Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Monday, 23 January 2012
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Dude Looks Like a Lady
Well that's primarily because I am one.
It can be rare sight in a dojo and sometimes a rarer site still in most MMA classes. Lets fix that shall we.
For all you ladies who keep telling me my hobby ''sounds so exciting'' and ''I wish I could do something like that'', lets go over the compulsory check list for women wanting to try out martial arts:
Okey dokey well it looks like you meet the criteria.
To think you believed a Masters in Ninja-ism (I may have made that up) and reciting the entire back catalogue of Bruce Lee moves and various vocal stunts was going to help you on the mat... How wrong you were.
I can't stress this enough: 'The fact that you are a woman in no way impairs your ability to stand and take a strike, kick back, punch, wrestle, jump or run.'
What should women expect from trying martial arts
Within martial arts I can promise that you will sweat, your abilities will be pushed outside your realms of comfort and in terms of physical fitness you will see a difference, you will reap the benefits and you will be astounded at what you are capable of.
To dispel a few myths:
This is basically what I would suggest to a friend. Gents please look away it may get graphic.
I will admit it is not always easy, there are different obstacles to consider, (one or two namely), though that does not mean that it is more difficult. So suck it up woman and stop making excuses, you can try something new and here are basic essentials I would recommend. This is purely a comfort thing, if you are comfortable you are more confident. If you go into something new feeling confident then you will have a much better experience.
Sports bra – I couldn't really care less if you are brave enough to try martial arts in pants and a bra but the most important thing is to be supported. Buy a standard sports bra, you won’t be jumping about much to start with, but do not think it is ok to wear your pink plunge number under a vest top. You will look a right T.. well an idiot, not to mention the health implications.
Proper pants – now here is the first stage where men differ because theirs are all the same. For women, big square short type cotton ones are the best. You want to run around and kick your legs about in confidence and French Knickers just weren't designed for such activities. Well you know.
Bottoms – ones that won’t fall down. You are training with blokes, no need to adopt a builders bum too. You don’t need special shorts, roomy jogging bottoms are ok. Think short shorts are a good idea like the female Mauy Thai ones? Lay on the floor in them and make star shapes with your legs in the air and then tell me how comfortable you feel. For now, I'd go with joggers ladies.
Tops – I wear a long top to be covered and sometimes a sports top over the bra for support and coverage. Better to be prepared than exposed!
Finding a martial arts club to train with
If I could give you one piece of advice in looking for a club to train with it would be the following: research the instructors credentials, weigh up the cost against what you are actually getting, but most importantly don’t join a club that is driven by ego. You will know it when you see it, you want a place of understanding patience and learning. Not the gym that promises you will be a black belt or a prize fighter in 6 months. You wont and you could get hurt.
Martial Arts forums
If you are a female looking for herself or a mum looking for children then ask about and talk to people in the know.
Here are some forums you can use to check places out.
Fighting Arts - Finding a dojo/art
Linked directly to an article which supports my views on what to look for and questions to ask yourself.
UK MMA
Despite the name not just about MMA which is a category in itself. Very friendly and lots of advice about different types of martial arts.
LinkedIn
If you are on there I suggest you search under forums for specific Martial Arts that interest you and just talk to people. It's a great resource.
Martial Arts Planet
I have linked this directly to an article about what it means to be a black belt. I hope it inspires you to start your journey to the beginning of your own personal career.
It can be rare sight in a dojo and sometimes a rarer site still in most MMA classes. Lets fix that shall we.
For all you ladies who keep telling me my hobby ''sounds so exciting'' and ''I wish I could do something like that'', lets go over the compulsory check list for women wanting to try out martial arts:
- Two arms ✓
- Two legs ✓
- Two eyes ✓
Okey dokey well it looks like you meet the criteria.
To think you believed a Masters in Ninja-ism (I may have made that up) and reciting the entire back catalogue of Bruce Lee moves and various vocal stunts was going to help you on the mat... How wrong you were.
I can't stress this enough: 'The fact that you are a woman in no way impairs your ability to stand and take a strike, kick back, punch, wrestle, jump or run.'
What should women expect from trying martial arts
Within martial arts I can promise that you will sweat, your abilities will be pushed outside your realms of comfort and in terms of physical fitness you will see a difference, you will reap the benefits and you will be astounded at what you are capable of.
To dispel a few myths:
- No matter what you do no one will laugh at you
- You wont get hurt
- You will probably get hit but please see the above statement
- You may get lifted up but you will be placed down on the floor gently, a beginners throw lets say
- If you need it protective gear will be provided
- You can stop if you need a breather 9yes really they are not out to kill you)
- You shouldn't have to pay a joining fee the first day and you should allow time to think about it
This is basically what I would suggest to a friend. Gents please look away it may get graphic.
I will admit it is not always easy, there are different obstacles to consider, (one or two namely), though that does not mean that it is more difficult. So suck it up woman and stop making excuses, you can try something new and here are basic essentials I would recommend. This is purely a comfort thing, if you are comfortable you are more confident. If you go into something new feeling confident then you will have a much better experience.
Sports bra – I couldn't really care less if you are brave enough to try martial arts in pants and a bra but the most important thing is to be supported. Buy a standard sports bra, you won’t be jumping about much to start with, but do not think it is ok to wear your pink plunge number under a vest top. You will look a right T.. well an idiot, not to mention the health implications.
Proper pants – now here is the first stage where men differ because theirs are all the same. For women, big square short type cotton ones are the best. You want to run around and kick your legs about in confidence and French Knickers just weren't designed for such activities. Well you know.
Bottoms – ones that won’t fall down. You are training with blokes, no need to adopt a builders bum too. You don’t need special shorts, roomy jogging bottoms are ok. Think short shorts are a good idea like the female Mauy Thai ones? Lay on the floor in them and make star shapes with your legs in the air and then tell me how comfortable you feel. For now, I'd go with joggers ladies.
Tops – I wear a long top to be covered and sometimes a sports top over the bra for support and coverage. Better to be prepared than exposed!
Finding a martial arts club to train with
If I could give you one piece of advice in looking for a club to train with it would be the following: research the instructors credentials, weigh up the cost against what you are actually getting, but most importantly don’t join a club that is driven by ego. You will know it when you see it, you want a place of understanding patience and learning. Not the gym that promises you will be a black belt or a prize fighter in 6 months. You wont and you could get hurt.
Martial Arts forums
If you are a female looking for herself or a mum looking for children then ask about and talk to people in the know.
Here are some forums you can use to check places out.
Fighting Arts - Finding a dojo/art
Linked directly to an article which supports my views on what to look for and questions to ask yourself.
UK MMA
Despite the name not just about MMA which is a category in itself. Very friendly and lots of advice about different types of martial arts.
If you are on there I suggest you search under forums for specific Martial Arts that interest you and just talk to people. It's a great resource.
Martial Arts Planet
I have linked this directly to an article about what it means to be a black belt. I hope it inspires you to start your journey to the beginning of your own personal career.
Sunday, 28 August 2011
Now you see me, now you don't.
Humble apologies for the complete lack of blogging, cardinal sin of having a blog is to not update it. The thing worse than that is to start a blog saying you will update it every month and then only ever have one post.
I did not not do this but for a prime example see here... No I wouldn't name and shame like that but it does happen.
I have been extremely busy with many of my other loves in life and finding it very hard to sit with a laptop and write a blog. But I have so much to say!
Most of what I have been doing (besides work) is MMA and CIM. Kicking ass both on the matt and with text books!
I am going to fill you in on these things the first of which is going to be a guide to finding a club. A few considerations for mums with children wanting to try martial arts and people, especially women wanting to get into the sport too.
I wont bore you with my CIM work but needless to say the previous modules have been passed (phew) and now in my spare time I have the equivalent of a dissertation to do for December. My advice to anyone considering further education alongside working is, just get on with it if I can do it you can! In fact the same thing goes for trying martial arts. If I can do it anyone can.
I did not not do this but for a prime example see here... No I wouldn't name and shame like that but it does happen.
I have been extremely busy with many of my other loves in life and finding it very hard to sit with a laptop and write a blog. But I have so much to say!
Most of what I have been doing (besides work) is MMA and CIM. Kicking ass both on the matt and with text books!
I am going to fill you in on these things the first of which is going to be a guide to finding a club. A few considerations for mums with children wanting to try martial arts and people, especially women wanting to get into the sport too.
I wont bore you with my CIM work but needless to say the previous modules have been passed (phew) and now in my spare time I have the equivalent of a dissertation to do for December. My advice to anyone considering further education alongside working is, just get on with it if I can do it you can! In fact the same thing goes for trying martial arts. If I can do it anyone can.
Saturday, 9 April 2011
Tissington Tales
Lets start with my favourite vendor from the craft fair. This time it is images only please visit the Knitted by Nanna Blog for contact details of crafters if you like what you see.
Lavender Doves, hand stitched.
Re-usable baby cloths
Baby bibs
Baby blankets/mats
Lanevender Doves
Knitted by Nanna booties
this is what Nanna knits for...
Knitted by Nanna baby cardigans
yes I liked the doves...
Cutie bear from Carries Crafts modelling her bibs!
A duck snuck in my pics!
More birdies!
hand stitched lavender hearts
bigger hearts! & pillows!
Cupid... draw back your bow...
Each bit of silver hand woven to make the chains.
So the detail means more
Dinky bags
for dinky soaps and bath bombs
for bath time lovin'
Edible looking centre pieces
please don't it is soap!
and a bath bomb...
Yum!
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
If wishes were fishes
This is about why I support Tor's Christmas Wish.
Erm... who is Tor?
Well I follow her, Victoria, on Twitter, that is to say I am not a stalker of course! She is @Tor87 and now you can follow her too if you like. She is a really upbeat, attractive and all round lovely girl in her early twenties with a passion for musical theatre and also one who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, who is in dire need of a double lung transplant to regain her quality of life. Tor could easily be my best friend or your sister. She is a person, not a normal person because she is quite extraordinary and has more strength and character in her little pinky than many people I know (I do love you all but I hope you see where I am going with this).
SO! What is Tor's Christmas wish?
Despite the obvious actually her wish is simple she is not looking for a miracle. She would like 5000 people to sign up to the organ donors list by the end of December. Her wish is not a selfish one, it is also about looking at the bigger picture. The more registered donors, the more likely it is people like Tor don't have to suffer.
I for one have always thought I would be happy that if either I or loved one were to suffer the inevitable, I would like to help someone in my time of sadness, I just never signed up. I personally always thought that I would cross that bridge when I came to it or I will do it tomorrow, I had good intentions. Oh dear I sound lazy, I'm not, I just always thought that it happened to other people. Well I procrastinate no more! I did it, I registered and it was over so quickly I wasn't sure I had done it. That is how simple it is.
I am giving my Christmas wishes to Tor this year and would like to support her campaign. I don't understand how if you can make a positive difference why you wouldn't? That doesn't mean you have to sign up, oh no, you can make a positive difference in so many ways.
What can little old you do?
Doing just one of the things on this list will mean you will be doing a good thing that makes a difference. But since you had time to read this little blog, maybe still have half a cuppa to drink and time to spare, go on, do two!
Erm... who is Tor?
Well I follow her, Victoria, on Twitter, that is to say I am not a stalker of course! She is @Tor87 and now you can follow her too if you like. She is a really upbeat, attractive and all round lovely girl in her early twenties with a passion for musical theatre and also one who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, who is in dire need of a double lung transplant to regain her quality of life. Tor could easily be my best friend or your sister. She is a person, not a normal person because she is quite extraordinary and has more strength and character in her little pinky than many people I know (I do love you all but I hope you see where I am going with this).
SO! What is Tor's Christmas wish?
I for one have always thought I would be happy that if either I or loved one were to suffer the inevitable, I would like to help someone in my time of sadness, I just never signed up. I personally always thought that I would cross that bridge when I came to it or I will do it tomorrow, I had good intentions. Oh dear I sound lazy, I'm not, I just always thought that it happened to other people. Well I procrastinate no more! I did it, I registered and it was over so quickly I wasn't sure I had done it. That is how simple it is.
I am giving my Christmas wishes to Tor this year and would like to support her campaign. I don't understand how if you can make a positive difference why you wouldn't? That doesn't mean you have to sign up, oh no, you can make a positive difference in so many ways.
What can little old you do?
- Sign up to the organ donors list
- Tweet on twitter mentioning #torsxmaswish
- look up #torsxmaswish on twitter you will see what everyone has been saying
- Follow @Tor87 on Twitter
- Read her blog, mostly because it's a good read, such a nice girl
- Tell your friends on Facebook what is happening
- Email the details from her blog, this blog or just a link to the organ donors list https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ukt/Consent.do?campaign=1160 to people and tell them your own thoughts
- Talk about it
Doing just one of the things on this list will mean you will be doing a good thing that makes a difference. But since you had time to read this little blog, maybe still have half a cuppa to drink and time to spare, go on, do two!
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