The Original Females in Martial Arts Community

Yellow!

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:20:55 GMT

Yay! I just got my yellow belt!
Now I get to learn Do San!

Wunsu Kata

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:04:39 GMT

Thursday morning, I did the kata just fine, however the yellow belt with two stripes that was leading it was going awfully fast. No matter how many times the instructors requested him to take in consideration the yellow belts with no stripes, it was like he only knew one speed. His idea of slow was pausing at the stances for 10 seconds or something. The punches, blocks and kicks were all done at almost sonic speed. it was rather annoying, but i figured he probably only could remember it at that speed, thus I just did my best to catch up. I did have to skip parts of it and catch up, but I know the kata, I just need to work on how fast i recall it while in a group setting. Our review is Sept. 25, so I'm doing pretty good. Thursday's class was taught by my favorite sensai and during class. She had us run Wauzas, which are run for speed. She wanted us to do them for about 30 minutes, and do all the ones we knew. I realized I can only go full speed for about 15 minutes and than my legs want to fall over and I want to lay down and die. My stamina rather sucks... However, where I lack in stamina I make up in punches. We lined up by rank to hit the bag with a reverse punch. My first hit, caused everyone to gasp, and after my set of ten, the sensai began talking about facing me in sparing. She said that most low ranks are timid in sparing, and thus she gets right in their face yelling thinking that would scare them off to the point she can easily win. She than said that when she faced me, she realized that tactic would not work and she would have to go full out. Oddly enough, facing her in sparing was the most fun i have had in sparing. She did win, but i was so pumped on adrinalin I could care less, it was the longest match I had ever been in. Anyway, back to the punching. After class ended I noticed that i was getting a small welt on my two smaller knuckles. Later that night, a nice bruise had formed and its a bit numb. Its been awhile since i've hit any objects with this hand, and the last time ended up causing a bruise that engulfed my hand clear to my wrist. But due to the fact I could move my fingers with no pain, i decided not to go see a doctor. it healed, but once in awhile those two knuckles tend to bruise really easy. I thought about going to the doctor this time, but again there is no pain, I can move my fingers and the welt has already went down. I still have a slight bruise but I just found it odd that it would do that. I'm thinking I may be punching the bag wrong, and thats why it effected my smaller knuckles, I'm rather puzzled. Personally, i try not to go to doctors unless i don't have a choice :-S.
Oh and the Black Belt Ceremony was moved to Sunday night, I'm still planning on going. I hear the next day the new black belt has to wear their belt all day. I think thats rather weird, and funny too. I plan to take notes and let ya all know how weird this cameisa is.

Impatience and envy

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:18:46 GMT

Crossposted from my own journal: This is a post I did about doing karate as an older student. Thought people here might find it of interest, too.

Karate last night, with pazlazuli teaching. I arrived vaguely out of sorts, with girly cramps and consequently disinclined to move. Fiona [my oldest daughter, age 15] had the black belt class before me and practiced her kama form. I cannot tell you what a joy it is for me to watch her practice, her round kicks reaching to the ceiling, her moves crisp and precise, her face fierce and beautiful, a battle maiden, as she whips the kamas around.

Just three students in my class last night: C., me, and Mr. N., who is brand new to National Karate, but who earned a black belt in a Tae Kwon Do discipline on the West Coast. I am fighting serious envy every time I watch him kick--his discipline particularly emphasized extension, and he kicks really high, with a great deal of power. I'd guess he's in his twenties: he's been practicing since he was fourteen, and it really shows. C. is in high school and, I think, has some subtle physical disability that I haven't quite figured out yet--he moves in an odd, shambling way sometimes, as if he is a marionette with overly loose strings. He works hard, though, and is continually improving. Although I thoroughly despise myself for it and frequently scold myself, I always secretly feel better about how I'm doing when I compare myself to him.

Then, of course, I compare myself to Mr. N. and feel ten times worse.

We did karate marching basics, which felt good--it's a great workout. I found it easier to emphasize the three different moves on the inside forearm block/punch/palm heel when I vocalize with a fierce "sst, sst, sst" through my teeth. pazlazuli was urging us that as we punched we really rip back the opposite arm, high and tight to the ribs. Still trying to deepen my stance, too, keeping the shoulders square. I like karate marching basics.

When pazlazuli said we'd work next on spin kicks, my heart sank. We did the spin hook and the spin wheel. Never even got to the tornado. The wheel kick isn't so bad, but I still don't feel comfortable with the plain old hook kick, much less the spin hook. I'm always afraid I'm going to throw my hip out because of the problem I have with my hip ligaments (it's a problem on the tornado kicks, too), and that indeed is what happened last night. I was so mad and frustrated. Mr. N., of course, made it look effortless, and went on to working on jump spin hook kicks. It was like rubbing salt into the wound.

I limped out to get some water at one point in the lesson and caught Fiona's eye, who was lounging at the side of the class, waiting for mine to end. "I hate this," I groused to her. "I feel so old."

She gave me a hug. "You're not old," she said.

I'm older than every single person in this damn dojo right now. I thought fretfully. Even sensei's younger than me. And then I had to admit to myself, And yeah, how many people your age are even attempting karate? Give yourself credit for that.

pazlazuli gave me a great suggestion for working on the spin hook kick: start by doing a back leg round kick, first, and then the momentum will help carry me through the spin hook. And Mr. N. offered a good tip, too: he told me to try it grasping my lapel with my trailing hand. I tried it and it helped--he'd noticed that I dropped my hand and consequently let my upper body lurch downward on the turn, and that was throwing me off. He has offered me lots of helpful tips--I guess, being a black belt, he has experience teaching. It makes me feel even worse about envying him so desperately when he's so nice to me.

When Fiona and I went out to the car after class, I sat in the driver's seat and cried a little bit. Fiona reassured me again, telling me that she didn't get comfortable with spin kicks until she was a single black stripe. That helped, a little. I thought about it as I drove home. I'm a brown belt. I'm forty-eight years old, and I'm feeling it. Remember, too, that I'm also the mother of two karate students who have all the advantages of higher rank, youth and greater flexibility. No wonder I get envious. I'm trying really, really hard to become a strong, fast, flexible, powerful athlete. I know I'm much, much better than I was, and I'm in so much better shape than most people my age. I guess it's an indication that I want it so much, that I'm really dedicated and competitive, that I'm sometimes so disatisfied with where I'm at.

I'm working on it.

Black Belt Ceremony

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:33:34 GMT

This Saturday I will get to see my first black belt promotion ceremony. Ms. Miller (one of my instructors) has finally been promoted to black belt after 6 years of training. I’m rather excited for her. What I found rather odd, is this ceremony is done by candlelight, and there is a little ritual that is performed. When I requested more of an explanation, I was informed that its very cool, emotional, and a joyous occasion. I am still rather puzzled, and hope that I can make it.

The ABC exercise seems to have done the trick; neither my arche nor my ankle is bothering me. I plan to continue the exercises but was rather shocked to have results so soon. I have also started to do the exercise for both feet, since I know I have flat feet so I will start working on the right foot before it starts giving me pain.

Now that I’m a Yellow belt, I am put into a different learning environment. I went from one on one tutelage, to group learning. Instead of the instructor walking me through it step by step, I am thrown out in the middle with 3 others that have been working the kata at least a month longer than I have. I’m not catching on. They walked me through the kata 2 class periods and than told me I know the steps, I just need the confidence to do it. Ugh! I try to remember it and go home and practice but I can’t seem to remember it correctly, I might now the steps, but they so aren’t in order. Does anyone have any tips? For the last two classes, I’ve asked higher ranks to stay after class to run through it with me, but its not staying with me. Every time I’m running through it with the other 2 yellow belts, I get stuck on a step and end up skipping a few moves to catch up. I know I’ve only been a yellow belt since Aug. 21, but the pressure of this style of learning is starting to get to me.

Yellow belt

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:35:55 GMT

I'm now a Yellow Belt; I ended up passing my review last Tuesday. I even managed to speak with the head instructor about my back issues. He told me to always remind him about it, and let the instructors training me be aware of the issue as well and not to hesitate if it starts to bother me.

I also ended up talking to my chiropractor; to see what she thought regarding the back falls in Judo. She asked me what my concerns were, regarding landing on my back. She said most likely with the rods being in my back for 14 years, muscle and stuff has grown around it to the point I shouldn't worry about shaking anything loose. I told her that wasn't my concern, but rather the jarring of my spin in general. She said that if I love what I’m doing, than I should keep doing it, but if I start having pain we will just schedule more appointments to fix it. She gave an example of her brother having a job that kept him on a ladder 8 hours a day, with his neck looking toward the ceiling. She said he sees her 2X a week, cause his other option is to get another job. Even though I see her point, I rather not fall on my back. For one, my back isn't even, so two thuds are heard when I hit the mat. She suggested that I fall a little tilted to disperse the fall more evenly. Even though she's okay with me doing back falls, I'm still going to stick with the side fall suggestion. I feel more comfortable doing it, and i don't seem to feel the jarred feeling. My Yellow belt review will require back falls, however now that the instructors know, all they are going to have me do is work on side falls, and back falls in the laying down position. According to the head instructor, even though I won't be doing the falls, I still need to know how to disperse the energy if I ever find myself falling on my back.

For the past few months, I've noticed that my left ankle and arch hurts after 20 minutes of karate. I talked to one of the instructors and I was instructed to use a towel to pull my foot toward me with out bending my knees. After this technique didn't help after 3 weeks, I spoke with my chiropractor and she suggested that I lift one of those ankle weights with the end of my foot, 2 times a day for only 8 times. This didn't work, so I bought an ankle wrap, after using that for two classes, the pain still was there. I talked to my head instructor and he told me to write the alphabet with my big toe on my left foot. He said rest, ice and elevating it was the best thing for it. He said it would take time to build up the strength in the left ankle. I can see how the alphabet helps the ankle, heck it was so sore by the time I finished the alphabet I had to ice it. But the arch pain, I don’t see where that will help. I told him that I have flat feet, but he seemed to think the alphabet would solve my pain problem. I seem to only have the problem in my zen stance, where all my weight is on the front leg. Idk, I just hope the pain stops before I advance further.

Oh and my sister was planning to join a martial arts dojo, however the options she has in her area is very limited. She has an option between Tae kwon do and Taijutsu. She’s a bit over weight, and suffered an injury earlier this year so isn’t very bendable. Unfortunately, I don’t know either style, so I couldn’t offer any advise on which one she should think about joining. Any suggestions?

Fighting one's own daughter

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:53:25 GMT

I sparred with my own daughter Fiona (age 15) last night for the very first time last night. She's a black belt, first degree, and I'm a newly minted brown belt. This is something we've been looking forward to for quite awhile. Fiona has for years sparred against her sister Delia, age 12 (who is about to test for black belt at the beginning of next month) in the kids' sparring class. The growth spurt she has been going through in the past year, however, has finally forced her to admit facts: it is time for her to move to the adult sparring class. Even if it means facing the big hulking adult men, some of whom are a good foot taller and 120 pounds heavier than her.

Fiona has always loved sparring, so she leaped into the new class with enthusiasm. We had an extremely disconcerting start, however, when another young girl in the class (a black belt, age 14) somehow managed to injure her knee during a bout (possible dislocation) and got hauled away from the dojo in an ambulance. First time I've seen that happen!

I fought her twice. We spent the first match mostly circling and feinting, trying to get a feel for each other's styles. She has a very powerful side kick, but I, of course, have the reach on her in arm and leg length. The disconcerting thing was that any time either of us landed a hit, we would crack up. I guess we were just nervous and giddy about fighting each other.

During our second match, sensei told us to fight close in, light contacts, with hits only going to the chest and shoulders. I started thinking about how I've been trying to control my breathing, keeping in the aerobic range where I can talk as I fight, without hyperventilating, and I decided to have some fun. I feinted with a jab and threw a ridge hand to the shoulder: "That's for leaving your towels on the floor." Backhand punch. "That's for not emptying the dish drainer." She giggled and tried to blitz me. I ducked and tapped a hook. "That's for not making your bed." We ended the bout still giggling, breathless with laughter.

Any of you fight your daughters, or any other family members? How is it different for you than fighting any other fighter?

First MMA Fight

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:22:17 GMT

Hey, folks, I'm new to the community, but I like what I've read so far.

So, this coming Saturday, I'm going in for my first MMA style fight ever. My main styles are Wing Chun Kung Fu and Shotokan Karate, but of course I've been doing a lot of Judo and Aikido as well. I'm pretty psyched about it, the whole dojo, my sifu, and my sifu's sifu are coming down to see the fight, and if it's a good experience, I will probably do more in the future.

So, has anyone else here ever done an MMA fight? Any advice for the first time fighter?

Because this is too funny NOT to post

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:11:40 GMT

So, I've been emailing my grade eleven biology teacher lately (I can't go back and visit my old high school, it's in Calgary, I'm in Ottawa), and I told him how I take karate, and how I'm essentially like an assistant instructor. I just got an email back from him tonight actually, shortly after I got home from class.

This is what he said...the first part made me go "awww", the second part I laughed.

The kids are fortunate having you as their teacher with all of your expertise. When you receive your blackbelt, you’ll probably have to register as a “lethal weapon”!

In other news...should I take it as a compliment that I'm asked to teach/help/be nitpicky and polish off katas for a yellow belt in my own class? It's happened two weeks in a row...there were black belts available to help, and I wasn't the only green belt, but after we did up to the yellow belt curriculm, I got asked to help out...last week they did up to and including seisan (the green belt kata), this week, up to heian sandan and spinning kicks (the kicks I need major work on). It doesn't bother me one bit, because I train five days a week, but I just find it interesting that my sensei is dividing the class up that way.

Ah well, sparring tomorrow, the fun day! :D

Kickboxing

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:51:56 GMT

Hi everyone. I am brand new to the community.

I like the idea of sparring to stay in shape. The social aspect of sparring with another person is appealing to me, because it is more than physically challenging - it is also mentally stimulating (having a living, moving, thinking opponent, to whom you can react, whose moves you must predict, etc).

I am taking Cardio-Kickboxing this semester (at my university). This is my first "foray" into kickboxing. I look forward to the day I can practice competitive kickboxing against another person, but they don't offer competitive kickboxing at my university. My excuse for taking this class? To familiarize myself with some general kickboxing routines for fitness and training. That's what I hope to do - and maybe one day soon I can actually spar.

My question for you girls...

1.) If you have any advice for a first-timer, feel free to regale me with your tales and your wisdom. What better person to ask than someone who has already gone through it?!

2.) What are your favorite shoes to kickbox in?

Thank you so much. I am glad this community exists, I have already enjoyed reading over some of the entries here.

P.S. - For those around Detroit, can anyone recommend a good place for taking a real kickboxing class?

Hey Canadians.....

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:39:15 GMT

Karine Sergerie won silver in TKD!

http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/taekwondo/story/2008/08/21/olympics-taekwondo-sergerie.html

Back injury question

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 03:40:55 GMT

My back hurts. At first I thought I pulled a muscle perhaps while learning to do forward rolls. However this was two Wednesdays ago. I had taken a few days off because I went away and the pain still remained and not every class causes it to hurt more, but today before I even started class I hurt to the point of tears. (Sorry about the run-on sentences). Any slight move, like breathing deep, laughing, coughing.... they all cause me pain. It's in the center of my back on the left side (at my elbow height). I'm wondering if I did more than pull a muscle because anytime I have icy hot as always worked and it's gone away. Maybe someone else has had this issue and can shed some light?

Thank in advance

Newb-ness

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:19:59 GMT

So, it's a cold day and I needed to get some answers?
I'm 20 years old, 5'0" and about 120 lbs. I'm not overweight and I eat rather healthily, however when I was 16 I suffered something similar to a heart attack. Since then I have been recommended by my doctor to build my cardio. Problem is that I have an EXTREME phobia of gyms. Something about going frightens me. I'v wored for about 6 months and I can manage to work with a few piece of equipment and stay around 15 mins before the panic sets in.
So the question is this, if I start classes for (I was thinking Krav Maga or TKD) how in shape would I need to be and any tips on overcoming fear of these places.
Plus what is a good price, I don't know many people around that could give me good estimates and being in the Dallas area I have a alot of options.

Update: To say thank you for the answers.
So, I have been to a therapist for a while.. and the phobia is seemingly focused on gyms (it's akward to look "in shape" and to be totally unable to do most workouts) but I'm at the point where my therapist recommends that I need to go. I'm planning on getting a gym membership (it;s small) here at the college I'm at and when I return to the states (I'm studying abroad in a foreign country) I want to try my hands on a MA (I tend to need a practical goal or I get lazy and let it go) I've taken dancing lessons (like Jazz and ballet) and that worked out well, I stayed with it and it did not trigger the panic attacks. Again, thank you for your support and input.

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:57:18 GMT

Live feed from Beijing 2008 TKD prelims here

Not sure if anyone outside Canada will be able to view ...

Wuixa Novels?

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:28:56 GMT

It occurs to me that this group might be a better choice than a writing group. Does anyone here have a favorite wuxia novel or series of novels? I'm writing a novel of my own, and I'd like to read some examples of good wuxia.

Thanks in advance!

She got it!

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 15:17:39 GMT

Canada's First Gold!

Maybe Gold?!

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:38:49 GMT

Hey fellow Canadians.

Are we happy that the first to bring in a medal (we don't know which one it is yet) is from a female wrestler?!

another "guy dilemma"

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:11:05 GMT

So...the other day my bjj instructor of one month came up to me after class (with people still milling around) and said, "Can I ask you something embarrassing?"

Me: "Sure"
Him: "would you like to have dinner sometimes?"
ME: (in shock) "sure"

Oh man, how did I get into this situation. I think I felt bad already because he prefaced it with it how he knows this might be embarrassing for him if he I said no...but at that moment I just didn't want to hurt his feelings. I was most worried about something happening that would make it awkward for me to go to class because i love my BJJ and he is a great instructor...so I called him and said I was flattered he wanted to have dinner with me and he was like, "yea, why are you flattered..?" then i said "Well, I just hope i still have an instructor later" and he said, "why, you gonna go crazy on me?" and then I just felt kind of lame like, MAYBE i was just reading too much into the situation and it was just an INNOCENT dinner ??

I ended up going to dinner with him and having a good time...and he is asking to go out again...and I don't know what to say! I am so frustrated at him too...like doesn't he think it is a LITTLE inappropriate to date ur students?

How would you guys have handled this situation?? and even now...Has this ever happened to anyone??? I am also very concernned about how he will take my rejection...like will i still be comfortable training??

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:33:38 GMT

I just would like to thank everyone for their kind support yesterday as I vented about the jerk at my work. You made me smile again XD!!

When I ran into him today, he made sure to mock me... Yes, I shit you not. Even after apologizing for his behavior yesterday, he felt it was okay to do it all again...

I did ask him about whether he watched Power Rangers for any tips, but as I suspected, he didn't really get it. And then for some reason while he was belittling me, he started talking about spanking women if/when 'they got outta line'...seriously, I think I'm going to tell him to fuck off and don't talk to me...like EVAR!! If I had been wearing shoes that allowed it, I would have turned around and kneed him in the balls, and then maybe for good measure, maybe knee his head too, or perhaps an axe kick to the back of the neck. I swear, I was that close. *holds fingers really close together*

Judo- No more back falls :)

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:19:41 GMT

I went to the dojo this morning, I managed to speak with the instructor for the class.. He was not Shihan, and I know I need to speak with him about my back but he wasn’t there until the end of class. The instructor today, runs another dojo branch in another town, when I informed him of my handicap he was very glad I told him and at the end of class he had someone work on side falls with me. They asked me to tell them if there was a certain fall that I couldn’t do, and I basically told them that I don’t really know my limitations, but I would tell them after I did it if I should be doing it or not. They seemed to be okay with that.

Based on the advice from a few of you, I informed the instructor that I probably shouldn’t attempt any back falls any more. I told them that I didn’t know if I could handle front falls, but I would let them know after I did a few. The side falls didn’t really concern me about my back; I didn’t feel that I was subconsciously protecting myself and ultimately falling incorrectly. The side fall was very simple and I didn’t close my eyes because of the jolt, so I’m assuming that’s a good thing. We only did falls from the knees and the one teaching me the falls, didn’t want to go from the standing position right away and mentioned we would work on that at a later time.

I did notice that in the side falls my neck felt jarred a bit, and at the beginning my hip hurt a little bit, but the pain went away after it got more warmed up. The instructor mentioned to help my neck I need to keep my neck more in to the point of my chin touching my torso. Unfortunately, when I would do the fall, my chin didn’t always end up there, I assume it will come with practice but how do you practice with out a mat? Also how would practicing actually help with the tuck thing, if my chin doesn’t end up in the tuck position?

On a side note, I don’t need to worry about any falls to progress to yellow belt. My review will be next Tuesday, I’m not real nervous about it because I’ve been told that my stances are looking real solid and my katas have improved a lot. Hopefully, my confidence doesn’t waiver the closer Tuesday comes.

I want to thank everyone that commented on my last post regarding Judo. I tend to shy away from talking about my disability. I do many things despite the spring/ rods in my back, and people tend to treat me like I’m break able when they hear about the surgery. I figured writing my back issue on the contact information paper, that my dojo required me to fill out was good enough. It specified a place to put down any handicaps that they would need to know about, and so I put that down. The fact that they read the reason I started taking karate, and tease me about it at times, I figured they would have recognized the disability and I wouldn’t need to inform them again. I think the first time I realized I was going to have to was during the back falls I was being taught.

After telling the morning instructor of my slight handicap, he’s like if you know you can’t do something raise your hand just to remind me. He said that I would want to do that for Shihan as well. When he had another black belt take me to the side to work on side falls, he told him about my back and said that I needed to let them know if something wouldn’t work. When they had another work with me on my katas, the instructor told her about it and told me that if I couldn’t do something let her know. All of a sudden I have become an egg shell. All I know is I can’t fall backwards, I probably can’t lift anyone over 100lbs (restriction set by the doctor) and I can’t bungee jump (another limitation by the doctor)…. *sigh * I’m glad that I don’t have to worry about back falls, but now I get special treatment and that is a little annoying. Perhaps I will get used to it…

More Thank Yous...

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:31:33 GMT

Hi again;

Thanks for all your advice on the massage. My neck doesn't bother me anymore, but I am not doing any ab exercises until Saturday (a week removed since the big drop). It was my sensei's suggestion, and it seems to be healing on it's own. Same thing goes for my head, I'm not doing any jumpsquats/burpees in the warmup, and no breakfalls/takedowns/sweeps until Saturday, but my head feels 100% better now. I'm just playing it safe.

You guys rock. Nobody here is from Ottawa, are they? I would love to meet some of you, and do some occasional cross-training in different disciplines.

-a very happy Miriam

What The--!

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:48:22 GMT

In speaking to one of the warehouse guys at my work, I mentioned that I do TKD and teach it etc. His response "I think it's cute when girls do that..."

Cute!?! *insert vicious sarcasm*

He claims to have done Karate in the past but he doesn't 'need' it. He's got 'movies'. He can see any move and 'replicate' it *scorn, seethe*. But, he says, if he ever has a daughter, she's going to be involved in martial arts!

Arrogant bastard!

*rant, rant!!*

EDIT: OMG! He just came in and applogized to me!!

HIM: "Hey, I just wanted to say, I hope what I said earlier didn't offend you..."
ME: "Well, yes acutally, it did." *bluntly*
HIM: "Well, it's just that I've always seen girls as flowers and nice, so you know..."
ME: *nods* "If you'd seen me fight, you wouldn't see me as flowers then."
HIM: *starts to edge out of my office* "I guess I'm lucky that none of my past girlfriends knew martial arts..."
ME: "They would've beaten you, eh?"
HIM: "Yeah." *sheepish laugh...slinks away*

Thank you.

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:01:45 GMT

Thanks to everyone who gave their wishes, thoughts and prayers to Steve.

You guys are awesome and your support is amazing. Keep fighting!

Muay Thai

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:16:37 GMT

What do you girls think of Muay Thai? I've actually been trying in vain to find a boxing training class or similar in my area, but everyone's trendy and into the weight-loss cardio classes instead. Of course I've also been trying to work out which tradition of martial arts to work on - this seems to incorporate both.

Thank you!!!

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:49:13 GMT

Hello all. It's the newbie again.

I just wanted to thank every single person who gave me such wonderful advice and support. You guys have really upped my confidence and determination! Thank you so much. I'll definitely keep you updated on my journey.

And I will so be pimping this community to any of my female friends who are interested in martial arts.

Special request.

aithne@unseenworld.org.uk — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:04:30 GMT

Hello everyone. I am usually a lurker on this community, but I have a special request.

Recently, a man in our club endured serious injury to his back. His name is Steve. Tonight those of us in my club are taking a moment to remember him and light a candle.

Everyone has their own beliefs, but the message from our head instructor asked for positive thoughts and energy directed to Steve. I figured, it can only help to ask. He was referred to as a promising student and now a fallen warrior. Any help we can give him to get him on his feet again would be amazing.

Sorry if I intruded on this space with this request. Like I said, it can't hurt - it can only help.

Thanks a lot ladies. xoxo

UPDATE: Thanks for the amazing response so far. He was hurt in a cycling accident and may not walk again. He has trained 4-5 years with us. I suppose this is a reminder that nothing is promised to us and to live in the moment. Something that martial arts has taught me more than any other experience in my life.