performance nerves!?

Question

I study martial arts and am going towards a high level. When we are training I notice progression and development in my movements, attitude and confidence.

My problem comes when I am being watched.

When my master has taught me new moves and I practise and feel like I've mastered the move well in the time given, all is well until he asks me to show him. I just make stupid mistakes, lose balance, feel embarrased and unworthy of his teaching...this spirals sometimes into a negative feeling about myself and my abilities.

We also have to give shows/demos. I get so very hot and doubtful and often choose easier movements than Im capable of just incase i wobble and loose balance in front of all those people. So I end up feeling that I havent challenged myself enough.

Do you know any techniques I can use to only focus on myself my breath and movements and not worry about who is watching? I've got a demo in 10days and Ive promised myself to show a challenging sequence. Help.

Answer 1

as many old masters have said it and some tacky kung fu movies too the trick is to empty the mind. I don't know if you have done to much training towards this end but I have found it to be great help. In a training or real fight situation the matter of thought or no thought can make up that split second of difference between hitting or getting hit. When performing before a public the same trick works great against performance nerves. Just breathe out and leave all consient thought behind If you really know the stuff you've been training at for so long you'll find that it'll come naturally without need for thought. as a capoeirista I often participate in shows before public and even though I do not suffer from stage fever I found that this way I perform much smoother and more flowing than when I try to think the matter through. If you've never done this kind of stuff best check with your trainer about a few meditation excercises he's bound to know a few.

Answer 2

Heh, I feel the same way on my belt tests. Maybe it's just an issue of practice. The more you do all your moves in front of other people, the less nervous you will feel. Most importantly remember to relax and focus on just yourself. Get really into the stuff you're doing and ignore the people around you.

Well thats what I do.. so hope I helped.

oh, also if you're already able to do everything without a lot of thought, think over an issue, like global warming or whatever, to keep your mind off the people watching.. but of course you'll still have to pay SOME attention. I've done that and it helps.

Answer 3

Chew a gum :P

But if that isn't allowed, then try learning meditation. There is a reason why traditional martial arts include this as part of the training and not just for "spiritual purposes". The intense psychological effect of hitting and getting hit in a fight meant that masters in the old days had to come up with ways of teaching their students, who may have been born during peaceful times and have no real experience with violence, how to focus their mind and energy and ignore distractions to be able to follow through with their techniques while under pressure. That's how Zen buddhism became incorporated in eastern martial arts.

Answer 4

The thing is silent ninja, no body cares about you, you see every single person is only thinking about themself

Everyone who is competing is thinking about how well they will do, you teacher probably has his own problems to worry about and so does everyone who is watching you

so even though people might give you a second of their time, after that second is gone no one is going to remember you just like you probably wont remember anyone else

The best way to not focus on other people is to understand that no one ever gives a **** about you, everyone has their own stuff going on to care so just realize this and do what will be the best thing for you

If you feel like you need to try something harder to advance in your skill then do it even if you have a higher chance of stuffing up, Become confident in your sequence also btw,

The Two greatest rules in life for getting what you want is having full, sometimes sphycotic confidence in yourself and not giveing a crap about what others think

visualize yourself doing the sequence perfectly in front of people, not careing about them, and then getting a huge round of aplause, force yourself to spend 15min a day visualizing this

stop talking negatively to yourself, from now on your skill is at 100% if someone asks you how its going, say you are 100%

Answer 5

Hi! I've felt the same way you have when performing for others. I'll bet we all have at one time or another. When I had to perform, I would find a quiet corner and try to meditate. Block out everything that was going on around me and just concentrate on MY moves. Go over the routine in your head and focus on what you think are your weak points. Distract yourself and try to live OUTSIDE the moment. I know it's hard, but your instructor oobviously thinks you are capable, right?
Have faith in yourself, you are strong and will overcome this hurdle, I just know it!

Answer 6

I also study Martial Arts and usual when I go to competitions I get a little nervous, but if you really focus your mind to just forget about everything and just close itself you will forget about the other people. It will be just you and your sequence that you are doing. You have to just learn how to concentrate only on your form, nothing else.

Answer 7

Practice, practice, practice. Don't let your ego get in the way of your learning or your happiness.

Relax and try to expose yourself to public performance as much as you can. After you've done something long enough and often enough it just becomes routine and routine isn't scary it's just what you do.

100% effort applies to every aspect of martial arts not just the moves, trust yourself completely and succeed.

Best of luck and have fun.

Answer 8

Realize that you are capable first. Then while you practice, think of the zone that your mind is in during that - then try to reinforce that and get into that zone when you are being watched. Try practicing that with your instructor as he watches you. Also, ask him - he probably has ways to offer to help you with performance anxiety.

I used to get that way also - my instructor realized that and then made a POINT of watching me until I finally just got over it. I always laugh when I am nervous and he would call me on that until I finally could ignore him.

Answer 9

This works for me: Just pretend you're practicing alone. Ignore everything around you.

Answer 10

You are in the wrong school. If you feel weird about performing in front of your teacher, you have the wrong teacher.