I'll never forget the glowing smile and words of welcome Colleen Shek offered as I rushed into my first ever Body Combat class. She was about to begin, the class was packed and this probably made the difference between me feeling shy and embarrassed or entirely at ease.
She never hesitates to welcome all late arrivals in this way.
The next 45 minutes would flash by in an awe inspiring blur except that I've never witnessed such enthusiasm and joy in any fitness environment - and I certainly wasn't expecting it at a Martial Arts based class.
I've also never witnessed a woman display such fierceness, explosiveness, conviction and technical excellence throughout so many rigorous punching, jumping and kicking sequences.
Strong Leadership In Martial Arts
Colleen's strong leadership style and vibrant personality would cause this very diverse group of class members to give a lot more than 100% - and definitely a lot more than they normally would on a Monday night!
I was completely lost during that class and for quite a while, in so may ways. The idea of punching and kicking felt totally alien, the changes within the sequence went right over my head and I think Pheobe from Friends may have hijacked most of my initial Body Combat efforts.
I was always moving in the wrong direction or resorting to waving my arms and legs around when I couldn't keep up. Just when I thought I'd grasped something, it changed. My left foot would be in front when it was supposed to be my right.....
And I definitely didn't know my 'hook' from my 'jab' - or have any conviction behind either one of them.
I had to laugh, it was too quick but the music was great and Colleen's energy got me through!
I had to go back!
Being so devoted to nature meant that a fitness environment like this was entirely new but I couldn't embrace it or commend Colleen enough. I felt a spark and I still feel that spark nine months later.
I have also grown a lot stronger, in every way!
Lifting Up The Community with Body Combat
Many people I've spoken to before a class comment that Body Combat is the highlight of their week - which did offend one woman's husband (and I think that's hilarious!) Even the energy of people congregating before a class is different, because they know how good they're about to feel.
It is Colleen's ability to teach fast paced punching and kicking sequences whilst also raising the vibration of everyone around her which is so powerful. When we picture Martial Arts I don't know that anyone anticipates the presence or joy or even euphoria.
It's like a Martial Arts fiesta and the noise coming from the studio does reflect that.
Healing and Martial Arts
Over time I learned that this unique combination seems to magnify the benefits and accelerate the healing potential present within the practice of Martial Arts as well.
I was a long way off from realising these benefits but I do believe any healing or transformation often starts with a feeling of connection to a person or environment. We are able to relax and embrace the journey as opposed to setting high expectations.
I looked forward to it every Monday night, which eventually became every Monday and Saturday and now I try to go three or four times a week. She also runs a core class and a Boxerfit class which I sometimes take part in.
Physical exercise, sport and outdoor activities have featured in my life from a young age but healing and recovery from trauma would rise higher up on the agenda as well. Being on the national squad in two different sports means that keeping fit these days has to be about pure enjoyment - and stress relief.
Relying on the Power of Nature
I was lucky to be introduced to the outdoors through a great kayaking club, enjoying both the recreational and competitive aspects of the sport. I also loved supporting clients as part of a tourism based venture, encouraging them to feel confident and relaxed on the water. I got to know some wonderful people.
Rocky has also ensured that a sense of adventure would be a key aspect of who I have become.
The psychological/emotional benefits of exercise are far greater when we are relaxed and having fun. Nature magnifies these benefits, heightening our awareness, removing internal and external barriers through a sense of freedom and increasing feelings of appreciation, love and joy.
Embracing Our Dark Side With Martial Arts
It was after watching a video featuring Shi Heng Yi. that I looked up local Body Combat classes. His Warrior/Monk approach to life has had quite an impact on over 3 billion youtubers. This philosophy is based on the use of Martial Arts and believing in our ability to protect ourselves, while also cultivating inner peace and self mastery.
Shi Heng Yi explains that Physical movement and Martial Arts are far more effective ways of helping people than simply offering wisdom, insight or knowledge. He does practice as a monk and shares a lot of insight and mindset tools.
However he reveals how Martial Arts enable us to embrace our dark side, be comfortable with it and build confidence/control over that aspect of ourselves as well.
This was something I definitely knew I wasn't comfortable or well practiced at - I'd been prone to shut out or deny the full impact painful events had on me, using humour and positivity, while holding on to the belief that things like anger serve no purpose.
I have benefitted by learning from some wonderful therapists and always agreed that physical movement is one of the best ways to flush out toxins, restore and cope with stress.
Therapy for Mind and Body
However I am so glad I was also introduced to such an amazing Body Combat instructor because of the video a friend shared.
As the weeks and months went by I was always learning and developing during the high energy Body Combat classes, focussing very much on the skills and being carried along with the momentum.
My nervous system seemed to be dealing with quite a change though and the issues I faced as a gymnast began to surface a lot.
Overcoming the Past Using Martial Arts
The psychological damage was much worse than the physical. I was probably very easily controlled as a child, physically strong but mentally vulnerable. Outside the gym, I made friends easily, had a lot of fun, rebelled a lot but also had a lot of empathy.
Many of us develop insight and empathy due to our own negative experiences and this is worth holding on to.
How do Martial Arts Heal
Punching and kicking repetitively does trigger our protective instincts and the mind relaxes intuitively whenever we successfully create space for ourselves - even with no-one in front of us.
If we've had our boundaries crossed a lot or been overpowered then building belief and trust in our capacity to set boundaries and defend ourselves is not just important, but very healing and freeing.
The more we do this the safer we feel, even if the trauma or events are in the past. Feelings of being overpowered can remain in the body for a long time. Traditional therapy is obviously helpful but Body Combat seems to teach us to harness that trapped energy and use our own power and effort to expel it.
I definitely can punch with quite a lot of conviction now!
The Body/Mind Connection Improves with Martial Arts
There are many grounding techniques used in treating Trauma which teach the mind that we are safe and take us out of fight or flight. We are restoring calm or a sense of safety through a mental exercise or mindful practice. However the more punching and kicking I do the less overall fear I experience anyway.
Evidence Supporting Martial Arts for Treating PTSD
Allison Willing, a professor in brain repair reported the results of using Martial Arts in healing PTSD as significantly more effective than traditional PTSD treatments. These findings have been reported on the ptsduk website and are described as "dramatic".
Anything at all can cause our system to feel overpowered or overloaded and all of our experiences are as valid and as complex as anyone else's. Fighting back is often not encouraged and holding back in every way can become a very destructive habit.
Negative Energy is Useful in Martial Arts
Pain and problems are actually useful in the context of Martial Arts. Do you want to punch politely or bring everything that you are into that punch?
At first I found it quite shocking how Colleen is able to speak so graphically and with such passion about the area of the face or body we are aiming to punch or kick. She wants precision and for all of us to engage with that fighter instinct.
We have been given full permission at Body Combat to tap into any darkness, pain and suffering and to unleash it physically, wholeheartedly and with every ounce of our being.
She doesn't like a half hearted punch or a technically inefficient punch!
Body Combat is an Inside Job
Since early on, I've preferred to face myself in the mirror or window when I'm practicing. I firmly believe the biggest obstacle we face is ourselves and like it or not the things we endure do affect us deep down. The responsibility to free ourselves from this negative energy is entirely down to us too.
I want to be the judge of how accurate or powerful every punch has been and only I can believe in me.
I obviously have to keep an eye on Colleen pretty consistently for instructions and guidance as well catching her jokes when they happen as well!
Enjoying The Positive Impact of Body Combat
The body begins to cleanse itself and feelings of empowerment just arise naturally. I have a lot more energy in general and if a bad memory pops up from childhood or adulthood I can deal with it far more confidently.
The whole process of practicing Body Combat and Martial Arts actually allows our positive traits to shine through more strongly too. Confidence in terms of decision making and relationships rises and we can seek out positive opportunities for ourselves more easily.
I'd say we can also transform any perceived weaknesses into strengths and offer more strength to others too.
This article by the Guardian describes the positive impact Martial Arts has had on other women who've experienced a lot of trauma in Australia.
Bringing Men and Women Together to Practice Body Combat
Martial Arts are also a massively important tool for empowering men, especially within a culture where verbalising emotions is rarely encouraged. Most men can absolutely relate to the feeling that they must contain everything, hold it in.
Colleen's strong character, her uplifting energy, her free spiritedness and the fact that she could knock you out with a left hook are all equally important aspects of who she is as an instructor. Everything she does motivates me massively!
This authentic nature is also very refreshing in a culture where very few people say exactly what they mean or feel that they can't. Being around her allows us all to tap into our own authenticity. She is real, not trying to be perfect.
The Therapeutic Power of Joy
This joy we experience in Colleen's classes should not be underestimated either. Both love and joy vibrate at a high frequency of 528hz which has been studied extensively in terms of it's capacity to heal. This high frequency has also been found to actually repair DNA by some researchers.
This article by Joy Centers goes into a lot more detail regarding how exactly Joy heals.
If someone or an activity enables us to experience more joy then we must embrace that person or activity with all our heart. The stress we are all under can often leave little time for joy and we each have to handle many responsibilities. Joy is so powerful that we must absolutely recognise and be thankful for anyone or anything which provides us with more of it.
Joy also breeds more Joy!
Believing in Ourselves with Body Combat
Colleen does know how little belief people might have in themselves and told us that she walked out of her first ever Body Combat class. Someone like this is leading from the heart, understands the fears and doubts and has had to dig deep to overcome them.
Although she is so impressive to watch, one of the things I also noticed very quickly is that her vocal commands, words of encouragement, jokes, technical guidance are so regular that you have no time to doubt, hesitate or fear.
Anxiety, fear, low self esteem, anger, worry, self hate and PTSD are everywhere in the UK. We have some of the worst mental health statistics in the world. A million clones of Colleen would not be a bad idea but until that happens I do hope everyone has access to a good Martial Arts or Body Combat class in their area.
I think over the past nine months I've been given a way to face and express all aspects of who I am, all of the darkness and all of the light. This does give me far more confidence and belief in both who I am and far greater feelings of wholeness.
I have so much gratitude for this and have had so much fun getting there!
How a Great Instructor Builds A Sense of Community
Colleen will reiterate that 'we're in this together', often interacting with people or occasionally telling us off. She rejoices whenever we succeed in remembering the next sequence and said that we are her inspiration!
What a beautiful outlook and what a wonderful environment to be a part of.
She offers classes five days a week as well as working full time!
It's also very difficult to get a spot and I've had to set an alarm for when bookings open!
Colleen's classes are held at The Academy of Sport and Wellbeing or Bannatyne's in Perth.
The Future Must Include Martial Arts
One friend said "Imagine how your life would have been different if you'd been taught martial arts as a child?" While I have to love myself as I am and accept both the horrendous aspects and the incredible blessings I've been given, she makes a very valid point and definitely one which parents should consider.
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