[musicformyears]

Hi all.

Lately, my class and another class in my school is having karate lessons during sports class. So during last week during sport lesson, it was really terifying... Everyone was having fun, but not for me... The problem for me is that when my classmates and schoolmates were doing those actions....I can't help but to think of what had happened to me in the past. I had so many unpleasant flashbacks that made me really anxious and that's when I apparently had a panic attack. I'm really scared...In the end, I didn't join in and I sat down and my close classmates saw that I was not in a good state and I sensed that the teacher was unhappy that I didn't participate.

I was told that what we(my class and the other class) were supposed to do next week was some high kicks and etc. That's something even more challenging. So far, only my close friend in class know what's going on. My teachers have no idea about all these and I can't let them know because I feel ashamed and they might think that this reason is just an excuse. (They knew that I'm having counseling but what they don't know is that I have no time for counseling until this coming week's sport class is over.) I know I can tell all this to my counselors, but I'm only going to see one of them after this week's sports class. I can't change the appointment any earlier due to my scedule.

Did anyone faced or is anyone facing a similar issue? I hope to discover ways to cope. Thanks in advance.

[jelly-bean]

Sweetheart, first of all, you have nothing to be ashamed of........nothing. Now, you need to talk to your sports class teacher and tell her what is happening. If she knows you are in counseling she will understand the problem. If you are not strong enough to do that then maybe one of your parents can do it for you. You shouldn't have to cope, because of your mental health issue you should be given something else that does not bother you that way.

[Crazy Hitch]

Hi grace

I'm a teacher by profession.

You might find that your teachers may be more approachable than you realise.

They don't know what they don't know so they don't know why you were not participating.

Honestly- it wouldn't harm to approach the teacher. I certainly do not believe you need to go into details about your history. But a very brief statement that this is hard for you due to personal circumstances and you are receiving help with this. They may be blissfully unaware they are triggering you. You don't need to disclose that part either.

Make a brief time - away from other students - and have a brief catch up with the teacher. Try not do it in front of a class or quickly approach them at the beginning of the next class because their minds will be busy with other things.

I hope for you that your teachers are understanding and show you the empathy that you get it.

I understand and support you.

[Healing the Damage]

Heya,
I think that you should talk to your instructors about the issues you are having. You don't need to be very specific, just let them know what you are diagnosed with and that it is effecting your participation in the karate class.

On the other hand... I am a karate student, and have trouble at times because of my PTSD and anxiety. One thing that helps me is to work with someone who I trust and know won't hurt me. It also helps me to take small breaks during training to just tell myself that this is now, not then, and right now, I am learning to defend myself, so that what happened then can never happen again now. I also take deep breaths to try and calm myself and focus during training.
As for doing high kicks, you don't have to be able to kick that high when you are first starting. Heck, I have been doing karate for two years now, and have a green belt, and I am just barely able to front kick to my head level. My roundhouse, side and back kicks are nowhere near that high, and it's not even worth mentioning my other kicks haha.

If it helps you to prepare though, you can do leg swing exercises to help you to stretch the muscles in your legs in order to make it easier to kick higher. The front leg swing stretch is pretty easy. If you get into a front stance (if you know how to do one - sorry, I don't know your ability levels), you just swing your back leg up in front of you. Keep your leg straight without locking your knee, ankle straight (basically forming a 90º angle between your leg and foot), and keep your toes pulled back. When we do them at my dojo, we do three levels of leg swings - knee, waist and as high as you can - whether that means belly button level, shoulder level, or two feet above your head. Do four at each level before moving to the next level, then do the same thing with your other leg.

I hope that stuff helps, and sorry for the long-winded explanations - especially if it is stuff you already know!!

[Zykra]

If you would rather not tell teachers about anything,then don't.
I found out about a disease I have(It won't kill me but I have to live with it)a few months back and once I thought about it so much I just had a panic attack.Because of that I didn't get any of my school work done,which reallly stressed me out the next day because I ended up having to tell me teacher why it wasn't done.
I didn't plan on telling anyone about the disease, especially teachers because you don't know what they could tell your parents.(My parents don't even know I have a disease)
Sooo you see if you are going to tell someone then do it,if not then just let it go.Avoid situations where you might have to tell them.
T_T That teacher that I had to tell about my disease wouldn't let me go until I told her "what was going on" so I basically had no way out of it.

Anyways not sure if that was very relevant,>__< I hope I helped somehow.
And also have a great year! ^V^ Would love to get to know you one day too!