I was reminded of this just this past Thrusday when I walked into a Kenpo studio after an almost 3 year break! Some of you may remember that the group I was working with finally disbanded after our enthusiasm and attendance had dwindled drastically over the final few months. Half hearted attempts to get together were made several times but nothing took hold. Until recently!
After posting a picture of the 2 dozen cupcakes I had baked for some of my co-workers I got a comment on Facebook from an old friend/instructor. It simply said "After eating all those cupcakes you should probably come do some Karate!" LMAO, how do you argue with that! The school had been opened for a few weeks and I still hadn't gotten a chance to go in and work out. But, that was it...I was making time, damnit!
So, Thursday night at 6:00 I found myself lined up with the small group of (mostly) black belts, getting ready to bow in. And that's when I almost started to panic! I hadn't done a long greeting in YEARS! Even before our group at the Garage of Pain had called it quits the structure of our workouts was so lax that a simple pat on the back was how we closed our sessions! Oh crap...I'm screwed! And then, I heard it! "Drop." The single word cue that meant we were starting the greeting. And before I knew it, I was flowing (not quite) perfectly through the motions. Oh thank God!!
Funny thing, that! Muscle memory is, well, amazing! LOL And so, for the rest of the night we worked on the purple belt technique list. Of course, I fumbled through a lot of what we were working on in the beginning but was amazed at how quick everything seemed to flood back to my mind as the night went on. Yes, my posture was absolutely horrible! and my stances were less than effective sometimes. But, those aren't things you retain if you don't practice!
I can say, I'm extremely excited for Tuesday night! and the following Thrusday after that! The break I'd taken was much needed, and I don't regret taking time off. But, when I walked out of the school on Thrusday night one thing was apparent. Just like in everything we practice, timing is everything and I have no doubt that my timing was just right. It was time to get training again!
After posting a picture of the 2 dozen cupcakes I had baked for some of my co-workers I got a comment on Facebook from an old friend/instructor. It simply said "After eating all those cupcakes you should probably come do some Karate!" LMAO, how do you argue with that! The school had been opened for a few weeks and I still hadn't gotten a chance to go in and work out. But, that was it...I was making time, damnit!
So, Thursday night at 6:00 I found myself lined up with the small group of (mostly) black belts, getting ready to bow in. And that's when I almost started to panic! I hadn't done a long greeting in YEARS! Even before our group at the Garage of Pain had called it quits the structure of our workouts was so lax that a simple pat on the back was how we closed our sessions! Oh crap...I'm screwed! And then, I heard it! "Drop." The single word cue that meant we were starting the greeting. And before I knew it, I was flowing (not quite) perfectly through the motions. Oh thank God!!
Funny thing, that! Muscle memory is, well, amazing! LOL And so, for the rest of the night we worked on the purple belt technique list. Of course, I fumbled through a lot of what we were working on in the beginning but was amazed at how quick everything seemed to flood back to my mind as the night went on. Yes, my posture was absolutely horrible! and my stances were less than effective sometimes. But, those aren't things you retain if you don't practice!
I can say, I'm extremely excited for Tuesday night! and the following Thrusday after that! The break I'd taken was much needed, and I don't regret taking time off. But, when I walked out of the school on Thrusday night one thing was apparent. Just like in everything we practice, timing is everything and I have no doubt that my timing was just right. It was time to get training again!
