Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Amanda Becker--Temporary Black Belt Test June 1,2013

My Story of Tae Kwon Do

Hi. My name is Amanda Becker. I live between Strawberry and Edgewood. I am a student at the Edgewood branch, Master McDowell is my instructor. I have been a student of Tae Kwon Do since Thursday, April 9, 2009. I started going to class because my dad wanted us to do something together. I started with my dad and brother, but last year in March my dad got injured and they both stopped going to classes. I wanted to keep going because I wanted to earn a black belt. Dad and my brother started going back to class in January.

What I like about Tae Kwon Do is it's a brain challenge and I do it with friends. I've made a lot of new friends through Tae Kwon Do. I like sparring the best because you can move freely and I can do all the stuff I've learned. I like competing in tournaments because I get to meet new people and when I'm sparring them its more challenging because they do different moves than the people I usually spar with. My favorite form is Pai-Gwe 7 which symbolizes the mountain and stability. In the form, I like the x block low and x block high movement. I also like the circle block and punch. The hardest movements for me are doing tornado kicks and reverse kicks because I have a hard time spinning. I like being a higher belt than my brother and dad because I like being the teacher instead of them teaching me because I am the youngest in my family.

In 2011, my family went on the Colorado trip to Grand Master's cabin. I got to spend lots of time with Master Wood. He taught me how to relax. He taught me there are usually two ways to look at something. This makes me look at situations differently because I realize if something seems bad if I look at it differently maybe it isn't so bad and maybe it could be good. I enjoyed spending time with the other brown and black belts and having class and playing games in the woods. I also got to do some neat things in Colorado like white water rafting.

I do not think people should just use Tae Kwon Do for themself; they should protect and teach it to other people. Tae Kwan Do has allowed me to know how to help someone if they are being picked on. I also have more confidence in myself because I could protect myself if I were in a fight. Tae Kwon Do has helped me with the other sports I play, softball and basketball. I think I am able to react better to situations on the field and court.

There have been a few times when I have taken a break from going to Tae Kwon Do class, but after a few months I always end up going back, because I like it. I think it will be cool to be a black belt, because since it has taken me so long to earn it this shows I have perseverance and indomitable spirit. Tae Kwon Do has helped me become a better person.