punch + kick = ahhhhhh…..

 

The scent of sweat and leather

filters through the room

while

the rhythm of thunderous music –

resonates in my ears……….

 

With hands wrapped tight,

and gloves secure,

I find myself

standing –

in front of my

opponent.

 

Or is it my friend?

 

I do not know for certain

but

will soon find out

for sure.

 

I’ve stretched out a bit,

gulped down some water

and

anxiously…..await……..

with all of the others………

 

“LETS DO IT”

 

The warm up is very basic;

to get the blood flowing –

fifteen minutes of

running,

lunging,

push ups

and

squatting.

 

When the bouncing has commenced

it’s time to get serious –

in front of the bag

we stand –

hands up,

face blocked,

on the hop……………….

 

“LET’S GO”

 

There is nothing more

liberating

than throwing a punch –

into a bag

of sand 

weighing 75 lbs –

covered in black leather

hanging

from a chain.

 

The impact begins when the glove

hits the bag –

then

the fist

the arm,

the shoulder,

and neck –

until the whole body is

contracting,

heart racing

faster than  fast!

 

The bag is unrelenting –

it’s firm

with just a little bit of  ‘give’ –

not a pillow –

but it does allow

for a darn good punch

and

a give-it-all-you-got power kick.

 

After 30 minutes of throwing

punches

and

kicking hard against the bag,

it’s time to move on to

the core,

stretch,

clean the leather

&

then

collapse.

 

“GOOD CLASS  EVERYONE”

 

The arms feel like

noodles,

the legs turn into

rubber,

the mind becomes

crystal clear

and the spirit feels

light as a

feather!

 

What I like the most

about this class

is the bag I get to punch.

For me it is not

an object,

it becomes

so, so

much

more –

 

It’s the conflict

deep within me,

all of the chaos that exists –

the darkness,

fears,

the uncertainties,

and struggles

of everyday life –

wrapped in a 75 lb package

for me

to punch

&

kick!