2022-12-10

Subbing for ISKF Tempe at the Tempe Family YMCA.

Sensei Bracklow came to watch class this morning. He’s not quite ready to resume teaching just yet, but it’s good to see him in a gi again!

As someone who’s had his share of joint surgeries (none of which were caused by karate injuries, by the way), I’m no stranger to having to deal with frustratingly long recoveries. In fact, I’m still recovering from a hip resurfacing two years ago. Doctors love to say “let pain be your guide” but, when you think about it, is an incredibly silly thing to say to people who kick each other in the head for fun. 😝

But here’s the thing about injuries … they’re just limitations, like aging, and ultimately they don’t matter. So you can’t kick as high as you could a year ago. Whether that’s due to an injury or just age, it doesn’t matter - it’s a limitation you need to work to overcome, but accept that it may not happen. That’s one of many reasons karate is great: We’ve got plenty of tools in our toolbox. If you can’t kick someone in the head, punch them instead (or foot-sweep them and then kick them in the head).