The next day I could barely move. I went to work and remember climbing the stairs to my office in agony. I hurt in places I didn't know you could hurt in...
Hahaha, I know this feeling, but for me it was the day(s) after second training
Anyway, I was always enchanted by martial arts... don't ask me why... maybe too many action movies, books and comics in the childhood "fried" my brain, especially that I did not have anyone in the family or in friends circle that had anything to do with MA.
As child I was not allowed to do anything that could harm my hands, as teenager I grabbed a jujitsu basics book (can't remember the author), but after a while I realized I cannot learn anything on my own without proper guidance. Then at the the uni I attended Capoeira classes, but I stopped when I went to study abroad, where I could not find a new group, so I just let go. Then the life took its flow, I met my husband, then came kids, ten we moved to Aussieland. But all this time my mind was going back to this need to do sth with MA.
So the first thing I decided was to send my kids for Taekwondo, I observed them, the complete school and was weighing if I should join or not. Eventually I did not, because for me it was lacking the contact sparring. Well, the adults and higher belts have contact sparring, but with protective gear. But in the real life situation if someone wanted to hit me on the street, they will not be punching the air beside me nor will I have the protecting stuff on my body. (another proof of my "fried" mind)
So at the end I decided for Jishukan Ryu, which combines jujitsu, kempo and jojitsu and the school is only for adults.
Before the first class I was extremely nervous and very excited. I arrived there on time and I was suddenly surrounded by 5 black belts, and no-one else. It was so intimidating, I was asking myself if I am in the correct place, I really felt like running away (but I was not sure if they would let me ...).
But in the end it was very friendly, thou physically demanding. I had troubles following and I did not understand a word (all commands, footwork, blocks etc. is in Japanese). Then the head instructor took me under his wings and taught me some basics. The other 4 were doing their advanced stuff... sooo cool!!!