Considerations for starting

It’s true that lots of people try martial arts and then stop quickly, often because they felt unsure of themselves. If you are thinking about starting, it really helps to think a little bit about what you hope to get out of it, and how you feel about committing to something new.

Thinking About Commitment

Being committed doesn’t mean being superhuman! It just means having the quiet determination to keep coming back, even when things get a little challenging. You might experience some muscle aches as your body learns new movements, and sometimes life gets busy with family, friends, or work, making it hard to fit in practice. You might also find that learning takes time, and you’ll spend a lot of time reviewing basics—that’s completely normal and how everyone gets better!

Managing Expectations

It’s easy to hope for very fast progress or for things to feel exciting all the time. While the mental boost and positive transformation from training can be wonderful, it usually happens gradually, not overnight. Try to be patient with yourself!

Sometimes, students stop simply because they feel overwhelmed by life and adding one more thing feels impossible. Ironically, training is incredibly helpful for exactly that feeling! Learning how to prioritize your well-being and find balance is often one of the biggest, most valuable lessons you’ll gain from being on the mat. And trust us: No one who has stuck with it has ever regretted the time they spent.

It's common to overestimate how easy the start will be. The first excitement naturally fades, and that's when the real work—and the real personal growth—begins. You might find you have to politely say "no" to other small commitments sometimes to protect your class time and build a new, healthy routine. That's okay! We understand you won't be an expert right away; we are here to support you every step of the way, even through moments of boredom or repetition.

Every teacher and experienced student sincerely wishes that more newcomers would simply give themselves a little more time instead of feeling discouraged and saying, “Maybe this is too hard.” Truly valuable things in life take effort at the start. Stick with it, and you'll soon find that not only does it get easier, but the positive effects will gently reach into almost every area of your daily life.