I've been going to my dojang for 8 months now (green belt) and I still get butterflies in my stomach before class starts. Its not that I fear anything or that I'm not confident, but I don't know what it is. Some of my friends tell me they get it too. Anyone else get this? Why do you think it happens?

I've been doing martial arts for 16 years and I still get butterflies in my stomach before some classes (especially gradings). It's a sign that you really care about what you're doing and that you'll take it seriously. Don't worry about it.

Yup. Sometimes I want to stay home because I fear what will happen but am always glad I go to find out I survived. Butterflies before testing all of the time.

Not exactly sure if my butterflies are the same as yours but I get nervous because I'm an asthmatic and my school trains athletes for competition so we do constant drills that require constant movement. Even though I gotten through many practices for many years, if I were to take say 2 weeks off from practice, I'd probably start hyperventalating during class breaks which would lead to minor or major asthma attacks. And when your trying to keep up with elite athletes it gets embarressing to stop and pull out the spray inhalent. Then again it is all in my mind.

"Do or do not...there is no try"

Ditto, I get them too and after going to class I was happy the butterflies didnt' win and i stayed home..:)

Only when we spar, or the higher ranks come in abundance.They constantly dog you down, i love it! Butterflies are nothing more than energy all balled up, just use it to your advantage and explod in training!

I sometimes have butterflies in my stomach when I do sparring with certain girls

This probably means that you have a very tough instructor who likes to put you through your paces. I remember training when I was younger and my instructor was tough and the training was too. So yes, I remember getting nervous. I don't get nervous much anymore though. I think sparring, randori, etc. probably can create this type of feeling too, nothing to worry about!

You bet ya . And I think that is a good thing.

Getting butterflies means that you are going to give it all you have.
I found that the combination of pre-class butterflies and enough time to do some deep breathing exercises before class, pumped me up so much that, sometimes I even amazed myself. I would wonder - Why do I have so much energy and most of the rest of the class is dragging.
I think being ready is what it was.

Stay inthusiastic about the arts and you will have a great time.