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Karate moms

Moms in town take to martial art classes with élan

ALERT MOMS spend time with children at the martial art training PHOTO: P.V.SIVAKUMAR

Shanti U. Mani, an English language trainer pursuing Ph.D in English Literature and mother of a nine-year-old, looks forward to the martial arts class that she attends with her daughter. Ditto for dental surgeon Dr. Parul Dham, who is training in karate and judo along with her two sons.

The `samurai' mama has arrived. If admission to salsa, yoga and a slower tai chi was the flavour of the last season, this year finds mothers in town taking up martial art training with élan. And the tribe is on the rise.

"There is no rule that if you have a child, your world comes to an end. Instead of lazing around at home it is a better option to burn the fat. If you are fit, you can look after the family well. ," says Anita, a housewife and mother.Farzan Merchant of Jukaado Academy of Martial Arts observes, . "At first, some joined to lose weight but after sometime they all are determined to aim for a black belt. They train in karate and judo on par with the rest of the class," he observes.

Shanti, who trains with her daughter-an orange belt holder, enjoys training in punches, blocks and sparring (mock fight and defence). Her personal favourites are "kicks and punches. Earlier, you could only think of slapping if someone were to attack you on the road. But now the self-defence techniques are always on your mind," she adds. But does it bring in any discomfort training with the children? "Not at all. Even my daughter looks forward to me coming to class," she adds.

Reflects Dr. Dham, "Earlier I was hesitant to go to the same class with my sons who are brown and white belt holders respectively. But they encouraged me. " With the registers ringing, and more mothers dashing off to equip themselves with Nan Chaku et al., hope the school bullies are listening.

SYEDA FARIDA

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