Confidence

[KenpoTess]

When did you really feel confident enough to call yourself a martial artist?

[michaeledward]

I have just recently received my 3rd Brown Belt. At my school, the material to reach this level includes: 93 self defense techniques, 13 forms and sets, and some mindless physical requirements. It has taken me a bit more than 30 months to learn this much material. We often work our material on other students, but all contact is supposed to be controlled. We are not required to participate in contact sparring through this level of training (I am uncertain if it will be required at any other level of training or not).

Just recently, I have I begun to wonder if I would be able to apply these things that I have learned. I am thinking about getting the sparring gear and testing myself in that manner.

I hope I never have to test myself any further than on the matt at the studio. But, in answer to your question, I am beginning to think that I have some Martial Skills. In time, I might be able to consider myself a Martial Artist.

Peace - Mike

[KenpoTess]

Congrats on your rank :)

I think my confidence grew slowly but surely and for certain hit it's peek when I competed in Boston last month at the IKC.. I had such issues with my own ability and would 'flake out' preforming in front of my peers and instructor.. it was pretty bad .. yet when I got to Boston and my name called. I knew I had to prove it to myself and that was the final straw.. I wiped my sweaty hands on my gi bottoms and strode up with my salute and head held high.. and did my utmost. .. I came home a winner in my own mind and my confidence is just flourishing.. I only had to prove it to me.. and I did :)

I was promoted to black that same week and knowing now that I'm just starting to comprehend all I've been taught and now the real training begins :)

As far as confrontations, I think I would do just fine , we spar 2x weekly and I love it ..


:asian:

Tess

[Nightingale]

not til after I got my green belt and became an assistant instructor. The transition from student to teacher did it, I think.

[LadyDragon]

I would have to say it was some time after I received my brown belt. The test was the most intense thing I had been through up unitl that point in my training, and even though I had been getting ready for weeks prior, I didn't feel complete ready until I had to go in there and give it my all.

I have since then progessed and received my black belt going through double what I went through for brown, but no matter what I humble myself by saying that I am still just a student. And I know I'll be studying for the rest of my life.

[Ceicei]

Originally posted by KenpoTess
When did you really feel confident enough to call yourself a martial artist?

I feel confident in myself as a person and the fact I am training, but to truly say I'm a full-fledged "martial artist" (when people hear that, they always invariably think = black belt), I've got a llllloooonnnnnnggggg way to go... with mental and physical preparation. Hopefully, I will reach that point, and it may happen sometime before being a black belt or as later as when I'm 3rd dan...

- Ceicei

[Chronuss]

...I've got....a long way to go before I can get confidence.

[MartialArtsChic]

For me it started when I was a purple belt. That's when the light bulb came on and things really started to click for me. It's been a steady growth since then.

[BlondeTiger]

When did you really feel confident enough to call yourself a martial artist?
I dont't really think of myself as a martial artist. I have no rank in Hung Gar, and I've been doing it for over 6 years now. While I feel that belts are an acknowlegement of dedication and hard work, I don't belive that belts are an accurate indication of martial skill or martial ability Where I train, there is no rank, no formality, no ceremony. No titles. There is very little art in what we do.

Could I defend myself? Yeah. That confidence grew over time from countless free flow drills and lots of hands on practice. I'm pretty happy right now with where I am at, but I realize that I am by no means an expert or qualified to teach others.

[elcajon555]

When I first started training someone mentioned the fact that I was a martial artist and I responed with not yet. When I reached my black belt I started viewing myself as a martial artist. Once you have that black belt the training can truly begin, before the black belt you were just learning about the tools that will help you. I love being a student of the martial arts and I love also teaching it.