Midwife with a Fist?
All right. I did it. I started martial arts training last night. I'd always thought of it as being for little kids or for mystical Asian men. But as it turns out, the list of people taking martial arts lessons can also include curious perinatologists.
It was a ton of fun. The studio that I joined teaches Moo Sool Do, which, as I understand, is an eclectic Korean martial art that's kind of a combination of Tae Kwon Do (kicking and punching, mostly) and hapkido (involves locks, throws, falls, weapons).
Why did I do such a thing? Well, I've always been at least a bit overweight, and I gained a ton of weight on the prednisone. Also, after spending 6 of the last 8 months on 20-60 mg of prednisone a day I must have lost some muscle mass. I certainly feel like I've lost some. I'm used to feeling pretty strong, but for a while, even my notebook computer has felt impossibly heavy. Carrying my groceries into my apartment has become more difficult. Also, as it turns out, strength seems to be interlaced with endurance, I think, because my (admittedly grueling) schedule has just seemed almost impossible.
Although I do indulge in self pity on occasion, I really believe that the best way to approach most problems is to find solutions, so I decided I needed some real exercise. And since we've had below zero windchills for a while (I know, I'm a wuss, but I don't jog if the windchill is below zero), I decided I needed something indoors. I tried the whole gym thing for a while, but I just get bored in a gym.
So, wandering around my neighborhood one night, I saw this place, advertising lessons. I decided I'd give it a try. It seemed interesting. And, really, I'll try anything at least once if it looks like it might be a good time.
So, I tried it. And it was fun. Apparently I'm a good puncher and a fair kicker. The teacher seemed to think that it was an accomplishment that I didn't loose my balance and fall flat on my face while learning how to do a roundhouse kick. And my arms are sore from the punching. Which feels good, mostly. I'm imagining those myocytes (muscle cells) hypertrophying.
This particular studio does contact sparring, although I have to get some more experience before I can graduate from non-contact sparring, I'm not sure I'd be able to actually hit someone. I guess I'll find out.
(picture credit)
posted by Midwife with a Knife @ 2/12/2008 08:23:00 PM
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12 Comments:
Good for getting into the class and becoming more active again! Hope your health (whatever had you on the prednisone) stays better than good.
You go girl! My best friend just started Tai Kwan Do and absolutely loves it, I hope you get hooked the same way. It's fabulous exercise, that's for sure :)
(oh my goodness, that last comment totally made me sound like a 15 year old. I shall refrain from any "you go girl" statements or anything of the sort in the future!!)
Good for you! I'm impressed that you're taking an active approach to perceived issues; well done!
I used to fence (no, not building stuff, with epees and all), and it was surprisingly satisfying to hit someone just right. (Not to hurt them, just to get a touch.) I don't know that using my fist wouldn't seem a lot harder (for one thing, it might hurt my fist!).
Let us know how it goes!
yay mwwak! that sounds like a fabulous experience! :D
Oh, it's not very usual for woman :) Nice start
You have a good blog, would you like to exchange links?
My email is ales(dot)normales(at)gmail(dot)com
Oooooooo jealous, i've been wanting to for so long.
Just be careful not to fall too hard after all that prednisone. My daughter took karate in grade school, working up to a black belt her junior year in high school. It was really good for her in a number of ways.
Very impressive!
I'm thinking of taking Krav Maga someday. I doubt it'll ever get past the thinking stage, but it's nice to think about it.
rlbates: Thanks. The prednisone was for a ridiculously long ulcerative colitis flare.
xavier: I think I'm hooked. :) I spend most of the day thinking about what I can do to get out of work in time to make it to lessons. :) It's funny, it doesn't feel that strenuous when I'm practicing, but I certainly have been sore afterwards. (and you can say "you go girl" all you want!)
bardiac: I too was a fencer in college (also epee's, not barriers. ;) ), and it was a ton of fun.
ditzydoc: It's been really cool.
alex: thanks.
msilf: You should sometime. It's a lot of fun.
anon: yeah. I would hate to end up with a fracture, but so far, no problems. And it's fun.
therapydoc: Cool. Krav Maga is the self defense system of the Israeli armed forces, right?
"I really believe that the best way to approach most problems is to find solutions" is sort of how I live my life. I love that you put into words what I feel.
I am jealous that you are able to try this. I have been wanting to try some sort of martial arts class for a while now and can't seem to squeeze it into my schedule. I am stuck running on my treadmill and swimming at the gym on the rare occasion that all 3 of my school aged kids are at school and I don't have daycare kids. Someday I guess. For now I will live vicariously through you in this.
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