Frustration as a Beginning Student

Soon after beginning to study Goju Ryu karate, it's typical for new students to become frustrated trying to learn a new technique. Maybe it's a hand movement they can't get down pat, or a particular stance causes difficulty. Or, maybe they can do the stance and the hand technique, but when they combine them, everything falls apart. And, to make matters worse, often another brand new student appears to have no difficulty whatsoever with the same technique.

This experience is normal -- absolutely everyone goes through it. Perhaps it occurs on the first day, or after a week or so. Once in awhile, it may take several weeks for a seemingly gifted new student to have difficulty learning a new technique. No matter, it happens to all new students, and frequently, too. The question becomes, how do new students deal with this feeling?

In response to this frustration, many new students leave the dojo. It's too difficult; it's not for me; it doesn't make sense; I don't like it. No matter the rationalization, the result is the same -- obstacle resolved by quitting. but, I don't view this as a beneficial resolution.

When faced with frustration learning a technique, students should persist. Try breaking the technique down into small parts. Spend a little extra time before or after class working on it. Ask a more experienced student for help. Research the technique, by watching others or by searching the Internet.

There is no time limit on how long it should take a student to learn any technique. There is, however, an absolute necessity to continue training -- otherwise, you learn nothing. And, there's no benefit to that!