Five years ago, I kicked off my heels, jumped into yoga clothes, wide eyed and curious, and walked…read moreinto Muzosa's dojo ready to experience martial arts. Within the first hour of training, my heart pumping, sweat pouring, I thought I would faint. Within the second hour, one arm laying straight across my opponents neck and shoulder, my leg positioned behind his own, a small twist of my hips , and he was down- I knew I would never leave!
I have been training under the superb instruction of Jeff Christian and his black belt senior students since that time, and have learned to find physical and mental strength within myself I didn't know existed. Jeff is a brilliant instructor- able to convey movement to a room full of students; movements that span centuries, passed down from teacher to teacher, and revitalized in a modern context for denizens of the city. Jeff has been a teacher, a guide and a true friend to me, and Muzosa has been a safe place of learning and camaraderie. We are a family, looking after one another, supporting each other's efforts both in an out of class.
As a woman in the city, I find myself changed. I am aware of my surroundings in a way I never have been before. The strategies learned in class translate into my subway commutes or walks through crowds. Ours is a living art, and in that respect, we carry our training with us every moment. We look out for others as we do ourselves. Jeff has instilled in his students a great responsibility in this sense, and I am forever thankful for his instruction. He truly cares about his students, and the preservation of the art.
I consider Muzosa my family. It is an incredibly welcoming, inclusive atmosphere..a melting pot, that mirrors the city itself. We are of all ages, races. religions and orientations, and this is what makes the Dojo so remarkable. We bring to the learning so many different perspectives and histories, and Jeff embraces these differences and lead us with continued enthusiasm and knowledge.
