Escalation

Kung fu class tonight kicked my ass in more ways than one. We sparred for the first time will full contact. I’m the smallest and shortest person in my class, so sometimes it’s intimidating when being punched or kicked by women twice my size. There are times when their force literally moves me. But with concentration, I'm amazed at how much force I can recieve and hold my own.

I’m learning that it’s more mental limitations—rather than physical—that I need to overcome. Week after week, kung fu is teaching me that I am exactly as strong as I think I am.

That being said, I’m still in a little bit of pain from sparring practice and a series of round-house kicks we did that were really hard on my back and hips. I felt a little behind, too. Because of a prior commitment, I had to miss class last Tuesday and, unfortunately, will have to miss one more before the beginner’s series is over. But I'm getting so much out of it that I want to continue.