My Gateway...
Back in 2009-2010 I found myself going through some tough times and was suffering from some of the bad habits that many New Orleanians find themselves with (smoking, drinking, broken heart disease). In an effort to keep my mind from going too negative, I sought out an activity to get me out of house and help clear my mind. You'll find that many people find martial arts during tough times in their lives and it's hard to explain what it does to you, but as you slowly build your body up, ...your mind, and I guess spirit, follow.
I didn't find martial arts right away though. The first activity I got into was running. I spent half a year training and running a few 5Ks and running with a weekly group, etc. My fitness improved a little, but I wasn't strong, and in fact I was having problems with tendonitis in my knee, and was faced with ceasing any semblance of a physical fitness routine.
Martial arts had long been a dream of mine and needing something to do, I said f*** it and starting researching what was available. I checked out different places in the city and I communicated with Sifu Joseph via email. Sifu was thoughtful and honest in his responses and put me at ease about trying Kung Fu.
A word on beginning martial arts... I think the biggest challenge for anyone thinking about starting training is making that first class. Just understand that everyone who walks through that door for the first time in any school or gym anywhere experiences this same feeling. It's natural, just go with it. I suppose there are probably some people who go into new activities with great enthusiasm, but it wasn't that way for me, I was a bit nervous. Also, be prepared for the after effects of your first class. Your body and mind may be giving you conflicting signals. It's likely that you'll really enjoy the class, but you may be indecisive about joining and this will allow doubt of whether you can do this to creep in. Don't let this happen. Nobody is going to pressure you at this school. The choice will really be up to you and I would advise that you go into your first class telling yourself that if you like it after the first one, then you'll sign up for a month at the end of the class. Sometime you've just got to jump in. Membership is handled old school here and there aren't any contracts or long term commitments (though there is a price break if you do 3 months). Give yourself a full month to see where things go. If you go home to think about it after the first class, that second visit can really be tough as your mind may try to talk you out of it.
I'd also like you, the potential kung fu student, to know that even if you don't end up joining this school, as long as you find an good instructor and a good group of people to train with, martial arts can really do amazing, inexplicable things for your life. There are quite a few top-notch schools of varying disciplines within the Greater New Orleans area (I'll review my other favorite soon). It just so happens that Shaolin-Do has a great instructor and a great group of students.
What to expect...If you arrive early, make yourself at home on the mats(shoes off) and start stretching or jumping rope. Class begins with a series of full body warm-ups and stretches. I've carried this routine with me wherever I go. It's a great warm-up for any activity. The middle half of class can be a mixed bag and that is the beauty of kung fu. I can't really prepare you for that, but you will learn to kick hard, punch hard, and your body will become incredibly balanced and strong. Sifu also pushes cardio really well and you will learn how to function when close to exhaustion (which is a good thing). This was another really cool thing about Sifu Joseph. The man practices what he preaches. He's right there doing the exercises with you and I'll be damned that no matter how well conditioned I ever got, Sifu is at least 10 years older than the most fit students and I've never seen anyone outperform him fitness-wise. It definitely gives you something to strive towards.
Another part of class will be spent on self defense techniques, kung fu forms (kata), and sparring techniques.
The things I learned at SD crossed well into other areas of my physical fitness life. With a stronger body, greater flexibility, better cardio and breath management, running is now something I look forward to. Kung fu will make you a better athlete in other endeavors, no question.
Finding this place opened up a whole new chapter in my life and I hope if you are considering it, that you give it a try. Work has taken me away from New Orleans, and alas, Shaolin-Do, but the base that I got there gave me the confidence to learn other martial arts and embrace new experiences rather than fear them. read more
