When I was a kid I learnt judo for a couple of years in Japan and it was a really defensive form with no attacking moves like punches or kicks. The last few years saw me trying out a couple of different martial arts classes in commercial schools and I couldn’t really decide what to sign up for.
Silat is the form I decided to go for and I must say its quite interesting how it works so many things into a series of training routines. My first class I almost passed out from going around and around in a circle with my partner at a faster and faster speed. My second class I kept getting winded during sparring rounds. My latest class I got accidentally kicked in the balls. This was after I was deliberately kicked in the chest because I tended to leave me chest unguarded. It’s not easy keeping up my stamina with a kid 21 years younger.
My teacher did say …. we learn from being hit. I only understood what that meant when I felt pain from the kicks and my mind decided I shouldn’t be leaving myself open to these attacks anymore. Now I vow to move learn to move much faster and not let myself be so open to kicking attacks.
Now I’m gonna rest a bit to recover as much as I can before class again on Monday.
