R4R1 rated Xen-Do Martial Arts 5 stars
a year ago
I joined Xen-Do martial arts the beginning of January 2022.
I had boxed before in high school but wanted a new challenge.
I was reluctant to go. After the first session, I got the buzz back and saw unfit I was. The care and attention of the Sensei made me want to commit and come back again to better myself.
I did not know what to expect from martial arts. The journey is fun, I'm much more flexible and a lot fitter, I don't feel sick anymore, I can survive the intense sessions. The Sensei is attentive to your limits and will safely push you slowly so you can get stronger every week.
Due to my anxiety, I did not want to train with a class, I paid for 3 months of 1 on 1 training once a week which cost me around 6-700 and the kit cost me 150 give or take, Which I found reasonable, you get a heavy-duty holdall which can be also a backpack, foot guards, boxing gloves, wrist wraps, loose fit trousers (a must especially when kicking and stretching) and a T-shirt all which have the Xen-Do Logo which I proudly wear walking to and from the Dojo.
My sessions are 1 hour long and intense and depending on which Sensei I have. I prefer to have a different sensei each session because I enjoy the variety and learn something new from each one.
My fighting stance is orthodox in boxing, Since I joined Xen-Do, I have learnt to fight southpaw and also use my legs for kicks, counter kicks, roundhouse and also doing all of that in both orthodox and southpaw styles, it was a little difficult to get my brain around it, you can compare it to trying to write with both hands and become ambidextrous, Now I can kick much higher and double kick from both stances.
My sessions consist of pad work, bag work, close, stretching contact kicks and punches
The grading system allows you to measure your progress. I am currently a yellow/white belt, working towards my next one.
I admire that the Sensei's give tips and teach you, like, what if this happened or you shouldn't tod this because then that will happen. they are teaching your brain as well as your body to think logically and be more open-minded and anticipate.
All the senseis are cool and because my sessions are not fixed I pop in anytime once a week and have a sensei randomly selected just for me and I love the variety.
I was lucky one Saturday because I got to train with all the Sensei's who were having their training session by World & Euro Champion Dai Master Rafael Nieto.
I was anxious in the beginning as it was new to me but everyone here even the other students are warm and welcoming. There was no arrogance here which is what you would feel perhaps at a gym doing weights.
I have been doing Xen-Do for 2 months now and I am much more flexible, fitter and I've put on lots of muscle mass and have an awesome appetite now which was always hard for me growing up.
If you are looking for a new and exciting challenge and journey this is worth a try. You will have the strength to beat many issues in your life, make new friends and have fun at the same time.
A huge thank you to Sensei Paul, Sensei Judah, Sensei Aray and Dai Master Rafael for having the pleasure to train with you and encouraging me.
Apart from that as they are a service provider it's the small things and going the extra mile which makes me like them even more. From a business side, I have not felt any pressure whatsoever to book sessions If you are an anxious or over an empathic person, you're free to come and go with no explanation, they notice me and remember my name, occasionally there will be some organisational issues with the diary or unexpected circumstances but there communication is 10/10, they call you straight away and tell you if you need to reschedule or come later but that's only happened once to me.
I am giving Xen-Do 5 stars because of their people skills and being welcoming to people from all walks of life as well as their outstanding teaching of the martial arts.
OUSS!!!
