Sword-wielding workout taps into inner power
Sam Whiting
Monday, February 14, 2011
Chantal Dominique Anderson wields a wooden sword during a workout in a Jungshin class.
Chantal Dominique Anderson of Sausalito has her initials engraved in her Jungshin sword. It lets her opponent know she means business during this fitness class derived from a Korean martial art.
Why: I love having the ability to tap into my own power quickly, get a killer workout as a warrior wielding a sword, and achieve complete relaxation through the closing meditation - all within a one-hour class.
Greatest accomplishment: Being in the best shape of my life at 33 years old and the fact that I can do 20 fingertip push-ups in a row.
Gear you can't live without: My 41-inch red-oak, custom-weighted, engraved Jungshin sword. The engraving provides an instant connection between the body and the equipment, like the sword is an extension of me.
Where you train: The Sports Club/LA-San Francisco, the "Urban Country Club."
Best time to train: Classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. The instructor, Annika Kahn, is the founder of Jungshin.
Most annoying thing people assume about athletes in your sport: People say they could never handle a sword because they aren't coordinated enough. Handling the sword actually helps coordination.
Advice you'd give a rookie: You have an incredible amount of power within yourself. Jungshin will teach you how to tap into that fire and channel it positively within your everyday life.