At this point, my main focus is empty hand martial arts, something I started many moons ago in North Carolina. I studied Muay Thai under Scott Francis in Garner, NC. I enjoyed this art, but left for personal reasons - something I'll never do again. Translation: I let my marriage get in the way of my training. For many years, I didn't study any martial art. At times, I tried to convince myself that it was a bad idea, or my role as healer precluded it. Yet I realized that the balance between warriorship and healing was very important for me. They are two sides of the same coin, after all. I resumed the practice of martial arts in November 2001. I started with karate, at a very small dojo. The style was kenpo, with elements of aikido, tae kwon do and ninjitsu blended in. I enjoyed it, and it gave me a great base for my renewed practice. At first it was rather bizarre, so different from my muay thai background. There was more formality, different uniforms, etc. At the time I had great contempt for "formal martial arts". I grew to see advantages to formal arts. Now, in 2004, I've come full circle and I have contempt for formal arts again. Amusing.
On February 21, 2002, I received my yellow belt in American Freestyle Karate. I continued to study at that dojo for a couple months, then took some time off to consider my next move. The school was wonderful, but had two problems: it was TOO small, and the instructor was having hip surgery.
In July, 2002, I enrolled at Tiger Kim's Academy to study Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do and Hap Ki Do. Much more can be said, and will - later. I received my black belt in Fall 2004.
At the present time, I am studying Pa Kua under Bing Lee at the Sin Lung Kwoon. It's amazing, and the most difficult art I have attempted so far. |
