Pain and Gain

Took three months but I finally moved up the Taekwondo ranks.

Started taking TKD in February. So far, I havent lost any weight (though I've lost two inches off the waist), skinned my knuckles, and most recently, injured my foot from a misstep that landed me on my behind (and immobilised me for two days). So why you might ask? Why put up with the pain? (More than the physical pain, it is the embarrassment of having pre-teen kids as occasional teachers that gets to me.) What do I get out of it?

Well, why not? I needed something to get me off the couch and I've always fancied the martial arts. I will leave it to this "essay" to explain why-- this was the paper I had to submit in conjunction with the belt promotion. (Obviously I had too much fun with it.)

Why I am Taking up Taekwondo

I was raised on a regular regimen of Chinese martial arts movies. Tuesdays, police movies set in modern-day Hong Kong where apparently bare hand still beats gun, were my standard fare. Saturday mornings I sat in thrall watching as Jacky Chan clowned his opponents into submission. Meanwhile, I shifted to the China of yore on Sunday afternoons, as kung fu masters defied gravity by flying through space and time, communicated through psychic channels, and channelled healing through their chi.

As such, I grew up imagining someday I would do all these things. In my teens, I took up wushu and karate on two separate summers and thought I was on my way. However, the pressures of high school, and subsequently university, distracted me from actually pursuing this. Now, eight years in the workforce, it is all I can do to watch the occasional Jet Li movie as I lounge on my comfy couch.

It was in this haze of quarter-life stupor that I decided to enroll in Taekwondo classes. Initially, my intent was to force a regular doze of physical activity into a schedule that rotated around work. Primary goals were to tone up and trim down, while learning to kick butt. I gravitated towards Taekwondo because I enjoyed the emphasis on kicking, which I specially enjoyed.

Since starting, I have sees physical improvements such as greater flexibility and increased stamina. It didn’t hurt that I've lost weight along the way. I also infused by a better sense of well-being (from the all the endorphins I must be generating).

The physical benefits aside, I also appreciate the 'extras'. The chance to release pent-up stress has also helped develop my focus. It has also instilled a discipline in going to class regularly (and waking up early on Saturdays!). I also like the challenge of paying attention to the small details (e.g. slight hand gestures, 5 degree differences in foot placement) that apparently make a world of difference in form and substance.

With these in mind, I have strengthened my resolve to pursue my childhood fascination with martial arts. Now not so whimsical, I combine this juvenile enthrallment with my adult realities by bearing sore muscles and grueling practice as I work towards the more realistic goals of physical and mental conditioning.

And truth be told, the other thing that keeps me going is the thought that hey, Jet Li's gotta retire someday too, you know? =)