How do you feel about getting your next grade/level/belt in martial arts?
By Foxfire1875
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
March 10, 2008 7:56am CST
In a weeks time I'm going through my next grading and as last time I'm feeling pretty nervous. I do like doing the gradings, as I feel that it proves I have now perfected techniques/moves.
Why do you like getting to the next level or don't you like it, you'd rather just do the martial art because you enjoy it?
5 responses
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
12 May 08
When I did Shotokan Karate, I was very nervous. We always had a memper of JKA (Japanese Karate Association) come from Japan to watch us test. That way the tests were standardized throughout the world. So you are doing the test in front of a stranger. But I would do the best I could and deal with the results. I passed one test, failed another test, passed two tests, and then had retest in two months on a skill by my instructor and if that skill was OK, then pass (it's listed as conditional pass-usually when a person almost has something, if in two months, you have it, then you can be passed to the next level). Then I had to choose between Martial Arts or Elementary Teaching. So I had to leave Martial Arts.
In my style of T'ai Chi, they have no tests in a way, but you're always being tested in a way. My instructor would show me a move, then I had to go home, practice it for a week and come back. I would show him the move I had practiced and he would straighten out the move and teach me another one. I would practice that for a week. Then I would come back and show him both moves, he would straighten them out and show me the next move, etc. So we didn't have formal tests for grade/level/belts, but we had to try to make each individual move better every week. So it was sort of informal continual testing.
So have you had your next grading? How did you do?
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
13 May 08
Ah, so, your instructor and you guys are "right on" just need more practice/work. Very, very good!
It is best to have a standard that is the same all over the world. That way you can go anywhere and it is the same. Take care
1 person likes this
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
•
15 May 08
We have a krav maga passport that if we were to go and live somewhere else, we could show the new instructor what level we were at.
It is good that it is standardised and we train with the official Krav Maga federation. I suppose it is like other martial arts that have split and become variations of the original style but I like that we are the official one.
1 person likes this
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
•
13 May 08
For certain grades like p2 we have someone from Israel to grade us. I did pass my p2 as did everyone who was there, although I was a bit worried when the examiner said that some of us had just scrapped through and more training needed to be done, but as my boyfriend pointed out to me we weren't asked to change what we were doing during the test unlike some others.
1 person likes this
@SoulofHell (39)
• Mexico
12 Jul 08
Because i get to learn more things, and get more respect from the lower grades i enjoy it because u have to learn more and you are the image that represent all persons that are behind you.
1 person likes this
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
•
21 Jul 08
That can be a big responsibility though, I'm not sure I'd like that. Our group is more or less the same level as it hasn't been going that long only about 2 years now.
@di1159 (1580)
• United States
10 Mar 08
I think the worst tests are your 1st belt (white) and your black belt. If your instructor has asked that you test, it is because you are ready for the next belt. Both my children will be testing this Saturday 3/15/08 for the 1st part of their black belt test and I can understand the nervousness. Like all tests, the true measure of your "martial art ability" will be determined more by your mental resolve and your spirit. I'm sure you will pass with flying colors. Good Luck to you!
1 person likes this
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
•
11 Mar 08
Thanks Di1159, this is my second grade and you're right the first one was the worst, as until you've done a grading you don't know what to expect.
I do trust my instructor as I thought I was nowhere ready for my first grade but passed and in fact our whole group were congratulated on the high standard. I think I'm more worried that I will let the whole group down, more than the grading itself.
You are probably as, if not more nervous for your children. Good luck to both of them, I hope we all pass. :D
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
•
30 Mar 08
It is a great feeling and I'm sure like me you feel that it shows you are improving all the time.
@dark_dragon525 (76)
• United States
23 May 08
I would get nervous until I got up and did it. Then I would be alot more calm but I would still be wondering if I passed or not. I enjoy reaching the next kyu because it is proof of my accomplishment. Unfortunately my family's funds became strained and that was the first thing to go.
1 person likes this
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
•
26 Jun 08
I think that's what I like most is the feeling of accomplishment. I hope your financial postition improves so you can return to it.
