A New Form of Stress Relief

As you may or may not know, I started taking Tae Kwon Do (TKD) classes here about a year ago. The school I study at is and ATA and WTTU affiliated school. This means that no matter where I am in the world, as long as the tournament, or school is an ATA school, my belt stands. As of now, I have a purple belt. The progression of colors in this school is: white, orange, yellow, cammo, green, purple, blue, brown, red, red-black, black. Progression only moves slower once you are to the red belt level. Full body sparring begins only at cammo belt and at Purple belt, you begin board breaks.

I've been working on my form (a set move of techniques) and have almost got that down. I also had to add a jump roundhouse kick. (Seemed to get the grasp of this yesterday). Did some sparring with legs (no pads - which means you need to have greater control), and thought class was over. Nope, it was time for my first attempt at a board break.

I've been trying to psych myself up for this for some time and was a bit apprehensive. First I was worried I wouldn't be able to break the board and we only get 3 attempts (or you repeat your belt.) Secondly, with the break I was required to do, forearm, if you hit wrong you could break your wrist, elbow or damage the nerve we know as the funny bone. I defiantly did not want the pins and needles feeling or the blast of pain any of those would bring. My classmate did her first break (she's a red belt - had 2 breaks). First was forearm. No problems - she went right through. Her second was a jump front kick - she broke the board no issues, but also broke off a good portion of her big toenail. This is why we are told always to keep the nails trimmed! She was off to get a band aid and it was my turn.

I had about 2-3 minutes of practice. At this point you make contact with the board, but don't break it. Once I was confident with my placement, I gave the ready signal. I made my move, and "Ky-yah" right though the board. I was so giddy! He said to make sure we had some massage or something to ease the soreness that would develop. I was on such a high, I didn't notice anything until this morning. My whole right shoulder and down my arm was stiff. Oh well, small price to pay!

Imagine - what a way to take out frustrations and get exercise with out hurting anyone, but occasionally myself.