Is it bad to do martial arts when your really shy?

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pamela

New member
I'm 15 and a girl I'm tall (people always think I'm an adult) and extremely shy. I just recently started a martial arts class because I've always wanted to. But because I never talk to anyone the other students look at me like I'm a weirdo. And ignore me and pretend I'm not there. I suck at it too, I can't punch, kick or block hard. I have bad balance and almost fall over. I'm like, a shy clown. We played red rover and I ran and tried to go through people then realized I should go around them then got tagged, then I looked and there was this guy looking at me as if to say 'what. the hell. is this girl doing?'
I never fit in anywhere. Does it get better? Or should I just quit? I always stuff things up then look like a moron. Advice? Did you make a fool of yourself when you first started? Thanks. Sorry for being boring and stuff.
 
Just keep going and spend some time practicing in your spare time and you will improve quickly. As for the way they look at you - a lot of that is probably more down to how you feel than how they really see you. Try to relax a little, most people will be focused on their own technique rather than watching you.

If you want to start talking to people then I'm sorry but you may have to make the first move. Not everyone who is shy lets them stop them from making friends or talking to new people. The more confident you act the more confident you will end up being. Best of luck
 
try talking to them let them understand your situation open up and no its not bad that you are shy trust me
and at least people think your an adult i am 21 and people think i am 16 or even 14 it sucks lol
 
No I think it's a wonderful idea! Not only will it give you a reason to interact with new people and make new friends, which will help you in your life outside of the class room but I have no doubt it will boost your confidence. Go for it!
 
Martial arts is about self-defense not about trying to look tough, so don't worry about it. I had similar physical problems when I started, but it will build your confidence and your coordination.

Don't be so hard on yourself, ok? You're not boring and you're not a screw-up.
 
Heyya, OMG I was reading this and I was like, that's just like me. I'm 14, a girl and I've been mistaken for 17. I started Karate about a year ago, I wasn't so great either, this other guy my age started a few belts after me and he was already better, I fel t like quitting 'cause I was that rubbish but I didn't, Instead one of my really good friends joined and we go together and now and it's so much fun.
so don't worry it will get better, just practise beforehand and try to find someone to go with you, the shyness will eventually have to go, trust me it did for me. Once you get everything wrong and your made to do infront of the entire class on your own again or your made to go to competitions and stuff you'll finally realise how much you love it and you'll finnd your asking yourself: why was I shy in the first place??
so my advice to you is to try and get someone to join with you, it makes all the difference, and good luck, in a few years you'll be a black belt and you'll look back on this thinking I'm so glad I started, can't wait till I do (: xx GOOD LUCK!!
 
Do you want to quit??

Why did you join a martial arts class? Because you want to "live"!
I know you dont want to be introverted your whole life... I have a feeling you joined a martial arts class particularity because it forces you to be physically interactive with others, it's a contact sport.
You could have chosen another class, that would involve less interaction with others but you consciously or subconsciously chose something, that would essentially eliminate your shyness.
If you quit now you may be taking away something from yourself that you really wanted all along!

Among other positive benefits Martial arts teaches confidence! That is the most important quality you need to cure shyness. When you make a mistake, (which everyone does) instead of feeling insecure or embarrassed, move on, laugh it off, etc. Don't put so much emphasis on it.
I have definitely made a fool of myself many, many times. And surprisingly no one else even remembered the incidents, except me.
I really think you would like the film "The secret"! I'm sure you will benefit from it as much as I did.

But do not give up!
You must overcome your shyness to be able to do the things you want in life and to be happy!
 
Well, first of all I think its quite normal to feel like that. A lot of people go through something like this so don't ever feel like you're the only one. When I first started my classes I would feel a bit like the weak link& sometimes I would do something to make a fool out of myself. But I just told myself that everyone goes through that at one time or another. Just be yourself & don't give up:)
 
Hey there,

look, i live in Egypt, and played taekwondo for a few years. And that didn't benefit me much.
i say a woman's place is in a man's arms, and therefore she will always be protected- through
thick and thin. I rather recommend a more "healthy" alternative. I mean sure it's cool to be able
to do some good moves, but what's the point? You dig?

I mean why do you wanna learn to fight! If you want to really fight, swallow your fear and realize
that your true enemy is your insecurity from other people. Please don't dismiss me or hate me for
saying that, but i was a shy boy! i was a boy who got his ass kicked in taekwondo, by a 16 year old behemoth when i was but a wee 13 year old lad. This guy had big feet and his kicks had the
the incredible momentum. I cried in the middle of those fights.

but i wanna tap you on the back, and ask you to be blind of what everyone else thinks, because
it isn't the truth. The truth, my dear internet friend, is that we all have incredible personality and are endowed with a real sharp image, that can pierce whatever harm tries to come our way.

Think of it as divine grace, that you have embedded in your blood, and fall back on it.

Let go of any fear, and heed my advice, and i assure you that the world will be brighter for you,
that you will grow confident, and be stronger.

I advise you start some cardio exercises, and stretching. They get you to think best and really
have a healthy body-ergo healthy mind- ergo healthy LIFE.

wish you the blessings of peace and it's eternal confidence as in peace, you never worry again.

Now if you didn't like what i said the first time, carefully read this again, and thank me by smiling at those who call you a weirdo. and do it with heart, as i am telling you to do so now.

As sure as the ground is hard, as sure as i know you will be strong. BELIEVE THAT AT LEAST!

I pray for your confidence, as you stand, or sit, on solid ground.
 
I feel really sorry for you, because you remind me so much of myself, the only difference: I am 40 and I have overcome most of what you are now going through.
The first thing you should do is to try and get more involved with the other students: they will not bite you. Gather up all your courage and talk to them. Before you know it, they will be your friends.
The second thing you should do is to accept that you have certain problems. I promise you it will get better with time. You must just work harder, especially at home, to improve.
Don't quit. You need to work at this to improve your self-confidence. If you quit, you will feel ever worse about yourself. Do it for yourself, not for anyone else.
By the way, I've been training for almost three years and I am still continuously making a fool of myself. By now everyone in class knows I am the "class idiot" and we all just laugh about it and everyone helps me.
Good luck. Please feel free to e-mail me if you want to talk about it.
 
You might not be able to kick and punch now, but that's why you are taking a martial arts class. So you can learn. Don't quit, and don't worry about what other people think of you. You aren't there for them, you are there to better yourself and your skills. Do not quit, just keep training yourself.
 
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