In a world filled with dire predictions relating to personal safety, I have taken the initiative to learn some self defense in the form of a Muay Thai Boxing class. We meet once a week to learn technique and build our fighting endurance. This past week’s class was a test to the later. Because we had an odd number of students in class, our instructor asked an advanced student to stay behind after the prior class and act as one of our sparring partners. Given my innate luck to draw expertise whether I solicit it or not held true. I was paired with the advanced student. This guy has been boxing for 30+ years.
Okay, so we had several exercises to do. The first one was a jab-jab-kick-push combo. So, we were supposed to practice for ten minutes with each person taking turns at being the aggressor and the other the defender. Well, as luck would have it… my partner always defended and I was always the one practicing. Which translated into me doing the combo non-stop for 10 minutes. To make matters even more interesting, I was constantly critiqued as to style, force, accuracy, and endurance. I would look at the others in my class and see them laughing… enjoying the exercise. Then I’d be scolded for losing focus and not keeping my eyes on my opponent. I did appreciate the one-on-one tutoring I received from this experienced fighter, but I can tell you I was exhausted.
After the exercise, my one-on-one coaching did not cease. We all do squats, abdominal exercises, lunges, etc. For each exercise we did, he had a twist that made them more challenging and strenuous. Me being me, I couldn’t say no. After all, he is more experienced and was acting as my teacher. No one asked him to do this, he was taking it upon himself. So, I did the more strenuous squats, abdominal exercises, lunges, etc. I was sweating like a man (not something girls like to admit too) and breathing like I had sprinted a mile. He even gave me ‘homework’ to do over the week to help ‘train’ my muscles.
When I returned home, I decided to examine my form in our bathroom mirrors. One weakness that the instructor noted was that my left jab did not carry the same force or speed as my right. I decided to check it out. Sure enough, my left jab looked very girly and lacked momentum. Combined, the jab looked ineffective and definitely wouldn’t do any damage to an attacker. I then decided to see my right jab. As soon as I let the jab fly, I could feel the difference as well as see it. The momentum made the motion a fluid body movement, the speed would surprise an attacker, and the jab looked controlled (thus possibly accurate). But unfortunately, there was still a deficiency in my jab. Not so much form but in my ability to estimate distance. CRACK! My unprotected knuckles made contact with the wooden frame of the mirror, resulting in a scraped skin and jammed fingers. On the plus side, if I was attacked I’d know what pain to expect when my hand made contact with a person.
I could feel my boxing activities the next day; in the blisters on the balls of my feet, the tenderness of my hand, the deep stiffness in my upper back muscles and upper thighs.
