Waking Up My Inner Warrior with KMG

Advertisement

Prior to coming to Beijing, I was in the best shape of my life. I was a New Yorker so walking 20,000 steps a day was normal and I worked out at least five times a week on top of that. Tabata, free weights, and AKT cardio dance classes where 22-year-old literal Rockettes kicked their own faces and I pretended to keep up were all part of the rotation. But my favorite was my kickboxing class. Two and a half years, countless cocktails, and one pandemic later…well let’s just say my body is different.

I don’t mind the extra weight so much as I miss waking up feeling strong and confident in my body. I miss the skill and the pace of it. The way it’s a physical chess match that requires you to stop overthinking and just live in and trust your body. I miss the comradery of a weekly class where you have to engage with others in a meaningful way but you barely say more than “nice one!” between sips of water. I miss waking up the next morning and being just sore enough that a good long stretch feels amazing. In short, I missed my inner warrior, she had gone dormant.

Then several friends told me to check out Warrior One’s Krav Maga (KMG) class. Located in the basement of the Jin Shang Building off Xinyuanli in Sanlitun, I walked into an impeccably clean and bright space. For my first class I was asked to come 30 minutes early. Yonina Chan, Warrior One’s co-owner and general manager, was waiting to help me get oriented. She had me sign a health waiver – totally normal for combat and contact classes – and then we discussed past injuries, my goals, and the organization of the class. She was open, non-judgmental, and very knowledgeable.

Advertisement

As we got closer to class time Chan greeted everyone who walked through the door by name and they all laughed and talked with each other as they stretched and filled their water bottles. Then the fun started. The first part of the class was warm-up and drills, followed by skill-building and combinations, and then skills tests, in which you team up and practice attacking and defending using what you learned.

I need to give a shout-out to the instructors, Wang Miao and Amy Young. It is an occupational hazard that as an educator, I critique every instructor I have ever had. But these teachers are fantastic!

The class was well structured and balanced, they got us moving immediately but still gave clear, easy-to-follow instructions so I never felt lost or at loose ends. They were attentive, positive, and gave simple actionable advice but didn’t hover or make you feel awkward while you practice. Each skill built on itself so that by the end we had a very clear conceptual understanding of what we were doing and why. That “why” is important in any skills-based class but especially a self-defense course.

Chan told me all KMG structures start from an intuitive place. Rather than fighting your own instincts in an attack, movements are designed so that they turn your natural response into a usable skill. My inner educator was happily nerding out on this information, even as my inner warrior was riding her adrenalin high. I’m not sure this is what the gurus meant by “finding balance” but it’s working for me!

The point is, even if you have never taken a KMG class before, you’ll doubtlessly be able to jump in and keep up. The other students were welcoming and kind, with no one-upmanship or unhealthy competition.  After 90 minutes of kicking, punching, and evading I was sweating, exhausted, and feeling unbelievably good. My inner warrior was wide awake and loving every second. After class Chan and I talked some more. I found out that not only do they have adult classes in KMG, kickboxing, and Capoeira but they have mommy and me and kids’ classes as well. She was not pushy and genuinely seemed to want to find the best fit for me.

It’s Tuesday as I write this and I’m still a little sore but already looking forward to my next class. I can’t believe it took me two years to find this place but both me and my inner amazon are so glad that I did!

For more information and to check out a class, scan the QR code below.

Photos: Warrior One

Daily Poll

Where do you want to travel to this winter holiday?

KEEP READING

Advertisement