Happy Mother's Day. This last weekend, I watched my MMA partners from West Coast El Dorado Hills test for their Black Belts in San Jose, at the very auspicious house of Ernie Reyes, Santa Clara University. While I respect Master Reyes for his innovation and teachings, there is a part of me that feels that this whole system is contrived in cultish fashion to serve Master Reyes and showcase the talents of his family. I've been to two black belt tests now and each time, he spotlights his daughters, his sons or himself, usually by removing his shirt in front of hundreds of black belt candidates and their families. Oy. I rolled my eyes in High School at this feather-ruffling behavior and find it difficult to refrain from doing the same in the presence of the founding fathers of my chosen martial art. After so many years, I would think Master Reyes would branch out a little and shine the spotlight on some of the people in the system who have achieved amazing greatness or have overcome insurmountable stories of pain and struggle to test for their black belt. Or spotlight the dozens of Kwan Jang Nims that keep the system running, turning out hoards of martial arts students who buy lots of West Coast T-Shirts and inducting them into the cult of the Master by deifying the company line of commitment to constant and never-ending improvement with black belt excellence. Do not misunderstand that most of the black belts I have met are exceptional individuals, who set goals and devise plans to achieve them which often involve insane acrobatics and world-class levels of fitness. I wish to be associated with these confident, stand-up people and to perform the perfect wheel kick, but my sassy, 46 years of sport have made me just a touch cynical about the money-making portion of the MMA business underbelly.
I chose this system because it is diverse. Tae Kwan Do kicking, Muay Thai boxing, Arnis Escrima stick fighting, Hapkido wrist locks, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and grappling. It's perfect for a diva like me who specifically avoids choosing one thing and chooses to do it all. 2 years ago, my daughters were being pushed around the soccer field by a bunch of oversized brutes raised on fast food and hormones, and both my husband and I wanted them to learn how to effectively and respectfully, stand their ground, or in rare instances, push back as needed. Jiu-Jitsu brought me to the El Dorado Hills school 6 months after my hip replacement, which was about the time I realized that I had a whole lotta work to do in the realm of range of motion. MMA seemed like a better starting point. It's is where I met other Mom's-turned-students, Lori Lara, Mary Rupp, Carol Craig and Rachael Cain. I especially (and almost immediately) bonded with Lori Lara. Our story will be told in another blog post, but last weekend, I had the great privilege of riding out the end of her black belt journey, having trained with her since she was a gold belt. It was inspiring and exciting to see the affect it had on her. The transformation in her has been interesting. As I embark on my own "vision quest," I can't help but wonder how much Kool-Aid Im going to have to drink to get there. One thing is for sure: West Coast El Dorado Hills has two of the greatest Kwan Jang Nims in the system, each bringing different strengths to teaching their students. Master Reyes aside, KJN Gary and KJN Jonathan are exceptional martial artists who share their craft openly and fully and are genuinely interested in the advancement of their students despite the umpteen years they have been doing this. Every day I train, I am empowered by their very humble attitudes and their generosity for bringing out the best in me. The next six months are going to get hard. I have a torn meniscus in my left knee, limited range of motion of a right hip, a sissy shoulder that screams everytime I push it, and ten extra pounds to contend with. I have no doubt that I can blow through this, but it's going to take some finesse. Hopefully, 40+ years of athletic experience, an exercise Physiology degree and years of coaching will provide enough wisdom to do this right. There is no question that both indomitability and durability are prerequisites to this game. I do not doubt that I will get my black belt. However, I want to flash it. I want Best Tester and I want it in a way where it turns heads. I want people to say, "Check out the 40-something Mom from West Coast EDH killin' it over there.....She's a beast!"
And so my journey begins, starting with......fitness and ROM.
No comments:
Post a Comment