I did it!

Sparring.

Not just shadow boxing and exercise drills but with an actual person.

It was fun!

I want to do it again!

It was a gentle introduction (thank you Sifus and Sihings). I enjoyed learning about some of the thought processes needed to do it. Hopefully I can remember half of them.

One time my opponent stepped on my lead foot when I was intending to step back, and in that split second, I realized that the only option (I think it was the only option) was to just come at him instead (gently, of course, since I’m new).

I was told that I don’t just attack straight forward but that I also go around, and that it’s a good thing. That surprised me since I did so many years of Fencing years ago, which can be very linear. I thought it would be another habit I would have to learn to break. Yet I will always remember the opponent in Fencing that, even though we could only move forward and back on the mats, could still hit me on the back with their foil. It was a good lesson!

Looking forward to the opportunity to spar again.