It Begins

[shanmonster]

After running a few laps, going for a spin on the eliptical trainer, and speeding through my various Hung Gar and Praying Mantis forms this morning, I participated in a stability ball class. Although the beginning wasn't too tricky, it quickly became very challenging. I felt my abs working very, very hard. Afterwards, I spoke to the instructor, Denis. He's very good, and really knows his stuff. It looks like I'll be apprenticing with him in order to get my fitness certification again. I'll be shadowing him during fitness classes, will probably be teaching a crosstraining class, and will be working on getting my personal trainer certification. I told him I'm pretty much destitute, and he said that that is ok, and that I wouldn't have to worry about paying for my training since I'll be making up the cost of it in my volunteer hours. Awesome!

So once I have my certification, I can start whoring my skills out to the various gyms again.

Last night's kung fu class was lamentably easier than I'd anticipated. The kicking and punching drills gave me an excellent workout, but I didn't experience the drowning in perspiration that I did last Thursday. I was also working with a new instructor: Sifu Steve. I guess he'll be working with the class for a while. I think this was his first time teaching in about seven years, but I did get some new perspectives from him. We worked on roundhouse kicks with partners, finding out just how high we could kick without sacrificing balance or power. Most of the others could kick about rib height, but I was very happy to discover I could knock someone's head off, if I felt like it. Hoorah for strong legs and flexible hips!

I think I'm still fighting off the frosh flu, so I'm pretty tired right now. I'm going to nab myself a power nap before doing some housework, homework, and going on a kayaking expedition. G'nite!

Comments

[ex-digitalis869.livejournal.com]

The abilty to kick someone's head off sounds like a Very Useful Skill.

I'm jealous.

Actually the fitness cert will be more useful still, but hey, I can dream.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Of course, kicking someone's head off will depend wholly on whether or not their neck is made of marzipan....

[goth-hobbit.livejournal.com]

Forgot to finish telling you about Stash teas. Their lemon and ginger herbal blend is one of the best good-fer-what-ails-ya panaceas I've ever found. (It's especially good for those achy, cruddy, coughy kind of ailments.) I know that you said you weren't sure if you had seen them up in your neck of the woods, but that's my suggestion if they're available. And, if not, a lemon-ginger-herbal something would be a good backup. (Homemade variety with lemon zest, hibiscus, and ginger crystals, if nothing else.)

Hope you get to feeling better soon. Oh, and "yowzah!" on the chin-height kicks. That is really fantastic! (On a slightly more self-indulgent note, your report will no doubt help me get motivated about regaining some of my old flexibility.)

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Actually, I saw some Stash tea the other day and immediately thought of your post. I'll check out the lemon ginger one. I like a good ginger tea, anyhow.

Just in case you didn't already know, Lipton tea sucks arse. Except for their black tea with vanilla. That's pretty good.

I've always been a high kicker, as has everyone in my family. I guess it's genetic. As far back as I can remember, I've been able to kick at least as high as I can reach. It's still nice to learn that I have the strength and flexibility to go with a roundhouse kick that high. It made me feel pretty chuffed!