Being a girl in a small Tae Kwon Do school can be a little rough, literally.  I’m the second highest in rank out of the four adults we have in the adult class.  But I’m also the lightest.  I’m 5′3 and 120lbs,  sparring with guys that tip the scales at 180+.

Spar–verb (used without object)
1. (of boxers) to make the motions of attack and defense with the arms and fists, esp. as a part of training.
2. to box, esp. with light blows.
3. to strike or attack with the feet or spurs, as gamecocks do.
4. to bandy words; dispute.

–noun
5. a motion of sparring.
6. a boxing match.
7. a dispute.
via dictionary.com

Obviously they don’t go all out on me, but I’ll be damned if they let me dominate the match because I’m a girl.  I have no problems getting knocked around.  Because really, getting knocked around builds up my tolerance and helps  my offense.   I think you learn a great deal more by having to really fend for yourself.  And when you get that one awesome point, it makes it that much sweeter.

My Master Instructor, my dad, is the hardest on me.  Being a third degree blackbelt he obviously holds back, but not any more than he does on the guys in my class.  I’ve been kicked in the head numerous times by my dad and once in the face.  He’s a Master Instructor, he knows how to control the power of his kicks, so the shots don’t necessarily hurt physically just my pride.

I’m not going to lie, there are days this is extremely discouraging.  But in reality, I need to learn to take those hits.  I need to take them so my reflexes improve to block them.

Getting your ass kicked in a controlled setting is not a bad thing.  It builds strength, resilience, confidence, quickness and a sense of being a bad ass.

More girls need these things.  More girls should spar.  More girls should challenge their male counter parts in the ring, if only for practice.