Body and Soul 1

[Phoenyx]

In the quad of the Circle of Creation, gentle pipe music is playing on repeat and echoing quietly through the corridors. In the grass, in the centre, the lithe form of Phoenyx moves through the last of her kata, exhales slowly and opens her eyes.

There was a fluttering in her stomach. Not the same kind that seemed to happen around.... [I]certain[/] people, but one of nervousness. The mages seemed eager to learn before, but hopefully their interest has held. Phoenix wanted to show how useful she could be, and offering two chi as an avenue to spiritual learning or self defence were the things she had to give.

Now she just had to wait for people to show up.

The Obrimos sits, folds into the lotus position and waits.

[Aurora]

Self defense classes! Something she had always talked about but never joined.

Well not today! Today she was giving it a go. And while she knows she’s going to suck at it, she wanted to try.

Throwing on one of her workout outfits, she breezes into the Circle. Today the outfit was yoga pants, a pink sports bra over which she had a sheer t shirt and sneakers. Her long blonde hair was tied up.

A hand was raised as she spots two people already there,

“Hey guys!” greets the Thyrsus, “Are you still doing the training?” in shape she defiantly was, but not fighting shape.

[Phoenyx]

Company's eyes snap open, stating straight into Shodan's eyes intensely with her dark ones. The corners of her mouth twitch with the hint of a smile. "No. Not interrupting. I finished my meditations earlier. I just find waiting like this calming."

With remarkable fluidity she unfolds herself and rises. Something about her seems to radiate calm and quiet strength. She watches as the Life master, Aurora comes in. "Yes, we are. We can start warming up in case others arrive. If you're both more interested in self defence than Tai chi, it's important to make sure you're limber for pratice - I don't want anyone damaging muscles, Life master present or not. Some gentle laps of the quad should do to start." She pauses the music, and turns to the other mages.

[Aurora]

Limber? She’s pretty sure she has that one in the bag.

“Giving my profession, damaging muscles won’t be a problem. But it could use different muscles, so I’ll gladly run a few laps.” If that was what was required, she’d do it. The Shaman doubted her contortion would help with fighting anyways.

Glancing to Shodan she shrugs, “I have no idea what the process is either. I’d been wanting to learn self defense for a while, so this is new to me. Though I’m looking forward to it!” yup. Even though she knew she was going to get her ass handed to her, it would be fun, and educational. Worth it.

[Phoenyx]

The Obrimos eyes the other two up. "It sounds like you're both more interested in the defense than the tai chi, so we can work on that. Either way, it involves warming up, getting the blood moving, and preparing muscles for work. Then stretching, so we don't damage any muscles." Phoenyx inclines her head to Aurora, and another smile touches the corners of her lips. "Life Master or not, you won't always be around to fix pulled muscles and sprained ligaments, and such trivial use of our power should be avoided where possible. Warming up properly helps prevent that." She looks back to Shodan.

"From the sounds of things you're both new to this. So we'll take things slow, and once we're warmed up, we'll work on basic technique - stances, how to throw a punch, and how to do basic self defensce. Let's get going - anyone else that joins in can catch us up." Phoenyx starts a quick jog around the quad, waving for them so catch her up.

[Aurora]

While she wasn’t referring to her Arcana Mastery, she got what Phoenyx was saying, and simply nods.

“I completely agree about warming up!” she did it everyday before going though her routine. It was a habit she couldn’t seem to break.

Another nod, “Sounds like a plan!” she agreed eagerly. Anxious to get started, see just how bad she sucked a defending herself.

She follows as the jogging began, running had never really been her thing. But she’d do her best, keeping an eye on their trainer, watching her movements, how she jogged, where her arms went. Just observing, altering her own movements when needed.

[Phoenyx]

Phoenyx drops back to be alongside Shodan as they jog along. "All martial arts are combinations of states of mind and physical harmony. Theory can only take you so far." Her tone is confident, factual. "Practice, repetition until the techniques become almost instinct. But it's more than that. You need to be flexible in your thinking, recognize what is working against a specific opponent, and adapt your methods."

The Obrimos switches to side-stepping around the quad. "Once you know the basics, it becomes more about ensuring you just drop into them. A cool head can be just as important."

After several circuits, Phoenyx stops the exercise and begins stretching, demonstrating each stretch and helping them all loosen up. At the point she bends and puts her hands over the soles of her feet it becomes clear the teacher is very limber and flexible.