Feeling Punchy

I recently started taking a boxing class at a gym near my home. I used to go to kick-boxing and self-defense classes regularly for several years with my sister partly to stay in shape and partly to learn to defend myself should I ever need to. After the hurricane I had a difficult time attending any classes because I was commuting back and forth from Hattiesburg for school. Fortunately, the same instructor that taught kick-boxing/self-defense has started a boxing academy and I joined up. I have never had so much fun working my butt off as I do in the boxing classes. There are two classes every week each lasting for two hours. There are both girls and guys in the class and we always have a great time. The first class I went to I thought I was going to die (and I wasn't really out of shape going into the class) but it is worth it to go ever week and learn to fight. Knowing how to fight and defend yourself is one of the most empowering feelings there is. Especially for a female it is a great feeling to know that you have some power over your situation should someone try to take advantage of you. By learning self-defense you know you now have greater conrol over your own life. I know it may sound "unladylike" or masculine to take boxing but I am a very firm believer that every female should have some training in how to defend themselves. It is a great confidence builder to know that you are strong and capable and that you have the knowledge to fight back and not become a victim. Not only is great for protecting yourself but I have yet to find a sport that gives you a better workout than boxing done properly. Another benefit of boxing is that you learn how to take a punch. My instructor told me that one of the things that severely lowers an attacked person chances in an assault is the surprise they feel when they get hit if they have never been punched before. I will admit that I hate getting hit in the face, my brains after all are my livelihood not my boxing skills. My instructor also understands this and takes every precaution that I don't damage brain cells or break my nose. So I recommend to everyone out there (especially females) to learn some sort of self defense, not so you become a bully but so that you don't become a victim. Learning how to box has been unbelievably fun and has the added benefits of keeping me in great shape and making me a stronger, more confident person.