I made it through my first class! wooohoooo! OK, I was super nervous, to the point I was shaking. But thats me, extremely nervous person. As I was waiting for the beginning of class another lady came up to me who also takes tae kwan do. She gave me a great pep talk! She told me that as adults we worry we will look really stupid in class and make tons of mistakes and everyone will notice. But she said she has never had anyone laugh at her or point out what she did wrong. They will correct you if you are doing something wrong but not in a judgemental way. On to class.

the warmup nearly killed me. Running and doing pushups. I was huffing and puffing. Then stretches. Which I was really surprised at how well I did stretching. I can stretch alot further than I thought. The horse riding stance we did though, I had a grimace on face the whole time. What are those muscles called in your thighs on the top? Yeah, they were screaming.

Then it was time to do our forms. I thought Master Reynolds would come over and instruct me on how to do it. LOL No such luck, he knows I already know it from practicing with Kota. However, there was another grand master there. In the middle of my form I saw him walking towards me. I thought oh lord, what have I done? He only had to correct the way I held my fist. I had it turned the wrong way. whew!

And at the end of class Master Reynolds had them all clap for me. He said I did really good for my first class and gave me a high five. Hubby said he was impressed with my kicks, that I was kicking really high. Who knew I had it in me? Ok, everyone knew I had it in me but me!

Now I have 3 days to recuperate and I see much pain in my future for tomorrow. But I will make sure that over the weekend I do my stretches and some practicing! I feel great! Really proud that I pushed myself to do this. Not only the physical part, but the social part of being in a class of people and having people watching the class also. But everyone was encouraging and helpful. I love tae kwan do!

I think I must have sweated off at least 5 pounds. My uniform top was soaked! Thanks to everyone for encouraging me to try this. And to my friend Lynnie who knew I could do it all along!

Comments:

Way to go Mary. I'm really thrilled for you. I know you've said this was a big step for you and it's so wonderful that you had the courage to get started.

You go girl!!!

Hey Sis!! I couldn't remember if I commented on this one or not. My son would say...You're getting old Mama. I am soooo happy for you and that you enjoyed your class. Are you sore today? I know I would be. Hope you have a great weekend and enjoy the festivities.

comment by texastar on July 5, 2008 5:20 AM ()

reply by texastar on July 5, 2008 4:43 PM ()

I am still sore. I have determined that pushups are my enemy. that is the only place I am still sore. along the sides of my chest. but I will be going back for more punishment on monday.

reply by elkhound on July 5, 2008 7:58 AM ()

Way to go, Mary!!

comment by marta on July 4, 2008 7:08 PM ()

thanks Martha! its a good feeling to accomplish something that has scared the crap out of me.

reply by elkhound on July 5, 2008 7:59 AM ()

! (almost, forgot!) ~ P.S.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY, MARY!

!CONGRATULATIONS MARY!
Knew you'd enjoy itKeep it up girl!!!
(we got 'muscles' at the top of our thighs?~ I just got 'blubber')

comment by augusta on July 4, 2008 9:14 AM ()

reply by augusta on July 5, 2008 11:55 AM ()

I think my body is mostly blubber but I did find some muscles underneath.

reply by elkhound on July 5, 2008 8:00 AM ()

This is sooo great!! I am just sooo proud of you!! I have been thinking of signing of with Kev but you actually did it!

comment by firststarisee on July 4, 2008 8:09 AM ()

kota has been in it for 2 months now. and I think I needed that time to get used to the people there and the other students. I watched how they did things and how they encouraged each other. I highly encourage you to try it. its a very empowering feeling to get out there and do it! the first one is the hardest of course. if I can do this, so can you! you will love it!

reply by elkhound on July 4, 2008 8:24 AM ()

It is fun, isn't it! I remember it well. How I got injured was we were doing warm ups, but not in our usual padded floor room, on one of the handball courts and while we were doing stretches (legs), I lost my footing and tore the muscle on the inside of my right leg. Everyone heard it rip. It was awful and took me months to get back to no pain. That's why I stopped and started walking a lot. Now I walk 6 miles, so I made up for it! I went to many meets and watched two sons and husband get their belts. Hubby is a black, younger son is a brown with black stripe an other son is a red belt.

comment by teacherwoman on July 4, 2008 8:02 AM ()

deb that sounds like it was really painful! ouch! I have a hard time just walking one mile! you have done fantastic with the walking, eating better and loosing weight!

reply by elkhound on July 4, 2008 8:23 AM ()

No comment.You have it all there.

comment by fredo on July 4, 2008 6:52 AM ()

thanks for your support!

reply by elkhound on July 4, 2008 6:54 AM ()

Your friend is right about the 'myth' of feeling silly when you start a hobbie in view of the public. Those feelings only exist in your head! You'll learn over the next few visits to the dojo that it is in fact the people who sit out and watch classes are the silly looking ones - too afraid to take part in the lesson. You fronted the biggest fear of your life last night and overcome it. You'll no longer be afraid of any social setting and you'll look at the world and people in it in a whole new perspective. That initial walk onto the dojo is one of the hardest things to do in life - thats facing your fears head on. A new chaptrer has just begun in your life, a new road to a new you and the opportunity to become an even greater person. It's not just the skills and fitness you'll attain, but you'll learn to find peace inside yourself, the ability to find harmony all around you and like who you are - it's a whole new way of life. It won't come all at once but it wont be long before you start feeling the differences. don't be put off either if you can't move you arms for a few days, or that your legs feel like they've been hit by a truck lol, that'll be the acid in your muscles. Stretch them off for about 5 mins twice a day and you'll be fine, afterall you had to use your body in ways that you hadn't ever done before. horse ridding stances are killers, we have to adopt this stance for the chuto's - they are the best muscles burners, you have my sympathy there lol. just wait until Master reynolds gets you to start shifting your body weight from one leg to another in that horse ridding stance, gawd you feel like crying lol. but the more you practice it the stronger your legs get. You made my day, i'm so proud of you. keep doing it - never give up. Fight or flight (but thats another story) Your Great Mary, I knew you could do it all along.

comment by lynnie on July 4, 2008 2:50 AM ()

I am going to print out your comment and keep it with me as my little pep talk. my muscles are a little sore today but not like I thought they would be. The oen thing Master Reynolds said last night that really stuck with me was, it doesn't matter if you are the last one finishing as long as you finish and give it your all. thank you so much lynnie for always encouraging me to try this. I really had alot of fun. And I didn't even think about the people sitting there watching! walking onto the mats was the hardest part! and all those mirrors! now I can't wait for my next class.

reply by elkhound on July 4, 2008 6:27 AM ()

comment by strider333 on July 3, 2008 10:31 PM ()

reply by elkhound on July 4, 2008 6:35 AM ()

Sounds like you need to give yourself a big pat on the back.You go girl.Sounds fun and exciting.Laurie

comment by dogsalot on July 3, 2008 7:38 PM ()

I don't think I can reach my arm around to pat myself this morning! but it was a great feeling of accomplisment!

reply by elkhound on July 4, 2008 6:34 AM ()

Way to go Mary!!! I'm so proud of you and for you...*hugs tight*

comment by elfie33 on July 3, 2008 6:50 PM ()

thanks Pam! I am a little sore this morning but still able to move! wooohooo! after I got over my initial nerves, I did pretty good

reply by elkhound on July 4, 2008 6:33 AM ()

comment by lunarhunk on July 3, 2008 6:29 PM ()

I liked the stretching cuz it gave me a chance to catch my breathe. I am telling you when I was done with class my face was bright red and I was dripping wet! but it felt great to actually exercise!

reply by elkhound on July 3, 2008 6:46 PM ()

hey congrats Mar. Tae Kwon Do is fabulous excercise. Master Hill taught a "Tae Kwon Do-cercise " in addition to his regular classes and a number of folks at work attended. He kept trying to get me to attend as well but I kept finding excuses. It pro'lly would've done me good but I was a moron back then.

reguards
yer "are you implying I NEED excercise?" pal
bugg

comment by honeybugg on July 3, 2008 6:09 PM ()

buggs, this showed me just how out of shape I am! but still it was alot of fun and I look forward to learning more. the only thing the instructor said I wasn't loud enough.

reply by elkhound on July 3, 2008 6:45 PM ()