Cont. from yesterday I am interested in taking a Martial Arts classes any suggestions?

Question

I am interested in taking a Martial Arts classes any suggestions?
I am a 32 year old female with "stage fright" I am confident in some aspects of my life, but know I would lack confidence in a class like this due to my nervousness.. It would be nice to find something to help build my confidence, and something that would help me with self defense, and fitness.. but nothing where I am treated bad or yelled at! Any suggestions? I found out that only Karate and Judo are offered.. Would Karate be a good choice?

Answer 1

if i had to choose between karate and judo i would pick judo. but if i had to pick between judo and brazillain jiujitsu i would pick bjj hands down. it is said to be the most effective unarmed combat system ever developed. i am a brazillian jiujitsu practitioner and it has made me a lot more confident, i no longer have to worry about the crazy homeless man asking for spare change or the intimidating group of 'homies' that hang out on street corners.

Answer 2

I was at a tournament this past weekend where a child of eight or nine was changing into his soccer uniform while I was changing into my gi in the locker room for a tournament on the other side of this sports complex. He told me he used to take karate once but no longer did because the instructors always yelled at him. I asked if it was a lot to which he said yes-all the time. I then apologized to him and told him not all instructors and schools are like that and only poor coaches and instructors in any sport are like that and don't know any better or know how to teach or coach very well.

The reason why I am relating this is you should go and watch each of the schools a few times. Some instructors are good martial artists and terrible teachers or coaches and some are great at teaching and coaching but mediocre at their art. Look at them and see how they relate to their students and how happy the students are with them. Also talk to some of the students and see how they like their lessons and classes. Based on that information and what you know about yourself you are then better able to make a smart decision and start with the one that will help you the most with getting started and that you will be the most comfortable with. Once you have gained some confidence, developed your fitness level and studied for a while you will be more ready for a tougher class with a hard nosed instructor if you want to change to that. Sometimes people like yourself though start in a place with an instructor that is not well suited for them and they have a bad experience and quit. So I would choose the instructor first, not the style and then go from there. Good luck and I hope I see you out there!

Answer 3

Great idea! It helps with self-disipline, confidence, many things. Any good Sensei (teacher or instructor) never yells or teats you with anything but respect, however they are to be shown the highest respect. It's great excersize, you'll work hard & sweat gallons, but it's very fun & the most rewarding thing you'll ever do. (If you feel the least bit threatened or intimidated beyond initial nervousness, it is not a good place, find another where you are comfortable.) I would try a fairly soft style, they'll know what you are talking about, you probably don't want tae kwon do, but perhaps Gojuryu, Shorinryu, Shodokan, Aikido or something of that type.

Answer 4

Take Judo over Karate because it was designed for the smaller weaker person to overcome the bigger stronger person. Also don't worry about nervousness because EVERY single person who you see training in the class had to show up their first day and they were nervous too and they know that you're nervous. They all went through it too and that what martial arts and a dojo is about.

Answer 5

Karate is an excellent system for building self confidence. I speak from experience. I, however, am also interested in Judo, but I'll let Judo people tout the benefits of their style.

Answer 6

I started karate 20 years ago as a very shy 11year old girl who did not have any confidence or self esteem at all.
today not only do I know how to defend myself if the situation arises i have regular board meetings requiring a lot of confidence.
No one has a right to yell at you or treat you bad and if this occurs, that club not style, is not for you.
good luck with it. I do hope you get what I got out of doing karate and what it is you hope to achieve out of doing karate as karate has different things to offer to different people

Answer 7

Interview the Instructors, watch a few classes, etc etc.

Choosing a Martial Art is irrelevant if the Instructor isn't good, both are very effective Martial Arts, and can help you on the street, and as you improve, confidence does as well.

Answer 8

My Suggestions are :
........ Karate b'cause I do.