Oh my...where to begin!!!
I was looking to get my boys into something active, we were having some behavioral problems and they needed an outlet in a serious way. My mom had gotten a flyer from Kaju AZ on her door so decided to check it out. Everyone was very welcoming and made me feel right at home. I watched the first class nervous the whole time that I had the worst kid in class! One would talk back and one would just ignore Sigung like he wasn't even talking....I was so embarrassed. However, I knew we were in the right place and I had complete faith that they would take care of my children on the mat and I needed to stop being a worrying and let things happen.
I knew they had adult classes, I wasn't really interested at first, then I stayed a couple of times to watch the adults to see what it was all about. I still wasn't convinced and didn't really show any interest. Sifu would always ask me though, "are you sure you don't want to try it?" I would go back and forth, I wasn't really into committing to anything and I didn't know how I would like it so I put it off for awhile. Finally Sifu asked me again and I said "ok, I will try it".
I hadn't ever been into martial arts, hadn't been to a self defense anything, it was never in my mind to do something like that so I was green in the coordination department, I was so nervous.
First day in class: cross pit - we started the warm up with jumping jacks, clearly I was out of shape, I was dying after 30 seconds!! How am I ever going to make it through 30 minutes of this! Then he pulled a bench out onto the mat and told me to jump on top of it, with both feet at the same time. I must have looked at him like he was crazy. Then we had to run around the mat, "Oh my gosh are we done yet? I am going to pass out!" was going through my head. The entire cross pit I was trying to figure out how I was ever going to make it through one hour of physical anything. After 30 minutes miraculously I didn't die or pass out!
I decided to stick with it and after a couple classes I joined, I loved it. The bonus I soon learned was that I got to hit bags (a great way to release stress!) and take people down?? Count me in!
Every class had its challenges, the nauseating front roll/back roll class was definitely an unforgettable one for me. First time doing boxing/sparring and getting hit in the face, not something I loved not going to lie. Then the next day there is a class that you do a front grab right and its the most exciting thing ever! So regardless of what kind of class it is, its all about what you learned that day, the piece of knowledge the instructor gives you, its all part of the journey. It wasn't an easy journey, some days were much harder than others, but those hard classes were necessary to push me because that's when I found out I can do more than I thought I could! That's when I found my drive to not give up, go harder, keep breathing and telling myself I CAN do this!
I feel very blessed to have Kajukenbo in my life for so many reasons, I could go on and on about what positive things it has brought into my life and the opportunities I have had because of it. Being a part of Kaju AZ is just an added bonus. The Ohana takes care of each other and everyone is looking out for you, its a great thing to experience.
Being a black belt is an accomplishing feeling, but it doesn't just stop there, I am just at the beginning of the next part of my journey. Martial arts has become part of who I am and what I represent on a daily basis in everything I do, it's no longer just on the mat. It has changed me in ways I didn't realize was happening, and I love every moment. I will continue to keep working hard everyday, giving 110% and being the best example I can be. -Ms. Jessica King
(Jessica was promoted to MMA Black Belt at our September Testing and Promotions)
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