Stepping up to my opponent and facing her straight on, my eyes reached deep into her eyes. I had already claimed victory in my mind and heart. I had now come to win the fight for the gold medal in Kumate’ or the art of Karate-do fighting.

Years of training and months before this fight I trained everyday. Over and over I threw the same kicks, blocks and punches and along the way fought many opponents both winning and losing. But I consider my losing as winning. Mostly because I learned many essential lessons. The most important thing I learned? The fight starts before the first strike. You see the first strike, backed up by no fear, no hesitation, no doubt, but only complete and utter resolution can win any fight.

Naturally, I had to learn many a lessons of fear, doubt, lack of confidence, unworthiness and more. Lessons in physical pain were teachers I knew extremely well. Thankful for the lessons, much time and dedication was given on my part to those teachers.Yet, learning to believe in myself because of God and trusting Him were proved essential as I did humbly take home a precious gold medal at the AAU National Karate Competition in the art of Japanese fighting!

This is the reason I consider the Warrior Poses valuable to anyone who maybe struggling with confidence, strength, focus and determination because everyone can stand in their version of one. More importantly, they offer everyone an opportunity to experience focus, determination, strength, being present and resoluteness- qualities that are useful in all walks of life, especially the christian walk of faith. God as our personal warrior trainer knows us completely. He gave us His Word the Bible as instructions and plans for victory in every faucet of life and calls us His “mighty warriors” already! We may not feel like we are worthy of the title but that doesn’t matter. Just ask Gideon.

The Lord is with you, mighty warrior. Judges 6:12

“The successful warrior is the average person with lazer-like focus.” Bruce Lee

Where my focus goes my faith follows…

“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. with him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. ” Psalm 16:8

Be strong and yoga on!

penny