Last Christmas, Isaac was given a membership to study Taekwondo under Grandmaster S.H. Kang. He’s done really well and enjoys fighting and learning his forms (routines practitioners do to increase balance, focus, etc). I have seen him split a number of boards and he is learning how to defend himself very well.
It occurred to me that his teenage years are coming up. That time is, of course, always full of moody, brooding, hormonal fun. I suppose many parents lose touch with their kids when they become teenagers. TKD seems like an easy place where Isaac and I can find common ground so I started taking classes with him a couple of weeks ago. I figure the exercise will be good and Isaac and I get a chance to talk on the way to and from the training studio. If we ever find ourselves in a moody teenage fit or a dark alley, I also will have skills to…uh…calm the situation. Plus, this is really a great chance for each of us (esp as he gets bigger) to be all manly and tough and express frustration in a controlled way.
So, I started taking lessons and I am here to tell you, TKD is a serious cardio workout. I am not in bad shape but the free-fighting very nearly kills me each night. It’s just constant exertion and challenging balance maneuvers. I am certain that those movie scenes where people fight each other for several minutes is bogus (as if we needed evidence!) Unless you are in great shape, a real fight doesn’t last long without oxygen tanks nearby!
Anyhow, I am learning my stuff and trying to get more flexible. Isaac insists that I will have to bow to him when he becomes a black belt. He probably will beat me there since he has 8 months head start, but I remind him that another TKD rule is that kids essentially bow to their parents…this part is going to be interesting! Anyhow, I am here to tell you that even the stuff I thought looked simple is anything but…but at least I am covering my hind-end defense-wise and getting in better cardio shape so my Emily and the kids can enjoy me even longer!
Good for you! He’ll love it…
See, I would think that situation would be really cool. You’re honoring his expertise with a bow and then he renders his filial respects back to you. It’s not an either/or predicament- it’s both/and.
Sorry, my previous comment was supposed to have this quote above it:
“Isaac insists that I will have to bow to him when he becomes a black belt. He probably will beat me there since he has 8 months head start, but I remind him that another TKD rule is that kids essentially bow to their parents…this part is going to be interesting!”
Preview button request!
Good luck son. I’m sure Isaac will enjoy your aches and pains while learning.
Great idea, Warren! Staying in touch with the kids with something THEY like to do is crucial. It’s also very hard to do. Congrats on getting a little more fit as a benefit.
It’s all about the maintenance, isn’t it?
Great idea! Keep up the talking. I know that has gotten us over MANY humps!
I took a semester of TKD in college. It got me into the best shape of my life. I really should take it up again!
Oh. And the bowing thing? It’s all about honor and respect. And it should go both ways!
I’ve never had a day of TKD in my life. But I’m just wrapping up this book called Spark. It basically talks about new findings in neuroscience on how good exercise is for the brain. And basically, the author over and over again talks about running and TKD as being two of the best activities for growing new neurons in the brain, balancing emotions, and even preventing Alzheimers. Bet you didn’t know your brain was such an excellent workout too 😉
I really think sharing activities with your kids is a great idea and shows that you take them and the activity seriously. My daughter and I worked on a local environmental issue, attending hearings and helping to organize a rally. We also volunteered together, occasionally at a food bank and long term at a local history museum. The teen years were hardly trouble-free but these shared activities provided a way to keep talking about something neutral when personal issues became, well, too personal.
Sounds like a great thing for both of you. And I’m into the ‘try to hang on to them as long as possible’ thing too. They just grow up too fast!!!
Wow. I bet it is a challenge. I don’t see myself starting gymnastics with lily anytime soon. That’s great that you are doing it with him.