Very Nervous

[Korpy]

Ok well I'm getting real close to be getting tested in Augest.

Well I just found out that the Grandmaster of the school is coming to the testing, and is gonna try to meet with students before they test.

I have to tell you, I'm very nervous.

If the information I heard is correct, he is a 9th degree in HKD and TKD, and holds a high rank in Kumdo.

Now I'm not too nervous with my Master, cause I talk to him, and see him and work with him when I go to class, but I've never met the Grandmaster.

Also even though I'm not nervous when learning new things with my Master, I think I might be nervous when I test for my yellow belt.

What should I do?

[Thomas]

Being nervous is natural... and when meeting the instructor of your instructors (whom I presume you hold a high respect for), it can be difficult because you want to show how much your instructors are teaching you. Here's my advice:
(1) Be polite and listen to everything.
(2) Work hard... be intense and use good technqiue/kihap/etc
(3) Be yourself
(4) Enjoy the experience

[Korpy]

Being nervous is natural... and when meeting the instructor of your instructors (whom I presume you hold a high respect for), it can be difficult because you want to show how much your instructors are teaching you. Here's my advice:
(1) Be polite and listen to everything.
(2) Work hard... be intense and use good technqiue/kihap/etc
(3) Be yourself
(4) Enjoy the experience

Yes, I hold respect for my instructors, definatly my Master, and I old high respect for the Grandmaster, because he dedicated his life to martial arts.

That's good advice, but I don't know if I could do all that if I feel like butterflies with horns are ramming into my stomach.

But it's good and I'll try that.

[slipthejab]

What should I do?

What can you do?

Do what all respectable nervous people do everywhere...

Imagine the person making you nervous buck naked.

If you imagine this geezer strolling around the Hapkido class as buck as a newborn baby... then it will most definitely take the edge off.

This is where all your martial discipline comes into it's own though Korpy...

You have to keep a stone face... the somber face of the ancients... no matter how funny it may be to see your Grand Master doing Hapkido with nary a thread upon his body... you need to stay cool and not act like anything is different...

If you do act even just slightly different... and your Grand Master will pick up on this (he's not a Grand Master for nothin' ya know)...

THEN HE'LL KNOW YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT HIM NAKED!!!

and then you'll really be in a fix...

So keep a cool head Korpy. you know what's up... were countin' on ya.

[Korpy]

What can you do?

Do what all respectable nervous people do everywhere...

imagine the person making you nervous buck naked.

If you imagine this geezer strolling around the Hapkido class as buck as a newborn baby... then it will most definitely take the edge off.

This is where all your martial discipline comes into it's own though Korpy... you have to keep a stone face... the face of the ancients... no matter how funny it may be to see your Grand Master doing Hapkido with nary a thread upon his body... you need to stay cool and not act like anything is different...

If you do act slightly different... and your Grand Master notices... then he'll know you were thinking about him naked and then you'll really be in a fix...

so keep a cool head Korpy. you know what's up... were countin' on ya.


I find that calling him a geezer and all that is disrespectful. He's in excellent shape, and looks like he's in his early 40's, when he is much older.

I will try to keep a cool head.

[slipthejab]

I find that calling him a geezer and all that is disrespectful. He's in excellent shape, and looks like he's in his early 40's, when he is much older.

I will try to keep a cool head.

Korpy,

chill in some types of English 'geezer' is an affectionate term meaning someone is allright.

and beside it's an internet forum - it's in the abstract to a certain extent... we could call him Chopped Liver or My Girl Friday or Silly Rabbit Trix Are 4 Kids and it makes precious difference.

Remember.. buck naked and stone faced.

[American HKD]

Greetings

Make pretend the GM is naked!

[Korpy]

I just can't do them both. I can be stoned face, but I can't imagine him well naked, I find it disrespectful.

[slipthejab]

I just can't do them both. I can be stoned face, but I can't imagine him well naked, I find it disrespectful.

Not at all Korpy, there is no shame in nakedity... you come into this world in nekkid and you leave it (essentially) nekkid.

Most yer fun in life is had being nekkid... and you will over the course of your life spend an inordinate amount of time trying to get members of the opposite sex or confused young men naked.

So there is no disrespect at all... that's why the technique is so clever... you see.. because he's not actually naked!.. but your thinking of him as such - so therfore he is only figuratively naked. No shame it in figurative nakedity - even the experts agree. It will help to calm you down and go about your business and he saves face because he doesn't actually have to go into buff mode for you to be calm.

A win-win situation!

[CosmicFish]

I think more people should have a signature like mine. ;)

[Ikken Hisatsu]

uh didnt you get tested the other day?

[Korpy]

uh didnt you get tested the other day?

Nope, I wasen't.

I was tested for my green stripe. A stripe is not a belt.

I have to get 4 stripes. I will get my final stripe very soon. And if I can get it, then in Augest I will be tested.

The Grandmaster doesn't come for stripes.

Also with belts, it's a big thing. Other students and I will be tested individually, and it's a big day for students.

[American HKD]

I just can't do them both. I can be stoned face, but I can't imagine him well naked, I find it disrespectful.


Greetings

The point is not the nakeness, the point is he's just a man like you and me.

Validation by someone else can't define you, you deserve respect for being a serious student.

The GM wouldn't be a GM of anyone if not for the students, it's a two way street. Be humble and don't ever forget this.

[Korpy]

Greetings

The point is not the nakeness, the point is he's just a man like you and me.

Validation by someone else can't define you, you deserve respect for being a serious student.

The GM wouldn't be a GM of anyone if not for the students, it's a two way street. Be humble and don't ever forget this.


One of the wisest things said in this thread.

I shall remember that.

[mixmastersenior]

Think of it this way. The GM is not coming to test you, but to share in a celebration of your advancement. With sufficient practice, you should be confident in your skills. All performers feel an emotional rush before going on stage. Don't think of it as being nervous, but rather your mind and body getting ready for an awsome performance. Remember, both your Master and
Grandmaster are wanting you to perform well and enjoy the experience.

[Hapkido Student]

Another thing to remember is that the GM is a person like you and me. He started as a white belt ( or in my dojang a no belt) You have to remember that we all start somewere. He didn't just wake up and become a GM. He himself was a whit belt one day to, he probably has had the same expirience. Put yourself in his position, your not going to harsh on anyone. Plus your not a higher ranked belt and you should realize he's not going to expect you to do EXCELENT and have the best form in class. As said above he's not there to judge you , but to celebrate your accomplishment's. When he look's at you he will probably see an inspiring young student. We all are student's. Even though he is a GrandMaster he still learn's everyday as well. You will learn something ever day for the rest of your life. Just keep foxused and you'll be fine. One VERY important thing to remember and know is.....Once you actually get up there front and center you won'y feel nervous anymore. When I took my first belt test, everyone went up there in pair's of three...Lucky me I was the only one left so I had to break a board with my technique in front of everyone on video for the dojang website. I WAS TERRIFIED while I was sitting down and going up there. but when I got up there something took me over ( adrenaline) and I was very confident and proud of myself It's like instict broke the board for me. Ever since then I've felt better about myself and I am more confident in class. I wish you the best of luck Pray before class..I'll pray for you and You will do good. Don't think about it. OHHHHHH by the way..In this book I have it tell's you how to set your mind for this type of thing. Lay on the floor in a comfortable position,close your eye's, relax and as you inhale picture yourself in front of the GrandMaster doing EXCELLENT just as you want to be done. Then as you exhale think about alllll of your past mistake's leaving your body. Keep telling yourself that you will do better then you think. Just think positive. Make sure you clear your mind before any of this though. Do that and you will not have any problem's...Hope I helped you out. Goodluck.

[Korpy]

Think of it this way. The GM is not coming to test you, but to share in a celebration of your advancement. With sufficient practice, you should be confident in your skills. All performers feel an emotional rush before going on stage. Don't think of it as being nervous, but rather your mind and body getting ready for an awsome performance. Remember, both your Master and
Grandmaster are wanting you to perform well and enjoy the experience.

That's very good too.

I'll definatly remember that.

[Korpy]

Another thing to remember is that the GM is a person like you and me. He started as a white belt ( or in my dojang a no belt) You have to remember that we all start somewere. He didn't just wake up and become a GM. He himself was a whit belt one day to, he probably has had the same expirience. Put yourself in his position, your not going to harsh on anyone. Plus your not a higher ranked belt and you should realize he's not going to expect you to do EXCELENT and have the best form in class. As said above he's not there to judge you , but to celebrate your accomplishment's. When he look's at you he will probably see an inspiring young student. We all are student's. Even though he is a GrandMaster he still learn's everyday as well. You will learn something ever day for the rest of your life. Just keep foxused and you'll be fine. One VERY important thing to remember and know is.....Once you actually get up there front and center you won'y feel nervous anymore. When I took my first belt test, everyone went up there in pair's of three...Lucky me I was the only one left so I had to break a board with my technique in front of everyone on video for the dojang website. I WAS TERRIFIED while I was sitting down and going up there. but when I got up there something took me over ( adrenaline) and I was very confident and proud of myself It's like instict broke the board for me. Ever since then I've felt better about myself and I am more confident in class. I wish you the best of luck Pray before class..I'll pray for you and You will do good. Don't think about it. OHHHHHH by the way..In this book I have it tell's you how to set your mind for this type of thing. Lay on the floor in a comfortable position,close your eye's, relax and as you inhale picture yourself in front of the GrandMaster doing EXCELLENT just as you want to be done. Then as you exhale think about alllll of your past mistake's leaving your body. Keep telling yourself that you will do better then you think. Just think positive. Make sure you clear your mind before any of this though. Do that and you will not have any problem's...Hope I helped you out. Goodluck.


Thank you. That was real good too. I'll just try to calm down, and I'll do my best.

[mixmastersenior]

Now is the time to put the Tanjon breathing exercises into practice

[Korpy]

Now is the time to put the Tanjon breathing exercises into practice

True, true...

[thepunisher]

Ok well I'm getting real close to be getting tested in Augest.
Now I'm not too nervous with my Master, cause I talk to him, and see him and work with him when I go to class, but I've never met the Grandmaster.
Also even though I'm not nervous when learning new things with my Master, I think I might be nervous when I test for my yellow belt.
What should I do?

...when my sensei is around. I've luckily never had to personally deal with the Chief Instructor Frank Perry (who is 3 dans above my sensei !)but even sometimes talking to my sensei or even demoing with him in classes can be nerve racking as I hold an enormous amount of respect for him. I think the best thing is to be polite towards the Grand Master, try to do good when you are getting tested to the best of your abilities but otherwise remember that just like you he has gone through all these ordeals before so he will understand if you make mistakes. Thats my best advice even though I still haven't figured out yet how to get rid of my own nervousness around my sensei except for making jokes and attempting to hold a normal conversation with him.

Christian

[Philosopher59]

You're nervous about the test because you care....it's important to you...etc. That's exactly what the grandmaster would want to see in a student. Just show your enthusiasm...or show your "spirit" as some like to say. You know stand at attention, keep a focused intense expression on your face and when you kiyup be as loud as you possible can.

You can't go wrong....I tested for a belt in front of a couple of grandmasters who were visiting once (from another system they were guests) and I found the nervousness helped me perform better.

You've allready said in this form how much you respect the man, that will be evident to him in you demeanor as well.

Don't be so nervous, everytime you start to think about and get nervous then go practice your form and what ever else is on the test. You'll do great.

[MarcoPolo]

Korpy,

It's obvious by your posts here that you take your training very seriously. I'll tell you what I tell my kids.. never be nervous about a test (i.e. school exam). You've done the work, the test is where you pick up your reward. Same at a testing our a tournament. Tournaments are fun.. it's where you go pick up your reward for all your hard work.

(And although I hold a Dan rank in another style, i'm a new WHITE BELT in Hapkido.. so my respect for leapfrogging ahead of me! ;)

No go get 'em! We're with you! (And please don't picture ME naked!) LOL!

[Korpy]

You're nervous about the test because you care....it's important to you...etc. That's exactly what the grandmaster would want to see in a student. Just show your enthusiasm...or show your "spirit" as some like to say. You know stand at attention, keep a focused intense expression on your face and when you kiyup be as loud as you possible can.

You can't go wrong....I tested for a belt in front of a couple of grandmasters who were visiting once (from another system they were guests) and I found the nervousness helped me perform better.

You've allready said in this form how much you respect the man, that will be evident to him in you demeanor as well.

Don't be so nervous, everytime you start to think about and get nervous then go practice your form and what ever else is on the test. You'll do great.

I do care. I will show my enthusiasm, I'll show him the most respect I can, I'll listen, and pay attention.

I'll try to be a little nervous, but not too much so it freezes me.

I'll try hard.

[Korpy]

Korpy,

It's obvious by your posts here that you take your training very seriously. I'll tell you what I tell my kids.. never be nervous about a test (i.e. school exam). You've done the work, the test is where you pick up your reward. Same at a testing our a tournament. Tournaments are fun.. it's where you go pick up your reward for all your hard work.

(And although I hold a Dan rank in another style, i'm a new WHITE BELT in Hapkido.. so my respect for leapfrogging ahead of me! ;)

No go get 'em! We're with you! (And please don't picture ME naked!) LOL!

Yes, true, I do take training seriously. I'll remember, the reward is near.

[zac_duncan]

Kick him square in the balls!


No, seriously bro. He's a human being. He's also very likely a kind person. Beyond that, you're a frikken' n00b. If you suck, or your ettiquette is poor, it's expected. If not, you'll impress. He's seen a lot of beginners and he's knows what to expect.

He might intimidate the livin' bejeezus out of you. He might come off as a kindly old grandfather type. Either way, you've got little to fear. He's a man. Plain and simple.


Good luck and have fun.

[Korpy]

Kick him square in the balls!


No, seriously bro. He's a human being. He's also very likely a kind person. Beyond that, you're a frikken' n00b. If you suck, or your ettiquette is poor, it's expected. If not, you'll impress. He's seen a lot of beginners and he's knows what to expect.

He might intimidate the livin' bejeezus out of you. He might come off as a kindly old grandfather type. Either way, you've got little to fear. He's a man. Plain and simple.


Good luck and have fun.

Thank you.

All of you are giving excellent advice and making me less nervous. :)

[garry owen]

Ah,makes me remember testing for my yellow belt in TKD,and I was 28! You will do fine, you're just wanting to do your best, I know how you feel. Besides once testing starts you'll recognize everything coming, the nervousness will go away.

[Hapkido Student]

Thank you. That was real good too. I'll just try to calm down, and I'll do my best.


Your welcome, It's glad to see that I was of some help. Im glad to see your less nervous. I hope you have a good time and you do very well.

[Korpy]

Your welcome, It's glad to see that I was of some help. Im glad to see your less nervous. I hope you have a good time and you do very well.

I will.

[BSR]

I don't think my wife would approve of my picturing the instructor naked.

My instructor is a woman. :)