Today we bring you a featured Black Belt Club Application from one of our students, Kathryn.
Many people think that karate is just kicking and punching. So when someone says “I’m a black belt,” they probably think that, that’s cool and all, but that it’s just saying “I trained for a long time so I could learn how to hurt people.” But it’s actually a lot more than that. It demonstrates skill; dedication, respect, and leadership. Being a black belt obviously shows skill – the ability to always hit your target, the finesse to fall and quickly roo back up. Another, less obvious part, is dedication. Becoming a black belt can take somewhere around a year*, and you can’t slack on blue belt if you want to become a black belt. Respect is also key on this journey. If you always brush off your teacher’s corrections and advice, you’ll never get anywhere. Finally, to be a black belt means to possess leadership. If you stay at your dojo after you become a black belt, you can help teach** younger students and aid them in their quest for mastery. In conclusion, to be a black belt means that you have shown you have skill, respect, dedication, and leadership and can show it on a day-to-day basis. So a black belt isn’t just an article of clothing, or a title. It’s a way of life.
*We have not yet been able to inform Kathryn that it usually takes more than a year to achieve black belt.
**We have been able to inform her that Instructor Training is available well before Black Belt.