Welcome to Gaia! ::

I got into martial arts when I was really young, but even then, I was really stuck on the beauty of it, and how when someone is having a free spar with no contact, it looks like a dance. Just how you need such self control, grace, and balace to manage it just got me hooked.

I was miserably recovering from a miserable job in miserable DC where nobody smiles, and if you do they act like you have a contagious disease, when my mother started her acupuncture training and introduced me to the Qi Gong teacher at her school. I took her evening course to learn the form, and at the end of the class she invited me to come for lessons at her home and receive training to be a teacher. As training neared completion, a Chinese grandmaster (Qi Feilong) in some sort of kung fu (One Finger Something-or-other) - I don't remember anymore because it's been years, he proved to be a lecherous a**, and I'm in my third trimester with my second baby, which is when you forget everything that isn't urgent and some things that kind of are - came to visit, and chose me out of the class to stay after and demonstrate my form again. He said he was impressed, that studying wu shu would greatly benefit my softer Qi Gong training, and that I had great potential. I took his advice seriously, talked with my good friend (now husband, for those of you who haven't picked up on that one) Laren about it, and he introduced me to a reputable school in his area. Done deal. Was about to test for purple sash when I became pregnant with my son. I dream about the day I'll finally be able to go back and train there with my kids. I'm currently on maternity leave, but my son's almost training age (they take 'em young if they're disciplined and serious, and the son of two bookworm geeks is a quiet and studious lad), and his side kicks are now better than mine. whee We're still trying to figure out where he learned to wield his stuffed snake like a bullwhip. He hasn't seen Indiana Jones. confused

And yes, I started very late. I was, I believe, in my early-to-mid 20s. My parents raised me to avoid confrontation and study hard. They weren't privy to the latest research that shows how important good clean sweat is to overall mental performance. Forgive them, I was born in the 70s.

I was short, stupid and uncoordinated. Now I'm short, stupid and can kick a modicum of a**.

I kinda had a mental breakdown...um my first girlfreind that I had for awhile left me for my best freind (which also was a chick) and I didnt really feel the need to do anything I was depressed all the time and a friend of mine pushed me into his dojo saying it would help me and IT DID...Its easly the best thing that ever happend to me.

so you dont feel inspired by taekwan-do? have you talked to them about learning a different style? maybe they would take that into consideration if you found some different schools in the area.

my dad put me in martial arts world when i was five
since that im here

Same thing I know happened to a former friend of mine. Except he actually tried something. And he's still stalking her.