Cross, Kick, Hook!
Jew Jitsu2010
The rhythmic thudding of leather meeting the heavy bag, coupled with the sharp “she, she” exhaling of breath, has an intoxicating sound all its own. Conversational snippets, background noise, all fade away as intensity increases. Jab, jab, cross, kick, hook!
A woman in a man’s world…always the token woman in a man’s world. So, it appears, is my destiny. The men look on in mild amusement as a punch falls, its power far exceeding its skill. Their bemused glances turn into chuckles as I attempt to support my puny featherweight frame against 225 lbs of head-on force.
“She’s tough!” they kid playfully, semi-seriously. I’m flattered. Even as I’m thinking, “they have no idea what tough really is…”
How tough do you have to be to don a pair of chunky gloves and hit an inanimate object? As tough as putting your body through a dozen cycles of pregnancy and childbirth in two decades? How tough do you have to be to spar with a willing partner? As tough as it is to be listened to, respected, and deeply, completely loved?
There’s so much I’d like to explain to them; why I train, where the urge to stand opposite someone twice my size and give or take a beating comes from. Why I feel compelled to devote myself to an activity that will never lead to anything.
I’m tough. That’s why.
9 Responses
Welcome, Jitsu!
Tough is a very vague word.
The term ‘A woman in a men’s world’ will always encompass everything, save for what men believe (and want) a woman to be.
” How tough do you have to be to spar with a willing partner? As tough as it is to be listened to, respected, and deeply, completely loved?”
These few words talk volumes, sista
What are the viable, acceptable outlets for chassidishe men and women who need a break from everyday life and work off some excess energy?
With something as innocuous as eating out being frowned upon, going all the way to the non-existence of anything fun or creative on the Allowed list, all that is left is shopping, Chinese auctions, and talking during davening.
Not into any of those three? Houston, we got a problem.
Love the feel of the piece. But I think that there is still more that you could have done with it. This article could’ve really knocked a punch – if you were to share with us the ’so much’ you wished to tell them.
As it is, the summary felt kinda short, sudden, and somewhat incomplete.
But I liked it. And I like your style. Give us more.
Short and sweet. Keep ‘em comin’.
“Why I feel compelled to devote myself to an activity that will never lead to anything.”
and yet, by putting this into writing, it has lead to something and touched so many.
keep writing!
I am intruiged
This is why I love this site.
Great piece! Will you be my sensei?