Conquering The Dreaded Crowded Kickboxing Class

[DucatiGirl]

Had an awesome realization last night. I started kickboxing in January as a form of social anxiety desensitization and just to get out and about, plus the intense exercise of course. The room is a pair of converted raqcuetball courts that are a white box with blue mats, which mimics in no small way where my assault occurred. But I am nothing if not stubborn, and strong, and I made it through private lessons (with a man!) and moved into the noon time class, which only had about 10 people in it. I was petrified, but the instructor was awesome and kept me breathing, and life was good.

Recently I had to switch to the evening classes because of a schedule change at work. There are anywhere from 27-34 people each night -- there were 37 on Monday, and I was close to a panic attack. But last night there were 32 people, and I handled it LIKE A CHAMP. I am ridiculously proud of myself!

Next stop, BJJ class -- a terrifying thought in itself!

 

[The Albatross]

Way to go Ducati Girl, you stuck with it and started with private lessons.... and look at you NOW, huh? Very solid accomplishment and a big success at managing your goal challenges and doing the exposures. :tup::tup::tup: Very happy for you.

 

[Lopezwhere'sthefire]

That's awesome! Next stop, The bright lights of the UFC!

 

[DucatiGirl]

I'm not sure I'd go that far, Lopez lol! Though I wouldn't mind trying a BJJ tournament in a year or so, presuming my recovery team signs off on it. And it's pretty cool that I can include my instructor and the gym community as being part of my team :)

 

[EveHarrington]

So awesome! :)

 

[Sideways]

I switched to regular boxing once I discovered how unco I am with my legs, but the intense cardio & concentration combo of boxing is so brilliant for my headspace, and I hope you get that too:)

It's a really big deal that you've been able to stick with this for yourself. Knowing that your ptsd could've stopped you, but you didn't let it - that something to be immensely proud of. Cheering you on DG:)

 

[DucatiGirl]

Thanks, Ragdoll! We forget -- well, at least I do, I don't want to presume to speak for anyone else -- sometimes to take a moment to see just how far we've come. Ten years ago I couldn't have imagined this!

One of the reasons that I'm so intent on with the BJJ is the intense in-the-moment grounding that takes place, since it's basically intense exercise with intense concentration and focus. I get that with kickboxing the way you do with boxing, but there's more to it with BJJ (I think). I've seen so many success stories with combat veterans and BJJ, and I'm intrigued to see if it's going to work for this sexual assault survivor. I am going to tip-toe into BJJ the same way I did with kickboxing and take private lessons with my instructor, and he's got a plan to slowly introduce me into the wild (his term for it -- he makes it sound like he's rehabilitating a wild animal... :D)

 

[Sideways]

Sounds like you've got an ace instructor. When I was doing private lessons, my trainer was like a sponge for info about my meds and how I was travelling mentally. Got to the point where he could read me really well, and adapted each lesson to help me cope with whatever symptoms were troubling me the most. Restored a bit of faith in the general population, but also meant I could stick with it, even when I was in a really bad way.

Sounds like your instructir has his head screwed on and is going to give you the lessons you need, rather than just reel out the same old program. That's awesome! Hope you love it:)

 

[Ellabella44]

nice!!! good for you dealing with all of those people !! I like where you talk about your new teacher treating you like a wild animal in rehabilitation. It sounds like the mindset you need. Skittish and injured animals need compassion, encouragement, and patience.... and so do we..

 

[DucatiGirl]

nice!!! good for you dealing with all of those people !! I like where you talk about your new tea...

He surprises me with his insight -- he's protective but makes me do it myself. I'm extremely lucky to have met him in particular, but all of the instructors there are all very positive. It's the old "it takes a village," but in this case it takes a dojo.