Even the most skilled martial arts masters were more than a little bit nervous before their very first karate class.
It might not seem like that when you’re watching these black belts go through the motions, displaying all of the skills that they have been able to develop and cultivate after years and years of practice. Yet if you asked any one of your martial arts idols they’d tell you the same thing – your first class is going to be filled with nerves and jitters.
Once you understand that nerves are completely normal, the next step is doing everything in your power to calm your nerves so that you’re able to enjoy this first step in a rewarding lifelong journey. Let’s explore some tips and tricks to prepare you for that very first class.
Being nervous is alright!
Walking into any new environment is going to fill you with at least it a little bit of stress and anxiety, and that’s perfectly normal. Now imagine walking into a new karate school where you’re going to be training with people that have spent their entire lives dedicated to this martial art, and the nerves are (understandably) going to be cranked to the max.
So before you enter the dojo, take a couple of deep breaths, roll your shoulders, and unwind. Remember that everyone in the gym started exactly where you are right now – and with a little bit of hard work, practice, and dedication, you’ll soon be exactly where they are. Come visit before your first class so you can get comfortable with the surroundings, meet the instructors, and avoid some of the confusion and uncertainty on the first day.
Absorb it all
One of the most important things that you’re going to want to do when you are preparing for the first karate class is to become as sponge-like as humanly possible.
Because you are getting into a new activity and are going to find yourself in a brand new environment, you’re going to want to try and eliminate many of your preconceptions so that you can absorb as much as possible in a short a period of time.
This will make you a much better student, so long as you remember to focus on listening and learning rather than trying to jump ahead along the route of progression.
There may be times when you feel like you are moving in slow motion, and you want to skip ahead to advanced techniques. Right now everything is new and fresh you need to lock in his many of the basics. Don’t compare yourself against the student next to you or the instructor in front of you, but challenge yourself to reach beyond your current level and make strides, no matter how small, every day.
Whether preparing for your first karate class or your thousandth, the instructors at The Academy of Martial Arts are at your side the entire way.
