Only adult in the class, should I stick with it?

DeskWarrior · White Belt

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

Fat Cobra · Orange Belt

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)

JazzKicker · Orange Belt

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.

tallgeese · KF Sensei

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

JR 137 · KF Sempai

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?

MatsuShinshii · Black Belt

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

sensei8 · KF Sensei

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!!!

singularity6 · Pre-Black Belt

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)

DeskWarrior · White Belt

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!!

Himokiri Karate · Orange Belt

	KarateForums.com Forum Index -> General Martial Arts	All times are GMT - 6 Hours Goto page 1, 2, 3 Next
Page 1 of 3