|
Author |
Message |
DeskWarrior
White Belt

Joined: 04 Dec 2018
Posts: 4
|
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 10:06 am Post subject: Only adult in the class, should I stick with it? |
|
|
Hello all!
I'm completely new to this site. I've always wanted to take martial arts lessons, but due to my studies, working long hours and having a baby, I haven't started until recently. I wasn't allowed to take lessons as a child. I've been feeling like now is the time to start before I get any older, lol. Btw, the extent of my training is a few Tae Kwon Do lessons in college and what my black belt hubby has taught me.
I was recently made aware that they teach karate lessons at my community center (only 10 minutes away), so I came in for a trial class. I had a great time! And I love the sensei already! But, there is one problem, I was the only adult there... In fact, the oldest kid looked like she was only 12. I really don't think I could go somewhere else, because that would be about an hour drive and cost more and my hubby isn't willing to watch our 3 year old any longer than he already does.
What do you guys think? To be honest, I really enjoyed the lesson and love the idea of learning more techniques and earning new belts, and I don't really want this to be a reason to quit, but maybe there's something I'm not considering and I'm going to regret this.
Thanks everyone!!
Cheers |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Fat Cobra
Blue Belt


Joined: 14 Jul 2018
Posts: 304
Location: Fort Drum, NY
Styles: Ryukyu Kempo
|
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 10:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
DeskWarrior,
Welcome to the site. As for your question, I believe it depends on what you ultimately want to get out of martial arts.
This class seems to be a positive for the following goals:
- Fitness
- Good instructor
- Sense of accomplishment
- Discipline
- Belonging to a larger organization
- Experience if you ever want to teach kids
- Cost
- Distance from Home
This class seems to be a negative for the following goals:
- Self Defense
- Camaraderie
- Experience if you ever want to teach adults
So, in the end it depends on how you rank these categories in your own personal goals. _________________ Sandan in Ryukyu Kempo
Head of the Shubu Kan in Fort Drum, NY
(United Ryukyu Kempo Alliance) |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
JazzKicker
Member of the Month

Joined: 07 Aug 2017
Posts: 164
Location: NJ
Styles: JKD, TSD, MMA
|
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 1:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Ask a friend to join you! It will make the training more fun, and easier with a partner your own size. As the only adult, once you progress to a certain point after a few months, it will probably get frustrating. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
tallgeese
KF VIP

Joined: 04 May 2008
Posts: 6862
Location: McHenry County, IL
Styles: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Bujin Bugei Jutsu, Gokei Ryu Kempo Jutsu, MMA, Shootfighting, boxing, kickboxing, JKD, Pekiti Tersia Kali
|
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 2:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Welcome to KF!
It's a tricky thing. Honestly, I agree with JazzKicker. There is a high likelihood you'll get frustrated with no other adults. That said, if this is the only option I'd stick with it. We can all talk about what a best case scenario is but really it sounds like this might be the only option at this time. If you're enjoying it and like about everything else about it then it's certainly better than not training.
As was suggested, talking a friend into taking class with you might be the best short term option. It will give you someone of size/ weight and an equitable background to work with. That will probably bode well for you to stay involved.
Let us know how it goes! _________________ http://alphajiujitsu.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJhRVuwbm__LwXPvFMReMww |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
JR 137
Black Belt

Joined: 10 May 2015
Posts: 2442
Location: In the dojo
Styles: Seido Juku
|
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 3:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
As Fat Cobra said, it depends on what you want to get out of your training. Personally, I wouldn’t last long at all if I were the only adult. But some training is better than no training, right? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
MatsuShinshii
Black Belt

Joined: 15 Aug 2016
Posts: 1423
Location: Kentucky
Styles: Machimura Suidi Rokudan, Ryukyu Kenpo, Kobudo, Judo
|
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 5:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
As others have said it's really dependent on what you want to get out of the experience.
It sounds like you enjoy it so maybe there is a solution to the issues you have. One would be, as JazzKicker suggested, to ask a friend to join with you. You could also speak with the instructor and ask if they would step in as your partner during drills and sparring. You said your husband is a BB. Could you train with him outside of class?
I doubt I could survive in this situation but it sounds like you are enjoying the experience. I would talk to the instructor and see if they can offer a solution or at least give guidance. Are there other classes that they teach? Maybe higher adult grades? Maybe you can suffer through a period of time until you gain rank and can train with other adults.
The point is if you feel it is something that benefits you there is always a solution to problems.
Good luck. _________________ The person who succeeds is not the one who holds back, fearing failure, nor the one who never fails-but the one who moves on in spite of failure.
Charles R. Swindoll |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
sensei8
KF Sensei


Joined: 23 Feb 2008
Posts: 15773
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Styles: Shindokan Saitou-ryu [Shuri-te/Okinawa-te based]
|
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 6:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Welcome to KF, DeskWarrior; glad that you're here!!
You've great advice thus so far. Hopefully I can add something of value for you.
Forget about being the only adult because that's of no importance. Frustrating? Yeah, I get that, however, a solid Chief Instructor (CI) can, and will, fill in that void in such a way, that more often then not, the student forgets that theyre the only adult. Having the CI both as an instructor AND a training partner is a win-win situation. Again, I get that being the only adult in the class can be a moment of concern.
Students have to want this!! Anything else is superficial to the students MA betterment. The MA journey is the students, and that student must be accountable for their training.
A student is there to gain knowledge and experience, and nothing else. Not ranks, not belts, and they will come in time or whatever else...knowledge and experience. Yeah, along the journey, the student will become frustrated for many reasons, for more times than that student can shake a stick at.
The one tangible thing that students will always have an abundance of is...
TIME!! In time, that which is quite frustrating at the immediate moment will become inconsequential in the scheme of it all, because you'll encounter a fresh frustrating thing to replace the other frustrating things.
Shu Ha Ri!! Please look it up, and then embrace it wholeheartedly because that, right there, is the MA, no matter the label.
Hopefully your CI addressed the student ratio beforehand; it's what it is...for the moment. Speak with the CI to find out if there's anything that can be done, as the only adult student, to attract prospective adult students. There's always your black belt hubby, perhaps he'd be interested in cross training, if he's of a different MA style, that way you two can train together.
Imho!!
I wish you much success across the board!!
 _________________ **Proof is on the floor!!!
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-robert-mitcham-fight-cancer |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
singularity6
Pre-Black Belt


Joined: 26 Jun 2017
Posts: 958
Location: Michigan
Styles: Jidokwan Taekwondo and Hapkido, Yoshokai Aikido, ZNIR Iaido, Kendo
|
Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2018 5:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
I've been the only adult in class (but it's not a regular thing.) There are only a few times where I notice:
1) When I'm asked to do one-steps, self defense, or spar with a child
2) When a child starts crying after holding a pose for 10 seconds
Other than that, it doesn't bother me. _________________ 5th Geup Jidokwan Tae Kwon Do/Hap Ki Do
(Never officially tested in aikido, iaido or kendo) |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
DeskWarrior
White Belt

Joined: 04 Dec 2018
Posts: 4
|
Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2018 7:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for all the responses everyone! Very good advice and things to consider. You guys are awesome! Yeah, I think I'll stick with it for now. I'll mention this to some of my friends, probably wait until January, and hopefully at least one of them will join, great idea! And yeah, I've been practicing with my hubby, which is nice.
Thanks again!!
Cheers!! |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Himokiri Karate
Green Belt

Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Posts: 380
Styles: Boxing, Korean Karate
|
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2018 7:19 pm Post subject: Re: Only adult in the class, should I stick with it? |
|
|
DeskWarrior wrote: |
Hello all!
I'm completely new to this site. I've always wanted to take martial arts lessons, but due to my studies, working long hours and having a baby, I haven't started until recently. I wasn't allowed to take lessons as a child. I've been feeling like now is the time to start before I get any older, lol. Btw, the extent of my training is a few Tae Kwon Do lessons in college and what my black belt hubby has taught me.
I was recently made aware that they teach karate lessons at my community center (only 10 minutes away), so I came in for a trial class. I had a great time! And I love the sensei already! But, there is one problem, I was the only adult there... In fact, the oldest kid looked like she was only 12. I really don't think I could go somewhere else, because that would be about an hour drive and cost more and my hubby isn't willing to watch our 3 year old any longer than he already does.
What do you guys think? To be honest, I really enjoyed the lesson and love the idea of learning more techniques and earning new belts, and I don't really want this to be a reason to quit, but maybe there's something I'm not considering and I'm going to regret this.
Thanks everyone!!
Cheers |
What style of Karate is it? _________________ It begins with the knowledge that the severity of a strikes impact is amplified by a smaller surface area. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|
|