How did karate help me beat COVID?

COVID-19 is an invisible and insidious warrior. Despite my two doses of the vaccine, he still had the audacity to challenge me to a duel… but little did he know that I was more than equipped thanks to my diligent martial arts practice for over 25 years.

Connection with myself

Being in close connection with my body, what could have been similar to flu symptoms, alerted me that it was not the same as the normal “feeling” in my airways, hence my intention to get tested.

Physical and mental strength

So, COVID had to deal with a healthy body with healthy lifestyle habits. It tried to calm me down with high fevers (±39°C) and severe headaches, but meditation and my mental strength helped me a lot to dissociate from painful sensations to find rest and partially regulate my body’s homeostasis.

Moral code

My discipline, righteousness, and empathy instilled by martial arts helped me isolate myself during quarantine, especially when it would have been tempting to disregard public health rules. In my home, I wear a mask, wash my hands constantly and have a separate room with my partner… with the aim of respecting his physical integrity. Under no circumstances do I want to put the people I love at risk during my battle. Isn’t this the essence of self-defense to protect your loved ones…? This applies to you!

Strength of character

It would have been easy to be negative, but strength of character sometimes translates into seeing things as they are: true, from a positive but realistic perspective. This strength allowed me to overcome all these negative moods that I therefore didn’t have to manage.

The second family

Was I worried about the martial arts center? Certainly ! But it would have been much more difficult if it weren’t for the affirmative/positive responses of my advanced students, who allowed me to focus on my upcoming battle while they took care of our dojo. I am enormously grateful to them and their great availability touches my heart.

Alignment of thought, heart and needs

I teach an emotion management method based on non-verbal communication and yes, I was angry to learn that I would be in quarantine during the most crucial period for the martial arts center’s resumption (post-lockdown). But this feeling quickly dissipated when I became aware of the 3 main phases: observation (I have COVID and am confined), emotion (anger) and unmet need (helplessness). Understanding that my negative emotions stemmed from my helplessness, the letting go began and the black cloud of my anger dissipated.

Although it is impossible to know exactly where I contracted this damn virus and to what extent the vaccine contributed to the reduction of symptoms, I have faith that the sum of all these factors has multiplied my chances, ensuring that I get out of this fight. I have no doubt about the positive contribution martial arts had to my speedy recovery.

Was I worried about the martial arts center? Certainly ! But it would have been much more difficult if it weren’t for the affirmative/positive responses of my advanced students, who allowed me to focus on my upcoming battle while they took care of our dojo. I am enormously grateful to them and their great availability touches my heart.

Alignment of thought, heart and needs

I teach an emotion management method based on non-verbal communication and yes, I was angry to learn that I would be in quarantine during the most crucial period for the martial arts center’s resumption (post-lockdown). But this feeling quickly dissipated when I became aware of the 3 main phases: observation (I have COVID and am confined), emotion (anger) and unmet need (helplessness). Understanding that my negative emotions stemmed from my helplessness, the letting go began and the black cloud of my anger dissipated.

Although it is impossible to know exactly where I contracted this damn virus and to what extent the vaccine contributed to the reduction of symptoms, I have faith that the sum of all these factors has multiplied my chances, ensuring that I get out of this fight. I have no doubt about the positive contribution martial arts had to my speedy recovery.

Larry Foisy
September 17, 2021