The day I figured “it” out.

From: Cindy

I finally figured “it” out… “it” being the key to my training.

Tuesday, when I came in to class (late again), I wasn’t focused on taekwondo. In fact, sometimes I’m REALLY ho-hum about training at night after I’ve spent all day trying to improve my small business (and a little time surfing martial arts websites). Like many extroverts, I learn by socializing and having fun. As you know, martial arts is very much an individual journey.

Tuesday night we had a pre-tournament. Colored belts were grouped as a ring (I’m a blue belt, an intermediate rank in my style). In the nine months I’ve spent sparring, I’ve never won for 100 reasons. I don’t “get” much out of sparring… probably because I wasn’t putting much into it. I’ve been so afraid of kicking someone in the head that I just avoid it altogether.

But Tuesday, I decided to just spar. No worrying.

Something clicked. I switched up stances, interpreted their telegraphy, spun around, and yes, kicked people in the head. I have big boobs, and I even managed to protect my chest. Most importantly, I kept control and attitude at the forefront. No sense in being cocky or overpowering.

I beat every student in my ring/class. And after the pre-tournament training, I beat the highest ranking TKD student (a second degree black belt / trainee instructor).

Just do it! Everything else will follow.

Cindy
former slacker, currently awesome (and a little sweaty)

PS I’m in a ring with all black belts on Saturday, so don’t expect miracles.
PPS I still don’t like sparring that much, but I do like to win.

Tags: class, confidence, Karate, karate training, martial arts, sparring, Taekwondo, training, winning, worrying