Your First Day

[elder999]

June 29, 1971. A present for my 11th birthday.

There were no "kids classes," and I trained with scary grown men-legends, some of them.

And I never looked back. Quit trumper lessons, eventually quit Boy Scouts, but kept on training.....51 years next month.

 

[isshinryuronin]

Quit trumper lessons, eventually quit Boy Scouts, but kept on training.....51 years next month.

We've all had interests that came and went, like infatuations or affairs with this or that thing or person. But MA training for many is more like a marriage. It may have started as just a fling, but grew and matured into something of greater depth and satisfaction. Those that have found a lifelong companion that can help your grow and keep you centered are lucky. Master Motobu Choku used a term, "meotode," referring to one's two hands being like a husband and wife. Perhaps this analogy applies to MA even more than he realized.

 

[Ashworth]

To be honest, I don't really remember my first class, I was 5, I have random memories from my first dojo but not enough to know what I was feeling at that time.

I remember the first time I sparred with a girl in that club though, she was a blue belt, I was nervous about fighting a girl... she kicked my butt!

 

[SifuLarry]

How did you feel the first time you walked into you dojo? Dojang? Kwoon?

Were you intimidated?
Were you nervous?
Were you immortal?

The first day I walked into the dojang, I was so anxious. I didn't really know what to expect; so, I puffed out my chest and called forth all the military discipline I could and stood as stiff as possible and did exactly what I was told.

My first sparring, too, was stiff and formal because I was certain I was going to go home with a broken bone or bloody something.

Naturally, I learned I could relax and I never got a broken bone; though, I have had several bloody somethings since then.

How was your first day?

Even though my first day with my teacher, the guy to the (left of me) in black in my bio picture was 27 years ago. I remember it like it was yesterday. My friend suggested that we should check out a school we drove by. He wanted me to check it out with him because I had prior martial arts training.

One thing led to another and I found myself being hit harder than I had ever been hit. So hard in fact I saw a white flash while he was hitting me and I felt it for a month after. I have been training with him ever since. He beat me up like i can only imagine happens in the movies.

 

[Buka]

The first day I walked into a dojo I thought, "I'm going to do this for the rest of my life."

So far so good.

 

[Sunny]

Hi! I think I would consider myself as someone who is between a beginner and an intermediate when it comes to martial arts because I have been involved with many martial arts.Well the first martial arts I started doing was Karate but the way I started was in such a way that it was through unordinary means. I was supposed to get picked up from school but the time for pick up had lapsed.

Students were allowed to go to the playground to wait for pick up for an hour after class when the hours are up we go for prep. It was time to go for a study session but I didn’t want to go so I followed my friend. My friend had a karate lesson as an after school activity so I just followed him. I entered the class wearing my uniform and my long socks tied into a belt as i didn't own a gi. I then continued going to the point that I actually bought the karate uniform and that became my regular activity. Due to our teacher going MIA I have to stop attending the class as know one volunteered to step up. These classes where run independently from the school so once our teacher left that was it.

 

[Stuarto]

My first day in Kenpo was on June 25th, 2024. After my first day in the Kenpo dojo, I was hooked. I just made my yellow belt today. Kenpo is an entirely new system to me. I did Aikido on and off throughout life but decided I wanted something different. I have since found my home at my Kenpo dojo. I'm committed at this point and want to work my way up to proficiency.

 

[Buka]

Got that first belt out of the way!

Congrats, brother, good job.

 

[Stuarto]

Got that first belt out of the way!

Congrats, brother, good job.

Thank you, my friend. It actually makes me feel like a real martial artist lol. Looking forward to continuing the journey!

 

[Simfers]

First day I walked into my current school (BJJ), there was, I admit, some trepidation. Leaving my previous school was not my choice, and it played a bit on my insecurities. Will they be nice? Will I be welcome? Will I be comfortable?

I needn't have bothered, as they greeted me like an old friend and I felt at-home almost instantly. The instructor is top-notch as well. Explains things very well and is always constructive. I can see myself staying there for a long time.