As most of you know, I’ve been involved in Kickboxing for the past few months. My goal is not necessarily to become a contender in the ring. It’s more of a health and strength thing.
Whether or not I’m in it for the competition, I still have to perform the same maneuvers as the other (younger, fitter) members of the group.
I have to admit, when I first began Kickboxing lessons, I had a difficult time just doing warm-up stretches and exercises. These exercises required flexibility and balance, two of the many things that have phased themselves out of my life over the past few years.
It was a painfully obvious challenge for me to do a comfortable side stretch (does that even exist?) and slide gracefully into a seated, butterfly stretch.
I would eventually arrive at the assumed position, (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) but it wasn’t without much grimacing and whining.
After the stretching, the workout began. The beginning movements are relatively simple. A jab, a cross, a hook. Easy as pie. NOT!!!
The punches can/should not consist of too tightly wrapped fists flailing desperately in a general forward direction. The hands, before punching, have to remain close to the face, for self-protection. The punches themselves can’t/shouldn’t be hammer strikes. (I’m famous for those). A hammer strike is when you punch more with the side of your hand, striking the target with your baby and 3rd finger, possibly resulting in a painful break. The punches have to be full-on, straight punches, avoiding complete arm extension.
They are thrown from the shoulder, not the elbow. This requires something called pivoting. It’s movement on the balls of your feet controlled by hip movement. I’ve been Kickboxing for a little over three months now and still can’t do this right. Admittedly, it’s amusing to watch me try though.
Kickboxing, like Jiu Jitsu, Karate and other Martial Arts is a controlled, strong, graceful sport yet somehow, I manage to still look like I’m having convulsions while trying to perform the simplest of moves.
On the up side, I’m really enjoying myself, relieving a lot of stress and pent-up anger and getting in great physical shape.
Three months in, what was extremely difficult is slowly becoming easier. I can effortless tough my toes whereas, when I began my classes, I didn’t even know I HAD toes.
Every move I’ve learned began as an unnatural movement. I mean, let’s face it. They aren’t things I do every day.. like walking, for instance. I had to think before moving for fear of tripping over my own feet and falling face first on the mat in front of everyone. Although it probably would have been great for entertainment and as much as I enjoy making people laugh, it’ not something I wanted to do. I wanted to look like I had it all together.
I want to tell you that unnatural is uncomfortable and sometimes even painful but not impossible. This applies to almost everything in our day to day lives. Certain things require more balance, more concentration and more skill. They feel awkward at first but, in time, with practice, they become easier and yes, even more natural.
Remember your first day on the job? It was overwhelming. You wondered if you would ever get the hang of what you were doing. It may have even seemed hopeless. I bet now, though, you can do the same work with your eyes closed. You may even be delegated to train someone else to do your job as you move on to more challenges, stretching your abilities and stepping outside of your comfort zone.
I would like to challenge you.
Stretch those arms!!! Touch your toes!!! Do something unnatural and uncomfortable!! Become supple and flexible enough that what was once seemingly beyond difficult, you will be able to accomplish with ease, poise, and balance. Maybe even with your eyes closed (although I don’t suggest that you practice punches this way).
If I can do it, ANYBODY can!!
~~ Peace, LOVE and Happiness ~~
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