Anyway, a few years ago, he found a type of martial arts that he really enjoyed (and that my sister-in-law enjoyed doing with him). In Houston, they practiced Kuk Sul Won, a Korean martial arts; upon moving to California, they found a similar martial arts called Hapkido. They are currently both purple belts and are working toward an eventual goal of being black belts. (Very proud of them! The 'Phew too is also a striped yellow belt in the Little Ninjas program...he totally loves it! Ay-yah!)
So...my brother has always been quite enthusiastic about martial arts and has always wanted me to give it a try--he thinks I would really enjoy it. (I, on the other hand, think I would feel silly, what with all the yelling and sparring and hitting of other people and whatnot.) A few years ago we made a deal--as I have been a yoga practitioner for nearly a decade, I told him that if he would try yoga, I would then try some form of martial arts. He agreed....
Suffice it to say that he has yet to attend a yoga class (I even searched online and found an Ashtanga Yoga studio in his city!) and so I have yet to attend a martial arts class. Oh well....however, I have now come closer to upholding my end of the bargain than he has!
After being here in southern California for about a week this Christmas, and eating lovely things from the bakery their friend Tara works at, I really felt a need for a good workout (gotta burn off at least a few of those calories!). Since their Hapkido studio (dojo?) was open yesterday, they decided they wanted to go to a class. My lovely sister-in-law, knowing that I was wanting a really good workout, called to see if I could get in to a Kickboxing Express class. And away we went!
For the record, I have never in my life done any kicking or boxing, especially not at a target (bag). Nor have I ever worn gloves or needed my hands/wrists wrapped prior to a workout. So even the wrapping and gloves were a unique experience, since my workout usually involves a medicine ball, running, and yoga. :)
Well, the kickboxing class totally rocked. I enjoyed the punching far more than the kicking because I felt very awkward and ungainly doing the high and low kicks--my brother tells me that improves with practice. With the punching, I found myself imagining the bag was someone I knew and I suppose maybe that's why I found myself punching a little harder than I probably should have. Sure was fun, though. And I can see why some women love it! Wow. And it was a HELL of a good workout! (and in only 30 minutes!) Whew!!
Afterward, I sat with my nephew and watched my brother and sister-in-law in their Hapkido class. (I had watched my nephew in his class the day before, by the way.) It was enjoyable to watch, but I still don't think it's something I would ever seek out to practice (tai chi, on the other hand...is a definite...maybe). However, if he should ever live up to his end of our bargain and go try a yoga class, then I will definitely find a martial arts class to try. But for now, it's not something I will actively seek out....I'll stick to my "boot camp" class and yoga. :)
But oh my Lord, I can think of certain days when a kickboxing class would have been just what the doctor ordered!!
