A Par LaChance Self-Defense Course: The Urban Shaman!
So I wasn’t ever into the usual sports and following games on TV, my movement was mostly taking place outdoors: biking, hiking, swimming, skiing/snowboarding (I definitely have a favorite but I’ll keep that a secret for now!), and horseback riding among a few, I was always encouraged to interact with nature! To this day, I’m happy to say that together with the Mr I still get to enjoy all of my favorite activities…and more!
I’ve always kept an open mind when it comes to expanding my fitness routines, trying a variety to suit my mood and movement both voluntarily and involuntarily (thanks to either one or both illnesses or injuries). My fitness routines are mostly home-based, haven’t ever been the type to go to a gym but I commend those who do (any way YOU get moving is the RIGHT way!) so at a certain point the Mr. started to take note and impart his own knowledge (with a diverse range of activities) with proper form and movements. So sometimes I would sit there watching him, and one day he started up his kickboxing routine as per usual, and turning to me he said “Give it a try!”.
Look, it’s not that I was averse to it, but to be honest, I was definitely intimidated, and I know that fear had stopped me time and time again from trying something new! I watched the Mr. practice his movement: seeing the speed, force, and precision that he executed…and to be honest sometimes I flinched for the free-standing bag! So here I am, back at that moment, his face lit up with amusement knowing the internal struggle, and being ever-patient he coaxed me into standing until I was right beside him: hands fisted up by my chin, he starts by covering the basic 4-punch combination. 1-2-3-4 repeat! 1-2-3-4 repeat! I’m feeling pumped!!! This is awesome! Adrenaline takes over and I start getting a little too enthusiastic with my movements, but the muscles are starting to learn the pattern!
I hadn’t noticed but the Mr. had taken a step back and was grinning ear to ear, knowing that I was capable and just needed that encouragement coupled with effort. It’s been a few years since that first day, and I still see myself standing in front of the window like it was a mirror and counting out my punches while watching my form, trying to adjust for improvements. Every session we spent together, he committed to the role of teacher and watched as I progressed until I had reached the coveted status of being able to hit that free-standing bag!
While out for one of our usual night walks before dinner, I was attacked, my reflexes kicked in and I managed to perform this sort of punch-duck combination…we both look around bewildered, what had come at me to make me react like that? The culprit? A branch!!! We both just ended up laughing. It was self-defense! I was able to apply what I had learned and use it in the “real world” just as the Mr. had always intended.
In all seriousness, there is a huge benefit that comes with diversifying` your workouts and routines. Our muscles become conditioned to repetitive movement, which in a way sets our bodies up to maintain a certain type of “posture”. The benefit extends past the muscles to the mind, which appreciates the new experience that leads to the development of new biological pathways. Going even further than that, you realize how these “behind the scenes” movements apply to your day-to-day life. Every once in a while, shaking off that intimidation and replacing it with experience is an irreplaceable feeling!