Totally Awesome

At our karate school, there’s a part in the opening ritual of every class when the instructor asks, “How’s everybody feeling today?” and the students shout in unison, “Totally awesome, sir!”

I love that part.

Okay, so maybe I don’t always feel even a little awesome. Maybe I just feel pretty good. But that’s a lot better than I felt before I started karate training. I used to sit on my couch crying tears of self-pity because I couldn’t get comfortable. Sitting down on the floor was out of the question – I didn’t think I’d be able to get up without help. If I dropped something, my family knew it was their job to pick it up.

I wasn’t always such a couch potato. In my teens I was a figure skater and a dancer in the Martha Graham style, so I was fairly fit. But I let the decades wear me down.

Now I’ve regained a lot of my old flexibility – even though it takes me longer to stretch out. My doctor is impressed with my improved blood pressure and cholesterol readings. I’ve even had to buy lots of new clothes in smaller sizes!

In case I may not have mentioned it, my karate training is in the art of Tang Soo Do, which is a Korean-based composite style influenced by the Northern Chinese arts, the Southern Chinese arts, and the Okinawan discipline of Karate. Recently I was privileged to receive this communication from Charles Ferraro, President and Founder of the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan Association:

“...the benefits of Tang Soo Do training are many both physical and emotionally. Keeping the body fit and improving health and longevity are only a couple of the great benefits derived from the study of Tang Soo Do. The physical training will produce an improved mental outlook on life, which can lead to a better feeling about oneself, an improved feeling of self esteem and the confidence to tackle other challenges that life sends your way.”

In other words, Tang Soo Do training makes you feel ... totally awesome!