I'm Actually a Ninja.

So, blogosphere, you and me, we've known each other for quite a while now.  You probably know more about me than you ever really wanted to, and you certainly know most of the sordid details of my life.  But did you know I'm actually a ninja?

Okay, well maybe not a ninja, per se, but I am a martial artist.  This is not something I have shared here at Lilahbility in the past because it didn't seem all that relevant to my thoughts on motherhood.  But I've been thinking about that more and more, and I have now come to the conclusion that motherhood and ninja-hood actually have a lot in common.  So I've decided I am ready to flying head kick my way out of the proverbial closet and tell you about my love affair with the martial arts.

Mid-kick while secretly 5 weeks pregnant with Lilah
(don't worry, my sparring partner knew not to kick me in the tummy)

Since I started training roughly 13 years ago, I have rarely gone for more than a few months without being involved in some form of the arts.  I started with Karate during my final year of high school in Ontario, picked up kickboxing when I moved to Vancouver, and then added Jiu Jitsu a few years ago.  I also dabbled in Capoeira for about six months shortly after I had Lilah and wanted something that guaranteed very little contact and would go easy on a nursing mother's (ahem) sensitive areas.

About five years ago, while I was training in kickboxing, I was lucky enough to meet and be taught by a Sensei who pushed me past what I thought were my limits and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and try competing in a few local tournaments.  I have learned a lot about myself through my participation in the martial arts, and even more through breaking down my own barriers and competing. I firmly believe that I would not be the same person I am today had I not traveled down this road, and I hope to be able to call myself a martial artist for the rest of my life.

The 

Victorious after a tournament

 Getting obliterated in my first and only kickboxing ring fight.
That's me on the right.  The one with hair.

Now, back to what mommy-ing and ninja-ing have in common.  The answer is, quite a lot.  I present to you the evidence in table format (Table 1.1, below) so you can see just how similar the two really are:

You see?  We're not so different from ninjas after all.  I suspect that there is actually a ninja dwelling deep within each and every parent.  And I challenge you to connect with yours!

Unfortunately for me, I'm not the only one in the Lilahbility household who's in touch with her inner ninja - Lilah appears to have picked up some skills during the martial arts classes she attended while in utero.  She always seems to sense when I am attempting a covert operation, and Babygirl sure knows how to fight fire with fire! 

The cutest little ninja you ever did see.