Thanks!

[amedia]

I really appreciate the answers to the questions in my last post! Thanks to everyone for taking the time.

It seems only fair that I give you my answers as well.

The positive impressions I had before I started martial arts:

I was attracted to the philosophy (as most of you know, it's my profession), and I had gotten the impression from shows like Kung Fu and movies like Karate Kid that martial arts ideally integrated the philosophy with the physical training. I've always found Oriental culture fascinating as well. And I was looking for a physical activity, if not to lose weight, at least to gain health.

The negative impressions that I had:

I thought people like Master Po and Mr. Miyagi were the exception rather than the norm, and that I would never be lucky enough to find such an inspirational teacher. I also thought that martial arts were for younger people in better physical shape than I was. And as for ninjutsu, all I'd ever heard of ninjas was that they were sneaky mercenary assassins.

What positive impression finally got me into it?

Well, I enrolled my son in martial arts because he needed a physical activity and soccer was SO not working out, and because he has ADHD and I'd heard that martial arts is good for that. (It is.)I was also positively inclined toward it on his behalf for the aforementioned reasons - interest in the philosophy, exposure to Oriental culture, etc., which I figured would be good for him - and although the only school in the area whose times were compatible with his schedule was a ninja school, I figured they wouldn't teach a ten-year-old to be an assassin. While watching his lessons, I came to realize that the training was adapted to all different ages and levels of physical capability; that ninjas are not what I thought they were; that the training at this school integrated philosophy in just the way I had always dreamed of finding; that the head instructor was the kind of inspirational teacher I thought I would never be lucky enough to find (and a Trekkie! yay!); and that it looked like FUN. So I signed up, and I've been enjoying it ever since! I'm still a pudgy person, but I'm a much more flexible, coordinated, healthy, and confident pudgy person.

In fact, I test for my black belt at the end of this month - wish me luck, y'all!

Comments

[akite.livejournal.com]

In fact, I test for my black belt at the end of this month - wish me luck, y'all!

Wow! Cool! Yes, indeed, good luck!