TKD class is kinda like xmas... the night before xmas, all kids are so excited and looking forward to it that they cant sleep and they have butterflies in their stomachs...

TKD is several times a week xmas that we give ourselves because we love it so much.

Dereck,

Kinda like when you're going into a sparring match with one of the guys in your club that you know has totally figured out your fighting style and can OWN you... you get the excitment about the potential for pain, but also the potential that you've grown as a fighter and my come out on top this time... fear of the unknown potentials?

Yes ... like that. Nervous ... a little scared but once you've done it you are glad you did.

- It makes your hard pump harder wich is produced by adrenaline and adrenaline gives you good reflexes

Or...your in love with your instructor hehe.. but I don't think you ment that
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Well now.....come to think of it.....there were sometimes nice ladies in class and that just added to the butterflies in an extra nice way but still similar to what this topic is about - so - for me, the pre-class butterflies was not for fear but anticipation and excitement of the activities ahead.

In all honesty, I haven't got butterflies, or anything like it, for about a year now - even at tests.
While they may be a type of pent-up energy, I think it's also a matter of self-confidence, which I am in abundance with.
Where I study, most of the students worry too much -- they get too nervous.

You must simply be mentally prepared to give your best, and not be embarrassed – everything is about your outlook and how you want things to be. Attitude really is everything.

All in all, butterflies aren’t a bad thing, but I think you just need to chill out and have the right mindset.

Hello Heretik:

At SOME point during classes, at lots of points in your training you should be nervous, sometimes more than others. Coping with that is e-x-a-c-t-l-y what the training is all about!!!

Consider you are among friends, in a perhaps a more intense atmosphere (compaired to your normal day) but none are truly attempting you serious harm. How many people in the ~outside world~ could you hit, work with in this fashion and STILL be friends, deeper friends perhaps than before?!

Nervous is good, and very normal.... it means something is happening... your body is turning up your defenses, preparing for it.... whether you are actively, knowingly ~throwing the switch~ or not (And hey, its a GOOD thing to have your heart pounding, adrenaline flowing when the lion is in the cave, right <wg>?).

Do you feel it should be differently??? What do you attribute to the sensation, these ~every class~ feelings???

J

Personally, I think I just get it because I don't know what to expect. Its not that I'm not confident in my abilities(even during tests, I make sure I'm prepared and know everything I should), its just the waiting before the class starts. Once it does, I'm fine, I don't really get embarrassed even if I mess something up. I kind of like it, though. At the end of class I'm glad I went, so I guess its a good thing.

Wow great topic, awesome input...in fact on weds.night I was on my way to class thinking about this same thing. Lots of you hit it on the head for me. I do care about this, it's really important to me.. I started training when I was 39 without any type of sports background, and sometimes I still feel that "What are you doing out here on the mat with people years younger than you, THEY'RE GOING TO KILL YOU" feeling. But the butterflies leave when I realize I can hold my own
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