Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Your Blackbelts - Series 3 - A Higher Degree

A Higher Degree of Learning
The next most exciting event to earning a Blackbelt is furthering your expertise and testing your physical limits by testing for additional degrees.  There are 10 degrees within blackbelt for many martial art systems.  A student might spend 20-30+ years within blackbelt alone before ever attaining such high levels.   Here are two of our students who have succeeded in taking their training to the next levels by earning their higher degrees of achievement

Black Belt Test Essay 8-12-17
What has Martial Arts given you that nothing else has?

NAME:  Thomas Bozzi
AGE: 18
                                                            TRAINING YEARS:  8
                                                            CURRENT RANK:
3rd Degree Blackbelt T'ang Soo Do,
1st Degree Blackbelt Hapkido, and
1st Level Degree of Soo Ho Ji Moo


The Black Belt Credo describes the conduct that others should expect from me as a Black Belt and that I should expect from myself.  I take pride in the fact that I am and Black Belt, but I can only do so because of the meaning that such a title bears.  If there were no standards which all KMA Black Belts must follow, being a black belt at KMA means nothing.  The black Belt credo provides those necessary standards. 
I seek to possess all the characteristics outlined by the credo because I know that if I do so, I will not only be setting and admirable example for others, both within the school and outside of it, but I will also be able to inspire them to work diligently toward their own personal development.  Essentially, I value the Black Belt Credo because it describes the characteristics that martial arts have inspired me to develop. 
When I first started martial arts, I was not much of a martial artist.  I had a few goals, but rarely any plans to meet them, I had no desire to grow through learning my limitations, and I was fearful of the scrutiny of others.  And I hardly ever persevered in the face of failure.  Thanks to the expectations that have been placed upon me as a black belt, I have changed in all manner of my personal character and I can proudly say that I am a martial artist.

Former Student:   Black Belt Testimony
How has Martial Arts benefitted you unlike any other influence?
NAME:  Carlos Marquez
AGE: 71
                                                            TRAINING YEARS:  8
                                                            CURRENT RANK:
2nd Degree Blackbelt T'ang Soo Do,
1st Degree Blackbelt Hapkido



A Martial artist is always learning.  At first this seems obvious because you cannot progress in rank unless you learn the required material.  When we first step in the studio we are confronted with new traditions, procedures, and ways of counting.  That is all before we have even started to sweat.

                We learn from our masters and instructors, we learn from our manual, and we learn from each other.  What we learn from each other may not always be obvious.  We may learn parts of a form or technique from a fellow student but we also learn from watching a student tough out a test. We also learn from a student who continues to practice a difficult technique even though he or she may know it but also knows that there is room for improvement. Every time that I step into the do jahng, I know that it will different from any other training session I have experienced in the past.  There may be similarities, but each session is unique in some way.  We may revisit a technique we have practiced from day one and learn a new aspect or application that enhances our development as a martial artist.

Why all the emphasis on learning?  Simple, because it is really why we are all part of the Koguryo Martial Arts community, and because any opportunity to learn is precious and temporary and should be seized immediately.  I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity.

I will finish with a quote from Francisco Jose De Goya y Lucientes a Spanish painter who as an old man in his late seventies painted a self portrait, after completing the work he stepped back to admire it and said, somewhat surprised "Aun aprendo", which means I am still learning.

Are you READY to start your journey towards a higher degree of learning and challenges?

Join Us

www.koguryoma.com

QUESTIONS?   614-899-9033  *  koguryomartialarts.hq@gmail.com




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