8 down/96 to go

This week is a pretty exciting week. I got to attend an advanced class this week and I will be testing for my gold belt on Friday (that's tomorrow!).

The advanced class was pretty interesting. First, the atmosphere at the studio later in the evening is completely different. It's very busy, lots of kids and adults, noisy and there are a ton more shoes sitting in the entryway! This will be my class until I test for Red belt. It's a little longer, so there's more time to warm up and the intensity seems a little bit harder. I'm excited to see what it's like over the coming weeks.

There's such a range of skills and talents in this class that it's quite humbling. I'm feeling pretty confident in my skills and my ability to pick up new moves. I hope that it's just confidence, not cockiness. Being in this advanced class, though, reminded me that I have a lot to learn yet and that there are some pretty amazing athletes out there.

I also came to the realization that there is really no way that I'll realistically reach Red belt in a year. At least not at the rate I'm going to class so far. There is so much to learn and much more experienced folks then me are taking a long time to move from 1 belt to the next. SO, I am hereby changing the blog name to "104 Weeks to Red". Two years seems far more realistic, plus I want to get some serious value for the money I invested ;).

7 down/45 to go

Classes continue to go well, still excited for graduation day on the 14th. Need to spend some more time practicing at home and work on timing and balance. I am feeling pretty confident and getting positive comments from Master Olson, but don't want to get overly confident or cocky & then really mess up ;) !

I've started noticing a 3-level approach to moves we're learning in class. First, I look only internally, concentrating solely on getting the moves down and getting them right. Once I've grasped that, then I can look at myself in the mirror and see if the moves look right. I have to be careful on this step, because I tend to want to compare myself to others in the class and see how they're doing. This can be good if it inspires me to do better, but mostly it's distracting and there's no guarantee the person next to me is doing it right either. The third and final stage is to do the moves while imagining defending yourself from an attacker. This is a little tough since there's no one there, at least not until I start sparring. Each stage provides a slightly different perspective and gets me thinking about my movement in a little different way. I'm usually able to do all three stages in one session, but I imagine as the moves get more complex, it will take more classes to get it right. I hope this varying approach helps make me a more well-rounded and better athlete.

6 down/46 to go

This week was another week at white belt level, but at least there were two other adults in my class on Tuesday. I stayed a few minutes after class with Master Olson to discuss my next steps. I could have tested for gold belt that night, but decided that with only 2 weeks to go, I would just wait until the formal graduation night. I'm curious to see what the whole experience is like and to see how I do under pressure, performing in front of a larger group and with the head of the school observing. I've performed like this before for dance classes, but that was many, many years ago. Master Olson also paid me a nice compliment, saying that there are some advanced belts testing as well, who are very good and that I'm very good at my level and overall we would help make the school look good. Nice to hear and good timing. I was getting a little frustrated, even a little bored attending classes with 6 and 7 year old kids and repeating many of the lessons we had learned earlier. I keep trying to remember, repetition is good and starting at the lowest level is humbling and maybe a positive thing for me right now.

5 down/47 to go

Back to writing again after a short hiatus. I've been working hard the last three weeks trying to get to my gold belt, with no luck. After a short trip out of town, I raced back to get to class the week of the Sept. graduation. Unfortunately, graduation was canceled for that month--too few potential graduates & a need for Master Olson to be at another studio the same night. He offered to let myself and the one other adult white belt test the next week in class. More practicing, more anticipation for class on Wednesday... where he decided we weren't quite ready to test yet. Back to class this week with another promise of gold. Only this week, he forgot altogether. Frustration is starting to set in. Now I imagine we'll just wait until the formal testing in October.

I was eager to move on to the next level and especially to start attending classes with adults only. There's nothing like going to class with 5 to 7 year olds to make you feel like you're really starting at the bottom. I guess karate is truly a metaphor for my life in general these days. I often feel like I'm starting over, in my career and even in my emotional life. Even while heading in the right direction, there's bound to be disappointments and setbacks right? Maybe it's about time I learned some patience and persistence? A few more weeks to practice and I should be in fine form, plus I'll still get the opportunity to experience my first 'real' test, with all the associated pressures & tension. Patience and persistence....

2 down/50 to go

I've made it through two weeks of classes now. I still love every class & think this was a great choice for me.

In one of the earlier classes and again today, John mentioned the importance of practicing; standing in front of the mirror and reviewing the moves we learn in class. My initial instinct, the one I've lived by for most of my life, was to blow it off. "Hey, I'm pretty good at this without practicing, I really don't need to waste my time in front of the mirror working on this stuff."

This was my general attitude through nearly 15 years of dance instruction and really, throughout most of my life in general. I've managed to get by at an average level, just coasting along, without really trying or making a sincere effort. And it works. I have lived a pretty successful life with this attitude. For many years, however, I have felt that I have something much greater to offer this world and that my time is coming.

When I heard myself make that statement, I realized how lazy my attitude really was. Is this the best that I want for myself, for my kids? "Okay girls, if you give 50% to any activity, that should be good enough. Giving it your all really isn't necessary...."

Hell no! That's not nearly good enough!! I want to give this attempt at karate my full, dedicated spirit. I may be good at this now, but imagine what I can do when I actually work at it, practice, give it a full 100%?

Okay, so I don't practice in front of the mirror per se (no room to move) but I HAVE been practicing. I don't have much time, so I work on it while I'm outside playing with my kids, sometimes with the 4 month old in my arms. I can still work on the stances & the footwork. I have even done practice runs while the 2 year old finishes her bath.

Not only does this mean that I'm adding more activity throughout my day (must be good for my body), but it also means my attitude towards life has shifted a little (must be good for my spirit). I no longer want to just coast through my life. I want to stand up, work hard, practice, and really give my heart to the next project(s) that comes my way. I may not always be successful, it may not always be 100%, but striving for that higher bar is good for me.

More of 1 down/51 to go

Attended class again today. So far on Tuesdays I'm the only student in my class and get a private lesson. I so love going to these classes, I leave totally energized, and have more energy for the remainder of the evening. After a class, I feel strong and confident and I swear that I stand a little taller.

Today we worked on some basic self-defense moves. Even a few simple moves and some info on what to watch for when in a parking lot make me feel a little safer. Since I've never run into any problems, I don't normally worry about personal attacks like this, but it is so good to be aware and prepared at all times. I'm learning to defend myself and I love that kind of confidence!

One of the big things that John talks about for self-defense is being aware and watching what is going on around you right now. To a certain extent, this is the premise of mindfulness, another concept I've been trying to learn lately. I am someone who can take in lots of different information at one time, but this also means that I tend not to focus 100% on what is going on at this moment. I notice this in class as well. People are coming and going, the phone is ringing, kids are running around. I'm trying to observe all of it at once when I really need to focus on the teacher only. Maybe practicing this in class will help me to build focus and mindfulness in other parts of my life as well?

1 down/51 to go

I finally did it! I started a karate program this week and am so excited to be moving and exercising again. I'm making a rather ambitious goal to earn my red belt within the next 52 weeks. My two primary goals in starting this program are to:

(1) Improve fitness - lose 5-10 pounds & increase muscle tone, and
(2) Improve & build my self-confidence

In full disclosure, I do have a slight head start as I already earned my white belt last summer. In addition, I took kickboxing classes for about 7 years and have some of the basic punches and kicks already down.

Actually, there's now a 3rd goal (thanks to Chrissy for the inspiration). To blog about my experience and force myself to write regularly and in a public forum.

Here's a short history of how I came to take on this project. A new karate place opened up last summer, very close to home, and I signed up for a 1-month trial run. I loved the structure and intensity of the classes and really clicked with the couple who run the place: John, the 5th degree black belt instructor & his wife Lisa who manages the place. In the course of that month, I earned my white belt and started training for a gold. Shortly after my trial wrapped up, I became pregnant and decided to wait before starting a full-scale program. Now that my 2nd daughter has arrived & is 4 months old, it seemed time to try again.

There was a fair amount of hesitation on my part, especially since I typically have a very hard time making decisions. It's a big financial commitment that requires a fair amount of time and personal determination. Would I be up for it and could I stick it out? Was this the best investment of my money? Now that I've made the decision and taken action, I'm feeling pretty good about my choice. This karate studio is a wonderful community and I feel great during and after class--both physically and mentally. I'm also inspired and believe that making this decision will lead to many other positive changes in my life for this year.

I will be writing weekly about my experiences and will post the status of my progress, not only through the various belts, but also on the status of my personal goals. Here's to a successful and rewarding year!!