Last Updated on November 25, 2013.
By: Thad Campbell – TSMMA Feasterville
Who Knew Kickboxing Could Be Stress Relief
Kate Lodise never expected to take Martial Arts Classes. She only heard about Tiger Schulmann’s in Feasterville through a series of acquaintances. Her daughter’s Godmother was invited to class with a friend, who in turn had come with another friend. Marcie Deising thought class would be great for her Goddaughters ability to defend herself.
Marcie invited Ronnie, and it wasn’t long before Kate was on the mat punching and kicking away as well.
Fast forward a year and the Bensalem woman can’t believe how much she enjoys coming to class.
Following is a letter she wrote to me recently:
Letter From Bensalem Kickboxing Student
Dear Sensei,
Just wanted to take the time to say Thank You!!!
When I came into your school almost a year and a half ago I was a very different person. I first came into your school with Ronnie and joined because it was something important to her.
Over the course of my time at TSMMA not only did Ronnie and I have a wonderful thing to accomplish together, but I found out I really LOVED it!
Ronnie and I not only attended classes but we both got a lot out of your talks after class. At times Ronnie and I would talk about whatever you spoke about and it resonated to both of us.
We would joke that we were going to get t-shirts made us that said, “What would Sensei Say?”
Still think it is a good idea by the way. 🙂
I know that you talk about building confidence and that will transcend into your everyday life by helping you gain success.
I have always felt as though I was confident. I am reasonably successful professionally and very happy overall with my life.
What I have come to realize is that I have achieved an enormous sense of calm. Kind of funny that expending all the energy we do in class would bring calm, as well as exhaustion. 🙂
My life as many people’s lives has challenges and complexities. What I have come to realize is that with all that goes on I have been operating a large portion of my life out of fear.
Something magical happens when you spend time focusing on your instructions and the single mindedness of accomplishing your workout, for that I will be eternally grateful.
What you have taught this “old dog” is to embrace the chaos that goes on in life with a sense of purpose and calm.
I really felt that I had to let you know, I sort of had an epiphany on my drive to work the other day and it has been wearing on my mind that I needed to say thank you!
Your forever changed student,
Kate Lodise
P.S. Now I feel better 🙂
Thankful To Provide Stress Relief
Thank you Kate!
It’s students like you that fuel my passion for teaching Martial Arts. It’s awesome for me to realize how the stress relief you get from class has helped you. It’s also amazing to think that you, Marcie and Ronnie all get different things out of class.
At the same time it’s fun and motivating for all of you just as the three of you have been and continue to be a pleasure for Joshu Alexander and I to teach.