shoulders; lengthen your back by extending your arms overhead and stretching upward from your hips or by doing the “downward dog” yoga pose, if you know it.
During the class, make sure that you stop the motion of each punch or kick before the joint is fully extended. Don’t snap those elbows; an injury there can take a long time to heal. Also, kick low and with control. Forget about the person next to you; if she wants to kick the ceiling fans, that’s her business. Respect your body’s limits. Sure, you can change those limits — but it’ll take time, dedication, and a realistic attitude.
Will cardio kickboxing give me skills to defend myself?
Not as it’s taught at your local health club. In most classes, you’ll be shadow boxing (not making contact with a punching bag or resistance pad) as well as pulling your punches. This style of “fighting” can’t prepare you for a physical struggle with an attacker.
Even if your class lets you whale on a punching bag and your teacher drills you in parrying blows, you won’t practice shouting for
