*bounce*

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 13 October 2005 22:55:05

Ok, so the aikido didn't happen on Monday, but I've just got back from tonight's session and thought I'd update you all. It was fab, and I'm hooked! Time to dig out the old judo suit, check it still fits, and go find a new white belt so I can start all over again.

It was a bit intimidating at first this evening - I had very little idea of what to expect, but we started slowly, working in pairs with one "attacking" the other with an attempted punch to the stomach, and the other moving out of the way. From there, we then progressd to moving out of the way, and then various combinations of arm and leg movements that (if done correctly) wound up with your opponent on the floor. If done incorrectly, they ended up with you on the floor feling rather embarrased. And just when I thought I was beginning to get the hang of a couple of the movements, and remember which leg was meant to go where, they complicated issues by handing out 6-inch long knife-shaped pieces of wood - so now you weren't defending against an attempted punch, but against a (simulated) knife attack. Eek! Fun though :D

It's strange the way making one change in my life seems to have led to several follow-on changes. I have a new job, so I'm way less stressed and have the energy and enthusiasm to do more things in the evening. I have new colleagues at my new job, and am therefore finding out about different things to do with my newly available evenings. And all of it is doing wonders for my self-confidence, which means I'm then prepared to get out there and do more.

So, all in all, a great day. Bet I ache tomorrow though!