Mixed Martial Arts – Do It Like a Doll! Tuesday, 27 July 2010 01:11 Written by Jennifer Tesado

Save for my previous TAEBO exercise tapes, Physical Education Arnis classes back in college, I have never tried or taken a boxing class. When I told my husband back in Manila about wanting to get back into shape and exercise out (more like annihilate!) the annoying pressure point in my shoulder trap, he suggested martial arts. I thought to myself? Me? Martial arts? Never. I mean the thought of “kicking ass” like Scarlette Johannson as BlackWidow in Iron Man 2 so rocked but my pain tolerance wasn't exactly up to par. Even just threading my eyebrows could be such an accomplishment at times.

(Sissy alert!) But after listening to my dear hubby go on about how my background in dancing would really give me an edge with coordination and it would definitely get me fit quicker and also stronger. An added bonus it would allow me to release any pent up anger or frustration. (Come on, we all have them whether from our childhood, a tyrant boss or even sometimes a rude stranger bumping you on the back with her grocery cart!)

So I finally decided to give it a go. I tried a free trial with Ramsey Dewey at Tiger Muay Thai Kung Fu Club and then did a 100 RMB trial at Oz Body Fit gym. The first one was a semi-private class with two great Dolls Selvi and Karlijn (who are always ready to spar and kick ass and are very forgiving when my arms were not strong enough to hold up the brick-like pads at Muai Thai) and the second one with a group class at Oz Bodyf Fit. Both I would have to say got me sweating and aching (in a good way)!

The group class lasted about an hour and a half with several instructors demonstrating what exercise to do.There was not much explanation why we were doing what we were doing. The sparring time was fun but I could not manage to take my turn at holding up the incredibly heavy pads (due to my previous neck and arm injury) I specifically loved the combinations you could do and the 50 punch where you can just let off all your steam!

The semi-private (I've been to two now) class with Ramsey lasted about an hour and a half, it also begins with stretches and warm-ups but this time with explanations (e.g. You do knee rotations and hip rotations because it's like oiling your joints to prevent injury). Then he goes into the new techniques he is teaching us (e.g. first day was squaring off, a jab, backhand, roundhouse kicks and uppercuts, second training day was teeping, block-hooks and shoulder throws). During the sparring time, we got to use everything we learned from day one.

Depending on what kind of training you want and of course factor in your budget, both are definitely great workouts! Oz Bodyfit charges 1000 RMB for 10 sessions. Ramsey will be starting a new group class near Hengshen Rd Minshen for 400 RMB/month for 12 sessions. If you are after a certain kind of instruction (like me) I personally prefer the training we got with Ramsey precisely because we were able to focus a lot on technique and got to practice sparring with him in an actual boxing ring which I found great and thrilling! He also gave a lot of explanations on why we were stretching what we are stretching (or whatever it was we were doing) so it was not just blindly following him. When we did get an injury during training (a bleeding toe, cramps, knee pain) he would be sure to check on you and encourage you to take it easy on the injury.

My realizations as now a Mixed Martial Arts Doll trainee? Let me try and enumerate:

1. Dancing background does come in handy with hand and foot coordination.

2. Always visualize your opponent even when practicing.

3. Learn your instructors numbers (You instructor will assign a number to a certain kind of move as per Ramsey).

4. Push the air out when you strike (punch or kick)For me, I notice my punches or kicks always have more power when I let out a grunt or a shout.

5. Do not attempt to put too much speed and power until you've got your technique right (you will find a heavy bag coming at you at full force and you down on the ground!)

6. Always bring or ask for first aid supplies! Especially when you don't want a bloody toe to damage you shoe. (Peace! to the Doll that this happened to.)

7. Voltaren (analgesic gel) helps too when you bang up your leg or knee.

8. Billy Blanks of the Taebo tapes actually taught me something after all.

9. After working out, be sure to soak your feet in warm water, exfoliate the damaged skin and moisturize. (Just because we can rough it doesn't mean we can't still have pretty feet!)

10. Hot pink Everlast gloves are available on Taobao!

11. In the words of my hubby: “Martial Arts is not sewing! You will get hurt.”

The rewards Mixed Martial Arts Doll trainee?

1. Happy hormones. Just like any work out, the pumping will get your moods to better places

2. Confidence. Learning a new skill (more so a skill where you can release tension and frustration, and aspire to look cool while doing it) is always a big confidence booster. Also, since the workouts build your strength and endurance you feel more at home doing things you thought you couldn't do.

3. Pain tolerance. I can't believe I'm saying this but after getting up despite banging my knee the wrong way, and still sparring after, I would have to say I've made progress from tearing up after a threading or waxing sesh. (Perhaps I'm gearing up for labor when I have my future kids? Hehe. I'm not there yet!)

4. Weight loss, definition and strength. I know its only been three sessions but with only walking and occasional stair climbing in between its awesome feeling your clothes looser, your abdominals tighter and your arms and legs stronger-not to mention my pressure point in my back looser!

5. Friends. I don't think this experience would be as rewarding if I wasn't doing it with fellow Dolls- most especially with the likes of Selvi and Karlijn who will push you, encourage you and even taunt you to get you to move it move it or whack something really hard! (hehe) I have them to thank for my new found healthy high!

If you want something new to kick-start your healthier lifestyle, try Mixed Martial Arts! But do it like a Doll! With style, with friends, with determination and with a good dose of humor to boot!

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#13 Commuter Directions!!! — JenSomeone 2010-07-29 15:40

Thank God for Shanghainese friends!
Commuter route to Ramseys class in Mingshen
First, u can take line 10 and get off a is shui chen lu then take a bus No.700 ,just need to take 3 stops, get off at the 3rd stops - Hong xu road then walk to wuzhong :)

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#12 RE: Mixed Martial Arts – Do It Like a Doll! — JenSomeone 2010-07-27 23:11

Quoting buzza:

Thanks Jen. Really appreciate the info & feeback. :)

Hi! Who is buzza? :)

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#11 Thanks and sorry! — JenSomeone 2010-07-27 20:17

Hi Everyone! Thanks for the comments! ANd sorry if I misunderstood the info that it was going to be on henshen! :) Well, if were all gonna be going together, we can share a cab from line 9 right? :) hehehe Are you guys starting this friday?

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#10 RE: Mixed Martial Arts – Do It Like a Doll! — cheeky monkey 2010-07-27 18:31

@elena, i think it is lane 633 wuzhong lu no 85. will check with Ramsey on thurs.
@Yelena, I will post the video on buzz. Be afraid, be very afraid! :)

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#9 Video — yelena 2010-07-27 18:00

Selvi can I have a look of that video when its done? Really want to see what you've been learning :) and to find out if I should pick a fight with you or not ;)

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#8 Thanks! Great info. — buzza 2010-07-27 14:18

Thanks Jen. Really appreciate the info & feeback. :)

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#7 RE: Location — elena 2010-07-27 12:39

I didn't quite understand the address is it 633 Wuzhong Lu or 85 Wuzhong Lu? If the latter then it's not that bad, cause No. 633 is really far away.

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#6 RE: Mixed Martial Arts – Do It Like a Doll! — Kaatje 2010-07-27 09:39

Great writing Jen!
@ Elena, Niels is also considering to come, since he's kinda jealous I'm doing his favourite sport now.
@Selvi, no subway close, only line 9 but then still 1,5km walking.

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#5 Location — cheeky monkey 2010-07-27 08:38

Mingshen sports gym is at 633 Wuzhong lu No.85
Do u know of any metro stations close by? I am not sure if i will do this one. I may wait till he starts his once weekly day class at the tiger muay thai club. Hoping it is on a Sat. But not between 2-3pm which will clash with the flamenco lessons.

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#4 Location — elena 2010-07-27 08:22

Selvi, I can't find the address of Menshen sports club. Could you please post it. I can't do Mondays but can do Thursday and Friday if it's not too far from my place. I never tried martial arts though, so dunno if I will like it. I will tell E to join, he did martial arts last time and had some big achievements.

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