When Exercise Becomes Identity: The Psychology of Becoming a Martial Artist
As you push open the gym door, you’re greeted by the sharp scent of sweat and liniment and the rhythmic crack of gloves against pads, the low murmur of coaches correcting technique and all around you are the syncopated breaths of seemingly alien creatures moving with equal measures of grace and violence. You are shown some movements and become suddenly aware of your own body in ways you weren’t five minutes earlier. Your feet, like cinder blocks, never seem to be where they’re supposed to be. Li...
