....and we're back! Thoughts on relaxation and hitting people.

Thanks for the nudge, lady. I forgot that I have the obligation to write what's in my head verses assuming you can read my mind. But keep practicing because that would be sweet! As you can see, its been awhile.

Q: So what do a Catholic Priest, A Kung Fu Master, and an M.D. have in common?

A: They've all told me to relax.

Yes, even in Confession, apparently I was too guilt-ridden even for a Catholic Priest. He told me to relax. Maybe he didn't think my sin was bad enough. Then, (I take Kung Fu) and tonight, my Sifu (Master) told me to relax. Actually he said it about 94 times. "Relax! Relax!Relax!" Apparently you can get a hell of a lot more power behind kicks and strikes if you are relaxed until the last second, and then pop! Just like snapping a towel in the men's locker room (or so I heard once). And last, that crazy rash all over my neck that I had before work that suddenly went away by the time I went to the doc? Yeah, he told me to relax, and he wasn't too happy with me either. Something about a strong mind and next time just relax.

None of these were helpful in any real way to me, with the exception of Martial Arts tonight. The guy knew what he was talking about! He really reminds me of the turtle in Kung Fu Panda. Or maybe the crabby one that dies in the end (OH! did I ruin the ending for you? crap.) Funny and he seems to know everything, including what you are thinking and what your body is doing, even when you don't. I didn't know I wasn't relaxing. Instead of kicking a crescent kick and pulling a portion of my hamstring like I did back in August, I pretended (with his direction) that my foot was a brick on the end of a chain that I was whipping around. "It's all in the hip, relaaaaax." Whip! It worked. "Yaaaa!"

Everything I've learned in Kung Fu (specifically Choy Lee Fut) has been counter-intuitive. But its strangely really natural and I've progressed pretty quickly. Maybe because everything that goes into it is ironic and I like that. Like of course something that I really come to enjoy it turns out I'm a complete minority (who's heard of a white woman who loves kung fu? I can't even find a good pair of pants online, there's no market.) And the fact that in order to be powerful and precise in fighting you have to be really relaxed and peaceful. I also like that you spend a bulk of your training learning how to fight but you aren't supposed to use it for beating people up. I used to think all of these martial arts were just bringing more violence into the world or that it just taught everyone to fight with each other. I completely disagree now and I see how much history, honor and respect goes into these art forms. I like the idea that people can fight fairly in a match, follow rules, kick each other's asses, and then hug at the end. It's so strange to me that I love it.

I think the strangest thing about it is that I've personally come to really like hitting people. I get energy from it, a rush of adrenaline that I haven't really matched to anything yet. The hubby didn't believe me when I said "people." He really thought I was pretending the punching bags or kicking pads were people. No, I mean people. Of course I'm one of the few women there, so the instructors are not intimidated and are more than happy to let me actually try it out on them because, well, they are bad ass and can handle me hitting or kicking. For those of you that have never hit anyone, it feels like a transfer of energy from them to you (so backwards from what you'd think) and hurts you more than you might think too. Until the endorphins kick in. By comparison, punching and kicking bags are so soft! Its still such an unusual feeling for me to feel someone underneath my fist, side of my palm, foot, etc. I imagine most women wouldn't like it, but maybe I'm wrong. Who knows, I was definitely wrong though when I thought I wouldn't like it. I think we're (women) raised to nurture things around us, not hit them. My Sifu even said I "must have been a boy" in my past life-- even he found it strange (me strange?).

Every class I leave feeling calm, strong, and well, relaxed.:) It must be doing something right.

Live Well,

B