Contemplative Jenn is longing, forcefully

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Belt-high kicks and palms on the floor 22 months ago

I learned something about myself last night. I can bend from my waist with my legs straight and place my palms flat on the floor (something no one in my family can do, even my children). I can also do a belt-high front kick, four in a row actually, with force and precision without falling over. For the athletes among us, this may not seem like much, but all day long I have walked around with an extra bit of pride, empowerment, demonstrating these skills to myself in my office, on the way down the hall to the restroom. My body has ability after all, and strength, flexibility. Maybe it always did, I just never knew it. This is a great place to start. My foray into martial arts has already begun to change my sense of my capacity. It has bridged the disconnect between my physical and intellectual selves, and bolstered my sense of power in integrating two previously disparate halves of a larger, greater whole.

Feb 13, 2008, 04:40PM PST | 14 cheers


Comments:

melb100 lives in edinburgh!

three cheers

(one, technically) for palms on the floor!

Feb 13, 2008, 04:50PM PST | Respond to this 1 cheer

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Feb 13, 2008, 06:19PM PST

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Feb 13, 2008, 07:36PM PST

Contemplative Jenn is longing, forcefully

Thanks so much, sweet one!

It’s probably a tiny li’l ol’thing to most people, but to me, the chick who has always relied on her intellect, the one picked last for every team sport in existence, this is huge. I’ve created so many workarounds for my lack of coordination, my weaknesses, that it is no wonder that it took me until now to get to this place, learning to strengthen, not avoid, my weak spots. So here I am, palms on the floor. Anyone got a Twister mat? :)

Feb 13, 2008, 07:50PM PST | Thread | Respond to this 2 cheers

revengeofnudefreedom

Twister :-)

That reminds of a goal I want to accomplish soon. ;-)

Feb 13, 2008, 08:06PM PST | Respond to this 1 cheer

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Feb 14, 2008, 10:16AM PST

Contemplative Jenn is longing, forcefully

Kicking ass at twister

I very much like that image, and the idea of having prowess, too. :)

Feb 14, 2008, 11:54AM PST | Respond to this

Waynesworld is slowly starting to feel better.

Congrats on palms on the floor!

Good for you and your flexibility and balance, Jenn! That is something that many of us can’t do. I’ll have to work towards palms on the floor. I remember when my son Adam was a toddler, he used to put his big toe in his mouth. I told my SO at the time, “Don’t worry, he’ll grow out of that…”

Feb 13, 2008, 09:31PM PST | Thread | Respond to this 2 cheers

Contemplative Jenn is longing, forcefully

Well, did he? ;)

I used to love the way my children could squat with their feet flat on the floor and still remain upright. Something about their center of gravity, I imagine. Very few adults, if any, can do that without leaning forward, and even then it’s difficult.

I just love that my 40-year-old body can do this cool little thing than younger, and smaller, bodies cannot. :)

Speaking of which, how are you?

Feb 13, 2008, 09:39PM PST | Thread | Respond to this 1 cheer

Waynesworld is slowly starting to feel better.

My back is starting to come around.

Thanks, for asking, Jenn. As you surmised, it’s muscular, I just pulled a muscle in the area of my lower back that occasionally gives me grief. If I increase the amount of stretching that I do at the end of my workout at the gym, usually I don’t have a problem. We just renewed our membership for the year, so I’ll be going more often now.

Feb 14, 2008, 11:00PM PST | Thread | Respond to this 2 cheers

Contemplative Jenn is longing, forcefully

Cheers for you, Wayne

for back improvement, stretching, and working out! :)

Glad you’re feeling better.

Feb 15, 2008, 03:38AM PST | Respond to this 1 cheer

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Feb 13, 2008, 09:39PM PST

Rintin35

MULTI-cheers!!

Yay you, oh bendy kicky one! Those are bodily blessings indeed!

Feb 14, 2008, 08:09AM PST | Respond to this

Hawk~

I can put my palms on the floor

And I can straighten my legs.

Just not at the same time. :)

Glad to hear you’re having so much fun with the martial arts program! Great progress, Jenn!

Feb 14, 2008, 08:16AM PST | Respond to this 2 cheers

Poetry Boy

If I ever decide I need a bodyguard

I’ll give you first shot at the job. :)Look at you kicking ass and taking names!

Feb 14, 2008, 12:53PM PST | Respond to this 1 cheer

nicolasc is Grinchy... very, very Grinchy. But she dons a hat and plays Santa for Sonny Lou Who anyway.

"My foray into martial arts

has already begun to change my sense of my capacity. It has bridged the disconnect between my physical and intellectual selves, and bolstered my sense of power in integrating two previously disparate halves of a larger, greater whole.“

So well stated, Jenn! The fact that martial arts requires you to maintain and quickly regain focus and a mind-body balance is one of the primary reasons I love it so much. It is very visceral, yet takes a lot of mental concentration as well. Very good for those of us to tend to be lost in our own heads a lot.

A new fellow martial artist! Yay! I can’t wait to hear more about your progress!!!

Feb 18, 2008, 11:17AM PST | Thread | Respond to this

Contemplative Jenn is longing, forcefully

I'd hardly call myself a martial artist

I’m just a brand new student. BTW, you are an inspiration in this regard. When I think of a chick who can kick some @ss in this regard, I always think of you. :)

I will say this pursuit has already helped me immensely, for the mind-body balance you mention, among other things. As a fellow “lost in my head” person, this is just what the doctor ordered.

Thanks for your insights, NIc. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Feb 18, 2008, 12:38PM PST | Thread | Respond to this 1 cheer

nicolasc is Grinchy... very, very Grinchy. But she dons a hat and plays Santa for Sonny Lou Who anyway.

Huzzah!

I’m actually a big softie, dontchaknow, but I like the ring of nicolasc = ass-kicking!

Glad to know I had some small role in getting you interested, and yes, please do let me know how it goes!

Feb 19, 2008, 09:49PM PST | Respond to this 1 cheer

Poetry Boy

Nothing to do with this entry

I just wanted to tell you that I really like your new avatar. Looking up through the trees to a blue sky peeking through. Great image!

Feb 18, 2008, 08:32PM PST | Thread | Respond to this

Contemplative Jenn is longing, forcefully

Well, thank you, sweetness

I am ready for a change (of seasons?). I’m a bit of a metaphor right now. :)

Feb 18, 2008, 08:40PM PST | Thread | Respond to this

Poetry Boy

Nothing wrong

with being a metaphor. it just shows how poetic you are. :) I think February leaves everyone ready for a change of seasons: in the weather and otherwise.

Feb 18, 2008, 08:43PM PST | Thread | Respond to this

Contemplative Jenn is longing, forcefully

How about you, Jamie?

Do I sense a wish for Spring? :)

Feb 18, 2008, 08:52PM PST | Thread | Respond to this

Poetry Boy

Indeed

I am reading for Spring to well spring. Sorry about the pun. :)

Feb 18, 2008, 08:58PM PST | Thread | Respond to this

Well, it does seem you have sprung - Contemplative Jenn
It does indeed! - Poetry Boy
It is a little late - Contemplative Jenn

Saturnsglow Life is a plethora of labyrinthian complexity...yet still so simple.

Palms on floor

You’d probably make a great yoga student:)

Feb 19, 2008, 05:16AM PST | Thread | Respond to this

Contemplative Jenn is longing, forcefully

I've always wanted to practice yoga

I think it would be good for me. I took a class in college, but my psyche and body were in a place where the practice only frustrated me.

That’s a great suggestion, SG!

Feb 19, 2008, 05:30AM PST | Respond to this


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