After watching the first class, you feel excited at the possibilities of what you can learn, but there are some concerns you may have about whether or not you should actually join. I know I had some when I started. One of these may be, “The other students look very graceful, but I am a klutz. Will I be able to do what the other students are doing?”
The simple answer is yes, you can. When you see the other students performing techniques well, it is only because they have practiced them repeatedly. In the begin- ning, most people start off feeling awkward and even the most skilled martial artists have those “special moments.” The best thing you can do is just laugh about it and then move on. As you continue to train, you will become less of a klutz.
Another question that people have is, “Will I hold back the other students if they are more advanced than me?” Not at all. Remember, everyone started out as a beginner, so students are compassionate to that insecurity. The advanced students can still benefit from practicing with people of all skill levels.
I often hear the question, “how am I going to remem- ber the Japanese terms?” By coming to class this will hap- pen naturally. I also recommend bringing a notebook to class and writing them down afterwards. That way, you can bring them home and study them at your leisure. This is another example of how Aikido trains the mind as well as the body.
Some people also ask, “Will the falls hurt?” In the beginning there may be some discomfort, but as you con- tinue to get thrown, that should subside. From falling during class, the body becomes tougher and more condi- tioned to handle the throws. Your falling technique will also improve over time, which will make the landing less jolting. Eventually, falling can be easy and some even find it enjoyable.
As long as you have the right attitude, you will be able to overcome almost any physical challenge that arises during your training.
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