Self defense kicked my butt

Last night was my third class; my first group class. I wish someone had forewarned me that I'd have to do jumping jacks, sit ups and push ups!

The jumping jacks were fine, not so much the sit ups. I've never really been able to do them well. I did as best I could and couldn't do them all consecutively but I will at some point! The same goes for the push ups. Foolishly I tried first to do them the proper way but gave that up before I even completed one. The rest were done on my knees. I was a little slower than the others and thus off count but I did do all those!

I felt a little at sea in the group class and still am not complete sure I did everything I was supposed to do, or if I even did it correctly. I'm hoping I feel less self-conscious as times goes on. I will admit at times I was so concentrated on what I was doing I was less aware of those around me and thus less self-conscious. It's a bit disconcerting knowing there are all those people spectating. :) It's great for the children though, to have their parents there and involved.

I'm having a hard time remembering the names/numbers of the moves and some of the finer details. I hope that's something too that comes with time. I have been looking online at information and it was recommended to keep a notebook. The only problem is I can't remember enough to write it down!

I'm nervous that I can't do this but am determined to do my best and let go of that feeling as best I can. I feel so good about doing it and that's worth it. I've still got to figure out how I'm going to pay for it. I was hoping my second business would earn me enough to do so, now I'm not so sure. :( I'll figure it out though.

2nd class

I earned my white belt today! Yay!

I'm really enjoying this. Some of it is practical and makes sense when you realize the why. Once you get the technique you also see how easy it is to accomplish a move. It does take some time to fully get the technique and fine tune it but even before you do get that far it's very smooth.

I'm very pleased with the school too and am glad it's doing well. Please anyone in the area definitely check it out! I've not actually met any of the Clairton area instructors obviously (I'm at the Waynesburg location) but I did see Master John teaching a class tonight. As I've experienced first hand with my instructors (Miss Laura and Miss Allison) he interacted very well with his students.

:) I'm not good enough yet to remember the names of what I've learned but once I do I'll start sharing! I'd love to hear from any other hapkido enthusiasts beginner or not!

My next lesson is next Thursday and I'm already excited.

Hapkido

I won a month's worth of free instruction at Rain Day at the American Judo-Hapkido institute. Earlier today I went in for my first appointment and lesson. We didn't do much but I can already tell that I worked some muscles!

Ladies - Let me tell you, if just this first lesson, where I am learning the basics that are used over and over again are any indication . . . You have to sign up just for the workout your thighs get! That's where I feel the most. It's not really painful or anything I can just feel it, if that makes any sense.

(Not to exclude the men there but you have to admit it's women who more often complain about their thighs!)

I'm very much looking forward to my next lesson and continuing with this. The staff I've met so far are wonderful and it seems to be a really supporting environment.

Stay tuned for more on my journey into hapkido.

I'm going to do a storybook on this journey through my heritage makers account, including my blog posts. Proper comments (not spam, etc which will be deleted) may be included in the book too. You can check out HM at http://www.melissasheritagecreations.com. Create your own storybook, calendar, cards, anything! I'll help!

Hmmm, come to think of it I could do a calendar that includes all my lessons . . . perhaps target goals that I can fill in as I meet them . . . Now I'm double excited! New project ideas and hapkido!