26-Oct-2006

Master Joe,

I wanted to let you know how much I have appreciated being at the school and tell you of some of the changes that have occurred within me; not just physically, but mentally as well. Back in high school I didn’t go out for sports, really, but I enjoyed running. I wasn’t much of a fighter either – figured if I could run fast enough I could get away from whatever was attacking me. It worked, too.

Time passes – college and sitting on my rear studying, computer geek at a desk all day, traveling consultant who eats high calorie ‘pub grub’ at the hotel….you can guess what happened.  By January 2006 I had my high blood pressure and high cholesterol controlled through medication and weighed…well, too much.  It was exhausting to just get up off the couch and go to the fridge for another beer. What picture am I painting here?  The classic middle aged male couch potato.  It affected my attitude, too. I just didn’t care anymore – about anything.  I knew I had to DO something.

I started working out at Gold’s Gym. That was a start and I am pleased to say that I have kept up with it three times a week ever since. Something was still missing… I had always been intrigued with martial arts, particularly Kung-Fu, but didn’t know what to expect, where to find a good school, etc.  I was invited to observe the Spring 2006 Festival and decided to join your school, which I did on 3/6/2006. I thought throwing in Kung-Fu for cardio training would help my weight lifting. I found that it is SO much more!

I passed to yellow belt 9/9/2006. Now I feel that my workouts at the gym help by adding strength for my Kung-Fu (see how that got turned around in my head?) I have a spring in my step that had been missing for a very long time. I look forward to every class and am pumped up afterwards – and that feeling stays with me through the next day. I feel I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. I feel that I can’t get to my next belt fast enough.  This is all thanks to you, your instructors and this school.

Oh, those meds I have been taking from the doctor?  Since January, 4 scripts were reduced to 3. 3 were reduced to 2. 2 were reduced in dosage and on the next trip to the doctor???

Regards,

Allen Brower