Ah Man!… Here Are Some Tips

This week has been totally exciting for me, and it's not just because "The Mindy Project" is back on. The excitement, ah man,  mostly comes from this being the most productively challenging few days that I could remember. I can't wait to tell you guys more about it, another time. But for now, for all my yoga lovers and new beginners looking to experience, ah man, what can I say this experience is like? (Sigh) It's something only you can describe for yourself, sorry, yes,  you'd have to try this one on your own. Moving forward, please try responsibly and under the care of an instructor. lol. When you do try it, please keep the following tips in mind. What is it? It's called "26 Plus 6 Hot Yoga" or at least that's what they call it at Yoga to the People (donation based yoga studio, check it out www.yogatothepeople.com). I've been practicing yoga, Power Vinyasa Flow, to be more specific, for about four years,  I think, thanks to an old friend. This, however, was a new challenge for me; when I say challenging, there's nothing more challenging than fighting against your own body. Before I go off on a tangent and scare you away, here are some tips to having a wonderful experience with Hot Yoga:

1. Be naked. 

Well, not totally nude, but for all my shy ones, like myself, (modeling does not count) just wear the sports bra and the boy shorts. It is way too hot and you will faint if you are wearing too much clothes.

2. Drink a lot of water BEFORE class. 

Drinking water during class may make you uncomfortable and you will faint if you are too hot. 

3. Breathe in and out ONLY through your nose.

Breathing out of your mouth may seem like a great idea, but that may only invite the heat into your body and you may just feel as if you - well, if you've been paying attn…  yes, you will faint. 

4. Smile, relax, and remember this is for YOU.

There are so many things that we do for other people, don't let this be one of them.

Good night Everybody!

Oh and about the fainting thing, you won't faint. They open the doors from time to time and the instructors are good at paying attn to cues. Now really, I have to go to sleep. Like the end of every "Mindy" episode, I'll tell you the same… "Go to bed." 

It's All About Flexibility

I don't mind sharing my secrets cause not everyone pays attention. This title in itself is hilarious to me because I've never been flexible a day in my life. I don't know ( I had to fight everything just now not to write "Idk" lol - oh gosh this never stops... anyway...) I don't know why or how some people would get the idea that I ever was. I have been dancing ballet and the works from the age of five, but I never had flexibility. I was 16 going on 17 when one of my instructors pulled me to the side and told me that if I didn't put in the work to get flexible now, it would be damn near impossible for it to ever happen. May she bite her tongue wherever she is because at the age of 23/24 a close friend (former now) found a donation-based yoga class and invited me along. I tell you when people are in your life, praise God, and when they leave, do the same. I love that girl and I always will though we are no longer close; thanks to her I have been able to stretch out just a little further. Thanks M. (not Marlon, her name started with "M" lol) I'm still not the contortionist I would like to be but it sure helps with my new endeavors. I don't think the triangle choke would come as easy.

Have a great night guys; I sure plan on it!

~Anandi

Xtreme Caged Combat Unrivaled

Last night Randall "Rude Boy" Brown of Budokan MMA brutalized his opponent, James Rendeiro of Martinez BJJ, at the Xtreme Caged Combat event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. "Rude Boy" calmly, effectively, and purposefully shut down Martinez in the 3-minute, 3-round fight, earning his 3rd championship belt for the Budokan. Brown respectfully said of his competitor that he was strong. Brown usually fights at 168, Rendeiro at 185, the two battled it out and Brown proved stronger at 175.

My oh my! It was great to be there in person last night. As part of the Budokan family, I am happy for Randy and gladly send out my congratulations to him and the team; respect to our Sifu, Sensei, professors, teachers, fellow students, and families. Osu.

Another Unfair Call by Herb

Aright look. I didn't disappear from you guys this time. I've learned over the years that angry talk is not always the best for me. And for the past week I was livid. This referee has done it to me again. Not once, not twice, but three times he has made a call to end a fight at the wrong time. Seriously he let one man go unconscious and allowed the opponent to keep beating his unconscious body but then one woman takes a hit to the liver, painful but not unconscious, and he stops the fight. I think it's time to revamp this blog. With the help of a few friends of mine, I'm looking forward to talking about more topics that relates to female fighters in general, sexism in the ring - yes Herb, I called you a sexist - and whatever else is going to come up. Stay tuned. You're going to like this.

What a Pain in the... Leg

Hi Guys. So this past few days have been really great. The interesting thing has been how many ways one can get hurt and not even fight... or even train. So granted, I hurt my hand the other day by falling wrong. Ok. I admit it. and then I hurt it again by walking on all fours but putting the pressure on the wrong hand - again. But apparently, it's not just me. I met a young girl, prob about 12 yrs old, who hurt her back. Did she fall wrong like me rolling with someone? No. Did she get beat up? No. This poor child got hurt rollerskating. She never got hurt in class or in any tournament but rollerskating... for fun. Someone pushed her. So I've been appreciating my safe space in the dojo. A lot. Oh! And the "pain in the leg" part... I hurt my leg exercising, not training, just a regular work out lol... Have a great day all. Cause I sure plan on it.

Forever and Ever, Amen.

Ah Man. Tonight was great. When we think about learning, we think about school teachers, we think about classrooms, we never think about life itself. We never consider our friends, our family, or anyone else as a teacher unless they have the title for it. I was speaking with one of my teachers, one of my younger older brothers who I have the honor to train with. I caught myself telling him that he wanted to get this "MMA stuff" out of the way before he had kids...

PAUSE

I realized how wrong I was the second I said it. See the issue is, last year, that was my thinking. Do this now before I have children. I didn't realize that this "MMA stuff" is not "Stuff" but a way of life. I began this journey thinking that it was just a "to-do." I saw myself doing it but I didn't understand that this is not just a "for-now" but it is a "for life." And the more I comprehend this, the more I accept it as a part of myself, and the more I see it translate into my life; the more I fall in love with it. It, not a "him." The truth is, my younger older brother is already a dad. I knew this. I've even met his son. I think the statement was meant to come out because I had not faced that old thought. Was/Is it a serious dream of mine to become an MMA fighter? Yes. But I can see why some of my loved ones had their reservations; I change my mind like I change my underwear. So somewhere inside of myself, I was still figuring out who I was, what kind of life I was looking forward to, and who was going to be in it. People make these choices everyday, in this aspect there is nothing special about me. But what is different is the acknowledgement of who I am, the life I am looking forward to, and who I will and will not allow in it. 

This is not a "for-now," this is forever. 

Does Snow Make it a 'No Go?'

One of the most annoying thing any fighter/ potential fighter can face is "unforeseen circumstances." This can range from injuries while training right before a fight to a day like today, bad weather. It's not appreciated. See, normally, people (like the anchorman this morning) say, "... if you don't have to go outside, don't go..." "Have to" is the key to your decision. If you have to go to work, you go. If you have to get your kids to and from school, you do so. So please understand, I may not "have to" get to the post office through this 6th snow storm for NY to mail out these packages I wanted to mail out since before Christmas - not a joke - but I have to get this work in.

Thanks for helping me sort out my decision. Stay warm. I have some rolling around to do.