Social Workout

Workout

Sunday is Zen Combat

I had no idea what "Zen Combat" would be, but I was vaguely hoping the "zen" part would be operative. In fact, it was a kickboxing class. What's with all the fancy names?

Carol Scott taught, subbing for Violet Zaki. I have long arms, and, though I was a boxing champion in summer camp when I was 12, my jabs and hooks do not look convincing in the mirror. They look like jabs and hooks thrown by a long-limbed Edward Gorey character. Also, very little about the kicks looks or feels effective from a personal combat perspective. I will say, however, that I'm strong on the keeping the beat part.

"Jacks and jabs!" Carol would bark, meaning we should do a set of jumping jacks and jabs. We never actually stopped bouncing and jabbing and kicking for the full hour. It was effiicient, and she was very professional, and tough, without ever losing her smile. Being petty, I noted her Long Island accent, but I also sensed that, for her, it was more a sign of authenticity than any lack of sophistication. Like perhaps she was doing hardcore step aerobics with Madonna, back in the day, when Crunch was opening up, and Equinox was a family affair. But I'm just making that up, I don't really now anything about her. (Actually, I just looked around a little, and here's her bio. I'm not that far off: The woman is a total fitness pro. Been at it since the early '90s, featurd in all the fitness mags, appeared on TV, President of various associations.....)

Anyway, afterwards I did 50 pushups and 60 situps, and then I bailed in favor of brunch in Brooklyn. Two days in a row. There's hope once again.