Taking on a New Challenge

Ever thought about taking on a new challenge but… never quite got around to it!!

Maybe you’ve thought about having golf lessons or perhaps learning a new language or maybe, as in my case, taking up the noble art of Karate.

I bet you have the same fears that I had when I thought about joining Ormskirk Karate Club.

To begin with, you might think “will I be able to do this?” “Do I have the skill, the fitness or the commitment to see it through?”

Well at Ormskirk Karate club there’s no need to worry, they take everything at your speed. Highly qualified and knowledgeable instructors take you slowly through the basics for the first three months, concentrating on simple techniques such as stance and movement to make sure those basics are spot on from the start. After that it’s up to you, the more you put in… the more you get out.

You might also wonder “will I fit in?” “Will I get on with everyone?”

Most people are apprehensive about joining a club where everyone knows each other. If my experience and the experience of other beginners who started with me is anything to go by, however, you soon feel part of the group. Not only were all the members I met during the first few weeks friendly and welcoming, but the more senior members introduced themselves and offered help and advice if it was needed. After only a couple of training sessions, I felt part of the club, training twice a week with a terrific bunch of people where there’s lots of support and friendly banter.

Lastly, you might wonder whether you’ll enjoy the new challenge and whether it will live up to your expectations.

Well, after three months learning the basics I took my first grading and was delighted to be awarded my first coloured belt – Orange! The sense of achievement from having absolutely no Karate experience at all to successfully grading after such a short space of time is incredible. Better still it’s given me the confidence to continue developing the skills I’ve learned up to now and start working towards the next grading when hopefully, I will be able to progress to a red belt.

So don’t let those fears stop you from having a go. I can promise you the feeling of getting your first belt and at the same time getting fitter is far better than the feelings of regret when you let a great opportunity pass you by.

- Des; 9th Kyu