34 year old nervous about starting Karate

Discussion in 'General Martial Arts Discussion' started by john83gater, Aug 12, 2017.

  1. Rataca100

    Rataca100 Banned Banned

    I have a question, what is the correct term for somone starting? A trend i have seen is them not giving people who start or mandating them wear uniforms or belts. So has white belt just came to mean no belt/white belt? :p

    Also, agreed on above, uniform is fine, its usually the first thing you need to buy past insurance. May have completely mis interpreted what was meant by that.
     
  2. Latikos

    Latikos Valued Member

    Because after only two sessions it's nearly impossible to detect every single mistake you make.
    It starts with the right stance/ foot position, goes over the correct use of the arms/ hands, how the body itself is positioned and than at some point the correct sequence.
    I have my green belt grading in not entirely three weeks, and I still find mistakes in my first kata; and I still find them now, because I realize more and details.

    Yes, these aren't that important in the beginning.
    But why risking to learn a wrong Oi-Zuki, if a few more sessions would stop that risk from coming up?

    I appreciate it.
    And I don't mean it offensive at all.

    When I learned my first kicks I developed the bad habit of doing a little step, before the kick.
    That was something, my coach mentioned to me and I still struggle massively to not do that step. As a matter of fact, I'm still doing it 98% of the time.

    I like your enthusiasm and hope you will keep it up :)
    My advise was more meant to not rush it, so you don't develop bad habits.
    And there will be enough soon, I think, that you train without having that risk or at the very least with a real reduced risk.

    Yep, that pretty much was that :)

    And I totally agree: Sooner rather than later people have to add a little work at home.
    At least the ones, that take it more seriously.
    Which, sadly, reminds me, that I have to work on my kata :oops::rolleyes::D
     
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  3. Mitch

    Mitch Lord Mitch of MAP Admin

    There's a difference between understanding the gross movements of a kata, and the fine details.

    So, for example, it's fine to figure out the basics at home; I block, then I turn that way.

    But that's just the absolute skeleton of it. How do you turn, how does the body move as you turn, etc etc, this is what really counts.

    So learn the basics, sure, but then be willing to have everything you thought about how that movement works turned on its head :D

    Mitch
     
  4. Moosey

    Moosey invariably, a moose Supporter

    In my experience, yes, white belt just means someone who has not yet passed their first grading.

    I'd agree with Mitch on that. When I practice kata at home, I don't even try and get the detail right - I use it to memorise the pattern/embusen just to get the turns and directions stuck in my head. You can even do it just to memorise the foot movements by stepping in the right directions and adding in the arms later. Or even just practice in your head. I often go on the treadmill in the gym and run through kata in my head to relieve the boredom. There are lots of options for practicing kata, but memorising the pattern of steps is a good one to do in your own living room.
     
  5. Smitfire

    Smitfire Cactus Schlong

    I fall asleep by visualizing kata/patterns. Like counting sheep. :)
     
  6. El Medico

    El Medico Valued Member

    A beginner,

    An especially useful term for those of us who don't have ranking systems.
     
  7. StooXex

    StooXex Valued Member

    So do I.

    The rest of the class are amused, the sensei, not so much...
     
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  8. Latikos

    Latikos Valued Member

    Works great too, if the style has a ranking syste!

    Not sure how else you would call a beginner.
    Novice?
    Starter?
    Student? (Well, I'm still a student but not a total beginner anymore, I'm afraid. I miss it though. So I take that one back)

    Deshi and the such aren't unique to beginners as far as I know.
     
  9. Rataca100

    Rataca100 Banned Banned

    Novice is more broad in terminology, its usually 3 for that one, Novice, intermediate and master. You are a novince until you are an intermediate.

    But all of them work.




    Funnily enough i was yawning while doing them. :p
     
  10. Latikos

    Latikos Valued Member

    Depending on how that yawn would have been made, I'd probably could leave the mat.
     
  11. john83gater

    john83gater Member

    Had my first taste of kumite in class yesterday , nerve racking but very exciting , however I’ve managed to hurt my big toe , lol , Do you think Was this through bad technique ? Or is this common ?
     
  12. Knee Rider

    Knee Rider Valued Member Supporter

    Well, it depends how you did it...

    These things happen though. Either it was an accidental clash, poor kicking or something that happened through a lack of composure (stumble etc). I wouldn't worry. More mat time will help. Hope it's not broken!
     
    axelb likes this.
  13. AussieGirl

    AussieGirl Valued Member

    I'm late to the party on this one, but wanted to add my congratulations for taking the plunge. I started formal taekwondo training at 35. Previously I had done more fitness type kickboxing and that "combat" Les Mills class :) Initially it was hard. I was only one of two adults in a beginner class full of kids. But as we progressed up through the ranks, the age difference mattered less and less. I was awarded my black belt in Feb at the age of 39. The eldest person training at our dojo (although he does more Philippine martial arts than taekwondo these days) is a very sprightly 75.
     
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  14. john83gater

    john83gater Member

    Wow , congrats , very inspiring
     
  15. john83gater

    john83gater Member

    It doesn’t look bruised , but I can still feel it down the side of my big toe , I managed to get through Sunday’s session , but could feel it aching in the background , and didn’t dare do any kicks in kumite .
     
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  16. Dylan9d

    Dylan9d Valued Member

    I'm 38 started training MMA 3 months ago alongside the Silat stuff.

    Really enjoying the lessons.
     
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  17. itsthedre

    itsthedre New Member

    Getting hurt comes with any contact sport, and specifically with MA. There is no telling why you hurt yourself without actual video. But during kumite/sparring, you won't execute every technique 100% correctly because the situation is so dynamic.

    But if you want to improve, pain comes with the territory. However, there is a difference between being hurt and being injured. So train smart and don't get injured---but don't be afraid of a little bit of pain either. Good luck and keep at it! Getting into martial arts several years ago was the best decision of my life. You will be amazed at how much you've grown when you look back a few years from now, after some consistent training.
     
  18. Anjelica

    Anjelica Banned Banned

    No need to worry. we all have to start somewhere.
     

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