It was with a mixture of excitement and trepidation that I waited outside the studio for my first ever kickboxing class. A little more than two months later and I am already a fan. I am not an expert yet by any means, but I can certainly see that my original weak attempt at a kick now resembles something akin to Chun-Li in the notorious "Streetfighter game. With two years of boxing training under my belt, facing an opponent in a one-on-one bout did not faze me. Those hours of sweating to perfect my jab, straight punch and upper-cut were not in vain. Prior to adjusting my hand wraps and slipping on my boxing gloves for the first time, my only exposure to the sport was via televised fights, usually from behind a pillow to shield my face from the severe blows the boxers exchanged. If you throw in the front, side, hammer and roundhouse kick, you get what is commonly known as "modern kickboxing, where you use your hands and feet to attack your opponent (above the belt) and to defend yourself. The term covers a range of styles and traces its origins back to the 1950s when Japanese boxing promoter Osamu Noguchi coined the term "kickboxing to refer to a variant of Muay Thai and karate. The history of Muay Thai dates back 2,000 years. It uses punches, kicks and throws in conjunction with knee and elbow strikes to defeat the opponent. Kickboxing teacher Samer Hassan, who started practicing at age seven, is well-versed in the art. He studied Sanshou or Sando, the Chinese form, which is a synthesis of traditional kung fu techniques. The rules allow you to score points for wrestling as well as when you cause your opponent to lose their balance. The fusion of boxing, Tae Kwon Do, wrestling and judo is said to be practiced by the People's Liberation Army of China. Samer has eight years of kickboxing teaching experience. His classes focus on punching, kicking and self-defence techniques. The latter encompasses blocking or avoiding as well as the counter-attack, when you switch from defence to offence in one swift movement. "Keeping fit, shaping the body and increasing the efficiency of your muscles, are some of the benefits of kickboxing, Samer explains. "The martial art develops your explosive power [maximum strength and maximum speed]; it teaches proper breathing techniques and disciplines the mind. You learn to control the negative emotions of panic, fear and anger to increase your efficiency, he said. Nermeen Nagib, a 21-year-old law student and part-time dance instructor, agrees.She has been practicing for eight months and feels that she is advancing quickly, saying that it is a great self-defence mechanism, especially for women. "Kickboxing is the ultimate way to express my anger any time I want, so I would consider it a very strong outlet for this, she said. For women who have doubts about kickboxing, Nermeen says, "It shapes the body very well, especially the lower limbs, which is great for females. The sport has an almost addictive affect. "I can miss any class except kickboxing, she added smiling. Urban and landscape planner Mahmoud Al Mansi, 24, says it is the best martial art for self-defence. "It gives me confidence in protecting my family and friends and dealing with any aggression that comes my way, he said. Mahmoud, who has been practicing for the past seven months, says kickboxing has taught him many things, including self-healing tools and ways to maintain his personal vitality. "I believe that we all have power inside us, enough to collapse a mountain. I can now control my anger, redirecting it so that I am patient in front of my enemy so that I can hurt him, he stated. Ahmed Mansour, a 26-year-old financial and economic analyst, practices kickboxing cites "spiritual wellness on top of the physical rewards. "I took it up four months ago, having done boxing at the age of 11. Kickboxing is an overall workout, it develops every part of the body, he added. Positively channelling my aggression and the adrenalin rush I get from sparring are what draw me to the sport. Kickboxers develop strength, speed, and sharpness of mind. Samer Hassan gives classes in Mohandiseen and Maadi. For details, visit www.dragonacademyegypt.com.
