“Squat while you rest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lunges while you recover!!!!!!!!!!!!” After jabbing, crossing, hooking and uppercutting a heavy bag for a loooooooooonggggggg time and 60 minutes of martial arts conditioning at The Dungeon MMA, these were some of the last things I wanted to hear out of Sifu (Martial Arts Teacher) Art Peraza’s mouth. We were almost done with the class and if it had been up to me, my rest could’ve happen laying on the floor; however all of the other hardcore ladies seem to be keeping up just fine AND I was not about to be the weak link!!!!!! Luckily, I ended up powering through those last few minutes and finished the class with a t-shirt soaked in sweat and a fully empowered spirit. THAT was a KILLER workout!
4th Degree Black Belt, Art Peraza opened The Dungeon MMA to enlighten the Spirit, Mind and Body of his students with the teachings of Kajukenbo. At his “Dungeon” Art not only gets to share his 15 years of experience in this discipline of the Martial Arts, but also, he gets to train future MMA and boxing champions as well as kids who are just getting started and women who are looking to get fitter, stronger and tougher.
Last Saturday, I hit the Dungeon at 9:30 AM and had the opportunity to try out their hour long Women’s Kickboxing class. On my way there, I was really looking forward to throwing some punches and kicking some bags!!!!! I had the opportunity to work one-on-on with Art last year so I knew what kind of workout I was going to get: A HARD AND EFFECTIVE ONE! But not only that! It might just be crazy me, but Martial Arts type workouts are the only ones that allow me to day-dream while getting fit. Whether I am punching a bag or kicking a Thai pad, I can’t help but to picture myself kicking somebody’s butt for reals 😀 …..During these workouts I am a real undefeated fighter in my head and the picture is truly awesome LOL ……… the truth is that I do hit like a girl (specially with my left hand) and that I would probably get K.O.within minutes, but whatever, I enjoy being Holly Holm in my head 😛
The class started with a few minutes of jogging to warm up and then we moved to a large matt in the middle of the gym for the actual workout. Once there, Art made us rotate between several nonstop exercises ranging from pushups, mountain climbers, wall ball tosses and crunches. After that, the gloves came on and we took onto the heavy punching bags. If you have ever thrown punches for a minute, all out, then you know that your arms become jello REALLY FAST! We finished the conditioning; back on the large matt with some partnered resistance running and bear crawls…my booty was on fire!
I really enjoyed the class and all of the ladies who encouraged me along the way. I highly recommend The Dungeon MMA, not only for their great Women’s Kickboxing class, but also because this is clearly a place where you can come and get an outstanding workout, while being a part of a family oriented no frill community, ran by an owner who is absolutely passionate about what he does. Sifu Art Peraza’s goal is to Keep The Flame Alive! in himself and his students and there is no doubt that he is absolutely doing that!
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