Memoirs Of J

So I started Karate a few weeks ago.  It’s something I didn’t really expect that I’d ever do, though I have always thought it would be awesome.  I didn’t think I had it in me to try it out … alone … story of my life.  Fear of doing things solo has always held me back.  But what happened is this.  I had been doing fitness kickboxing at the Y for a few months and I really loved it.  I started it around the time that work was insanely stressful and I was having difficulty keeping it from affecting my personal well-being.  Kickboxing is a phenomenal workout, and an even better stress reliever. So I signed up and never looked back, and reaped the benefits for several months.

Well a couple of months ago near the end of the last session I was enrolled in, I got word that the class was being discontinued.  Super bummed, I checked the registration site and yep – no sign of another session.  So I emailed the Y to ask specifically what was up.  I got a reply that the instructor was resigning and they didn’t have a backup plan, so yeah.  No more fitness kickboxing.

Well shit.  I *need* this.

So I started googling kickboxing in Lansing.  Mostly came up with actual, real martial arts classes as opposed to strictly fitness / aerobic classes like I had taken prior.  I ended up checking out a couple of dojo’s offerings and after an intro session at the school I’m currently enrolled in, I was hooked.  I loved the fact that I’d be learning actual self defense moves, as well as getting to work out with real people using focus mitts and pads and kickboards.

So here I am, enrolled in basic Karate.  I’m a white belt with one stripe.  This week is stripe testing so if all goes well, I’ll have two stripes this week.  Four stripes means belt advancement (for lower ranks, anyway) so I should be on track to advance to yellow by end of September.

The cool thing is I actually forced myself to go out and do this.  I normally shy away from getting involved in activities alone and where I don’t know anyone else.  I will admit I was pretty nervous and dreadful at first.  Sometimes I don’t feel like going.  But once I’m there and in class, that all changes and I feel like I can do it.  The people in class all seem nice so far.  It’s good to know we’re all on the same path, trying this new thing together so it’s fun.  The instructors are great too.

I guess it’s true that you normally will benefit when you force yourself to leave your comfort zone.  I’m rarely regretful that I did something…  for those few times I do follow through and actually commit and make myself do it.