Martial Arts advice please.?

Question

I am new to Karate. I just joined the Dojo to help me build up my confidence. But I get so scared before each classes, and so scared to get hit and make contact. I train in the world hardest full contact karate system, everyone is very loving and respectful, its just me that need to over come all these feeling. There are lots of young and pretty girls in the class doing just fine, I actually like one girl there. But I am so scared and shy and quiet in the Dojo. I made running away is not an option. Please advise? My heart is already beating fast as I type this...I have been so scared to even bring this up to anyone.

Answer 1

Well i started out at a younger age so i wasn't nervous in class but when tests came i was terrified because you had the headmaster watching you and special guests from all around the country and 100 kids families watching you. All i thought was that this would end up helping me one day so if i fear it now overcoming that fear later will be harder and it was actually pretty easy all the parents know me now so they are like friends to me.

Another thing is you want to get involved as much as you can so you can get to know the class better and once you are distracted with friends there you will not worry about being scared you will actually forget about it.
So i hope this worked for you just like it did for me,
Jester

By the Way do not leave the martial art you are in because that is wjat you chose and should follow and it is a smart choice.

Answer 2

Try not to think about being hit... If you enjoy the training, the people and the atmosphere of the dojo, it should be a fun thing to do. If you're not comfortable in the place, consider finding a new dojo.

In regards to getting hit, you should really NOT be worried about it. Sure it may sting and smart a bit but it's temporary... It's analogous to tripping and falling down. It doesn't happen often, but does on occasion. However, you don't stop walking or running because you worry about tripping.

Just remember when you're training... don't leave your face open. Have your hands up. If the sensei is demo'ing a face strike, put your hand up to your chin so he has a target. This also protects your face a bit. When sparring, you should always have your guard up.

In terms of contact (hitting others), if the instructors are top of the lessons, everyone should know to protect themselves especially when training with a newbie.

Answer 3

If you have real passion for the right martial art you should either read up first on muay thai, kung fu, tai chi, tae kwon do, wing chun, etc first before embarking on the first that comes your way, just because the dojo is closest to home. Some forms of martial arts belong to the 'soft' style as opposed to karate, a 'hard' style. A good instructor will ensure that precautions are taken to avoid students hurting each other and even if injuries happen, he should be capable of administering proper treatment.

Answer 4

I think with time and a whole lot of practice you'll be just fine. Voicing your concerns in private with your Sensei could help. He/she will understand. They too were beginners once.

It took me a long time to feel comfortable with myself, but when I started cross training, and practicing what I learned in class by myself, everything started feeling easier and less awkward.

The way I got my confidence up, was by taking little steps. Setting a small, short term goal and reaching it, as opposed to setting a long term goal that seems far away makes it all seem worthwhile. I also went to competitions for beginners. Getting those trophies really helped.

As for the girls, if you like one, get to know her a bit more. Be interested in her (not interesting). Once you feel a little more comfortable with her, go for it! She might even help you out in the dojo.

Answer 5

Karate is a hard sport to be new at.....Talk to your instructor about your fears. S/he has heard this before and will know what to do to help you. At the karate school I went to, our first puches and kicks were to targets which others held. Not as intimidating as fighting one another. Then our next level was kicks and punches that were programmed. I would know that the person fighting me was going to throw a punch to my midsection adn that person would know that I was going to blcok with a certain block. The first times we free sparred, we were paired with instructors that would give tips as to what to do and how to improve.

Don't be so sure that everyone else is just fine with this...You may be so keyed in on your own stress that you assume everyone else is fine.

Try your best to forget about impressing anyone and just work on your own style. Once you move up in rank , there will be other new people trying to fit in and impress you.

Answer 6

You don't say how old you are and it sounds like you are fairly young. Anxiety like what you are experiencing is not unusual in younger people. Most adults experienced this in the past and were able to overcome it as they got older and learned more about themselves and how to think and react to things. I bet even your instructors can tell you a few stories about when they were younger and how scared, or anxious they felt at times in different situations. Talk to one of them one-on one and I bet they will tell you this. Also the fact that everyone is nice and respectful sounds like it is a good group for you to be in and they have accepted you. Try to put your fear and anxiety to the side and just concentrate on your lessons when in class and don't think about getting hit per say.

I tell my newer students when they first start sparring with me to not be afraid of getting hit. When sparring with them I am very careful not to hurt any of them and once they realize that they won't get hurt they tend to lose most of their fear. I bet it is very much the same where you are at and while they may be aggressive and could hurt you they don't. Hang in there, talk to your instructor and you will be fine.

Answer 7

Human fear usually stems from the unknown. You fear contact because you have not been exposed to it, it is unknown.
Do not be scared of contact. it is fun. There is no shame in getting hit. There is no shame in feeling pain. Expose yourself to it. To take a risk, get a little scuffed up, survive and heal is the peak of living.

Do not fear contact, look forward to it and the rush you feel from it.

Force yourself to do it. It gets easier each time you do it.

To control the anxiety, control your breathing. Control your thoughts. Think positive. Think "You will survive and enjoy it. It will make you stronger and more confident."


Good luck!!!

Answer 8

You are simply in an environment where you are out of your "comfort zone". Just hang in there and things will get better. After the first time you are "hit" think about how that felt compared to how afraid you were of gettng hit and you'll probably laugh. It was brave of you to take this first step. Don't let yourself down or quitting will become easier.

Answer 9

Forget about it remember the expression no pain no gain. In the beginning i was getting hit hard and didnt want to hurt anyone after about 2 months though i was like this aint riht. If im getting hit so are they. After that I got more respect and everything. Just don't worry about it don't kill them but, theyre there to learn just like you are. Remember your not learning by doing that either

Answer 10

To learn 2 defend, one has to endure himself to a little bit of pain
Even i felt a bit like you in the begining, but you need to build up a frame of mind which will help you endure the pain.. As time will pass, shyness will end