I really want to start Krav Maga but...

[Ryan17]

I'm nervous, timid, shy, and apprehensive. This is the only thing I've ever done outside my usual comfort zone. No prior martial art experience, fighting experience, or anything like that. I guess I'm scared of looking like an idiot. Any tips to get over this?

I know I'll have the courage to go eventually. So any tips for really inexperienced-first-day-students?

Thanks!

All of you have been so helpful in answering my questions. Before today, I was on the fence, but now I really want to go do it. Thanks again!

[catapult]

Ryan, if you're nervous, think about how an out-of-shape, middle-aged mom must feel walking into a class with a bunch of sweaty men. A good instructor makes everyone feel at ease and brings them along at their own pace. Krav isn't about macho BS or making anyone feel foolish. When you make the call for your free class, tell them about your concerns and I'll bet they'll put your mind at ease. Let us know how it goes.

[unstpabl1]

Originally Posted by Ryan17

I'm nervous, timid, shy, and apprehensive. This is the only thing I've ever done outside my usual comfort zone. No prior martial art experience, fighting experience, or anything like that. I guess I'm scared of looking like an idiot. Any tips to get over this?

I know I'll have the courage to go eventually. So any tips for really inexperienced-first-day-students?

Thanks!

All of you have been so helpful in answering my questions. Before today, I was on the fence, but now I really want to go do it. Thanks again!

SHOW Up, SUIT UP. SHUT UP And PLAY is the best life lesson ever given to me...in the end success in everything starts with showing up. Every adult is afraid of looking stupid. Winners act in spite of fear. Unfortunately to get good at something your going to be bad at it because we learn theu mistake correction


The one thing you'll find in a Krav or fighters gym is that people are usually much much nicer and helpful than in a regular gym where dudes are staring at themselves in mirriors trying to look hard. Learning martial arts is a cooperative effort. I need you to get better so you can be a better partner to train with. Plus the people your training with go thrru the same fears...most people can relate

So SHOW UP and get thru the 1st class no matter what resistance comes up...then SHOW UP Again and again and your comfort zone will expand.

SUIT UP make sure to dress comfortable, have water/gatorade and equipment needed...if there are people waiting outside the room waiting for the class to begin or stretching before class walk up to someone and say Hi I'm Ryan. Actors do this on jobs it's called making friends with the set. Why? We're not inhibitd among friends. Besides it's harder to kill someone when you know their name

SHUT UP means to listen intently and do the best you can in the moment. Talking gets in the way because we tend to start making excuses, try to cover our fears and use it to cover up or get out of the difficult. I don't care how much difficulty your having trying to learn something i just don't want to hear you whining about. It cuts into my training time and lets face whining is the perfered tactic of Drama Queens and energy Vampires


PLAY means to let go and have as much fun as possible. We learn easier when we're having fun and others enjoy being around us. Training is rewarding and not easy. It can be frustraing, scary and painful but its also exhilerating and healthy. BUT it all depends on your attitudeas do all things in life. also when your playing the focus is off of yourself and you send that little witch( where I come from we spell it with a B) of your inner critic on vacation for a bit

Either way SHOW UP and you'll end up with a group of great new healthy friends. ShOW UP enough and you'll become the same

[mara_jade]

We can give all kinds of advice but really, YOU have to make the commitment to do it and go for it. Trust me, the nervous part goes away really quickly once you get going.

One thing I can say is don't worry about who's better than you. You're there to train for yourself, not anyone else. Don't worry about belts either. Some attacker won't care what belt you are. Go for belts when you're ready, not for any other reason.

[Ryan17]

Thanks everyone! I'll schedule my trial lesson soon.

I'll remember to send that inner critic to vacation for a while :)