July 8, 2006

Lots to Learn

The family and I went to black belt testing. Our dojo had six students testing for 1st degree black belt (two of them for junior black belt), and two instructors testing (one for 5th degree and one for 4th degree). The testing dojo had two floors. We arrived a little late and lingered on the steps between the two floors trying to decide where to go. While trying to decide, Lil C heard one too many kiai‘s and started having an absolute fit. In her defense, 15 simultaneous kiai’s by some loud and motivated brown belts were a little intimidating for me, let alone a 9 month old baby. Mr. BBM promptly took her outside.

Big I and I decided we would watch our instructors for a while since the upstairs was packed full of hopeful parents wielding video cameras and jockeying for the best position. It was simply too packed upstairs to watch the brown belts. I can’t say I’m disappointed though. We watched six black belts test for the next level and the technique and the power that they used was nothing short of amazing. During a bo/tonfa kata where our two instructors did a fight routine, Big I audibly said "Wow" when our one instructor jumped into the air to avoid a bo sweep. At the end of their routine, there was applause. It really was that impressive.

The kata’s came fast and furious as the whole group would perform and then individuals would be pulled out to go it alone. All black belt candidates were judged by four higher ranks, one of which was a red belt. It was certainly a bit intimidating, but the judges didn’t seem to be overly critical which was encouraging. Another encouraging fact? Four of the six black belt testing for the next level looked to be older than I am.

Granted, I was watching the higher ranks test; but I couldn’t help but start feeling like I need to get to work and NOW. The level at which they did the kata’s was so impressive. The kiai’s were loud and forceful. Their punches and kicks had serious power behind them. They were all doing the proper breathing during the kata which is something that I do not grasp at all right now. Even trying to do the proper breathing makes me feel as if I’m going to hyperventilate. I’m going to make sure to ask about it this week at class because I feel like I should start practicing it now, rather than wait until right before the black belt test to try to learn how to do it properly. I’ll be interested to see who is wearing a black belt this week at class. I hope that they all did well enough to pass.

It was exciting to go and watch the testing, but the best part had to be when we were leaving. As we walked down the street to our car I asked Big I what her favorite part was at the testing. "The jumps," she said excitedly. "I loved it when they jumped over the bo. They jumped to the CEILING," she said. "Let’s try to do it," I said to her. So, the two of us jumped down the street as high as we could imagining a bo sweeping at our feet. I hope that one day Big I and I will be able to work on that fighting weapons kata together; but for now, just jumping down the street together was plenty of fun.