Okay, so today I decided to try out this “Chinese Kickboxing” thing, also known as Sanda or Sanshou. I’ve done a bit of martial arts in the past, but this was totally new territory for me.
First things first, I found a local gym that offered Sanda classes. It wasn’t easy! Most places around here focus on MMA or Muay Thai. But after some digging, I stumbled upon this place with a legit Sanda instructor.
I showed up for the introductory class, feeling a little nervous. I mean, I’ve thrown punches and kicks before, but this looked intense. The instructor, a tough-looking guy named Coach Li, greeted me and the other newbies.
Warm-up
- We started with a pretty brutal warm-up. Lots of jumping jacks, push-ups, and some weird stretches I’d never seen before. My muscles were already burning!
- Then came the footwork drills. Coach Li emphasized staying light on our feet and moving in all directions. We practiced shuffling, pivoting, and switching stances. It felt awkward at first, but I slowly started to get the hang of it.
Basic Techniques
- Next up: punches. We learned the basic jab, cross, and hook. Coach Li corrected our form, making sure we were turning our hips and keeping our guards up. We spent ages just drilling these punches into the air, which made my body tired.
- Kicks were even harder! We worked on front kicks, side kicks, and roundhouse kicks. My legs were screaming. Coach Li kept pushing us to kick higher and with more power. I nearly fell over a few times trying to get my leg up that high!
- Then came the really interesting part: takedowns. Sanda includes throws and takedowns, which is different from most striking arts I’ve tried. We learned a couple of basic takedowns, like single-leg and double-leg takedowns. It was surprisingly fun trying to wrestle each other to the ground.
Sparring(Almost!)
- We didn’t do full-on sparring, but we did some light contact drills. We paired up and practiced throwing punches and kicks at each other, focusing on control and technique. Even at low intensity, it was a rush!
Cool-down
- Finally, we ended with some cool-down stretches. My whole body felt like jelly, but in a good way.
Overall, it was a killer workout! I learned a lot, pushed myself physically, and had a ton of fun. I’m definitely going back for more. My legs might hate me tomorrow, but it’s totally worth it. This Sanda stuff is awesome!
