Page 36 of Broken By the Bratva

Smiling softly, I replied, “Yes, but your fists need to get used to it. Doing it this way allows you to practice anywhere. It is very different from normal and will take a while to get used to it.”

“Right, let's loosen up our muscles before the actual fighting,” I added as I walked back to the mats. My brothers joined us. “Lay down on your back,” I said as Tasha came to stand before me. Pavel lay down before Makari.

Lifting her legs to my chest, I gently pushed them forward. My brothers did the same. They basically mimicked every move I made. Sitting down before her, I spread my legs and hers, so our feet touched. Holding her hands we stretched left and right, and back and forth.

After several more stretches, I felt we were loose enough to start. “Okay,” I said as I stood up. “Are we all ready?”

“What about the stepping stretches?” Pavel asked.

“You’re welcome to show her if she wants to try them or learn,” I responded looking at Tasha. She nodded eagerly. “Right then, I’ll wait until you’re done.”

I went over to the table looking at the couple of hand weapons. There were some knives, knuckle busters, wires, and other items. I may even show her how to use some, I thought as I turned to watch my brother teaching Tasha.

He started with her arms. As she lay on her back, he lightly pressed down with his foot just below her shoulder as he pulled her arm up. He explained to her the significance of each stretch. Then he moved to her legs, stepping on her hip as he pulled her leg up.

It was nice to see them interact. It felt like she belonged with us. Tasha was an easygoing person who got along witheveryone. Makari came to stand by my side. He leaned closer and spoke softly, “It’s nice having a woman around again.”

Nodding, I was about to reply when Pavel’s phone rang. He stepped back from Tasha and pulled it from his pocket. Glancing at the screen, he turned and headed for the door. “I have to take this,” he said nodding at Makari to join him.

“Got to bounce,” Makari said following Pavel out. He sounded excited and had a strange grin as he exited. I wondered what the two of them were up to but didn’t have time to worry about it now.

Walking to Tasha, I helped her up from the mat as my brothers disappeared through the door. “You want some more stretching, or do you feel loose enough to start?” I inquired, turning my attention back to her.

Tasha nodded as she responded. “Yes, please.”

By the time we were done stretching she was slightly sweaty. Smiling at her I admired the fact that she was willing to work hard to learn more. “Right,” I said helping her up. “Now I’m going to teach you to absorb a hit. You have prepped your body with the warmup Pavel did with you. Now you need to learn how to use it.”

“Are there multiple ways to absorb hits or only the one you are going to show me?” Tasha asked. She was always curious and asked about everything which was great. It opened the door for us to talk more, which I enjoyed.

Smiling at her, I nodded. “Yes, there are a couple of ways. But some I wouldn’t recommend. For instance, you could tighten your muscles, but I wouldn’t recommend it. You can also keep your body loose and move with the hit. Yet, you may end up falling around the place if you don’t do it correctly.”

Taking a breath, I continued before she could ask. “The one I recommend is breathing in and out with each impact. So, when someone hits you, you inhale so the body can absorb the impact and exhale to push back. But I’ll show you.”

“Let me demonstrate,” I added grinning. “All you have to do is hit me.”

Tasha turned her head to the side smiling. “Hit you?” she asked half sarcastically.

“Yeah, come on, hit me,” I added stepping closer.

The first hit came out of nowhere. I thought she would consider it first, but she didn’t. Tensing up, I absorbed the impact but breathed out loudly. Tasha’s hands flew to her mouth as she gasped. Her eyes were wide with worry.

Taking hold of her wrist, I spoke softly. “Don’t worry, I’m fine. I just didn’t expect it. But generally, that is what happens when you tighten up. Let’s move on to the next one.”

She nodded and swung again, this one I anticipated, and moved with the impact. Stepping back, I had to fling out my arms for balance. “If you step wrong, you could lose balance and fall,” said as I straightened out. “Now for the last one.”

I waited as Tasha shook her hand next to her before forming a fist again. She came at me with all she had. As her fist connected to my chest I exhaled quickly. This caused her to pull her hand back.

“That hurt,” Tasha exclaimed rubbing her fingers.

“Yes, that is the idea. When someone hits you, you exhale. It causes a natural pushback. Inhaling makes it easier for your body to take the hit, and exhaling pushes back. Doing this quickly when you get punched has amazing benefits.

We took turns practicing. She would hit me, and I would hit back so she could practice absorbing punches. But also, how to hit and where best to connect in spots that could take a big man down. “Next I want to teach you how to disarm someone,” I said once we had a short break.

Grabbing a knife from the table, I stabbed at her. I pulled back as the point touched her, nicking the surface of her skin. “Hey,” Tasha exhaled loudly. “What the hell?”

“You need to learn to use my movement and speed against me. So, the next time I stab at you, grab my wrist and push my hand to the side. As you do this, turn your body into mine. Understand?”

Tasha thought for a second then nodded. I lunged at her, but she sprung back instead of doing as I said. I grabbed her wrist and turned her to me twisting her arm behind her in the process.

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