Crimson_Lotus

This is absolutely amazing! Such an inspiration. Celeste

In our school, we listen to music as well. Some Linkin Park, some old school, some new school. Nothing full of swear words and violence LOL I think in a way, it helps in the adult class. The children's class has different music and they keep it on a lower volume. Celeste

I honestly do not even know where to begin in describing how I feel today! I just don't. I am exhausted, I am proud, and I am in shock. Again, let me specify, the testing we did last night was a stripe testing. It went well! Surprisingly so. I was so nervous before class, I couldn't get my white belt to tie properly for almost 15 minutes. LOL It was an epic battle. Let's see, we worked on strike sets, demonstrated block sets for the class, demonstrated self defense , and then the nun-chuck form. I was mainly worried about the nun-chuck form because it's so long. My friend and I both did really well and we both actually COMPLETED the nun-chuck form. Some of the higher belts were having problems with it. I don't mean to be mean, however, that put me at ease in some ways. For the white belts, they just wanted to see how far we could go with it. I won't say we didn't have errors, but we DID complete it. When we did mess up, we stopped, redid that section and moved on. So, at the end of class, my friend and I got our black stripe on our belt showing that we were successful with our halfway testing. I almost started crying! I was just really happy. Honestly, we kept touching the stripe. It means so much to us! After the class was done, one of the instructors pulled us aside. She let us know that the plan was that my friend and I were supposed to promote to yellow belt that night, however, Century has a small delay in shipping. Monday or Wednesday, we will promote. We are in complete shock over this! I went to shake her hand, but she pulled me into a hug instead and then hugged my friend. I just can’t believe it. She said that she spoke with our Sensei and the owner of the school, and they agree with her choice to do this! She said that we have made a huge improvement in both confidence and in the effort we are putting into practicing. Our demonstration and understanding is high. We usually get to class an hour early to watch the kids class ahead of us. My friend decided to drop me off at home after class and I was crying in the car. Happiness I assure you. As a larger woman, I have been so afraid of failure, however, I have found something within me that is helping me to succeed. Our dojo is my 2nd home. I feel safe there. I feel comfortable there. There is no judgement. So, all I can say is THANK YOU for supporting me. I hope to continue on this path. Celeste

Thanks you guys I'll update you for sure! Celeste

Thank you! I appreciate it I think you're right. Confidence is going to be a huge part in this (as well as managing those butterflies) but that's part of why I started. I need to stop doubting myself. Celeste

Kodiak, thank you so much for the advice. I truly appreciate it. I am looking forward to this, and I am training as much as I can. I know I am weakest with the beginning nunchaku forms because I haven't had a pair of my own to practice with. THAT got resolved today actually! So now, I can work with that as well. I will definitely talk with my Sensei and see what he has noticed as my weak points. I am also practicing with my friend who brought me there to begin with. Thanks again! I'll definitely let you guys know how it goes! Celeste

When my friend and I first joined our dojo, our 2nd class happened to fall on a belt testing day. Of course, we partipated to the best of our ability (and survived) but, of course, we couldn't promote. In two weeks, we will be having our promotion test. Given that this will be our first official testing, I am a touch nervous yet I am so excited. Right now, I am just focusing on training as much as possible. I know some may not see it as a big deal because we're just testing out of white belt status, but to me it is. Any advice for a white belt? lol Thanks guys. You're awesome!

I'm working on Nunchaku. I just signed up for an additional 6 months with my school, so we will always start learning the bo staff. Celeste

Barry, hello and welcome!!! Celeste

Tay, hello and welcome! Celeste

Thank you for the welcome. I am really enjoying reading everything here so far! Celeste

Thank you, Patrick! Celeste

It says like flash seems to be a common thing across the board. I have went to one of their tournaments, however, I am also attending their classes. Honestly, the classes are more in depth and more focus to detail. More focus on correct movements, body tension, etc. lol trust me, being new, I have been corrected. It seems like a decent place to start. I have checked out another place, but it didn't fit me well at all. Celeste

Thanks! Celeste

lol yay to not being able to PM until you have 25 posts. For class, I'll have to get the chrome ones only because those are the only ones we were allowed to use there. Something about that's what their insurance covers. Which is no huge deal because I am getting comfortable. But I will look for a heavier pair for outside class, and practice, as you have recommended. I am going through Warhorse in the Valley. I tried a free class at another place, but felt really "off" when there. I actually really enjoy my sensei and the others in the class. Celeste

We have started to use them in our class I am loving it. I am even enjoying the bruises (you live, you learn, right? lol). What we are using in class is the Chrome Stripe Taped Competition Nunchaku corded. http://www.centurymartialarts.com/Martial_Arts_Weapons/Nunchaku/Chrome_Stripe_Taped_Competition_Nunchaku.aspx Right now, I don't have the money quite yet get that type, however, I would like to get a good set to pair to use at home? They have some at class we can borrow while there, but I'd love to work on this outside of class. I have used the foam ones and honestly, I find it a little harder to practice with lol Any recommendations? Thanks!

Thanks guys! I appreciate it! Celeste

thanks, shame its pink though, not crimson lol that would be cool. The lotus has always been a symbol of peace and survival for me. I don't know where the crimson came from. I have always taken it to be like a life force. But lotuses of all types are beautiful

JusticeZero, thank you for the welcome lol well, I'll consider you all a lot wiser than I am right now, but I will definitely jump in thanks again!

Depending where you are in Idaho, I may be close LOL I'm in Spokane, Wa. Celeste

Thank you for the welcome, DWx. I love your lotus image Celeste

MasterPain, thank you for the welcome. I appreciate it. Good to hear you're feeling better about yourself. Are you doing any counseling as well? I actually have done counseling in the past and "graduated" from it. I think I just needed to find something that helped me learn to trust myself again and to bring some peace/protection into my life. So far, this has definitely been doing it for me. Celeste

I don't think age matters. I am 26 and I just started about a month ago. I LOVE IT!! There are some people there who started in their 30s and 40s and are black belts now. Age doesn't seem to matter. Go for it!

Hello everyone! I am new to this forum and new to martial arts. About a month and a half ago, a friend talked me into going to a free class. When we got there, I was extremely nervous. I am not a large large woman, but I am not skinny either. Also, I am a multiple time sexual assault survivor. We found the atmosphere to be more than welcoming and I felt so good after the class, so we both signed up. The class I am going to is listed as a MMA class. We have some karate going, some kick boxing, some jiu jitsu, and weapons training. It's been a blessing in my life already. I am feeling 100% better about myself and I am just here to learn more from others who have been doing this a lot longer than I have I look forward to talking to everyone! Celeste Crimson_Lotus