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Title [Martial Arts Globe] Martial Arts as a Way of Being

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    810
  • Date
    02-06-2020
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This photo is not directly related to the writing, photo (C) Ashima Pargal

Hannah Xu


When I was a young girl growing up in China, I was always inspired by the female characters on TV series who practice martial arts and fight for justice (like Mulan). ‘That is who I want to be!’ I said to myself. However, my parents didn’t really favour the idea of me doing martial arts, as they thought it might turn a girl into someone aggressive and wild. 


I waited until the summer holiday after I graduated from high school, I enrolled myself into a summer Taekwondo programme. I was the oldest in the class and it felt embarrassing at the start. But as soon as I stepped onto the mat and threw my first punch it just felt so right for me!  That was a milestone in my life!  As I started my everyday practice, I felt energised, happy and light! Physically I lost some weight, got toned and improved posture. Mentally, I felt so confident in my own skin!


I recall I got bullied in school when I was 8. Ever since, I put up a strong wall to hide my insecurities. It was truly draining and exhausting! As I became connected to my inner martial artist, I realised I no longer needed to feel insecure. I can be someone who is calm and compassionate on the outside, while being certain, powerful, and visionary on the inside.


Since then that way of being has been a part of my everyday life, throughout my university years, when I moved to the UK, when I started working, and later when I set up my own business. I passed my 1st dan black belt in Taekwondo in 2017, a year later I started teaching. I was so pleased to see how much Taekwondo had developed me as a person, and more importantly, I now have an opportunity to give back to the community.


In 2019 I started a community project 360 Kick 4 Mental Health that provides Taekwondo to UK healthcare professionals. I heard that 430 doctors took their own lives between 2011 and 2015 in England (BBC 2018) as they were under tremendous pressure and stress because of their work. I wanted to bring happiness and stress relief to those life savers, so that they can help more people be healthier and happier.


Later that year, I started my own business based on the same project that brings Taekwondo to a wider range of professionals who work under high pressure, like accountants, IT professionals, lawyers, etc. I understand keeping the mind sharp and healthy is essential for making important decisions in a professional environment. More importantly, I want more people to go to work happy! 


When COVID-19 kicked in and the world went into lockdown from mid-March 2020, I continued running my sessions online to support people with their mental wellbeing during this uncertain time, as I know this is, more than ever, the time we need to use our talents for good!


Looking back at my childhood dream of being a female martial artist, I realised that who I really want to be is someone who empowers and inspires others. Not only had I gained self-confidence and improved my health through Taekwondo, I now have the opportunity to give back and make a difference!


As we get older, we may alter the way we practice martial arts, but we continue being someone who is highly disciplined and integral in looking after ourselves and others!

Practicing martial arts is a way of being!



References

HEMMINGS, C., 2018. Doctors’ mental health at tipping point, Available from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-45356349, (28th May 2020).



Hannah Xu is a 2nd dan black belt in Taekwondo, registered British Taekwondo Instructor and founder of 360 Kick 4 Mental Health. She provides Taekwondo and mindfulness classes to busy professionals and business owners. Helping people live a healthy and happy life through martial arts is her life's work.

 

※ This writing does not reflect the idea of ICM.