Yes, I'm crazy

Sometimes I feel crazy beginning martial arts in my 40's. I've never done any kind of sport. I didn't have brothers or sisters to wrestle with growing up. So you've got to wonder, what on earth am I doing?



Well, I have 5 children and 4 of them have been taking a mixed martial art called, Tao Hsieh Wu Shu. It means, "The Way Of Unified Martial Arts". It is a mix of 8 different martial arts styles blended into one. My kids and my husband always made it look so easy! So, when Soke asked me when I was going to start, I would always grin and say, "when the baby is old enough". Well when the "baby" was three, Soke hired a babysitter and I no longer had any excuses.



I had been very involved with the school up to this point in helping out with the administration, video taping all the belt test and tournaments so I wasn't a stranger to some of the concepts. However, trying to get my body to do what I had been watching was something else! Now, I don't consider myself to be very athletic, in fact, I'm about 30 lbs over weight. After 5 kids and hormonal changes - well you get the picture.



So, here I am 7 months later still trying to figure out my left from my right but having a grand time doing it. Is it hard? Yes, there are many nights after class that I come home and take 4 Ibuprofen and a hot bath! Am I learning? You bet! I've actually earned 2 belts and am preparing for my next belt test on August 23rd.



My favorite part has been doing the class with my kids and hearing them encouraging me, instead of the other way around. Each of them has had a special part in helping me learn and prepare for each level as I have progressed. We also have a grand time watching martial art movies and discussing what is going on.



I am slowly getting in better shape. I certainly have better cardio (thanks to Mr. Van's MMA cardio class) and I am gradually becoming more flexible. If someone had told me a year ago that I would be able to break a board with a front snap kick or hip throw my 220lb husband, I would have laughed at them! But I'm thrilled to say, "I can actually do all of those things".



Momt5