Monday marks the first formal Arnis class I've taught since we shut down our community center program back in Texas about a year and a half ago.
I have my handouts ready, my curriculum ready, my lesson plan is ready. I have sticks and training knives ready.
And WOW, I'm nervous.
Why am I so nervous?
Part of it is performance anxiety. The normal nervousness before a presentation or performance. I'm very lucky in that I really don't experience the severe fear lots of people do before performances or speaking, but I do still get it a little bit.
But that's not the real problem.
I'm hyper-aware that this class, along with the Kansas City Presas Arnis Meetup, are just part of my responsibility to spread my style and represent and teach it well.
That's a big job, when you think about it, especially since the only people who do what Mr. Chick and I do, exactly, within, oh, at least a 500 mile radius of Kansas City are... Mr. Chick and I.
The responsibility is a little... overwhelming... at times.
I also have to make sure our students enjoy what we are doing in class. I want them leaving every time happy with what they've learned, excited about practicing outside of class. It's a one day a week class so they will have to practice outside class, so I want them motivated to do it.
I want to foster a whole new batch of Arnis-playing martial arts lifers.
I want them to like the smell of burning rattan as much as I do.
That's what's keeping me awake at night - the responsibility and the passion for my students to really enjoy what we do. My brain is going 10,000 miles an hour and I just want Monday to GET HERE ALREADY.
But I'll wait until then. No choice, right?
In the mean time... maybe I need to review my curriculum notes and lesson plans one more time...?
Maybe.
If you're a martial arts instructor, tell me about a time where you had to take on a role like this. What helped you through it? What pitfalls should I look out for? Let us know in the comments!