How many of us woman can say with absolute conviction that we feel empowered? Do you walk about your community with a confidence and an awareness? Do you feel strong, capable and even courageous? Are you strong, both mentally and physically?
Have you reached levels of fitness that you didn’t know you were capable of? Are you always learning new and challenging body movements and mental skills? If you can answer yes to all of the above chances are you are a woman enjoying the benefits of Martial Arts training.
My Martial Arts training empowers me in my day to day life as you will see from the following story and remember that it is empowering for a woman to know that she doesn’t always have to “be nice and polite”.
I had to meet up with a friend to exchange some paperwork. We met outside of a local Library. I parked behind her and went up to her car. She was standing with her driver door open and we were talking. I was very aware, the whole time we were talking, of a man pacing up and down the sidewalk on the other side of our cars. Then I became aware of a young man approaching us from the other direction. He came up and asked us how we knew his name, which of course we didn’t, it was simply his opener. My friend started to engage in a conversation with this young person who was wearing a hoodie and had his hands in his pockets. He said he was hungry and could we help him out. I told my friend to get in her car it was time to go. She kept talking to this young man and told him she always helps out the poor and homeless by delivering goods at Christmas time etc. I was very insistent that she get in her car immediately as it was time to go and he kept trying to engage her in more conversation and he was getting agitated with me because I wouldn’t engage. I told her again to get in her car, practically having to push her in, and lock her door. She was trying to be nice and polite all the while not knowing that his buddy was on the other side of our cars and also not knowing or even wondering if he was concealing a weapon inside his pockets where his hands were. She finally got in her car and the young man was still trying to extract some monies or whatever from us while the other man who I believe was with him was on the other side of our cars. I walked back to my car keeping my eye on them both and got in and locked the door and we both drove away. If I hadn’t had marital arts training I might have been very frightened and even engaged in conversation “to be nice”. That situation may have turned out much differently. Because of my martial arts training I took charge and I was mentally preparing myself for anything that might happen while also quickly disengaging.
I have been a student of Shotokan Karate for 5 years. I started at the not so young age of 42. The only regret I have is that I didn’t start earlier in my life.
If you are looking to become a more empowered and fulfilled woman then give Martial Arts a try. Watch for my next blog on “Martial Arts is a Life Skill for Women”
For 4 years I sat in the waiting room at my daughter’s dojo while she was being taught how to defend and protect herself. For some reason I just never made the connection between her defending herself and growing as a skilled female Martial Artist and me defending myself and growing as a skilled female Martial Artist.
I always attended the belt testing sessions and I watched many adults and children progressing through the ranks of the belt system. I was always happy for them but I still didn’t see any relation to their skills and my life. It happened to me after one particular belt testing session. I watched a woman who had been in the dojo for perhaps 2 years as she earned another belt plus she had lost a significant amount of weight since she started training in Shotokan karate. I caught a glimpse of the deep satisfaction she was experiencing and I suddenly realized this was not simply for my daughter but it was for me too.
I signed up immediately and began an incredible journey. I knew little about dojos or karate etiquette but I found myself enjoying and appreciating the required rules of respect. So seldom in our society do we experience the kind of respect we are all entitled to receive and we are seldom held to a standard where we must exhibit rules of respect.
I have been training for 5 years and I can proudly say that I, a woman of 47 years of age, am a 3rd degree brown belt. I have shed some tears and experienced more physical injuries than I care to remember, however, the physical and mental benefits that I have experienced cannot be replaced. The sense of satisfaction I feel is beyond measure.
I feel physically and mentally capable of defending myself should I ever have too. I have learned from my Martial Arts training to be aware of my surroundings and I carry this into my life every day. I did experience a level of fear in my life prior to my training. This fear has been replaced by confidence. I know that if ever I am attacked I have an extremely good chance of prevailing.
I really enjoy the physical benefits that have come along as a bonus. With the physical demands of training comes the ability to eat and enjoy food without much worry of weight gain. To look at me you wouldn’t know that my body has become extremely muscular providing me with a great deal of strength.
If you are feeling stuck in a rut and you are bored with the gym and pilates and yoga classes and you think you are too old to learn a new skill like Shotokan karate then please think again and give it a try. I have friends at the dojo that are in their 50s and have never felt better. Watch for my next blog titled “Women and Empowerment with Martial Arts”.
A lot of people are crazy for the big C -Change. Today people’s lifestyle has evolved to just mainly work demanding long hours of their daily lives. As the routine becomes cyclic and tedious a career shift is definitely on the rise. People who want to make a total change in their career venturing from mechanical to an active line of work could take Pilates certification on their list.
The Personal Requirements of a Pilates Certification
Earning a career in the field of well being and beauty such as Pilates would require an interactive approach with people. Interaction would mean mingling and investing time with people whom you have little recognition with. Patience would definitely be a virtue when you enter a career in Pilates since techniques and guidelines of the exercise would be mainly taught to people struggling to perform the routine. Experiencing Pilates first hand turning it into a hobby would make you a better instructor as you pass it on to your students. Basic concepts and guidelines are easily related based on an adept knowledge of the said exercise.
The Pilates Mat 1 Certification
Pilates Mat 1 certification course is the prerequisite of Pilates necessary in all fields of training. It was for strict compliance that a completion of the first course be taught before moving to another level. Once completed, one will have the opportunity to teach and conduct classes in levels 1 or 2.
The course primarily focuses on the History of Pilates, methods and different Pilates movement known to be benefiting the body in various ways. Other sources include, the study of proper position and posture of each Pilates stroke, familiarizing with the names of each, performing the exercise in class and the ways of effectively performing verbal signs and cues regarding the exercise.
The Pilates Mat 2 Certification
This kind of certification is for those who have successfully completed the Mat 1 course. At this point, advance classes are to be taught. Choreographing Pilates moves giving it a different twist and specific moves for people in different categories like the elderly were some of the goals of the program.
What it takes
Pilates certification courses come in different manifestations. Taking an intensive course is believed to be more convenient and efficient. Though certification courses vary in different prices still, the value of creating and promoting a healthy lifestyle is priceless.
