Martial arts an alternative to the gym -- (add your comment)
Sports
Posted By NICK LIARD, FOR THE SUDBURY STAR
Updated 3 months ago
I have recently been in search of a good way to stay in shape when I am not playing basketball because the gym is not doing it for me.
Through my reporting, I came across a story about a martial arts instructor gunning for a spot on the national team and a chance to represent his country in karate.
His name was Craig Mason, part owner and instructor at the Sudbury School of Martial Arts.
To get a better angle on the story I asked him after I was done my reporting duties to show me a few of the basics he would teach a beginner.
He decided to show me the basics of kickboxing, karate and Filipino martial arts -which was fighting and defending with some sort of stick as a weapon.
As soon as I stripped down to some workout gear, my immature mind kicked in. While he was busy getting his picture taken by our photographer, I was busy going crazy on the bags like a hyper kid in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.
I was thinking this would be no problem, a piece of cheesecake. I have played UFC 2009 and I had just watched Jean Claude Van Damme kick major butt in Universal Soldier Regeneration.
However, what I got was what I deserved for thinking karate and kickboxing was the ancient art form of boringness.
I found myself quickly drenched in sweat, feeling bad for the next person who had to put on the boxing gloves I had on.
In kickboxing, he showed me basic kicks and basic punching. I got those down to a science, dropping the bag with some sweet chin music.
Then he decided to show me some combos and finally taught me a lesson, putting me through four one-minute circuits.
Now, I have played basketball and football all my life, but I can't remember the last time my arms felt so weak after I was done a workout.
He went on to inform me that what I just went through was what they would do all class.
This made me think of taking this class for real. I bet if I do kickboxing all summer and go back and play basketball at the college level, I will be in better shape than pretty much everybody in the league.
I might not be able to shoot, but I may be able to block some shots with a high kick.
In karate, I learned some basic moves, blocks and punches. It allowed me to catch my breath as he explained to me why people do karate.
As he was busy telling me that people learned the art to learn respect for others and only to defend themselves, I was busy watching myself go through the karate motions in the mirror, picturing myself as an oversized Will Smith's son being taught by Jackie Chan (I have an odd imagination).
He then taught me some basic blocks and attacks with the wood stick incase I am ever in a fight with someone with a weapon. Seeing as how I am a writer, I don't imagine ever being in that situation, but if I ever am going to downtown Montreal to cover a Canadiens playoff game it might be a good idea to know how to defend myself.
When I was done a good half-hour workout, I felt like this would be a good alternative to a gym.
This is not the only martial arts school in Sudbury, there are many, and they present a wonderful opportunity to stay in shape over the summer and for people of all ages to improve both their mental and physical strengths.
sports@thesudburystar.com
Topic guidelines: We welcome your thoughts, stories and information related to this article.
Please stay on topic and be respectful of others. Keep the conversation appropriate for interested readers.
