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Just for kicks
Years ago, I signed up for Taekwondo. In high school, I had been involved in karate, and I really enjoyed how the practice engaged both physical and mental discipline. With high school (and karate) a distant memory, I entered my first Taekwondo class wearing a t-shirt and sweatpants rather than the usual white martial arts ensemble. It turned out that this was a good way to identify the newbies. We were all wearing variations of the same gym outfit. Coincidentally, an acquaintance of mine had also signed up and we were excited to be beginners together. Bare feet seemed to be the only thing we had in common with the more experienced folks in the group. Without much ado, the new people were told to follow along with the others as we went through the moves. This first session didn’t include a primer for beginners. Instead, we would learn as we went. We tried to mimic the instructor’s actions as he moved swiftly through the warmup. Next, we practiced some kicks. We were only 20 minutes into the 90-minute session when I did my first roundhouse kick. I remember it well because it was at this point that I had what I call a “squishy mat injury.” With my left foot firmly planted in the thick mat, I swung my right leg across my body. It’s hard to explain, but somehow my “ring toe” stayed put in the mat, while the rest of my foot pivoted from the momentum created by the roundhouse action. I looked down at my toe and knew immediately that it was broken. It was swollen and bright purple. There was no question. But, not wanting to call attention to myself, I continued for the next 70 minutes as we paired off to spar. I was thrilled when we were finished. Only five more sessions to go, I thought. Returning the next week, my Taekwondo pal and I were in the women’s locker room changing into our workout gear. We tried to open the door to the Taekwondo studio, and it wouldn’t budge. In that instant, we realized that we were locked in and apart from having to spend the night in the locker room, both of us breathed a huge sigh of relief that we couldn’t do that night’s session. A few minutes later, our elation was squelched when the door swung open and we had no excuse but to join the class. This fall, it’s my hope that you are eager to get to your Osher classes and that you avoid any squishy mat injuries!
Stay safe and healthy,
Tracy Jacobs
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