Popped out eyes, just the way Tom, the cat displays on spotting Jerry, the mouse! Flabbergasted, derisive, satirical twist of the lips, hysterical laughter that ceases when their eyes meet my stone faced look. These are the expressions which have become a usual routine of my Weekend mornings. Venue is any of the Sagar Ratnas which pack our idly-dosa breakfast or the the traffic signals where a glance through the driver's car window gives a clear glimpse of the 'Karategi', or any ATM where I would pause to draw some cash. No, the Bengaluru city does not host any fancy dress competitions every weekend where we would dress up in the same outfit every time, nor are we advertising for the Mommy and Me matching collection. My daughter and I are the students of the 'Joshinmon Shorin Ryu Karate-Do Federation of India'
One fine evening, on my way back from work, I de routed my path to reach home. It wasn't a major diversion. The routine main road to home was congested, a normal sight in the city that is designed with the mains and crosses all over. And atypical to my practice I started taking perpendicular roads as an alternate path to reach home. It was on this one less traversed street canopied by Gulmohur trees that by fluke my eyes were arrested by the board that displayed Karate Classes. Ever felt the adrenaline rush that gives an extra power to that right foot of yours which oscillates between the brake and the accelerator? I halted my car abruptly. Thank heavens there wasn't one behind me! I noted the timings and the contacts and with a broad smile headed home. This is it! Time to live a long forgotten dream! The decision was final then and there, on the road less travelled!
Unlike Kill Bill's Uma Thurman, I do not aim a revenge. No. I am at peace! I had always wished to learn the art of self defence and practice a martial art. Joshinmon Shorin Ryu was named based on Grand Master Hoshu Ikeda's philosophy that, "You cannot teach karate as a means for harming another man. There's so much more to karate living than mere punching and kicking." Joshinmon's unique qualities include its use of speed and accuracy over brute force. And it was only when I plunged into it, I realised that it is a pathway to spirituality!
I have never been a sportsperson. The only occasions when I would have curled my fingers to form a fist would be while wearing those jumpers in the Dun winters or while kneading the dough. So when the Karate Master asked me to make a punch, I knew all the wrong ways but the right one. The Japanese phrase Karate-do means 'the way of the empty hand'. I had no clue folding the fingers in the particular manner would turn my hand into a power punch! Certainly, it was time to rediscover my body! I realised there was friction all over. All my body lubricants had faded like a vanishing cream! I could hardly jump on two legs, forget balancing on one! While my comate, my daughter jumped twenty times on the count of ten, I could barely hop five yet dittoed panting like a dog! 'Seiza', the Japanese traditional way of sitting would ache my ankles. A split or a roll on the ground was certainly out of question! I distinctly remember that Monday two hours Data Structures lecture which I delivered draped in a pleated saree on heels with every possible muscle of my wearied body aching in pain. I had attended my first karate session on the prior weekend!
Every quarter the Federation conducts the Belt Tests. An entire day of persistent gruelling of the participants ends up with the declaration of results in the evening. In my belt group, I'm the oldest. Quite an amusing figure for all the children around! I still don't believe that I can somersault on the ground when the Chief Technical Director of India tests my attainment. Thus, the only factor that helps me progress is the will power and my constant companion, my little, big lassie! As of now, the journey is undoubtedly an interesting and motivating one. Cheers to what follows!
