A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:hey,the other day i was with my fitness instructor doing (you guessed it) exercise. then about halfway through my instructor tells me we're going to do a conditioning session. i didn't know it at the time but a conditioning session is basically where you are hit and kicked in the arms, legs and other places you're likely to get hit in martial arts.it really hurt and i'm now left with massive bruises up and down my arms and legs. this session went on for an abnormal amount of time, he almost seemed to be enjoying himself. he didn't tell me to block or anything just literally 'stand/sit still and don't move.' while he kicks me. i was almost in tears at the end of it (the fact that i wasn't was nothing short of a miracle), and then he expected me to continue training. he didn't offer any explanation as to why he decided to do it, he just said it would do me good.This session literally lasted for half an hour, i am in agony every time i move even slightly. i can't have anyone touch me (which is rather difficult considering my mum rather likes hugging) as it hurts so much and i've got training again in the week. he looked like he was enjoying himself, but i might of been imagining that for the fact that being kicked is in no way a pleasurable experience..i would get more effective pain killers than what is available over the counter but the doctor would contact social services in a heart beat, i've not even shown my mum as she'll pull me out of the martial arts school, which may sound completely crazy, but until this point i have loved training.i could deal with the bruising and maybe even the fact that i felt helpless being in that situation, but the pain that inhibits my movement isn't something i can deal with. was what he did right? should i of put up with it?please tell me what i should do, i feel so conflicted: i love training, absolutely adore it, but that conditioning session terrified me, it has made me terrified of my instructor. and i just don't know what to do about it..please helpanon xxi am sorry it is such a long entry Reply to this Question
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reader, anonymous, writes (12 August 2011): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionhey, i confronted him about it and first he sincerely apologised for not explaining this to me on the day and then he said it is almost like a right of passage in the martial art we do, normally reserved for brown belts about to grade to black, and he told me to ask other black belts if i don't believe him.so i did and they all said that it was painful but they think it helped them in the long run (and the other black belts have been training for a good 15+ years) they said that because it hurt it helps you internalise the pain, meaning when you do inevitably get hit in real life you can deal with the problem at hand (that someone is hitting you) rather than have to stop because you're in pain.although i don't agree with the way that my instructor went about it (i would of helped immensely if he told me what he was doing) i can understand the logic behind it. i don't agree with it, he should of asked me first but i understand what he was trying to do. although i don't understand why he didn't wait until i was a brown belt (i'm an orange belt, my next grading makes me a brown)but anyway, thanks again for all the advice (and don't worry i've told him that if he ever does anything even close to this again i'll report him for abuse to the police..)thanksanon xx
A
female
reader, aviendha  +, writes (11 August 2011):
i am actively involved in taekwondo for the past 17 years..and not even once was i taken advantage of in the manner you speak of..please do a medical check-up, quit the class, make a report on that maniac,and join another class somewhere else..your instructor abused his powers, and abused YOU..
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reader, anonymous, writes (8 August 2011): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionthanks for all the advice,
i checked out all the other martial arts schools before i started training and they're all too far away or are terrible (i tried out all the ones close by) the school i go to is the best i've come across that is a reasonable distance away. so if i pull out of the school i will not be able to train anywhere else.
also i have been training at this school for a year, i have built up a mutual respect with the instructors (or atleast i thought i did) i enjoyed training. the instructor who did the conditioning session is the head of the school. he's not the highest grade but he runs the school, if he goes the school closes down.. i couldn't do that to the others that train there.
i'll demand an explanation from him tomorrow (when i train next) as for the injuries, i know there is no permanent damage (but there will be considerable bruising for some time) it's just going to be a matter of keep taking paracetamol..
training is going to be so much fun tomorrow..
anyway, thankyou for all the advice, it's nice to know that it is something i shouldn't have to put up with.
anon xx
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A
male
reader, TrancedRhythmEar  +, writes (8 August 2011):
 Yeah Im ignorant when it comes to martial arts but this as part of common sense, doesnt sound normal at all. In fact, abusive and if he was indeed getting off on this, he is sadistic. I would tell your parents and have them advise you what to do. As a grown man, I'll tell you this sounds very suspicious and should possibly be reported to the police especially since you felt his intention wasnt good. His defense would be why didnt u say anything? or why did u continue to stand there? Truth is you were probably so shocked at his behavior you didnt know how to react cause you were nervous and scared. Talk to mom and dad and tell them what you stated to us here. Best on this.
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A
female
reader, chickpea2011  +, writes (8 August 2011):
 Hi,
You are so sweet....
Sorry that you are in so much pain, but I agree with the previous postes, I don't think this is normal, acceptable, or part of any martial trainning.
I know you you feel bad, scare and don't want to cause any problems, but tell your parents, also go to the doctor...
If you love trainning, martial arts so much, find another school, I am sure there are plenty of other locations you can choose...
Feel better soon... Listen to the advices...
Good luck!
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male
reader, Tom Obler +, writes (8 August 2011):
 Go to have your injuries assessed medically and have a report made. This is not normal. Tell your parents. This is not normal and needs to be reported. You can always speak to the Police.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (8 August 2011): Ok I read your entry and I don't take martial arts class or anything but maybe he's trying to get you to have a reaction like block the hits or use self-defense i have friends that are in martial arts and they went to the first class and quit and if it isn't to get you to react maybe it's supposed to get your muscles relaxed like a kind of massage or something or to get you ready if you need to use it or to build a tolerance for your body I'm not exactly sure but I'm sure they are supposed to do that because it's happened to all i know that went into martial arts class hope this helps.
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A
female
reader, shrodingerscat +, writes (8 August 2011):
 You need to talk to your instructor. He can explain the reasons why he did what he did. I can understand being afraid after basically being "beaten up on" but one thing you need to do in the future is go with your gut and don't be afraid to speak up when something is happening that makes you uncomfortable. You need to be responsible for making sure that you're asking questions and speaking out if something makes you afraid, uncomfortable or wary.
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (8 August 2011): I would tell your parents then report him ..
not normal in any sense...stay away from him.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (8 August 2011): PULL OUT OF THIS SCHOOL.
Tell your doctor - tell social services about this man. He is abusing his power and abusing YOU; this is not what a conditioning session should be like.
You say you are hesitant because you enjoy martial arts, but surely there are other schools you could go to? Pulling out of this school or calling out your instructor for the disgusting woman-beater he is doesn't mean you can't continue to train - it's just going to be with other people.
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