Pep in my step

It's a great day and since Spring is in the air, there is a little something extra in my stride. That's right, but that has nothing to do with the 'Pep' in my step. Tony Pep is my boxing coach and after a solid 1 hour private session with him yesterday, I'm still digesting the abundance of subtleties, complexities, and quotable expressions he fills my head with.
I start with 3 rounds of shadow boxing in the ring to music, with Tony's gruff voice of constant feedback in the background coaching me on how my shoulders should be positioned, how to move my feet (like a veteran dancer basically), and how I better be constantly moving my head. Round 3, he picks apart my hands and shows me exactly where they should be. I bring my hands up like so, copying him like a little kid..."Is this right Tony"? "Yep, that's right. Now move them around"!!! WHAT?!!
Boxing is an art form like nothing I've ever studied. It is complex, filled with trickery and strategy, and probably has the slowest learning curve of anything I've done. After 1.5 years of dedication and private training, I still feel like a beginner. Tony assures me that I have skill, but it's obvious that he wishes I had started when I was 19. So do I.
We worked on body hooks - placement, angle, weight distribution and getting my shoulder to move like it's not connected to the rest of my body. Literally, when he does it, it looks like his shoulder is coming right out of its socket and back in again. He makes it look easy, like everything else he does. After a while mine starts to look about 5% as good as his. When I get it right, my left hook hits the pad with a solid "whap" sound and it feels like I could knock someone out cold. Now I just have to remember to keep my right up! Tony's light slap with the pad to my jawline reminds me that my opponent could surprise me with an awesome left counter hook. Whoever gets there first is going to land the shot. Great lesson, great session.
I leave the gym sweaty, exhausted, but invigorated and always wanting more!

Hands up, chin down.
Emma

RUNNING IN THE DARK

I really needed to go for a run last night. After a long day of administration and sitting at my desk (not my favorite place to be), I was itching to get out. I am used to squeezing my workouts in around my hectic life. Running a Martial Arts club, which means being head instructor and CEO, and raising 2 kids on my own does not leave a lot of free time. But training always maintains a high priority in my life, especially with my goal of competing in a boxing fight this year. Sometimes I wonder if I'm crazy to be juggling so much but who am I kidding, I LOVE my life!

On my run I use my time to process the day's work and motivate myself for the next hurdle in my business. I'm trying to stay in the zone and focus on my fighter's mind. But I also have to keep my wits about me; after all I'm running in the dark by the ocean in Vancouver. I can't ignore that I might be seen as a target. Could someone pop out and jump me at any moment, and if so, would I be ready for it? These questions are always in the back of my mind, and some might call it paranoia - but I call it preparedness.

I have a lot going on in my head and my body, but all the while I keep aware of my vulnerability and my responsibility to keep myself safe. I don’t have my headphones on, and I’m certainly not distracted on my cell phone (2 big No-No’s). Perhaps I shouldn't run in the dark (and mostly I don't), but sometimes the day just gets away from me and I still need to do what I need to do...for me.

But the real question is, could I protect myself if that creepy dude did turn around and start chasing me or if that distorted stump up ahead turned out to be my worst nightmare? I believe I can. I don't know exactly what it is, it could be the countless hours I've spent struggling under men almost twice my size at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class, or it could be the knife attacks and chokes I've had to fend off from the lovely (but extremely tough and resilient) women in my Women's Self-Defence class. What I think it boils down to is that I believe in myself and I'm not afraid to fight for my life because, as I mentioned, I LOVE my life and anything I love is worth fighting for!

If you are interested in learning self-defence, I encourage you to come out and try the Women's Self-Defence class at my club. It is a fun, positive and constructive hour spent with wonderful, strong, supportive women. Why not try it out? There's a self-defense workshop on Tuesday, March 8th at my club from 7pm - 8:30pm in recognition of International Women's Day. It's by donation and proceeds go to WAVAW.

It's fight, not flight.

Emma