Main Dojang
August 9, 2014
The Key to Becoming a Black Belt
I think that many people start out in Taekwondo with the goal of becoming a black belt. I will admit that I did. But maybe there is a problem with that.
When I started out to become a black belt, that black belt seemed so far away. It is two months between tests, twelve belt levels, and an additional four months wait for temporary black belt test. Then it is another six months until the first dan test. Almost three years. That could be discouraging. But soon, I stopped thinking about only the end goal and just enjoyed every day of practice.
The curriculum for black belt at Jung’s Taekwondo consists of sixteen forms and their meanings, twenty eight individual step sparring, plus a few created by oneself, the meaning of the American and Korean flags, Korean terminology, self defense, and dozens of different hand and foot techniques. If you cannot appreciate your practice, then soon all these things could get pretty boring.
If black belt is your only end goal, then once the black belt is awarded, you no longer have anything for which to keep practicing. I think that the key to becoming a black belt is in enjoying each day of practice, always looking to learn something new, but meanwhile perfecting what you have already learned.
