Kung Fu Dreams & Backaches

They laugh at me. Yes, I receive that reaction a lot when I tell people that I am learning Kung Fu. I really can't blame them since I'm in my mid-forties. That means that I will be well into my 50's by the time I test for my black belt. Nevertheless, I'm a great believer in living your life to the fullest and learning Kung Fu has been a life long dream.

As the oldest student in my class, I sometimes experience age discrimination, especially since the next oldest is ten years younger than I am. Yes, I tend to breathe harder than the rest especially when we do warm-ups and the first time they heard my joints crack made me laugh. Their raised eyebrows just encouraged me to do better. My back hurts sometimes the next day, but I still go to class. After all "Leading by Example" is the school's motto and I hope to demonstrate that age is not a factor when it comes to doing something you love and I really love Kung Fu.

I first fell in love with Kung Fu when I saw Bruce Lee in "Enter the Dragon". I was only seven years old, but his athleticism left an impression that has followed me ever since. I just never had the nerve or the time to pursue the sport. My daughter's love of Kung Fu is what finally made me decide that any embarrassment or pain was well worth the effort. Getting my white belt was one of the proudest days of my life.

However, I didn't realize how committed I was until I tested for my yellow belt. I was so nervous, especially since I hadn't tested for anything this challenging in years. Kung Fu is a sport where students progress to new belt levels of learning only when they prove to their Kung Fu instructor (Sifu) that they have mastered their current belt level.

My husband and daughter came to watch as I stood in my black uniform waiting to be tested. I was so nervous I started to sweat and that was before I began the warm-up. It was the most grueling hour of my life and I've gone through childbirth.

Reverse Punch! Kick! Ready Stance, Block! Kick faster! Punch harder! My instructor yelled as he called out each move that I was supposed to master. I was afraid of failing until I looked over to see my seven-year-old daughter watching me with pride and understanding. After all, she is pursuing a black belt too and has already experienced the test I was now going through. She gave me the courage to carry on and I was able to pass.

It was hard not to cry when Sifu Charles told me I passed. When he awarded me with a yellow belt, I felt the tears. It's quite an achievement for an older woman, but I love the challenge. I still breathe hard in warm-ups and crack when I kick, but that's O.K. I have a goal. I still have a number of levels to master, but I will get my black belt someday, hopefully, before I get my social security.