Each week, our entertainments reporter tries out a new activity. See the latest How to.. This page last updated: Thursday, March 23, 2006 .
How to.. Learn Karate
TAKE THAT: Entertainments reporter Duncan Hall spars with karate instructor Lee Nash at Peterborough Hospital Sports and Social Club. (6PF0122001) Picture: Paul Franks
“IT’S not fat it’s muscle” used to be my cry when somebody accused me of being portly.
Having joined Nash Karate for a Sunday lunchtime circuit traning session though, I have to concede it is fat – although if Lee Nash has anything to do with it muscle isn’t far away.
The club offers karate classes and more for all ages from the pre-school Little Dragons to adults self-defence and ladies fitness kick-boxing.
The club has been running for 12 years. It is currently preparing to move from its current hired premises, at the Hospital Sports and Social Club off Thorpe Road, Peterborough, to a new facility which will be designed for the best in karate training.
My Sunday lunchtime experience proved that karate isn’t just about standing in lines and learning the moves.
This karate school aims to get you fit as well as get your technique right – and so I underwent a gruelling hour of basic fitness training.
After a guided warm-up we were partnered off for a series of different activities designed to work different parts of the body.
I soon found myself pounding and kicking punchbags, skipping, doing sit-ups and doing two minute bursts of running as my creaking body screamed in protest to return to the sofa.
I wasn’t surprised when my running partner told me he had lost half a stone in the first few weeks of taking part in the fitness session.
I felt like half a stone of me was now in puddles on the floor!
Once we had done the full circuit – and the fear that we might have to do it all again evaporated – everyone donned gloves and head-guards for a sparring session.
I have always said I was a lover, not a fighter, but when you’ve got a burly guy with muscles on top of his muscles facing you I think learning to defend yourself is more important than trying to make friends over flowers and poetry.
I learned very quickly to keep my guard up (although they wouldn’t let me cover my eyes and run away, which was my first reaction) – and I was also taught the best way to exploit your opponent’s attacks to your advantage.
Pretty soon I was jabbing and uppercutting with the best of them – until I met the little 13-year-old who managed to make my teeth jangle with a light kick to the headguard.
It was all very good-natured though – with everyone touching gloves if a punch or kick landed too hard. And it was exhausting, keeping on your toes and trying to keep out of the way of the next attack. My attack probably needs some work though – I don’t think I will be able to flatten a bunch of bad guys with one punch quite yet.
As with many of the martial arts classes I have joined, one of the things that struck me was the good nature and good humour of the group itself – everyone was willing to help me out or offer advice.
And it was clear everyone was enjoying the session – despite the hard work involved the whole group was getting something out of it.
The whole atmosphere was very relaxed, with everyone wearing T-shirts and trainers rather than the sort of kit you would normally expect in a karate school.
Lee did point out that in normal lessons the members would wear proper uniforms though.
The school is going to the karate world championships in the United States in June, and is keen to get sponsorship from local businesses to ensure the members of the school get a chance to compete at the highest level.
For more information or to offer services contact the number below.
Why do it:
All I know is that by the end of the session I felt tired, but exhilarated - a feeling which lasted for most of the day – until the stiffness set in the next day . . .
Not only is karate a good discipline for the body and mind, with Lee’s training sessions you get fit too under expert tuition, without the need to head out to the gym.