Thread: advice and discouragement

I think you are being a bit hard on yourself. One month isn't enough time to become proficient in martial arts or most other things for that matter. TKD requires a good bit of flexibility and strength in muscle groups not often used in typical day to day activities.

My advice is to practice the basics every day, take your time it with and do alot of repetition. If you do this you will find that you will catch up with the rest of the class in no time.

I started because I really like the style and i love the attitude and character of the students coming from the school. My discouragement with progression comes in with being the new guy and having to interupt class because i dont know something that everyone else does, so we have to stop and they have to take me to the side to work on it or try to explain things quickly. so i feel like more of a hinderance to the rest of the class, do you know what i mean?

i would say talk to the students ask them to help you and work with you. this will start you on building a bond with them then sooner than you think you wont feel so outside. it is perfectly natural to feel out of place when you have to practice on the side but you are just starting give it time and you will not regret it. also work on your flexibility things will be 100% better and easier in the korean arts for you.

I keep feeling like I get worse every class lol I think I figured out what the problem is though..I am the only low ranking student, the other two in the class I attend are getting ready to test for their blackbelts, so their movents are tight and quick and than you have me trying to keep up, its nice getting the one on one with the instructor but we are grouped together so steps, marching patterns, s/d everything is with them. one of the other instructors told me that it is harder to learn at a solid pace being paired with someone so much higher than me...so hopefully more students join lol

Originally Posted by DavinWest

I started because I really like the style and i love the attitude and character of the students coming from the school. My discouragement with progression comes in with being the new guy and having to interupt class because i dont know something that everyone else does, so we have to stop and they have to take me to the side to work on it or try to explain things quickly. so i feel like more of a hinderance to the rest of the class, do you know what i mean?

well for one thing, there isn't a single form of martial arts out there that is going to be easy. It takes a long time to get the movements built into your muscle memory. Also everyone starts out as a beginner and many people have the same problems. I will admit some are naturals but that is rare. If you like it then just stick with it, you will be glad you did. One thing I would like to ask is, do they stop the class to step you through a form that you haven't learned yet or do they have one of the black belt instructors take you to the side and teach you so the rest of the class can continue? If you are taken to the side then that is normal and should happen for each of your forms unless it is a not a form of your association. You may want to also talk with some of the instructors and see if you can schedule some private lessons. They should have no problem with that and in fact they would probably be happy to give you the extra help since it looks good on them when you do good.