I've been doing a martial arts for a few years and love certain aspects of it but we have to spar. I don't mind sparring but I'm a middle aged woman and I will never be anything other than medioca. This is ok with me but the class is made up of teenagers and men who are far faster and taller and the instructor insists I spar them, instead of the one other middle aged woman in the class.
I come away feeling defeated and shit. I simply can't improve when I don't have time to think and spend my time being punched and kicked. I learn far more when I'm with the other woman or some of the older men because we are evenly matched and can try techniques out.
I'm wondering whether the teaching methods and me are not matched and the classes are for younger people.
A hobby should be enjoyable right? Not have you walk away feeling out of control and inferior?