Are you a martial artist?

It's not just for kids
When my family started martial arts 6 years ago, I would always tag along and watch; secretly wishing I could do what they were doing. I was pregnant at the time and after the baby was born, I continued taking the kids to class and watching each class. To stay involved with the kids, I began doing some administrative work for our instructor. It was fun to be a part of what they were doing. I would still watch the kids and wish I could do what they were doing. They looked like they were having so much fun. However, I never thought that I could do it, and as a perfectionist didn't have the courage to try. If I do something, I want to do it well and I just didn't think I could do martial arts.

Tournament Preprations
My kids do alot of prep prior to a tournament and the results of their hard work show. I have 53 trophies and medals in my hallway upstairs from the past 4 years. Ok, I'm bragging on them a bit, but a great deal of it is because of their work. They practice daily for weeks prior to a tournament. This dedication shows in class when they are practicing and in demonstrations. As with all things, they have alot to learn but I'm always so proud to watch them compete. They don't always win, and they are ok with that. It makes the ones that they do win all the sweeter.Are you preparing to compete in the upcoming tournament? Are you as excited as they are? I hope so. It is a wonderful e

The art in martial
Prior to beginning martial arts, I did not think of it as an art form, but merely a way of fighting. As I continue to learn, I see more and more of the art form in the movements that we do. Just as in dance, the smallest of details can change the look of a form (kata). The position of your hands, where you are looking, and the depth of your stances all make a difference. Watching my daughter perform her form is like watching her dance. Her fluidity and grace are beautiful to watch.A weapons form can be the same thing. Have you ever watched someone performing a form with fans? Beautiful....When I began learning form 1 my focus was: a. remembering the directio

Plantar Fasciitis
Well, I've learned alot about feet in the past 3 months, and I really don't like feet! But, I have been struggling with plantar fasciitis and I've learned more than I ever wanted to.First, let me explain what plantar fasciitis is, just in case you don't know. It's pronounced "plantar fash-eee-eye-tiss". This is the condition that occurs when the long fibrous plantar fascia ligament along the bottom of the foot develops tears in the tissue. This creates pain and inflammation.Plantar fasciitis causes the inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament which runs along the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia ligament is made of fibrous bands of tissue and runs between th

A little bit of fun
I had the coolest epiphany last week. I was watching a fellow student's yellow belt test thinking how well he was doing when I realized, "Hey, I passed that test too! I really can do all of the things he's doing". It was a really cool feeling.Granted, I don't have the finesse and speed as many of our younger students, but what I lack in finesse I certainly make up for in enthusiasm. I really enjoy all of our classes. I have so much fun doing things I never thought I would ever do. Me doing a jump double roundhouse? Yea, well it wasn't pretty, but I did it and it was a lot of fun learning how to do it.Isn't that what it's all about? Enjoying what you are doing.