Last week in class Sensei told me that my kicks and punches were already getting stronger. My goal in every class is to do everything so perfectly that I get a nod from Sensei.. but no correction… I am seeking perfection in my technique.

The more I work with Karate, the more I’m amazed at how quickly it is making changes in my body and the more motivated I am to improve my overall health.

I’ve been doing push ups against the wall at every chance I get.. I’m not really up to actual push ups… I find that they will rip the crap out of my elbow (old injury) so instead, whenever I go to the ladies room at work, I do 5 push ups against the wall (in the stall where no one can see me…. I work with a bunch of freaks and I don’t want to hear it)

I decided that before class yesterday, I would walk the track at the Y first. Not fast and not a lot.. just enough to warm up my major leg muscles. Our warm-ups are often not long enough for me since I’ve been so sedentary.

My mistake was not hydrating myself. I should have brought water, but didn’t.

Halfway through class I had to ask to leave to get a drink. My heart was pounding so hard it was scaring me and I could feel my mouth drying up.

Sensei asked “Do you really need to?”

I was so mortified… I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t think I was going to blow a gasket.. he let me go, but I was very embarassed that I didn’t take care of myself before…

Then I almost kicked the kid next to me doing side snap kicks. And I was so surprised that I started giggling.. my stress response is to giggle or cry. I prefer giggiling.

Sensei reminded me to keep my focus. Then I made another mistake and tried to explain myself.. Doh!

Sensei then told me that it was ok to make mistakes, that’s how we learn. Funny, that’s how I train my dogs too…

It was a hard class for me.. oddly, physically it wasn’t as bad.. mostly it was the mental challenges and I didn’t realize it until it was too late.

I’ll do better on Saturday.

Every class I take, of course I’m going to get criticism. It’s expected. There is so much to learn. Today I discovered a bit of dojo etiquette.

When Sensei offers instruction or criticism, acknowledge it, make the correction and move on. That’s really hard for me.

I grew up making excuses. Especially if I felt embarrassed or foolish… I would find a reason, any reason so that I could excuse myself and blame someone else for my mistake.

Not in Karate and not with Sensei.

Sensei told me to just say “Osu” and make the correction.

He also said that if he tried to give his Master a reason for making a mistake, he would hit him with a stick.

Got it.. no talking.

Check.

This morning I got up and was sore… which was to be expected. However my old elbow injury from 10 years ago certainly has my attention.

Fortunately, we aren’t at the point where I can’t feel my fingers, but the tendons are aching. Not good. Thats the first step to numbness and if left alone, eventually, I’m out of work.

My job has me typing and clicking and shuffling paper. Can’t do that and rest my elbow at the same time.

The old Ortho doc told me to “use it but don’t abuse it”. So I’m wearing that elbow thingy that has the pressure pads to help relieve some of the pain and hopefully impede any real damage.

Enough “unneccesary” typing. Off to work I go.

Class was really exciting! There is still a lot I need to learn. Classes are ongoing so I have to catch up. I was supposed to have another private lesson on Monday but the holiday sort of threw the wrench into that.

Tonight, I did push ups for the first time in 20 years.. ow.

The best part, I think was the “target Practice”. We stood opposite each other .. the other beginners were little kids so I got to stand with the 12 year old who just got her brown belt.

So I throw punches at her chin and chest, without hitting her of course… and then we switched…

That sweet little girl turned into a viper. Oh My gawd… I had to close my eyes! She never hit me but I could feel the breeze off her punch and the energy behind it was incredible.

Yup… scared…

When we was done, she smiled at me… I think she got a little kick out of freaking out the “old lady”.

Tonight is my first actual Shotokan Karate Class.  I’m really looking forward to it. 

Sensei gave me a private lesson last week and I really enjoyed it.  I feel I can trust him and that is important to me. 

He demonstrated a few kicks and punches while I stood there.  His hands and feet came within 1/4 inch of my body and I didn’t flinch.  That tells me somthing. 

I expect I’ll be awfully sore.  and I’m concerned about not remembering the rules of the Dojo.. when to bow.. when to meditate…  etc etc.

oh, in case you were wondering “Ichi” means “one”.