3 posts tagged “black belt”
It's in the past...the test is finally over. All of the worries, all of the training, the early mornings and late evenings in the gym, all of the kicks, punches, katas, stances in preparation of my shodan test --they're all behind me.
Although, I won't know if I passed or not for a few more weeks, I'm writing this post battered, sore, and a little brusied...but I am writing it very much prepared and very much looking forward to the journey ahead. 
OSU!
"Train like a weed..."
This is a saying from Grandmaster Katsuoh Yammamoto. Grandmaster goes on to explain how weeds tend to persevere despite being stepped on, weather conditions, etc. Martial arts practioners should train their bodies in the same manner. "Train like a weed" has been somewhat of a personal credo of mine since I read the excerpt in Gramdmasters book.
Tomorrow I test to become a shodan (first degree black belt). I may have mentioned before, but I never thought I'd get there. I am nervous as hell, although I try not to show it. Tomorrow I have to go out and prove that I haven't wasted the last 3 years or so of training. I have to find the right balance between concern and coolness (I mean, it does me no good to be so nervous that I botch everything and it does me just as much good to be so calm/loose that...well...I botch everything). It's a tall task, but I think I am up to it.
I think at the root of it all, I'm not nervous for me. I'm nervous because I have karate has been become "my sport"; yea, I played basketball and football, but my shooting is inconsistent and I'm don't possess enough skill in any one area to be a good football player. Karate is the only thing that I can honestly say I do well 90-plus percent of the time. It's given me an outlet for displaying my athletic ability. I am nervous for my instructor (Good luck to you too Picklez!); I try to give him 100% even when I'm at 60%. I'm nervous for the other black belts in class (Good luck Twinkletoes...although, you certainly don't need it) --has their instruction and encouragement been enough?
I can't just skate by on this test. I am proud to have the opportunity to test to become a black belt, and like any other challenge, I welcome it.
OSU!!!
(Copied from MySpace blog 1/31)
Music can be an expression how you feel, a description of a situation or an outlet for emotion. Often times, before testings or tournaments, I can be found stealing a few minutes alone with my MP3 player; just me and the soundtrack for the moment. I'd been feeling a little uneasy because normally it's easy to find a song that drives home a point (examples are "Determined" and "Happy?" by Mudvayne for pre-fight warm up, "I dare you" by Shinedown before testing, "I walk alone" by Saliva for training), but I couldn't quite find one for *this* testing..there wasn't a song that I could use to visualize myself in that moment...until Monday.
"Ladies and gentlemen please, Would you bring your attention to me?
For a feast for your eyes to see, An explosion of catastrophe
Like nothing you’ve ever seen before; Watch closely as I open this door
Your jaws will be on the floor; After this you’ll be begging for more
Welcome to the show; Please come inside, Ladies and gentlemen
Boom. Do you want it? Boom. Do you need it? Boom. Let me hear it. Ladies and gentlemen
Boom. Do you want it? Boom Do you need it? Boom Let me hear it Ladies and gentlemen
Ladies and gentlemen good evening, You’ve seen that seeing is believing
Your ears and your eyes will be bleeding, Please check to see if you’re still breathing
Hold tight cause the show it not over, If you will please move in closer,
Your about to be bowled over, By the wonders you’re about to behold here
Welcome to the show, Please come inside, Ladies and gentlemen
Boom Do you want it? Boom Do you need it? Boom Let me hear it
Ladies and gentlemen "
"Ladies and Gentlemen" by Saliva
