Friends and family who ask me about my karate training often ask, “Alec, what is the appeal in karate that keeps you going?” I usually tell about the great journey it takes from white to black belt, about the years of dedication it took me to get as far as I have today, and how I want to keep that going. In doing this however, I will usually avoid talking about the black belt itself, knowing that they probably expected me to talk about it. Outsiders who don’t have any extensive knowledge of karate often think about the goal of getting black belt, then finally getting it as being the most important part and end goal of karate, and I really don’t blame them. Very early on in my training I was extremely focused on the black belt like …show more content…
Possibly the most important idea I would like to communicate to anyone interested in karate, is that no matter the level you must be ready to be put outside of your comfort zone. To elaborate, you will be constantly expected to learn new and complex concepts, such as forms and weapons, and eventually being expected to teach a class of junior belts. You will not do as good as you planned, and of course we as people don’t like doing it wrong, so the feeling of “why did you not succeed?” changes to motivation to do better the next time, and so you adapt. This cycle can be seen throughout the belt path, from learning to make that front stance just a little deeper, to learning how to better teach a form.
When people continue to be pushed like this, they tend to stay in karate for long amounts of time compared to other activities because they always want to do better than the last time, and this translates to not only learning how to become the best that you can be, but teaching lower belts the best way, so that they might become better. I’m getting ahead of myself though, as all journeys have a beginning, and the beginning of any student’s journey is progressing from white belt. Chinese Philosopher Lao Tzu once said that “a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step”. My first step in karate was my parents looking to sign my sister and I into an after school activity, to increase our confidence and
Through my life I’ve had many special accomplishments, but the one that meant the most to me was the time when I got my second degree black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do. I currently am a second degree black belt with 8 years of consistent training. My journey through this experience was not at all easy. In fact, I had to go through much dedication, time, and sacrifice. My training involved me going to practice 4 days a week, not including tournaments, weekend practices, and times when I went to practice when I wasn’t required to. All this training prepared me for tests that I had to earn in order to get my next belt; many people have failed, but I’ve never failed a single test. In my preparation for becoming a second degree, I’ve also had to assist
While in middle school Kip began to start getting into trouble in and out of school. He was picked on in school. This lead to him wanting to take martial art classes even
My black belt will help me fulfill this goal as it will give me a reason to stick to my goal. In karate class, the instructors over there didn’t wanted perfection, they wanted us to try our best. It will remind me not to give up. The black belt represents a level of appreciation, humanity, trust, life, love, courage, strength, knowledge, self-discipline, coordination, friendship, and willingness to do what is right. These character traits will help me to understand my patient and guide them with the right advice.
My opponent is my teacher and my ego is my enemy. During the beginning of 9th grade I had always wanted to get a membership at a gym and so happen that my cousin started working at this new gym called UFC, she invited me to check it out. Monday in the afternoon, I went to the gym and from the moment I first stepped foot in that gym I loved the vibe there. Everybody pleasantly welcomed me. I first started taking DUT (Daily Ultimate Training) classes which worked more on strength and conditioning. Then several different classes, however the one class that caught my attention the most was the Brazilian jiu-jitsu class. Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport that teaches a smaller person how to defend himself against a larger adversary by using leverage and proper technique
Being a black belt means to show patience to others. When a student has a belt ceremony, you should show patience even though there are too many people or either the student is taking very long. Also when a student is getting a tape, you should be patient no matter what.
During my black belt test, I and twenty other candidates were testing for black belt. All of us passed the test and became black belts. The next day, I went to my first black belt class, but only saw half of the candidates who tested with me. Soon, after a month, there were only four of the candidates left. All of these people left, telling me that they have become a black belt and there is nothing else to learn. Others told me that black belt was too challenging. After two years of black belt training, I was testing for my second degree in black belt. However, I was alone. Then, I passed my second-degree test, but I was left with a decision, to leave or stay.
The blistering heat glistened on my face as I stepped out the car door. It was June and I was preparing to test for my 2nd degree brown belt, a belt only two other people around my same age had tested for. My father encouraged me by saying, “You’re on track to becoming one the youngest black belts in your school!” I felt the pressure building up inside of me, the fear of failing this test was evolving. I stepped through the door of the karate school, which was still packed with younger students who just finished testing for their first belt. I walked to the back to take off my sandals, greet the others testing, and wait. Fifteen anxious minutes later, we were called out to stretch on the mats.
When I started Jiu Jitsu it changed how I felt about being more social. One sunny day in a hot summer me I have sandy blonde hair and blueish green eyes I prefer to read books and be in loud places, my sister Cheyenne a fifteen year old that has blonde hair and blue eyes she loves to read books and pink items, and my nephew Nate is a hyper thrill seeking seven year old were all sitting on the couch trying to find something to watch. Going through the boring choices of movies we couldn’t choose anything then I flicked of the tv, and turned to Chey and Nate let’s go do something this is too boring I said with a little-bit of enthusiasm. Then we went on a hunt to see some fun things we could do we found Jiu Jitsu. Chey and I talked to Mom about our special activity, and she said she would think about is. Later that night I fell asleep hoping she would say yes.
Karate has changed the way I view everything and everyone around me. The total amount of years I’ve been there is 3 years because of an
Receiving a well-earned Black Belt in Tang Soo Do is one of the hardest achievements anyone can do in life. It begins with determination, dedication, perseverance, belief, and faith, understanding of this long journey with strength of mind to overcome obstacles that may discourage or stand in the way. It is a motivating goal to accomplish and once attained, reinforces the confidence that you are able to accomplish anything if you set your mind to it. Black Belt is a continuous commitment to the pursuit of excellence and striving to be the best.
I hail from Kerala, a beautiful southern state in India, often known as ‘God’s own Country’. During my schooling, unlike other girls of my age, I found a passion in Taekwondo and was involved actively in it since the age of eleven. I joined medical school and soon realized the similarities between Taekwondo and medicine. Mastery of both requires passion, dedication and perseverance. I was the only student in my batch who completed the Taekwondo course and attained a black belt.
Two years ago i received my black belt in taekwondo,my mother decided i was responsible enough to get a dog as a gift. I was very happy,i’ve always wanted a dog. My neighbor's dog had given birth to puppies a few months earlier, so that was perfect timing.The puppies were old enough to be away from the mother. All the puppies were brown except for two. All the dogs were female,i’ve seen them only a few times the mother was very protective of them when they were newborns.The taekwondo test lasted four hours i was extremely tired i had protective gear on which was kinda heavy and kept heat in so i was sweating a lot.
To get to the next phase/belt, the student is required to dedicate his time into improving every day and trying his/her best. Generally, it takes anywhere from 8 to 18 months of training and practice to move to the next phase in karate. The more you practice, the faster you will get a new belt. Each of nine colors of belts in karate have meaning behind
Several years ago, when I was five years-old, I watched the movie The Karate Kid (1984) starring Ralph Macchio as the bullied teen who comes out of his shell, having mastered a form of martial arts. At that tender age, I was impressed by the fact that such a mousy adolescent came out of his shell in such an impacting way. Mr. Miyagi (played by Pat Morita) was especially impressive with his quiet demeanor and extraordinary martial arts skills. The movie was a bit old-fashioned, but I loved it! Although I was never bullied, I knew that I wanted to be just like Daniel Larusso, the character that Ralph Macchio played: strong and disciplined. So when the chance came along to join a martial arts class came along, I grabbed it. I started taking classes
Judo has been a large part of my life since I was six years old. Twenty-one years have passed since I started judo, and the role that it has played in my life has transformed tremendously over the years. To me, judo has always been a sport. I have practiced countless of hours on perfecting the technique of my throws, sweeps, pins, chokes, and armbars, and my work has paid off in competition. I have competed in multiple tournaments on the national and international scope, and I have won awards in both shiai (sparring) and kata (form). However, judo to me changed into so much more after my experience at the 2015 Special Olympics World Games during the summer after my high school junior year.