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Kick ’n’ box!

PHOTO: BHAGYA PRAKASH K.

Ka boom Kickboxing involves a long process of training but is definitely worth it

As I climb up the winding staircase, this time in sneakers, I somehow had the feeling that I’ll be in big trouble. I can already hear the shouts when I reach the terrace and sprint up faster.

The classes have begun and it’s just the warm-ups. And it makes my aerobic classes look like child’s play and my school P.T. sessions feel like a cake walk.

Legs are flying, arms are kicking and for martial artist Ashwin Mohan at Independent Shootfighters Inc., the moves come naturally. I panic and look apologetically around for a place to hide.

They think I am a new-comer who has chickened out. Half-embarrassed, I stand dumbstruck in some corner.

The warm-ups are not your usual turn-your-head-around to the beats and short simple stretches.

They are intense, hardcore, demanding and require all your will-power. Imagine doing 100 push-ups back-to-back. Does not sound challenging?

Try flipping around on all fours, push up and then getting up to kick and box with all your might. And when you barely manage to hurl yourself up after the third count, Ashwin shakes his head pitifully: “Even my granny would be faster than that!”

Ashwin starts kicking the air now continuously and the rest follow — some half-heartedly and some with weakening resolve. With just five women and the rest men, it becomes quite discouraging. Especially if you think you’ll get to see some fiery women in action, challenging their male counterparts. Kickboxing involves a long process of training and you hope the women pursue it and really do some stunts on the road when needed!

It is like in one of those high-speed martial arts movies — fast and definite moves that happen in a flash. And Ashwin, in between all his punching and kicking, delivers smart one-liners that will put your muscles to shame. And then make you attempt that next count with greater effort.

There is a large mirror placed behind him and he turns around declaring he doesn’t want to see their moves anymore. There is a wave of awkward giggles. No music, no stylish moves.

Just clean, fast and hard kickboxing. And if you dare and want to fight back all those leering men on the road, this is just the place for you. With classes in Richmond Town, Koramangala, Indiranagar, Vidyaranyapura, Sadashivnagar, it’s time you put on your boxing gloves. Visit shootfighters.wordpress.com or call 9886456906/9845396360.

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