Yes. I do taekwondo, got my second dan black belt but have never considered myself ‘sporty’: hate team sports, swimming and gyms bore me, can’t run, but the cerebral focus of martial arts compounded by its real world kickass self defense appeal meshed with me at the right time. And like this piece, I find myself so consumed with the practice and technique that I lose all sense of being seen. I am. It is joyous.
With dedication, anyone can be a black belt within 3-4 years—it is seen as the beginning of your martial arts journey when you have a solid grounding in all the foundation kicks, and can demonstrate strength and long sequences of moves. Then it starts to get *really* hard! I’d love to see more women trying it!
Me and mates love watching female strength and ability on a rugby pitch, it’s hot. I’m not sure it parlays into a deeper attraction though, unless you can see how comfortable they are being themselves - which gives you permission to be comfortable with yourself. I’ve had too many beers 😂
Yes the author addresses this earlier in the essay: “This was before it was telegraphed that getting your crush actually meant making yourself smaller and less capable, that it definitely did not mean getting him “out” in handball. This was before I learned that the thing that makes you feel good in your body, and in the world, is a liability.” And then responds to her own speculation of men wanting to fuck capability: “What a fantasy, right?”
Yes. I do taekwondo, got my second dan black belt but have never considered myself ‘sporty’: hate team sports, swimming and gyms bore me, can’t run, but the cerebral focus of martial arts compounded by its real world kickass self defense appeal meshed with me at the right time. And like this piece, I find myself so consumed with the practice and technique that I lose all sense of being seen. I am. It is joyous.
Hell yeah. I love that for you. (Also: black belt!!!)
With dedication, anyone can be a black belt within 3-4 years—it is seen as the beginning of your martial arts journey when you have a solid grounding in all the foundation kicks, and can demonstrate strength and long sequences of moves. Then it starts to get *really* hard! I’d love to see more women trying it!
Me and mates love watching female strength and ability on a rugby pitch, it’s hot. I’m not sure it parlays into a deeper attraction though, unless you can see how comfortable they are being themselves - which gives you permission to be comfortable with yourself. I’ve had too many beers 😂
😂 Love this bit!: “…which gives you permission to be comfortable with yourself.”
Yes the author addresses this earlier in the essay: “This was before it was telegraphed that getting your crush actually meant making yourself smaller and less capable, that it definitely did not mean getting him “out” in handball. This was before I learned that the thing that makes you feel good in your body, and in the world, is a liability.” And then responds to her own speculation of men wanting to fuck capability: “What a fantasy, right?”
Thank you for your clarification. I should have read more closely before I commented
You were on the same page with the author! :)