Page 130 - DAIS Insignia 2020-21

JUDO & FITNESS TAEKWONDO W o r k o u t : A t t h e
beginning of lockdown
I joined the Core PE workouts when my last year Cawas Sir
My last judo competition season ended at the SGFI Nationals, athletic training and fitness had just At the start of lockdown I was a
Delhi in 2019, where I came close to finally winning a medal at stopped because of the pandemic. Cawas Red Belt in Taekwondo. We had started Core PE Workout
the national level. As always, the competition was unique and sir always challenged me and pushed me to just begun Taekwondo training sessions for students
exciting and left me eager to do better the next time. However, do my best. This helped to me maintain my online with Dinesh sir. We were interested in upping their
the pandemic created an obstacle, that Judokas in India still stamina, and when my training started practicing kicks and punches. fitness. These classes
remain unable to safely overcome. again, I did not feel as tired as I had We also did Poomsae practice. I were held thrice a week
previously felt when I restarted after a trained for 3 hours 45 minutes after school. We do
Going from training every day to suddenly having to sit in front of break. The workouts gave me a chance to different workouts like
a screen for 8 hours at a time was a difficult transition for athletes do my favourite activity without which I each week. Couple of months Livestrong, HIIT etc.
everywhere. At the beginning of quarantine there was a lot of would feel restless throughout the day. passed and I was informed that Exercises like Burpees, Push ups, Planks and
enthusiasm and excitement around home workouts and other the Red Belt test was coming up. I was well prepared for it. I had to submit our video on Poomsae 6 Crunches are now part of my regular fitness
unique ways to have the gym experience in your own home. But, Cawas sir had also invited me to workout and 7. Then our coach and a few other judges judged my performance and gave me marks. When
as time went by and the situation did not change, it was harder to with the Gujarat Judo Team a few times. the results came few weeks later I had passed the test. I gotten the Red Belt. I felt very happy. I routine. My favourite exercise though is the
stay motivated enough to have a regular fitness routine and stick These sessions were quite challenging and worked hard for months and felt rewarded. Bird Dog. In this exercise one has to assume a
to it. exhausting to say the least. I have I continued my Taekwondo training. I kept practicing Poomsae, kicks, punches and sparring. Soon side plank position and bring the leg close to
thoroughly enjoyed the time I have spent the body and back out. This gives a lot of
Many athletes have not been able to train for their sport for the working out with the PE core group. the Black Belt exam was upon us. This time I sent a video of Poomsae 7 and 8. There was another upper body and lower body strength. Cawas
past year. Having practiced Judo almost my whole life, I could feel THANK YOU for this wonderful exam as well, where the judges asked me to perform different kicks. I did around 800 kicks that Sir has a wealth of knowledge about the
a certain emptiness in my day. Following online workouts and opportunity Sir! evening. Two months later I received news that I had obtained my 1st Dan Black Belt. I was human body, exercise, and nutrition which he
training videos did not match the exhaustion I used to feel after 2 Amit Reubin exhilarated. I received my Black Belt and certificate soon after. It was a special moment when my readily shares with us. This increases our
hours at my Dojo. With such a major part of my life suddenly coach, Dinesh sir, tied the Black Belt around my waist, symbolising that all my hardwork paid off. understanding of our own health and fitness
being taken away, I could now appreciate what it had meant to Now I am training younger children in the martial arts. It is a wonderful feeling to help others. I am considerably. I thoroughly enjoy these
me. The perseverance, hard work and determined mindset that Due to the lockdown, there was virtually sessions. Since I started attending these
Judo has instilled in me is what I harnessed to motivate myself no physical activity that I could do at also continuing my own training and hope to achieve my 2nd Dan Black Belt soon. It has been a classes my fitness has increased considerably.
during lockdown. Something that helped me keep up my fitness home, as activities like going to school, four and a half year journey upto this point, and it doesn’t look like it will be stopping any time
levels and motivation was also the group workouts I did with my attending Judo core classes, and even soon. All through the lockdown I never stopped my training and the discipline it has given me is My strength, agility, balance and stamina
friends. While it may not have been the hardcore training I was playing in my building compound with tremendous. Taekwondo has really helped me to grow as a person and I am very grateful to my have greatly improved. I eagerly look forward
used to do, it helped me and friends were disallowed. coach for guiding me throughout. to these sessions and hope they continue
others maintain a routine During that time, Cawas Sir and the Cyrus Setna once physical school starts.
and focus on our health Indian Judo Federation, came up with
throughout this period. a Judo Fitness module. I started it and I
Regular online sessions with felt really fit for the first few days. Amidst this global pandemic, when the whole world had
my coach in gym class also After that, I became a regular came to a standstill we thought that our Taekwondo
kept me accountable every participant of the training for the next 6 months until it was eventually practices too, would come to an end! But zoom saved the
time I decided to sleep-in stopped. I became fairly fit in these 6 months, and I didn't gain any excessive day, and our teachers worked relentlessly to ensure that our
instead. weight though my height grew. online learning experience was as fruitful as physical class!
The hardest part is always My P.E. teachers including Cawas Sir noticed the improvement in my fitness We didn't let our spirits dimmer. We would join zoom calls at
our allotted times, switch our web cameras on, and all
starting the routine and levels. I think being fit is important to lead a healthy lifestyle and this fitness
starting the workout but a habit will stay with me forever. practice together.
supportive environment I love to participate in online school P.E. and Yoga sessions and look forward to I also prepared for my black belt exam last year. I would log
makes it a rewarding any other online training that might be conducted by the Judo Federation and onto class, as Dinesh sir would teach me a new Poomsae
experience. I can’t wait to the Sports Authority of India. A big thank you to Yashpal Sir and all the technique everyday, while we would revise the other
join my Dojo again as soon coaches, who conducted the online training, for motivating and encouraging Poomsae routines that I had learned previously too. Soon the
as we can! us kids. exam day was nearing. I practiced and went over my work to
ensure my dream was attained, and my teachers were there
Farrah Patel Ria Sanghavi
to help me along the way. At last, the exam day arrived. I
wore my uniform, set up my laptop properly, and logged
The Judo Federation of India had hosted classes for Judokas around the country on Zoom during the onto my exam meeting at an allotted time. My teacher and the examiner were both present in the meeting. The examiner instructed me on what I had
pandemic, from June to August 2020. These sessions started with a high and dynamic warmup. We to perform during the exam, and within a span of 15 minutes, my exam was done! Despite the exam being on an online platform, it went as smoothly
had to do shadow 'uchikomi'' which is shadow practicing of the throws without a partner. The as a normal exam would go, and got over in no time!
teachers taught us very well with demonstrating each step slowly. We were also taught by a 'Sensei' This exam truly was a unique and interesting experience, and one that I will always remember. Despite the national lockdown, it didn't come in the way
(teacher), online from Japan. Despite it being online, the teachers made it very easy for us to of our Taekwondo practices or exams, and everything went on perfectly. I am grateful to get the opportunity to have done an exam online, and I look
understand and comprehend. We also had a session on nutrition, yoga and health. At the end of forward to taking my next exam this year on Zoom too!
every class, we did a cool down that included a variety of stretches.
Krisha Singhal
I was fortunate to attend a training session in 2020 held by the Nadiad Judo Center of Excellence in
Gujarat. I trained with students who were more experienced which helped me a lot. The workout we
did included a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and many other strength and stretching exercises. My nerves were curdling as I opened the GYMNASTICS
Zoom application on the computer for the
Attending these classes was a very amazing experience for me and helped me maintain my skills in Judo. I also learnt first time. I was worried about how I would
numerous throws and holds, which helped me grow as a Judoka, despite the lockdown. I even learnt by watching the other do gymnastics online, as there is limited space at home and there would be no
senior Judokas who were a part of the National and Gujarat Judo team. During this pandemic, when the physical activity one to physically correct me if I was wrong which could lead to injuries. But as
was very less, these sessions really helped to increase my fitness levels too. I am very grateful that I got the opportunity to be
taught by the leading coaches of the Sports Authority of India and Nadiad Judo Center. time passed, I became used to online classes and learned to train in a
constructive manner. Sometimes, we had fun challenges like using a home
I am also grateful to have been a part of the Core PE workout sessions in our school held by Cawas sir as well. They were very props, for example plastic wrap, and creating our own dance steps with it.
informative and enriching. We have done so many workouts and different types of circuits. This has helped me immensely Months passed online, and I diligently did online classes and we got the
and made me improve my fitness! These sessions started in July 2020. Every day we did a workout which was more exciting news that we were going to have our first physical competition in past
advanced than the last one. Throughout the journey I got to learn so much. These classes made it possible for me to two years. This news got butterflies in my tummy, as I was nervous about
progress in other sporting activities such as football, judo, tennis and dance. In these sessions we even got to suggest our stepping on the mat without a lot of practice. But I was
own exercises of our choice. On top of that we even got to lead our own workouts. We were taught by video workouts prepared to do anything for physical classes to begain
which were great fun. This helped me maintain and enhance my physical fitness. Each class we would work on a different muscle or training system and and finally meet my friends. So I took the challenge
would try to improve ourselves each day. Along with enhancing our fitness we also got to learn about different muscles and systems of and did my level best at the competition.
our body and which exercise would benefit which muscle group. These sessions were truly very helpful, informative and a lot of fun! But I was flooded with a feeling of Déjà vu when online classes began again. But I knew that I had to cope with it, as we all had
Tithi Agarwal done before.
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