HELP me please!!!

[cnada]

I'm currently taking private lessons because, due to my schedule at ODU, I had to drop going to Hampton for classes. Well, I had a private lesson on Sept. 7th. My instructor mentioned I was about ready to test but he wants me to test in front of a large group of people, and I'm somewhat freaked about that now.

I have no problem with testing in front of a SMALL group, but thinking about a HUGE group kinda makes my stomach hurt.

Any suggestions on how to deal?

[bushido_man96]

You will just have to gut it out. This is what a testing is supposed to do; put you under pressure to see how you perform. Remember to breathe and relax. Everything will be fine. Good luck to you.

[KarateEd]

You will just have to gut it out.

This is what you'll have to do.

However, I do have some questions to ask. This large group that you mentioned, is it mostly parents or mostly other MA students? What are you nervous about, simply being in front of a large group of people, making mistakes, both, or something else?

Ed

[The BB of C]

I'm currently taking private lessons because, due to my schedule at ODU, I had to drop going to Hampton for classes. Well, I had a private lesson on Sept. 7th. My instructor mentioned I was about ready to test but he wants me to test in front of a large group of people, and I'm somewhat freaked about that now.

I have no problem with testing in front of a SMALL group, but thinking about a HUGE group kinda makes my stomach hurt.

Any suggestions on how to deal?

I suggest making like Nike and just do it

Seriously though, in my experience, going in with a "just do it and do your best" attitude despite the situation has served me and people I know well. Try it.

[karatekid1975]

I agree with the posters above. Just do it. I went through 8 tests in TKD, and 4 in TSD. I STILL get nervous. So don't sweat it. It's normal to be nervous.

[NightOwl]

I found that if you can make the first minute without loosing it, your sense of fear goes away pretty quick. You just have to make it over that first hurdle...

[wingedMonkey]

Just concentrate on everything you have learned and how you know your stuff, and kinda put everyone else out of the picture.

[YoungMan]

And this why I've never given private lessons or private tests-you need to be able to overcome this nervous feeling of being in front of people. As Tae Kwon Do goes, so goes life. In self defense, you will be much more nervous and need to be able to deal with it.

Practice so that the techniques are automatic, and then when your name is called, breathe deeply in and out to stimulate relaxation.

[lordtariel]

The first one is kinda tough, but after that you just get used to it. Just try not to think about it. It's good practice for getting ready for tournaments and stuff.

[taurus12]

First be prepared and know your material. Then when you begin pick a spot on the wall you are facing and just concentrate on that. Do not worry about anyone looking at you. If you make a mistake just continue with the next move. Once you get started you won't think about you is watching you.

Good luck!