfect arm bar or wrist lock, break falls and throws, sweeps and take downs. I miss sparring night and sumo wrestling.
Miguel and I met in martial arts and we are avid fans of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) a mixed martial arts forum, not unlike boxing. Each time we watch a UFC match, we end up wrestling and sparring in the living room, working up a sweat and thoroughly enjoying ourselves. We dissect the kicks, blocks and take downs in minute detail, sometimes practicing a particularly elegant move right on the spot.
Today, moments ago, actually, we worked out together for about half an hour and I was happy to see that I still remember all of my techniques, although not all of the forms. I got winded quickly, but I still felt exhilerated. And it brought home for me a simple fact -- martial arts is a part of me and I need to make room for it in my life. I am a better person for it, and I can be a better one still by bringing it back into my life.
2 comments:
Go, Beckie! Davey and I were recently debating whether or not you could take down Miguel. We think you'd win. ;-)
(BTW, nicely written post.)
When I'm really on my game, I can best Miguel, but not if he's really on his game at the same time. He has been athletic in many areas for a larger part of his life, and so he sees things that I don't pick up on. That's a plus when you're fighting in tae kwon do. If we're talking hap ki do, then I think I could get him to the ground more often than he could get me there. I love the grappling techniques, because many of them don't require any strenght at all, just exacting precision and a bit of leverage. I was the only woman in my hap ki do class, and many of the men groaned when they had to wrestle me, not because I would be able to beat them, but because when I did the right move at the right time, it was painful and perfect. I never won a single wrestling match in hap ki do, but I did my share of damage.
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